As Tet (New Year) approaches, I think quite fondly of our incredible experiences and beautiful friends in Vietnam. It is a wonderful, special place. We were there in November 96 and again last year for Tet. If you're going, or thinking about going, feel free to email me for information.

Harriet, <BR> <BR>Thank you for the opportunity to talk about Vietnam with someone who has visited there. <BR> <BR>My boyfriend and I will be going to Vietnam for the Millenium for 2 weeks. <BR>We already live in a big city (NYC), so we want to start by relaxing at the beach and then hit the cities and towns of Vietnam. We are looking for as much of a cultural experience as possible and would love to visit as a traveler and not a tourist. I am currently attending school for the next four years to get a Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine, so if you had any experiences with natural herbs/eastern medicine, I would love suggestions for that too. <BR> <BR>So far, the itinerary that I am thinking of is <BR> <BR>Start in the Ana Mandara Resort in Nha Trang for 4 days, <BR>then...Stay in Hoi An for 3 days <BR>next...fly up to Hanoi and stay there for the remainder of the trip <BR>Doing an overnight stay in Ha Long and a day trip to Hoa Lu and see the Tam Coc caves and grottos. <BR> <BR>I keep reading that all of the surrounding areas at Ha Long aren't very nice & read that you can stay in Cat Ba and travel to Ha Long from there. Do you have any suggestions for that leg of the trip? <BR> <BR>Of the rest of the places I mentioned, what are your feelings? Is there anything that I missed that you feel is really worth seeing? We would like to stay in the nicer hotels as we are not on a tight budget and would love for any suggestions in that area as well. <BR> <BR>I really look forward to talking with you. <BR> <BR>Stacy

Hi Stacy, <BR> <BR>I think I could talk about Vietnam longer than you'll be there! <BR> <BR>First, I have to tell you that I live in a tourist, beach town, so my idea of relaxing is not always sitting on a beach somewhere. (I'm a tad spoiled.) Nha Trang is pretty but you're more likely to get the tourist, rather than cultural experience you're looking for. Everyone loves the boat tours to the little fishing villages and accompanying feasts but I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for either. <BR> <BR>I would strongly recommend you spend time in Saigon, if only to take one of the Mekong Delta tours. There are trips from a day to several days. They are extremely interesting, easy (though not as easy as sitting on a beach), and will certainly give you a good feel for the rural culture of Vietnam. Saigon is not a relaxing place, but it is fascinating to see the contemporary culture there. <BR> <BR>HoiAn is a wonderful, sweet town and you can easily relax there for a couple of days. There are beautiful, much quieter beaches, more secluded beaches between there and Hue. You can easily fly from Saigon to Hue or to Danang (which is only about a 25 minute taxi ride - $10 - to HoiAn) for about $90. The fare is the same from either Hue or Danang to Hanoi. <BR> <BR>Halong Bay is also quite beautiful and it's easy to book an overnight (2 days/ 1 night) trip from Hanoi. There are also great tours that go to both Cat Ba Island and Halong Bay. <BR> <BR>You might also consider a couple of days in Sapa. When we were there, it was just beginning to show signs of being overrun by tourists. There is now a first class train that runs there and 4-star hotel! The surrounding area is magnificent and easy day hikes would take you right into the heart of small tribal villages. <BR> <BR>Please email directly and I can give you some names and numbers of friends in Vietnam and a good friend in NYC who spent a month in VN last year. I'd also be happy to share more specific ideas and contacts about Eastern medicine that other forum folks might not be interested in. <BR> <BR>You'll have a great time!!!! <BR> <BR>Harriet <BR>Santa Barbara, California <BR> <BR>

I lived in Nha Trang from 67/68 and planning a trip back this year but would like help with travel agencies etc. or any help I can get.Is the weather ok during Nov. and Dec.? Also going to Ankor Wat.

For Dale...Also a vet (Phan Rang '71-'72) and have been back 3 times. Twice in '90 (Saigon, My Tho, Cu Chi, Vung Tau, Phan Rang) and again in '93 (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Haiphong). Things have probably changed a lot, but one thing to watch is that everyone wants to be your tour guide. Don't forget that the ARVN lost the war. Many of them might want to be your tour guide (EVERYONE is a vet, just ask), but they are generally not in positions of power, so get discriminated against. If you want more, e-mail me directly.

I am going to Kuala Lumpur in Oct for work but would like to turn it into a holiday.. I am wishing o find a good stop over at a relaxing spot with nice beaches, snokeling, shoping for a antique wood chest. I was thinking about Hanoi, or Thailand's gulf islands, Thong Nai Pan Noi. <BR>please email. [email protected]

I have been to Vietnam twice now, the last time was about 2 months ago and I only decided to return there to give it a second chance, I have been to 30 countries and am now in Nepal, prior to Vietnam this year I was in Singapore,Malaysia,Indonesia,Thailand,Cambodia and after Vietnam in Laos,Thailand(again),Bangladesh, and now Nepal. Vietnam was the least favories of ALL the areas I have traveled to this year and usually started out my days there in a happy mood only to have it ruined by a greedy,angry, or just plain RUDE person. In making a choice ,I suggest choosing another country in S.E. Asia, Where the happiness of others comes first. GOOD LUCK if you do choose VIETNAM......

Harriet, I'm a vietnam vet and will be in HMC for 1 day off a cruise. Would like to know how to get to Vung Tau, where I was stationed. Any info you might wish to share would be appreciated. Thanks

ReadyTogoNow - the last post on this thread is dated 2001. Quite a lot of posters have been to Vietnam since then - you'd do better to start a new thread with Vung Tau in the title (didn't go there myself, so can't help). Have you checked a guide book?