1st time in Vietnam
 

Hi We are 4 adults travelling to Vietnam for the 1st time on 16 July 2007 we have 17 full days to explore Ho Chi minh to Halong Bay. We want to spend some time doing the Mekong Delta, Cu Chi tunnels & around Ho Chi minh, Hoi An , spend 4 days on a really nice beach maybe snorkelling or diving somewhere, spend 1-2 nights on a boat trip at Halong Bay . We are prepared to fly, o/night train, private tour bus any parts of the trip. We have been to Thailand and loved it Bangkok, River kwai, Phuket & Koh Samui and the Islands off Koh Samui. We like to see some of the night life and eat at little local stalls and hotels - we like a lot of variety! Please suggest an itinery - we are also having trouble working out what beach/island would be best. We probably like about 3 star accomodation - as long as it is clean & air cond. We fly in/out of Ho Chi Minh

You may want to look into Phuc Quoc to snorkel, an island in southern veitnam. You get there via plane from Ho Chi Minh. If you fly from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi you can get an overnight train to Sapa, stay one/two nights and then go to Halong Bay. It will be very hot and humid in July. Have a great time.

The best place for diving in Vietnam is widely regarded as Nha Trang in Central Vietnam.There are some good dive sites around the offshore islands. A word of warning though, I think there is a likelyhood of typhoons in June/July in central Vietnam so it may not be the best time for diving! Check out the situation with a local dive school. We used Jeremy Steins Rainbow Divers a very professional outfit run by an English guy.

When we were there the best hest hotels are the Ana Mandara 5* and the Evason hideaway 5* and there was a gap between these and the local hotels. Other parts of Vietnam in order of preference are Hanoi - 4 days, Saigon, 4 days Hoi An, 2/3 days. Personally, I would not bother with Halong Bay, but I am sure others will disagree. I would rather tie in a visit to Sapa on the o/n train or perhaps a couple of days in the Mai Chau valley a half days travel north from Hanoi.

Thank you for your input, we will look into the area you have suggested

Along with the above I would highly recommend spending 1 or 2 nights in the Mekong Delta. It is a beautiful and very interesting area. The people are very welcoming and friendly.

Hue was also another highlite during our Dec. 06 trip.

Happy planning