I'm trying to decide between the Hoi An Riverside Resort and the Furama resort (in Danang). Furama looks really nice but it's more expensive and farther from Hoi An, where I think we'll want to spend most of our time there (3 days next month). The Victoria is full, as is the Hoi An Hotel. What do you think? I'd rather stay right in Hoi An but I can't find a hotel there. Any recommendations? Thanks!

Oh my, I was going to suggest you the Victoria, where we stayed last year. Such a pity it's full. The Victoria hotels are excellent.<BR><BR>A friend of mine stayed at the Furama last year, but mainly for a beach holiday. She absolutely loved it. <BR>Like you, I would want to stay in Hoi An itself. Much better, especially, if you want to go for a stroll along the river in the evening and do some shopping... ;o)<BR><BR>You might want to check www.asia-hotels.com (?) for hotels and then, once you've narrowed down, come back here.<BR><BR>Anyway, glad to hear, you're going to Vietnam. You'll love it.

Hi Ursula! I'm still trying for the Victoria. Maybe they'll have a cancellation.

Hi Paige. I've been researching a trip for a trip to Vietnam (not quite to the planning details stage yet). For what it's worth, the Hoi An Riverside Resort came highly recommended from some of my friends who stayed there last year. I don't think they found it too inconvenient.

Paige, back home, I've gone through some material and brochures about Vietnam.<BR><BR>Yes, Paige. The Hoi An Riverside looks good, just as well.<BR><BR>As for the Furama, forget it. It's in Danang which seems fine for a quiet relaxing beach break, but not, if you want to explore the country.<BR><BR>One restaurant recommendation for Hoi An:<BR>We loved the Brother's Cafe (Phan Boi Chau Street) for its interior, but also for the lovely Vietnamese food.<BR>Hire a cyclo to take you there.<BR>It's close to the river and I suppose everybody living there will know it.<BR><BR>We've also been to the one in Hanoi on Nyugen Thai Hoc Street.<BR>I don't remember it that well, because of the jetlag. First evening in Asia...<BR>But I recall the nice outdoor area with the lovely breeze and the delicious food.<BR><BR>Good luck with your hotel finds.

We stayed at the Hoi An Riverside Resort a few dyas ago and found it delightful. It is 10 minutes or so out of Hoi An but the hotel runs a free shuttle bus every 2 hours and you can book a special trip in/back for a reasonable price if the bus time don't suit. I would love to revisit Hoi An one day and I would be happy to go back to the Riverside.

Hi, Paige!<BR>My hotel in Hoi An was one of my favorite places ever. It's called the Hong Phat Ancient Lodging house, and the room I was in looked like a museum (it's one of the &quot;Chinese merchants&quot; rooms.) It's right in old Hoi An, walking distance to boat rides, the market, many of the historic sites...and it costs about $35 a night for a room.<BR><BR>Oh, and while you're in Hoi An, do get some clothes made! They don't have to be silk (and probably won't be, even if they're sold as that) but they can do amazing things in a very short time at any of the cloth shops. I got two (western style) dresses and a suit and am kicking myself that I didn't get more.<BR><BR>Have a great trip!

Has anyone stayed at the Vinh Hung 2 hotel in Hoi An? It's $35 a night compared to $100 at the Riverside Resort.

I've stayed at the Vinh Hung 1, which was terrific. It is an old merchants house right in the old city (no cars permitted). The Vinh Hung 2 is newer. Ask for one of the two upstairs bedrooms overlooking the street in the Vinh Hung 1.