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.

K Mercier	08 March 2004
Stayed at New World Hotel Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
I had liposuction in Ho Chi Minh City! A lady dentist friend of mine living in Saigon recommended me to a plastic surgeon to whom she was also having the same surgery. I paid $1,000. The experience was frightening. But so far I am okay, able to travel to Danang, to the Faruma Beach Resort Hotel. This hotel is beautiful and the beach is quite stunning from the balcony of my room. Although it was overcast the day I was there. I only stayed for one night. They have a free shuttle bus taking you to 4 different sight seeing destinations. One is Hoi An. I had a lot of clothes made there. The quality of the material is not good, but the workmanship is excellent at Trinh 95 on 95 Phan Chu Trinh - Hoi An. I brought a dress that I love and couldn't find another like it. Well, they made the exact replica of my dress. The only problem was the dress didn't feel same cause the material was not same. So I suggest if you are having clothes made...bring your own material. You can buy an airline ticket for about $100 round trip. If you wish to visit Hanoi and other places while visiting Ho Chi Minh City. It's only an hour away by air. I have been to Vietnam twice in the past 2 years and one thing I always needed was another suitcase to carry all my gifts. The quality of the bags there are cheap and will tear by the end of the day. So don't forget to bring along a good duffle bag big enough to hold all your gifts. If you are staying at the New World Hotel, they will furnish an empty box and some tape for you. No problem.
S Smith	03 March 2004
Stayed at Yasaka Saigon Nhatrang Hotel - Nha Trang, Vietnam.
I would highly recommend the island tour offered at the hotel for about 8 USD. We were given (by the hotel) a lovely straw hat and a couple bottles of water. The staff on the boat was very attentive and friendly and the food that they served for lunch was excellent, especially given that we were on a boat, away from any kitchen facilities. We got around primarily by cab, which was very inexpensive. A couple of times we used one of the motorcycles that consistently asked us if we needed rides, very cheap, but hang onto your hat! We had laundry done, about 3 kilos, which was washed, dried and ironed (and returned within 24 hours) for 12,000 dong/kilo. The laundry facility name is escaping me at this moment but I can look it up if anyone is interested. We visited Chong Rocks, but only had limited time. It would be a nice way to spend a relaxing day, lounging around on chaise chairs having cocktails and snacks. We hired a local tour guide, she's very good and I can provide her contact details if anyone would like to know. She was born and raised in Nha Trang so knows all the good places to visit, and her brother owns a cab so transportation is quick and easy. We were given a day-long tour of Nha Trang and driven around, quite inexpensively. We saw the Palace, Dam Market, the temple along the bay, Chong Rocks and had a fantastic Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant. Plus had some terrific discussions about Vietnamese culture. Her english is excellent.
H Schofield	01 March 2004
Stayed at Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Cyclos are cheap fast and definitely the best way to negotiate the city streets.
J Haythornthwaite	22 February 2004
Stayed at Bong Sen Hotel - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
I have had wonderful meals in HCMC at the Camargue (a lovely French restaurant on the terrace of an old French house) and at Mandarine, an exquisite Vietnamese restaurant. I have also eaten cheaply and well in the city, where it is difficult to have a bad meal.
B Dieter	22 February 2004
Stayed at Bong Sen Hotel - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
Most of the Taxi drivers in front of the BONG SEN still overcharge you by at least 100 %! Don't take a taxi there, just walk a few meters around the block. For cheap food go to PHAM NGU LAO. In this backpacker area you can find a lot of good and cheap restaurants.
L Cooker	22 February 2004
Stayed at De Syloia Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hanoi is a fantastic city. It's good just to wander around. Try to see a Water Puppet performance and take the time to head out to the Museum of Ethnology - it's well worth it.
E Wright	21 February 2004
Stayed at Lucky Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
We took a tour to Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island. Halong Bay was very nice, caves interesting and the trip on the big wooden boat was wonderful, but Cat Ba was a bit basic and the food on the tour was terrible! Restaurants around Hanoi were all good, especially a group of restaurants in Ma May and another group in the street near the Catholic church. There were also some wonderful designer shops (homewares, gifts and clothes) around near this church. We walked mostly but also took cyclos, and taxis when it was raining. All very cheap and we enjoyed being taken in the wrong direction and being lost by our drivers a few times...all in the price and part of the adventure. The whole feeling of Hanoi is very 'safe' for an 'older' female traveller. Crossing the roads is another story though. Just have to look straight ahead and do it!
A Pfaff	20 February 2004
Stayed at Green Park Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
We just spent two days in the area, unfortunately was the mausoleum closed on Friday (check opening times if your time is limited). We did the Halong bay tour which is a lot of driving (3-5hrs) each way, the bay is spectacular, though visiting the old town is a must.
L Cooker	19 February 2004
Stayed at Victoria Sapa Hotel - Lao Cai, Vietnam.
Take time just to hike a little around Sapa. The surrounding countryside is beautiful and it's not necessary to go on an organised tour to see it. Take the Victoria Express train from Hanoi - it makes the journey bearable.
L Cooker	16 February 2004
Stayed at Saigon Morin - Hue, Vietnam.
Hue is a nice city. The Mandarin Cafe, just opposite the hotel, is a great place to eat and to book tours of the surrounding area.

Email a friend · Help · Hotel Chains

Powered by: