Tips, Advice, Hints please... :o)
Me and a friend are flying into Ho Chi Minh City on Aug 16 and leaving on Sep 14. Want to head up north for a bit ... Any tips or advise on what to see or do... whats some cool stuff to check out in Saigon and the rest of the country that arent so main stream? Appreciate any suggestions :o)
Reply to this Hi,
I think you want to goto Vietnam means you have some plan to do in Vietnam, there are many things to tell about Vietnam. I'm tourguide in Vietnam buit i don't know much in the South, because i learn in Hanoi, i guide much in the Center and in the north. From Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, you can visit 7 heritages of Vietnam, ( Kong Chieng in highland, My Son holy Land and Hoian encient town in Hoian, Hue Citadel, Phong Nha national park and Phong Nha cave, Halong Bay) you stay in Hanoi before you go to Halong. Hanoi is capital of Vietnam with 1000 years history.Now i guides in Hanoi and vice versar. if you need guide and book hotel at the Center and North, please contact with me, my mobite number:
or book products at my website:
I hope to meet you In Hanoi.
Best your chice.
David Reply to this Thanks David
I will keep your details and may get in contact.. :o)
Reply to this I suggest you to buy a guide book first. 4 weeks is enough to see most parts of Vietnam. Please take your time to stay where you like more and move on to other place if you don't like that place. I'm sure you will meet so many other tourists again and again during your trip, and also take some advice from them.
However, I can tell you something that you could only find in Vietnam.
For special food: go to a snake village outside of Hanoi, or a restaurant in the suburb of Saigon to have a taste of snake meat while enjoying the show how they kill a snake right at your table. Try Bia hoi, the cheapest beer in the world.
People: you should have a free tour with Saigonhotspots or Hanoikids. You just have to pay for meal and entry fees, and maybe parking fee. In Dalat, Nhatrang, and Mui Ne area, you should have a tour with Easy Riders. Hill tribe people in their traditional outfits in Sapa is also some thing very unique.
Place: Kite surfing in Mui Ne. Stay overnight in Halong bay to enjoy the best sunrise and sunset in SEA, biking in Cat ba island, treking to the top of the karst mountain to see the beautiful view of the bay.
Service: if possible you should try deluxe local bus. you will be provided all the best meals, beverages, tooth paste, brush, hand towel, pillow, blanket, and slipper every time you get off for break. safe driving and deluxe comfortable reclining seats.
Wishing you a nice trip!
Reply to this Hi swellsy,
popular itinary heading north=Saigon>Nha Trang>Hoian>Hanoi
Here are some webs I find helpful =
Hotels> www.hostelworld.com
New budget airline in Vietnam (domestic)>www,jetstar.com (verycheap fares)
Iam using them to go to Nha trang,it worked out cheaper to fly than take an overnight train.I avoided travelling by road as the drivers in Vietnam are too reckless (Nicknamed=Kamakazi drivers)
Trains,etc can be booked>www.tnktravelvietnam.com
In Hanoi >water puppet theatre(in old quarter)
Hope this is of some assistance to you .Have a happy and enjoyable holiday. Reply to this Hi Stephen
Right outside of Hanoi in Halong Bay there is some amazing limestone rock climbing. Google Slo Pony, it is run by two American guys freelancing around Cat Ba and they have bolted awesome routes, and they also take you up deep water soloing which is basically climbing just with your hands in the bay. I had such a great time there, highly recommend it!
-Amy
Reply to this Nha Trang is beautiful...but odds are strongly in favor of someone trying to rob you there. Not in a violent or dangerous way...but most of the people I talked to who had been there had either been robbed themselves, or someone they were with was robbed. I had my camera stolen from my pocket.
However, it's easy to avoid this problem...just don't try to keep up with an Aussie and drink too much and you'll be fine. Basically they know that it's easy to pick our pockets after we've been out to the bars.
Reply to this Vietnam is one of my favourite countries so far! I would say don´t miss:
Halong Bay (Make sure you have good weather though) Try and get onto a junk boat for 2 days, 1 night or longer and take a kayack out around the islands. Amazing!
Hoi An, I loved the people here, some great restaurants and ofcourse tailors. There are also some restaurants offering cooking classes if you are into that. Not very expensive and an experience!
Hue, I took a motorbike taxi around the whole area and loved it.
Crossing the road in Hanoi, you will know what I mean when you get there! Try to stay in the old quarter as it is near the lake and very colourful!
Sapa, I didn´t go here, really regret it from talking to other travellers, although I have heard Laos is similar.
I also crossed the border into Cambodia on a boat on the Mekong Delta, we left from Chau Doc. That was an experience!
I personally would skip Nha Trang, I found it dirty (I saw loads of rats here......the only place I found this in Vietnam) and full of high rise hotels - it is hosting the 2008 Miss World though so that may be worth a look!?!?!?
Enjoy whatever route you decide to take! It is an amazing country with beautiful people, food and culture.
Sarah
Reply to this Having to mention 2 night clubs that I loved in Sai Gon, they are Apoclipse Now and Nush (or Lush) well, either of them. Cool music, party atmosphere. So nice. Apoclipse Now opens later than the other. So, chill, mates...
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Reply to this if you want to find some reliable easy-riders, then you can check these guys out before you go. They're all very good english speaking knowledable guides www.easy-riders.net
cheers
Reply to this Thanks .. everyone has given me heaps of ideas and Im gretting really excited! Cant wait to go! If anyone is in Vietnam from Aug 16 - Sep 14 and wants to meet up that would be cool too! :o)
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