Has anyone been on holiday to Vietnam? Where should we go?

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Here's what I wrote a few days ago in reply to anothere question:

"..... I've traveled through North and Central America, Europe and Asia and never have I come across a country so beautiful and interesting and a people so friendly, open, engaging and so optimistic as Vietnam and the Vietnamese. The accomodations are mostly new or recently renovated, modern, clean, very attractive and reasonably priced and the food is the best this side of heaven: fresh, flovorful and low in fat.

.... It will be my second visit in recent years. We will be there for three weeks later this year and plan to visit:

1. Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon): The largest city and the most dynamic economic area of Vietnam. On our agenda: The Reunification Hall (the Old Independence Palace) where the last American-backed regime surrendered to liberation forces on April 30, 1975. Ben Thanh Market: Easily the largest market place in the world. Cholon: Vietnam's Chinatown. Museum of War Remnants: displays of war crimes committed by the American side.

2. Cu Chi Tunnels: The tunnel system that sheltered ressitance fighters during the war against the Americans. Not far from Saigon.

3. Mui Ne Resort: A seaside resort area full of beautiful and luxurious hotels/bungalos. Near the city of Phan Thiet and just 160 miles North of Saigon.

4. Vinpearl Resort: Another 150 miles up the coast from Mui Ne. Near the City of Nha Trang. The diving capital of Vietnam. Even better than in Thailand.

5. Hoian: An old mideaval harbor town once thriving with traders from other countries and hosted several international settlements. There are now several famous tailor shops in the area: you can have suits, shirts and dresses made exactly to your measurements and in any style of your choice for a fraction of what you pay for an off the rack item in the US. They'll even ship the items home for you or you can pick them up at the shop within a couple of days. Hoian has been designated a Unesco Heritage Site. North of Nha Trang but South of Hue.

6. Hue: The old Imperial City locating about half way between Hanoi and Saigon, also not far from the coast. We'll visit the old Imperial Palace and the tombs of the Nguyen Emperors nearby.

7. Halong Bay: The beautiful bay in Northern Vietnam, full of natural wonders. Also a Unesco world heritage site.

8. Sapa: the hill town with a great local market where you can buy local craft products from colorfully-garbed inhabitants who are members of Vietnam's mountain minorities. We have also arranged for a visit to a minority village.

9. Dienbienphu: In the Northwest of Northern Vietnam about 200 miles from Hanoi. Now a modern town but it was a frontier village in 1954 and site of the greatest battle wage by the Vietnamese against the French occupiers. The French were thouroughly whipped and sued for peace in Geneva. They left Northern Vietnam by May of 1955 and Southern Vietnam a year later.

10. Hanoi: The ancient capital of Vietnam, much older than Hue. A beautiful city on the Red River and with several beautiful lakes. We'll visit the Ho Chi Minh Musoleum (where Vietnam first president's enbalmed remains can be seen), the Museum of Military History, the original/mideaval "36 streets" where even more traditional craft and modern products can be purchased at great prices (the women in our group will go beserk over this shopping opportunity). Also the Temple of Literature: the 900-year-old university, the first Vietnamese institution of higher learning.

We are looking forward to meeting the friendly, hospitable and beautiful Vietnamese people again and have the opportunity to sample the best food this side of heaven: fresh, flavorful and low in fat. The cost there for everything is so reasonable for what you get people are going to Vietnam for their vacaction more and more every day. $35/night for a nice hotel room, $1 to $3 for a great meal, $1 for a long taxi drive...The facilities are so clean and well maintained, often very new ...great values for your money. "

t-bone

Ho chi min city,
i was there in 1968 had a great time on the shooting range they provided us with helicopter rides everywhere and paid for all our camping equipment, air fair was free there and back home. will never forget it or will i ever want to go back, if you do go ask about them about me see if they remember My name is GI.JOE

camsean73

I thought Saigon was the best city and liked Hue citadel a lot. Hue was good but over run with tourists.
The beach at Nha Trang was OK but nothing special really. I thought Dalat in the central highlands was nice and a good escape from the heat.
I didn't like Hanoi very much but it does have some nice old buildings. Halong Bay was very nice and the overnight cruise there was a highlight for me.
Hope this helps.

vietnaminfocus

Go everywhere! Most poeple will go to HCMC, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi and Halong Bay.

Others will continue to Sapa or Mai chau trekking. It really depends on how long you have.

Other great places include Dalat (Central Highlands), Ba Be Lakes (North VN) and Phu Quoc Island (Sth VN)

Enjoy Vietnam!

4ng3l Dr34m Lov3z

I lived there aince i waz born but i move to USA,so i only lived there for 8 yrz.!it'z a beautiful place!but it'z dirty how all the m=smoke and everything else!

Infinite

Let me re-phrase the question for you.

Has anyone been in Vietnam on the holiday season?

I lived there for a year teaching and travelling. from the top of my head in ascending order. Ninh Binh, Sapa/Bac Ha, Halong Bay, Hanoi, Dalat, Hoi An, Mekhong Delta, HCMC, Hue.

Try and get away from the tourist buses which are the easy option to shoot up the coast. Local buses are a great experience.

Travelhappy.info

Hanoi is fantastic. I've been there four times in the last couple of years. I've just written a big article with lots of ideas of things to do, plus some pics and short videos - you can see it here
http://travelhappy.info/vietnam/dont-miss-hanoi-vietnam/

Hoi An is also great, amazing old town that's like stepping back in time, and Nha Trang is a fun beach town.

Saigon is cool too, but big and crazy.

dangit!

Saigon; Da Nang is very nice.

flightmedicine

We have been to Vietnam 3 out of the last 4 years for summer vacation and we are going again this summer. It is such a great place to visit. We enjoy Hue the best; because of all the old historic sites, friendly people, reasonable prices and food.

Hanoi would be our second choice and we enjoy it too. We usually spend 4 days in HaNoi, 2 days in SaiGon and 3 weeks in Hue.

If you have the time take the train. Great experience and the scenery is great. Have a good time. cheers

NTV

In Vietnam. You should go to:
Ho Chi Minh city ( Saigon)
Hanoi ( Capital)
Hue
Quang Ninh ( Ha Long bay)
Nha Trang( one of the best beach in the world)
Vung Tau( beach)
Hoi An ( ancient city)
Sapa
.....

dontdoweekends

I wouldn't pop round to Gary Glitters house for a cup of tea !

eifionrefail

Ask the yanks- they were there for a while in the 60s and 70s...don't think they enjoyed it much, they got out pretty sharpish in the end with their tails between their legs.

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