Vietnam - any recommendations?

[ofco8]

I only spent a week in vietnam and found it too commercial and western after spending a fortnight in cambodia which was far more fascinating. However, I did spend a few days in ho chi minh which was alright and used that as a base to visit other places. Went to the cu chi tunnels, which were used by the VC, but the trip was quite uninspiring especially as the tunnels we went in had been expanded massively to make them large enough for foreigners. The tour also finished with the chance for fat americans to fire m16's at targets. Really enjoyed a trip from ho chi minh down to the mekong - lots of small boat trips to islands where you could sample a whole range of foods. Finally went to Phu Quoc island down to the south for a few days on a beach - it was really nice, very quiet and chilled and hardly anyone around for miles.

This. Was virtually our experiences. Really liked it. We were on a trip from Singapore and had our own tour guide, i.e just for the two of us. He was a boat person who tried to get into Australia eight times. Failed every time so decided to stay and help re-build his homeland. They also fed us far to much food. Lovely people.

 

[nicko31]

If you want adventure go to the Burma, the last frontier of SE Asia.

Perhaps its changed but my experience of Vietnam is 1995 was everyone was herded on and off of tourist buses along a narrow tourist trail..

 

[patchamalbion]

http://www.adventurouskate.com/drinking-snake-blood-in-vietnam/

got bottle?

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

To get in the mood watch Apocalypse Now before setting off.

 

[Peteinblack]

One of our favourite non-European countries (along with Cambodia).

Found Ho Chi Minh City a bit noisy and dusty, tbh, but worth it for the experience: the Cu Chi Tunnels trip, a boat up the Mekong Delta and the American (Vietnam) War museum.

Have fun crossing the roads in HMC - traffic doesn't stop! Step off the kerb, and walk slowly across the road, and the traffic (mostly bikes, tuk-tuks and mopeds) will go round you; if you panic and stop, then you will get run-over!!

Our favourite places were half-way up the country/coast; Hue and Hoi An. If you get to Hue, the all-day boat-trip on the Perfume River (misnamed, believe me!) taking in 5 Temples and Pagodas is great fun - can be booked from any of the travel shops/cafes in the town.

Hoi An lovely laid-back artists town - although becoming commercialised, sadly.

Personally, I liked Hanoi - a touch of Paris in the Far East!

 

[Spoon]

I was lucky enough to spend 2 weeks there this summer. Hoi An and Nha Trang are such chilled places with so much to do, loved just renting a motorbike and seeing the coastlines. Also HCMC has really interesting museums about the War and are really moving, while I shot an AK-47 in the Cu Chi Tunnels which was amazing! Hanoi is ok, but the rest is better.

I went to 10 Asian countries this year because I lived in Singapore. While most were good, Vietnam was by far the best! Enjoy!

 

[Seagull kimchi]

Whoaaa...loads of great responses while I slept (here in korea).

I'll work my way through them after work....thanks to everyone!!!

 

[papajaff]

Steer clear of Gary Glitter

 

[goldstone]

You want advice about visiting Vietnam? Best advice is this, DON'T GO.

Filthy and unhygenic place where they kill live animals in front of you at street markets. If you want to watch animals being killed I suggest you go on safari.

 

[Bakero]

You want advice about visiting Vietnam? Best advice is this, DON'T GO.

Filthy and unhygenic place where they kill live animals in front of you at street markets. If you want to watch animals being killed I suggest you go on safari.

That's better than killing dead animals, surely.

 

[Bakero]

Duplicate post

 

[mattislost]

Can't believe no one has mentioned Sa Pa yet. It's a bit of a mission to get to from Hanoi, but worth the effort

 

[Bakero]

Can't believe no one has mentioned Sa Pa yet. It's a bit of a mission to get to from Hanoi, but worth the effort

Sapa's great, Ha Giang is better. The countryside around mai chau, Tam Dao and ninh binh is also stunning.

 

[Winker]

If you are going to Hanoi, then be sure and see the dead guy. He lives here:-

 

[The Birdman]

Ho Chi Min wanted to have his ashes in three different location in Vietnam some in the north some in the middle and rest in the south but the generals over ruled this once he died. I found a different atmosphere in the south compared with Hanoi in the north. Still very intresting country also visited Loa and Cambodia .