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smmudge

smmudge

i know the smudge is true
We're planning a trip to Vietnam, probably for May looking at best time for weather (don’t want too much weather).

We are thinking a few days in Hanoi (rather than Ho Chi Minh) then down to Da Nang, maybe a few days there, few days in Hoi An.

Any recommendations? We like to see culture and history, as well as do some relaxing.
 
smmudge said:
We're planning a trip to Vietnam, probably for May looking at best time for weather (don’t want too much weather).

We are thinking a few days in Hanoi (rather than Ho Chi Minh) then down to Da Nang, maybe a few days there, few days in Hoi An.

Any recommendations? We like to see culture and history, as well as do some relaxing.
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Worth a search for threads on here as there's a longish one on Vietnam.

Anyway my tuppence - definitely Hanoi over Ho Chi Minh. I found Ho Chi Minh enormously overwhelming and it's just full of traffic fumes.

I found Da Nang quite disappointing. It definitely didn't help that it was pissing with rain, but there wasn't an awful lot to see. My recommendation if you want to see a bit of history is Hoi An which is absolutely stunning. We stayed there for the best part of a week over Christmas a couple of years ago and it's just gorgeous and there's load to see and do.

Also you don't need to make concrete plans. We flew into Ho Chi Minh and flew out of Hanoi and bimbled up the coast on sleeper trains. We just booked our accommodation for when we arrived and then everything else we did on booking.com, AirBnB as we went along. You can also book the trains online really easily. Enjoy. It's a lovely country!
 
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Been 20 years since I was there. Loved Hanoi. Would live there for a year if I could do it all again.
 
Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are the obvious ones. Hue, certainly, also Hoi An. Nha TRang for bit of beach, maybe China Beach. Halong Bay, though I hear full of tourist boats. Emotionally drawn to Marble Mountain and My Lai.
Get over it, go to iplayer as Portillo is doing programmes on Nam at the moment.
 
smmudge This is the thread I was thinking of, although there are more:

www.urban75.net

2 weeks - Vietnam and Cambodia, or just one?

Where abouts are you going? Snap :thumbs: Although we’ve got 17 days. Haven’t worked out itinerary yet so tips welcome. We’re flying into Ho Chi Minh City and out from Hanoi. We have booked fuck all except flights yet :eek: Er.... We're doing the same, ha! Arrive hcmc early doors on the 24th...
www.urban75.net www.urban75.net

Worth checking the visa situation. I had to get one as we were going for over 13 days, but less than that you can just get an e visa thing I believe. But this was 2 years ago so worth checking the current situation.

Would also recommend Nha Trang if you want a bit of beach action.
 
I had a look at previous threads, they mainly seemed to include Cambodia too but we'll do that another day. Hearing that we should defo do Hanoi over Ho Chi Minh, and good things about Hoi An which is good as that's what we first planned.

Our mate who sorts out holidays for us has stopped so we have to do it ourselves now! But we can handle it.

The sleeper idea sounds like a great adventure, but we're not that confident yet in our exploring, and my wife is a very fussy sleeper (though I think I'd get a good sleep on a train!)
 
My fav thing was a bike ride from Dalat to Mui Ne. Cost about $80 but well worth the money for hire of a decent bike and a support vehicle.
 
If you end up in Da nang make sure to take a trip on the cable car, longest in the world I think. You escape the heat. The weather is different all over Vietnam. It'll be very hot in Hoi An at that time of year.
 
Yeah Vietnam is :thumbs: definitely a place I'd go to again.

And yes weather is something you may well have to think about a little bit. We went at Christmas so some parts will be experiencing completely different weather in May so I don't have any advice as far as that goes, just bear it in mind.

Tbh I think it's one of those places you'd have a brilliant time wherever you go. I know HCMC is a bit divisive for some of you but I loved the hecticness of it. I would have loved to go to the proper North of the country, but just didn't have the time.
 
Hanoi over CHM for sure. CHM is a big modern super city these days, you could be anywhere in Asia. Hoi An is my favourite place in Vietnam, very touristy but worth it. Lovely old town for pottering about and you can cycle out to the beach. I’ve never made it to Hue but the temples are meant to be great and there’s an amazing train journey from Hoi An.
I really liked Dalat as well, and did the easy rider back of the bike trip all the way to HMC, was amazing. Was about 15 years ago though!
Wasn’t impressed with Da Nang, pretty boring city.
smmudge the sleeper train is great. You can book online or if not in peak season your hotel can do a few days in advance from Hanoi. Then just get them to sort a cab to the train station and your driver will take you all the way to your carriage. Amazing journey and if you get a private sleeper it’s really comfortable and you’ll sleep like a baby
 
So would you recommend staying in the old town in Hoi An then taking a trip to the beach, rather than staying in one of the hotels on the beach? We always stay near a beach but actually spend very little time there!

We think we're going to fit in Hue between Hanoi and Hoi An - so 3 nights Hanoi to see the city, 4 nights Hue exploring the interesting sites & tours, and 5 nights Hoi An to finish off with some relaxing.
 
I stayed here last time I was there. Hoi An Hotel - Hoi An Chic Hotel in Hoi An City. Gorgeous hotel but now on the pretty expensive end for Hoi An. I’d stay half way between the beach and town. You can cycle to either really easy and most hotels will have an evening shuttle into town. Loads of nice hotels mid way. G Boutique looks really nice in that area for £35 a night. Or East West Villa for £22 closer to town. Nice to be a bit out of the hustle and bustle. Having a pool is a major bonus as it gets hot...
Personally, I’d take one day off Hue and add it to Hanoi. Hanoi is a great city to bimble round, loads of nice cafes and interesting stuff to do. Maybe im a bit jaded as I’m at the end of months in Asia, but temples all get a bit samey after a couple of days and can be packed with big groups. When I was planning to go to Hue, friend who’d been said a night or two was plenty.
 
Ok we've booked our hotels and flights! Into Hanoi, kept it for 3 nights (we get city fatigue for much longer and find we can generally see what we want to in that time), 3 nights in Hue taking your advice shakespearegirl but adding the extra night on to Hoi An. We've gone cheaper in Hanoi and Hue but splashed out a bit in Hoi An, staying near the beach but free shuttle into town and free bike use.

We will probably do some nice tours in Hoi An, but I know I definitely want to do a tour of war sites near Hue. And there's a private tour/transfer that takes you from Hue to Hoi An (or the other way if you wanted) with a guide stopping at lots of sites on the way, which looks like a great way to get from one to the other.
 
smmudge said:
Ok we've booked our hotels and flights! Into Hanoi, kept it for 3 nights (we get city fatigue for much longer and find we can generally see what we want to in that time), 3 nights in Hue taking your advice shakespearegirl but adding the extra night on to Hoi An. We've gone cheaper in Hanoi and Hue but splashed out a bit in Hoi An, staying near the beach but free shuttle into town and free bike use.

We will probably do some nice tours in Hoi An, but I know I definitely want to do a tour of war sites near Hue. And there's a private tour/transfer that takes you from Hue to Hoi An (or the other way if you wanted) with a guide stopping at lots of sites on the way, which looks like a great way to get from one to the other.
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the train from hue to Da Nang is meant to be really spectacular
 
I have very little to add that hasn't already been said but...

...the ruined temples at My Son are a good half day trip from Hoi An. Do it at dawn for maximum atmosphere.

And the tombs around Hue are really beautiful. I got on the back of a motorbike with a very nice young chap who sped me around a few in a few hours. sigh memories :)
 
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We're defo going to get the train from Da Nang to Hue - as we're flying into Da Nang from Hanoi, although turns out Hue does actually have an airport but apparently flights are more reliable to Da Nang and the train will be fun!
 
I really enjoyed the train. I got it all the way up from Da Nang to Hanoi making stops along the way. The trains are great - modern, comfortable, air conditioned - the scenery is fab and of course you're travelling with local people rather than all tourists.
 
Hi guys, I found this site when having a look for some info on Vietnam and so I thought I’d join up and share a few of my experiences.

First let me eat this though.
 

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So I've decided to fuck off my job and move abroad for a bit. I've lived in Asia before and it's my spiritual home, the food, the smiles - and a quick Google reveals Vietnam is the cheapest place to live there. Has anyone else here tried this? I've got mates in Thailand but not Vietnam, always easy to meet other crazies though. I think this could happen in the next few weeks, before they drop the axe on my neck at work. I'd rather leave on my own terms.

Where's the best bit to set up shop for a bit? Hanoi? I know it's not the best time of year to be heading to SE Asia but I've had it with this fucking country.
 
Admittedly it's been a long time since I was there, but Hanoi would not be my first choice. Hanoi was more formal. I would have gone for Ho Chi Minh.
 
I've decided to move to Hanoi when I'm sacked on the 29th. Checked out rents. Can get a nice place for £350 a month all in. Fuck London for now.
 
hash tag said:
Sentenced to death in Viet Nam for fraud. Oh and BTW you have to hand the money back.
www.bbc.co.uk

Truong My Lan: Vietnamese billionaire sentenced to death for $44bn fraud

Truong My Lan started life as a market trader. Now, she has been convicted of stealing billions.
www.bbc.co.uk
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bcuster said:
They take bank fraud very seriously in Vietnam:

Vietnam tycoon sentenced to death in $12 billion fraud case​


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