Vietnam travel tales and tips

Vietnam travel tales

Our customers share their travelling experiences in Vietnam. Read about first hand stories on travel tips and guides, events, entertainment,shopping, food, business and transportation. Also, you might want to read our Central Vietnam city guide, Halong Bay city guide, Hanoi city guide, Ho Chi Minh city guide, and Phan Thiet city guide.

C Usher-clark	02 September 2004
Stayed at Rex Hotel Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
We had two nights in Ho Chi Minh and I wish that we had been able to stay longer, but our whistle stop 3 week tour of Cambodia/Vietnam did not allow. Cu Chi are worth the effort (1/2 day tour about $20-25 for "non-backpacker budget" group tour depending whether entrance fee of $4 included or not) but watch which tunnels you go to. There are actually two sets of tunnels open to visitors - the Ben Dinh tunnels were actually used during the war, though they have been slightly widened and cleaned up since; the Ben Duoc tunnels are "reconstructions" built for tourism. If you want to do the Mekong Delta you need to do at least a two day trip to get any real value out of it as it is quite a journey to get to the heart of it from HCMC. September 2 annually is National Day (when we were in HCMC) and was an amazing experience - it is the day that Vietnam declared its independence from the Japanese and French in 1945 and the city was covered in flags. It was a real family/party atmosphere. Ate in Lemongrass (Vietnamese)/La Fourchette (traditional French) and the Mandarin (Chinese) - all in the Lonely Planet and all very good - but the Mandarin is noticeably more expensive and a little out of the way. Skip the water puppets here and see them in Hanoi.
D Wulff	31 August 2004
Stayed at Hoi An Riverside Resort - Hoi An, Vietnam.
In Hoi An (Vietnam), you will need to develop a thick skin, as you will be approched by hundreds of locals asking you into their mothers/sisters/uncles/etc fabric shop. They will invariably comment on how handsome or beautiful you are. This attention can be very annoying at first, but eventually you will learn how to handle it, and start to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. If you are looking for a good tailor in Hoi An, I recommend Mr. Xe (71 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Hoi An). Tell him that David and Lisa sent you. We actually met Mr. Xe in the departure lounge at HCMC airport when we first got to Vietnam. He is a very funny man and will always ask "how's it hanging". We went to other tailors in Hoi An, but now wish we bought all our clothes from Mr. Xe. Mr. Xe's staff are very efficient and his prices are very reasonable. Mr. Xe will not let you take the clothes until you are 100% happy with them and he is satisfied with the quality.
C Chen	28 August 2004
Stayed at Majestic Hotel - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
Near New World hotel, there is a backpackers' villa. Pubs there sell great cheap-eats. Internet service is provided in some small hotels at a rate of 100dong/min. near majestic hotel, dong khoi street is a good spot for surfing the net and for having some bites.
G Ulosevich	28 August 2004
Stayed at New Epoch Hotel - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
Vietnam House Saturday business lunch for 49,000 dong was incredible. Taxis are pretty easy to find in the general business and tourist areas. I heard that the breakfast spread at the Sheraton was incomparable.
P Gajda	25 August 2004
Stayed at Huong Giang Hotel - Hue, Vietnam.
Hue is a wonderful destination in Vietnam. Highly recommended to spend 2 full days: one day sightseeing in/around Hue. Second day rent a boat for a cruise / sightseeing up the Perfume river.
K Ranade	20 August 2004
Stayed at Lucky Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hanoi is an extremely walkable city, assuming you have the time and are up to the task of crossing the sometimes intimidating streets. I would reccomend avoiding motos and cyclos if you can. Also, a day trip to Halong Bay can be fun, but the area is extremely commercialized and totally packed with people. The scenery is still gorgeous, but there is a lot of garbage in the water. I'd reccomend going, but don't expect a pristine and secluded getaway.
P Carr	17 August 2004
Stayed at Palace Hotel - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
Saigon is an excellent place to start a holiday in Vietnam. Travelling on open tour buses was a new experience seeing some wonderful scenery and meeting local and overseas travellers. Hoi An, Dalat and Mui Ne where outstanding places to visit. Can recommend shopping at Saigon Tourist Plaza in Ho Chi Minh. Will certainly be visiting Vietnam again next year.
J Cleator	10 August 2004
Stayed at New World Hotel Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
We went to Saigo, Hoi An and Hanoi. Hoi An was a graceful old town that made you feel like you had been transported back a few hundred years. We stayed in this old Chinese Trading house that had been converted into a hotel right in the middle of the old town. Michael Caine stayed there while filming the Quiet American. Beautiful rooms at the front of the hotel furnished with antiques and with a lovely balcony looking out onto the street. The staff were very friendly and helpful.
D Dorner	07 August 2004
Stayed at Saigon Morin - Hue, Vietnam.
I was in Hue for work on this trip so did little sight seeing. However, if you are looking for a good restaurant (though it is frequented largely by tourists), try La Carambole - owned by a Frenchman married to a local woman and who has lived in Hue for ten years. The kite dragons hanging from the ceiling and the friendly staff give the place a great ambience. And you can drink a glass of wine with your meal!
K Byung chul	06 August 2004
Stayed at Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Nam Phuong is the best restaurant serving Vietnamese traditional food. When you visit there, never miss the 'Salad of the three different regions'. It was really marvelous! One more thing, never ever take a taxi at the street. They only think rip the foreigners off. Just give a call to Noibai to go to the airport, or use the taxies with the 'Hilton' mark in front of the hotel.

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