Favorite Places in Vietnam
May 2nd, 2009, 08:58 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Favorite Places in Vietnam
What are some of your favorite places to visit or activities to do in Vietnam? And what about some of the stuff listed here? - http://www.ruba.com/vietnam_travel
I'm trying to plan a trip to Vietnam. Any responses will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
I'm trying to plan a trip to Vietnam. Any responses will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
May 2nd, 2009, 04:13 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The website you give a link to is simply a travel company site. Indeed, given that both of your posts refer to this site, many here might believe you are affiliated with the website in some way... That would make your posts advertising which is not allowed in the forum.
May 2nd, 2009, 05:17 PM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you like absorbing local culture, you could spend all day wandering the streets of the Old Quarter in Hanoi. Street food is so good but there are good inexpensive restaurants as well. Hanoi Elegance 4 was a really clean hotel with good breakfast to start the day. Although we heard Sapa was beautiful and had good hiking, we chose not to go because a friend who worked as a journalist there said the government is exploiting the hill tribe people. Halong Bay also beautiful but with all that space, couldn't we have anchored so we didn't bang up aainst another boat? Could be the co. we chose. Many have the same name. It was still fun and it was clear for us so we had great views. There are a couple of places the boats stop so you get to get off and hike/kayak, see caves. Even though many say Hoi An is touristy, it was a nice stop over for us and the shopping was good. Really enjoyed our overnight Delta tour. Booked from a co. in the backpacker area the night we arrived in Saigon. The War Remnants Museum wsa fascinating and we usually don't go to museums when on vacation. Did a self guided walking tour and that was plenty for us in Saigon and hit the Ben Than market. Great food at the stalls outside the market. Also, interesting to walk through the park between the market andd backpacker area. Locals do their aerobics in huge groups at night and people play a form of hacky sack with something like a badminton birdie. The country was really good for people watching, wandering neighborhoods, eating, shopping and soaking up culture.
May 2nd, 2009, 05:52 PM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My favorite places in Vietnam were Can Tho (or the Mekong Delta area in general), Hoi An, and Halong Bay. We cruised Halong Bay with Indochina sails, and I can recommend them, the ship was quite luxurious (but not the most expensive our travel agent offered). The cruise was beautiful, and the highlight was the kayaking through caves/tunnels. The food on the ship was mixed though, lunch was wonderful (served at the table), but dinner and breakfast were mediocre (both buffet). Hoi An was a lovely little town, and you can get custom fitted clothing there cheap. Our favorite restaurant in all of Vietnam, Mango Mango in Hoi An, across the footbridge from the main town area. The best guacamole-mango salsa EVER (ok, not traditional vietnamese cuisine!) and awesome chicken quesadilla and grilled fish wraps. The food was fusion, not traditional mexican.
May 2nd, 2009, 10:58 PM
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is so much to Vietnam that it is really difficult to narrow it down to favourites. I have been visiting teh country for the last 20 or so years and still always find something new to see. However, as Kathie says, if you provide info on your intersts then you will certainly get more meaningful responses.Personally, I like to get off the beaten track as much as possible, although this is proving increasingly difficult anywhere in the world. Highlights for me have been:
Saigon and Hanoi. Both are totally different cities and could almost be in different countries but both have a lot to offer in terms of history, culture food and proximity ot other places to visit. Nothing beats a sundowner at Saigon Saigon the bar at teh top of the Caravelle hotel or a bowl of pho at a cafe in the old quarter in Hanoi.
The area around Pleiku is worth a day or two trekking around the minority people village before moving on to Hue on the Perfumed River, which, although usually very wet, Has some amazing temples and tombs and, IMHO, some of the best food in Vietnam. If you have time, the train trip from Da nang to Hue is one of the most scenic in the world and definitely worth the 4 hours it takes.
Hoi an is VERY touristy but also very quaint and pretty with some reasonable beaches close by and a great place for cycling around the countryside. We were there on NYE and wirtnessed the most amazing lantern festival where paper lanterns with candles inside are floated down the river and in the air.
If you are adveturous you may wish to consider the "Dien Bien Phu loop". We took the train from Hanoi to Sapa, spent a few days there and then went by road to Lai Chau, Dien Bien Phu (the site of the famous battle that finally drove the French out of Vietnam) and the back to Hanoi stopping boff in Son La and the Mai Chau valley (very highly recommended. Both the scenery and people in this area are truly amazing.
Finally, on our last trip there in 2008 we spent 4 days with a vietnamese family in the very remote Ba Be lakes area. It takes a long time to get there but the lakes are beautiful and completely unspoiled. The family we stayed with were the most hospital people we have met on our travels and the food (cooked on an open fire in the middle of the house was fantastic).
Have fun,it is a wonderful country
Saigon and Hanoi. Both are totally different cities and could almost be in different countries but both have a lot to offer in terms of history, culture food and proximity ot other places to visit. Nothing beats a sundowner at Saigon Saigon the bar at teh top of the Caravelle hotel or a bowl of pho at a cafe in the old quarter in Hanoi.
The area around Pleiku is worth a day or two trekking around the minority people village before moving on to Hue on the Perfumed River, which, although usually very wet, Has some amazing temples and tombs and, IMHO, some of the best food in Vietnam. If you have time, the train trip from Da nang to Hue is one of the most scenic in the world and definitely worth the 4 hours it takes.
Hoi an is VERY touristy but also very quaint and pretty with some reasonable beaches close by and a great place for cycling around the countryside. We were there on NYE and wirtnessed the most amazing lantern festival where paper lanterns with candles inside are floated down the river and in the air.
If you are adveturous you may wish to consider the "Dien Bien Phu loop". We took the train from Hanoi to Sapa, spent a few days there and then went by road to Lai Chau, Dien Bien Phu (the site of the famous battle that finally drove the French out of Vietnam) and the back to Hanoi stopping boff in Son La and the Mai Chau valley (very highly recommended. Both the scenery and people in this area are truly amazing.
Finally, on our last trip there in 2008 we spent 4 days with a vietnamese family in the very remote Ba Be lakes area. It takes a long time to get there but the lakes are beautiful and completely unspoiled. The family we stayed with were the most hospital people we have met on our travels and the food (cooked on an open fire in the middle of the house was fantastic).
Have fun,it is a wonderful country
May 6th, 2009, 08:09 AM
#9
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't overlook the northern part of the country. For sure Ba Be Lake is beautiful. I, too, did a home stay there and loved it.
The area around Cao Bang is spectacular with huge limestone karsts rising from emerald green valley floors. Be sure to visit Ban Gioc waterfall (a little further north on the China border). It is very large and stunning.
The most interesting area I have visit in my four trips in the Ha Giang area. You will need a special guide and permit to travel in this area but if you appreciate seeing some of the most diverse tribal people in the country then head up there. The Meo Vac market should not be missed. This area is by far the least visited area as the countryside tends to be a bit more rugged but well worth the effort.
The area around Cao Bang is spectacular with huge limestone karsts rising from emerald green valley floors. Be sure to visit Ban Gioc waterfall (a little further north on the China border). It is very large and stunning.
The most interesting area I have visit in my four trips in the Ha Giang area. You will need a special guide and permit to travel in this area but if you appreciate seeing some of the most diverse tribal people in the country then head up there. The Meo Vac market should not be missed. This area is by far the least visited area as the countryside tends to be a bit more rugged but well worth the effort.
