Vietnam

[Booney]

http://www.travelbay.com/products/vietn ... -to-saigon

Booking this for later in the year. Can't wait!

[Dogwatcher]

Awesome. Enjoy.
If you need any advice on Visas, speak to me. They're pretty particular in Vietnam.

Wherever you go, make sure to "bia hoi".

[Booney]

@Dogwatcher

Thought of you ( and another couple I know who have just been ) to get in touch with and discuss any particulars I might need to know. Might have a word with @PatowalongaPirate too.

Cheers.

[Jimmy_041]

I'm going to Hội An in July. First holiday in Viet Nam

[Magellan]

I'm heading off to Hanoi this Christmas-New Year period with the wife, my in-laws and brother-in-law quasi-Griswalds style, via Guangzhou (and spending a couple of days there on the way back).

Any ideas for things of interest to see or do whilst we're there? The mother in law is keen for a cruise, and we're contemplating booking a boat trip on Ha Long Bay. Any suggestions of hidden treasures from the safooty community would be appreciated.

[the milky bar kid]

I'm heading off to Hanoi this Christmas-New Year period with the wife, my in-laws and brother-in-law quasi-Griswalds style, via Guangzhou (and spending a couple of days there on the way back).

Any ideas for things of interest to see or do whilst we're there? The mother in law is keen for a cruise, and we're contemplating booking a boat trip on Ha Long Bay. Any suggestions of hidden treasures from the safooty community would be appreciated.

Ha Long Bay is pretty incredible. In terms of everything over there it's a bit pricier than other tours, but it's worth it. Also note, it is about a 4 hour trip to and from Hanoi.

[Magellan]

I'm heading off to Hanoi this Christmas-New Year period with the wife, my in-laws and brother-in-law quasi-Griswalds style, via Guangzhou (and spending a couple of days there on the way back).

Any ideas for things of interest to see or do whilst we're there? The mother in law is keen for a cruise, and we're contemplating booking a boat trip on Ha Long Bay. Any suggestions of hidden treasures from the safooty community would be appreciated.

Ha Long Bay is pretty incredible. In terms of everything over there it's a bit pricier than other tours, but it's worth it. Also note, it is about a 4 hour trip to and from Hanoi.

Cheers tmbk. The prices seems a bit steep from what we've sussed out, but everyone says it's pretty amazing so we figure it's worth it. We're limiting our searches to cruises that incorporate a shuttle bus pick-up and drop-off from the hotel.

What was the name of the cruise you went on?

[PatowalongaPirate]

There are 26 Microbreweries in Hanoi

[PatowalongaPirate]

There are 26 Microbreweries in Hanoi

[PatowalongaPirate]

Apparently there are now 52

[the milky bar kid]

I'm heading off to Hanoi this Christmas-New Year period with the wife, my in-laws and brother-in-law quasi-Griswalds style, via Guangzhou (and spending a couple of days there on the way back).

Any ideas for things of interest to see or do whilst we're there? The mother in law is keen for a cruise, and we're contemplating booking a boat trip on Ha Long Bay. Any suggestions of hidden treasures from the safooty community would be appreciated.

Ha Long Bay is pretty incredible. In terms of everything over there it's a bit pricier than other tours, but it's worth it. Also note, it is about a 4 hour trip to and from Hanoi.

Cheers tmbk. The prices seems a bit steep from what we've sussed out, but everyone says it's pretty amazing so we figure it's worth it. We're limiting our searches to cruises that incorporate a shuttle bus pick-up and drop-off from the hotel.

What was the name of the cruise you went on?

From my invoice:
Cruise line: Trails of Indochina

They had transport inclusive. Hope that helps.

[Magellan]

Apparently there are now 52

Good thing the exchange rate with the Dong* is pretty favorable at our end.

[therisingblues]

Apparently there are now 52

Good thing the exchange rate with the Dong* is pretty favorable at our end.

Really? How much do you pay for a Dong in Vietnam?

[Dogwatcher]

I was in Hanoi in September/October last year and will be going back next year.

As we were visiting family, we were in Hanoi for a week and didn't venture too far. However, next year we're planning on being there for two weeks and doing a Hoi An trip and possibly a bit more.

I absolutely loved Hanoi and spent a bit of time wandering around the streets without the family. We stayed just below the Lotte building (a hotel/department store owned by Koreans), the second tallest in Hanoi, which has a brilliant rooftop bar. Prince William was guest speaker there at a conference yesterday.

A big attraction in Hanoi is Ho Chi Minh's tomb, where you can pay your respects to him, he's embalmed. But...it's closed in September/October as he either goes to Russia, or Russian embalming specialists come to him, for maintenance. There's also a museum there and his house is nearby.
Around the corner is the military museum, which my uncle assures me is top notch. That's just opposite a statue of Lenin, one of the few that hasn't been toppled in the world. There's also a fort nearby, where the VietCong were based, complete with underground bunkers, during the American War.

One of the best things I found about Hanoi was the different types of coffee - cafe sua da is just amazing (their version of iced coffee). There's also egg coffee, which was pretty good. And weasel

There's very little in the way of authentic Vietnamese architecture, because they've been occupied/bombed by the Chinese, French, Americans and whoever else tried to control their land. But the Temple of Literature is a Vietnamese design. Definitely head there. A piece of calm in busy Hanoi.

The Vietnamese are very proud of their independence, after centuries of occupation. They love their country, Uncle Ho and their achievements. But they are also amazingly welcoming. I found the street traders pretty good - not as cynical in Bangkok. But westerners who've spent a lot of time there tell me that's gradually changing as more people visit.

To get a good idea about their struggles, you need to visit the 'Hanoi Hilton'. It's a prison that the French turned into a torture chamber for political dissidents. Taking a look at the guillotine is an unsettling moment. It was also used to hold American POWs. There is a small part of the museum dedicated to that part of the place's history. This is where former US presidential candidate John McKain was imprisoned after his jet landed in one of Hanoi's many lakes. I found it interesting that while I was there, despite the prison being filled with local and overseas tourists, I was the only person who actually visited that room and as I paid attention afterwards and very few people went in there. It was probably the moment that really reminded me that this country has its own history and not just the one we get from Hollywood films (I know that seems a weird comment, but think about what you know of Vietnam and where it came from).

Someone mentioned the microbreweries - I'm figuring this is where the beer for bia hoi is made. Bia hoi is basically a street bar, run by families selling preservative-free brews. Basically, they rock up at a corner every day with tables and chairs and keep selling until the beer is gone. It's incredibly cheap. The staff run a chit and you pay at the end. Great fun and you can find them in most neighbourhoods. My understanding is that the bia hoi was, at first, introduced by Hungarian communists as a meeting place for political thought and discussion.
If bia hois on every street corner aren't enough, there's also Beer Street - which is full of bars and places to drink. It can get pretty hectic there on a Friday/Saturday night.

The Vietnamese love a celebration and there's bound to be some festival coming up when you're there, which will certainly make things very colourful.

And...don't expect to find a good pizza, just n case you're hungering for a sample of western food.

[Magellan]

Apparently there are now 52

Good thing the exchange rate with the Dong* is pretty favorable at our end.

Really? How much do you pay for a Dong in Vietnam?

Dunno, it goes up and down. Either way, you can't beat having hard currency in your hand.

[Magellan]

I was in Hanoi in September/October last year and will be going back next year.

As we were visiting family, we were in Hanoi for a week and didn't venture too far. However, next year we're planning on being there for two weeks and doing a Hoi An trip and possibly a bit more.

I absolutely loved Hanoi and spent a bit of time wandering around the streets without the family. We stayed just below the Lotte building (a hotel/department store owned by Koreans), the second tallest in Hanoi, which has a brilliant rooftop bar. Prince William was guest speaker there at a conference yesterday.

A big attraction in Hanoi is Ho Chi Minh's tomb, where you can pay your respects to him, he's embalmed. But...it's closed in September/October as he either goes to Russia, or Russian embalming specialists come to him, for maintenance. There's also a museum there and his house is nearby.
Around the corner is the military museum, which my uncle assures me is top notch. That's just opposite a statue of Lenin, one of the few that hasn't been toppled in the world. There's also a fort nearby, where the VietCong were based, complete with underground bunkers, during the American War.

One of the best things I found about Hanoi was the different types of coffee - cafe sua da is just amazing (their version of iced coffee). There's also egg coffee, which was pretty good. And weasel

There's very little in the way of authentic Vietnamese architecture, because they've been occupied/bombed by the Chinese, French, Americans and whoever else tried to control their land. But the Temple of Literature is a Vietnamese design. Definitely head there. A piece of calm in busy Hanoi.

The Vietnamese are very proud of their independence, after centuries of occupation. They love their country, Uncle Ho and their achievements. But they are also amazingly welcoming. I found the street traders pretty good - not as cynical in Bangkok. But westerners who've spent a lot of time there tell me that's gradually changing as more people visit.

To get a good idea about their struggles, you need to visit the 'Hanoi Hilton'. It's a prison that the French turned into a torture chamber for political dissidents. Taking a look at the guillotine is an unsettling moment. It was also used to hold American POWs. There is a small part of the museum dedicated to that part of the place's history. This is where former US presidential candidate John McKain was imprisoned after his jet landed in one of Hanoi's many lakes. I found it interesting that while I was there, despite the prison being filled with local and overseas tourists, I was the only person who actually visited that room and as I paid attention afterwards and very few people went in there. It was probably the moment that really reminded me that this country has its own history and not just the one we get from Hollywood films (I know that seems a weird comment, but think about what you know of Vietnam and where it came from).

Someone mentioned the microbreweries - I'm figuring this is where the beer for bia hoi is made. Bia hoi is basically a street bar, run by families selling preservative-free brews. Basically, they rock up at a corner every day with tables and chairs and keep selling until the beer is gone. It's incredibly cheap. The staff run a chit and you pay at the end. Great fun and you can find them in most neighbourhoods. My understanding is that the bia hoi was, at first, introduced by Hungarian communists as a meeting place for political thought and discussion.
If bia hois on every street corner aren't enough, there's also Beer Street - which is full of bars and places to drink. It can get pretty hectic there on a Friday/Saturday night.

The Vietnamese love a celebration and there's bound to be some festival coming up when you're there, which will certainly make things very colourful.

And...don't expect to find a good pizza, just n case you're hungering for a sample of western food.

Great advice DW, much appreciated. I like the idea of Beer Street. The Hanoi Hilton sounds like a very sobering experience worth checking out (perhaps after a night on Beer Street).

[PatowalongaPirate]

I have a wedding in KL next weekend so decided to extend the trip and flop and drop in Danang for 5 days after.

[bulldogproud]

Will be making my first trip to Vietnam next month: planning to spend three days in Ho Chi Minh City, then four or five in Nha Trang.
Cheers

[Dogwatcher]

Here's a totally self-indulgent Tweet thread about my recent travels to Vietnam. I'm not sure if it'll be helpful to anyone, but it's there for you.

https://twitter.com/ReverendRobP10/stat ... 1984162816

[LaughingKookaburra]

Booked some flights in October to Ho Chi Minh City with a 3 day stop over in Hong Kong on the return for well under $700 on Cathay Pacific. Best news is that both ways we avoid the dreaded overnight flight. We’re gone for almost 2 weeks so we will stay South just out of Ho Chi Minh for a good period of the Vietnam leg.