Veitnam travel advise?

Question

i'm going there for 10 days and would like to know where to go, i was thinking hanoi and halong bay and then to a nice beach ( really tropical) and then down to saigon. is this good and what beach would you receomend, any advise would be great:) thanks

Answer 1

You are in for a GREAT experience. We were in Vietnam Jan/08.

1. Make sure to take a lot of small bills, 1&5's. They take US $ everywhere.

1A. The dollar goes a long way in vietnam, we had dinner out one time , 4 beers, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 2 desserts for under $12.00

2.We never had  a problem with crime but always be aware. The people are lovely and very friendly.

3. In Hanoi we stayed at Sofitel Plaza, central to everything. 4.Taking a cab is cheap, but be careful, there are some cabbies who will try to ripe you off. Either establish a price up front or keep a watchful eye on the meter, and I mean keep an eye on the meter! Most cab rides are under $3.00.

5.Try the Green Tangerine for lunch or dinner, it's french but a beautiful spot and great food! (their address 48 Hang Be.)6.There's the HCM museum and were we able to see HCM perserved body,dead since 1969.Well guarded as you might expect.

7.The Hanoi Hilton should be seen, I don't know how old you are, so the vietnam war may not having any meaning for you. They claim to have McCain's flight uniform on display there.

8.Water Puppet Show

9.Hanoi is a lot more how should I say this? Communist then Saigon? You'll see a lot more military around then in Saigon.

10. THE TRAFFIC...OMG that's like a whole other experience! But once you master it, it's easy! Always, always look both ways. You are never going to see so many mopeds in your life!Millions of them! Walk at a steady pace when crossing the streets. NEVER RUN! They'll keep an eye out for you, and they have a speed limit.AND never stop in the middle of the street when crossing or you might get stuck there. It's at first scarey, but once you get across the first time the rest is easy.

11.HALONG BAY...it's beautiful there, well worth the trip. We stayed on the Emeraude and that was first class all the way.They do have junkers you can also go on, and many choices.Don't miss.

12.There are some nice spas, very enexpensive compared to otherUS &  countries. But be careful, if you see $10.00 spa usually that's a cover for other activities. We found that out in Hoi An. It was creepy! We paid $65.00 for spa tratment in Hue and it was wonderful.

13. If you make it to Hue go to LAC THANH for dinner and sit out on the second floor. Lac is this wonderful chef and he is also deaf. But so friendly! You'll get souvenir beer openers.

14. China beach...since we were there in the winter the water was pretty cold, we only stopped briefly so can't say much, oh it was beautiful.

15. Try not to miss the Cu Chi tunnels

16. Saigon is overwhelming, people , mopeds, so much to see.

17. I research where we go throughly since we mostly will never be back again. Try to have a complete list of where you want to go. It's a lot ! There is only one major highway ( US built during Nam) and road travel takes a lot of time. Not to mention another great experience driving on it! Only 2 lanes, but the people there somehow make it 3 lanes!

I could go on and on, we loved it there. If you're interested you can see my pictures at Flickr.com put in 2008trip in search and you'll see deborah47.

As I said I could go and on, but I have errands to do...hope this helps! Contact me if you have more questions. Cheers!

PS...if you're going in the summer, take very light clothes, it was 90 degree in Saigon and that was in Jan, while it is cooler in Hanoi since it's further north, but still warm.

Answer 2

In 10 days a good itinerary would be

Hanoi, 3 nights

Halong Bay 1 night (an overnight trip on a traditional junk is highly recommended, and a great way to see more of the bay than on a day trip)

Saigon - you dont really need more than 1 night here depending on arrival time - Cu Chi tunnels are a good day trip. (FYI - if you go to the Mekong Delta do it as an overnight trip - not a day trip as it is quite a long way from Saigon)

Beaches - will depend on when you are going. The central area of Danang/HoiAn & Hue are better options between May - Oct & Phan Thiet (aka Mui Ne), Phu Quoc in south are better between Nov-Mar.

If you can fit it in Hoi An is a wonderful place for a few days, and if in season (see above) a good combination of great beach and interesting UNESCO heitage centre;.

Answer 3

The three tourist beachs on the way down are Hoi An,  This is China beach, about 30 k's long between Danang and Hoi An.  White sand and as seclueded or crowed as you want.  Nha Trang,  a beach town with big hotels real close to the beach.  good night life and a passable beach.  A little dirty but the islands just off shore are great.

Then Mui Ne.  Usually windy but lots of kite boarding and a good beach.  For a really interesting beach try Phu Quoc island.  You can find some hide out beaches here that are very cool.  

Have fun.