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.

J Loo	30 December 2003
Stayed at Halong Bay Hotel - Halong, Vietnam.
There is nothing much in Halong City. We joined a tour from Hanoi who promised to take us to Cat Ba and to have a seafood dinner on boat. But, when the van picked us up, he told us we couldn't do that because Cat Ba island is too far and other excuses. So, please make sure whatever tour you signed up, make sure you insist they write full details on the receipt. The tour agent will promise the world as long as you signed up with them. Dont rush into it, look for a couple of tour operators and compare the prices first. PLEASE take the airport taxi and not some taxis who promised to bring you to the hotel. We fell for that and he will quote USD10.00 for the taxi fare but when you reach the destination he will insist you pay for his toll fare about USD20.00!! + USD10.00 for the cabfare. Ripped off!!! Normal airport taxi is only USD10.00 including the tollfare. We told him to take us to Dan Chu Hotel but he took us to Kim Tin (some crappy hotel) and told us it was Dan Chu. Since we paid everything thru asia-hotels.com, He said we need not pay anything as they are subsidiary of Dan Chu. Told us some stories that there are some sick guests in Dan Chu and we could not check in there. Their motive is to sign you up for tours. So, we insisted that they call Dan Chu so that we can speak to them, then out of the blue, they say now Dan Chu is available. So we fled as fast as we could. Guess what, when we check into Dan Chu, we related the story to them, they said it is very frequent that this thing happens to their guests. Another woman heard of our plight and she remarked, "You got hijacked too?
D Gibb smith	29 December 2003
Stayed at Hanoi Horison Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hanoi is a fantastic city. If you plan on seeing the Water Puppet show, it's 1st come 1st serve so go get your tickets early in the morning or a day before for the show you wish (only 100 seat capacity). We waited too late & missed out. Taxis from hotels are safe and charge US$5/hour for sightseeing. FYI: museums are closed on Monday's and most touristy things close from 11:30-1:30 for lunch so plan accordingly. Tablecloth & bed linens are the cheapest I've ever seen, quality beautiful & are sold all over the old quarter. Artwork is wonderful, but not cheap anymore (this is my 2nd visit after 4 years) and most works ranged around US$1500+.
J Loo	29 December 2003
Stayed at Dan Chu Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
We enjoyed walking aroung Hoan Kiem Lake, eating by the roadside around the Water Puppet Theatre. I would recommend you to go to Dong Xuan Market for handbags, shoes and fabrics as it is a wholesale market.As you walk away from the D.X market, you will find tailors along the Hang Gai Street where they can tailor make your viet dresses within a day or two. We also tried the famous fish dish at Cha Ca La Vong which has history that dates back to 2 centuries. Very unique and tasty. For french food, we had a 5 course dinner at the French Reataurant in Sofitel Metropole. It was fabulous though a little pricey but worth it. For good Vietnamese food, we recommend Nam Phuong (which is a 5 star restaurant) and a very cosy Cay Cau located at the De Syloia hotel.
T Glasson	29 December 2003
Stayed at New World Hotel Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
Try the buffet at Legends. Quite stunning.
R Ramad	28 December 2003
Stayed at Empress Hotel Ho Chi Minh City - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
Be warned! Waterworld is closed. Nobody told me. Took a cab out all the way only to find it deserted. (30min ride) 1 hr to-n-fro. Palace is closed, Notredame cathedral was closed. so basically just shopping around Binh Tham market and chilling out at cafe's for a cool drink. Oh do try Al Fresco restaurant and the Windows cafe - roof top seat.
M Mok	28 December 2003
Stayed at Bong Sen Hotel - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
At side lane of Bong Seng hotel, there's Restaurant Pho 24 serving tasty noodles. Worth visiting: War Museum and Cu Chi Tunnel. Best place to shop for souvenirs :- Benh Thanh Mkt and shops around Dong Khoi. Short trips out of HCMC: Mekong Delta (trips ranging from 1 day to 5 days can be booked easily at HCMC).
M Huang	26 December 2003
Stayed at Hoi An Hotel - Hoi An, Vietnam.
No 19 Le Loi - very friendly and helpful sisters. Good value for money ($35 per suit, $6 per shirt), nice fabric.
H Tan	26 December 2003
Stayed at Nikko Hotel Hanoi - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Try club opera opposite sofitel metropole. It's a smallish restaurant in what looks like a colonial building, serving French-Vietnamese cuisine. Very friendly people-at the airport, the immigration officers even pointed out that I had left some money sticking out of my pocket.
E Smith	23 December 2003
Stayed at De Syloia Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
A great restaurant to try is the Emperor Restaurant. Outstanding food!
G Petursdottir	17 December 2003
Stayed at Sedona Suites Hanoi - Hanoi, Vietnam.
A trip to Halong Bay is essential, but perhaps one day is enough - the cost of a two day trip was more than the entire budget for our 4-days in the northern mountains. With an excellent local English speaking driver/guide, we took a 4-day trip to the Northern mountains, with a 10 hour drive to SaPa. A long drive, but worth it, because of the chance to stop in the villages on the way. SaPa is getting quite touristy with its "efficient marketing" of local handicraft. We visited a number of the local people. On Sunday morning there is a very colourful market in BakHa, about 3 hours drive from SaPa (past Lao Cai).

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