Vietnam Recommendations?

Question

I'm planning on traveling to Vietnam next summer. Do you have any recommendations or must see suggestions?

Answer 1

Having travelled to Vietnam 4 times and married to a traditional vietnamese woman I can tell you many places to go.  

  Near Tay Ninh there is a great place to see.  It is called, "Black Lady Mountain."  You take a lift up the mountain and on the top is an ancient buddhist temple.  It such an amazing place.

  In Ho Chi Minh there is a fine Vietnam War museum. Many photos and items from the war are there.  Plus guided tours.

  If you want to go to a very inexpensive resort on the ocean, try going to "Long Hai."  It is a 1 hour drive from ho chi minh.  you can rent your own bungalow for 70 dollars a night.  The resort is called, "Anoasis."

Answer 2

Bring lots of bugspray and cool clothes (summer clothes), don't drink the tap water.  Try to stay away from eating at roadside stalls or stay near a bathroom if you do.  

When you get there, buy some clothes that locals would wear so you can blend in as much as possible, this'll reduce your chances of being taken advantage of.  Don't walk around like a tourist with a map in front of your face, especially in provincial towns where there are not many tourists, you don't want to get noticed as a rich tourist.  All tourists are considered rich for the most part.  For souvenirs, you can haggle for anything you buy.  Get good at it quick or you'll get ripped off.  Be aware of your surroundings and belongings at all times.  I know that most people have great experiences, others hate it for various reasons, the heat, the food poisoning, getting jumped for your money.  

I don't have any recos for places to go, as I only stayed in one town for only a short period of time to visit family.

Here's a website for find out about potential sites to visit:

http://www.anntours.com/vietnam.htm

Answer 3

Ha Long Bay is gorgeous and should not be missed. Hue and the surrounding area were also beautiful and had lots of interesting things to see.

Answer 4

I second Ha Long bay.  That is a nice place.

Some say Sapa in the north was amazing. Pesonally my favorite place was HOI AN. This is an artist community with a billion tailors an a tiny little Japanese influence to add to the Chinese that is common. With all that they still have their unique Vietnam ways. I found Ho CHI MIN(Saigon) to be more friendly than Hanoibut of course Hanoihas some nice relaxing parks and the food is good most places.

Answer 5

Itself a big country, Vietnam has many cities, each offering a different view and reason for your visit. I've just visited Vietnam in the summer, and here are my recommendations:

* Ha-Noi/Hue/Hoi-An: culture/people, sightseeing of historical and traditional places

* Ha Long Bay: sightseeing (beautiful cave, bay, beach), boat tours

* Da-Nang: beautiful beach (I recommend a stay in Furama)

* Nha-Trang: beach/resort/island & also a bit of sightseeing (I highly recommend a stay in Vin Pearl)

* Saigon: people, activities, food

* Mekong River tour: people, river, sightseeing, fruits/food

* Phu Quoc island: sightseeing/beach

* Da Lat: sightseeing

Answer 6

If u want to visit modern citY: Ho chi Minh City

If u want to enjoy the old atmostphere: Hue, Hoi An

If you want to enjoy landscape: Ha Long bay, sapa, da lat, nha trang, vung tau,

if you want to enjoy a a nice place to live: HANOI ^^

enjoy the country ;)