Vietnam

[Ms.Huxtable]

Has anyone here been to Vietnam? bouche and I are in the very early planning stages of a trip in Sept/Oct. We'll only have a couple weeks and are looking for any advice on which parts of the country to see, any must sees, places to stay....

Thanks Skanks.

[bouche]

I need me some Pho!

[phorbesie]

yep! definitely spend some time in the mekong delta and saigon. i would skip the beaches, head into the mountains up north (sapa) but halong bay is worth visiting for sure.

[nattyMatty]

Pho Show

[Velvet]

Boat trip in Nha Trang. Mama Han's is a famous one.

A guy at work just got back a few weeks ago. I'll ask if he ha any tips.

[localcrew]

Though it's Cambodia (hey when are you getting any closer to Cambodia than Vietnam?) the temples there (in Cambodia) are something I've always wanted to see. I believe they are in Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat....

[Ms.Huxtable]

Phorbesie, Saigon is in the south and Sapa is in the far north. Do you think it's reasonable to plan a trip that spans the country or should we choose between exploring either the north OR the south?

[Velvet]

If you go from north to south definitely fly. Vietnam Air is a good, safe, cheap airline.

[RobL]

my buddy ken fudge puts on travel deals their, also a white water rafter instructor etc. He just opened up a rock climbing program too

check out his sites http://www.handspan.com/

http://www.xrockclimbing.com/

he is in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Edited June 1, 2009 by Guest

[bagochips]

These are a few photos I took of Haolong Bay. Go there. It is perfectly reasonable to see both the north and south of VietNam. Flying is cheap and easy, and Hanoi is an awesome city to see.

[Ms.Huxtable]

Thanks so much for the inspiration! North and South it is!

[Blane]

I also loved Hoi Ahn which is in the middle. Lots to see along the coast!

[phorbesie]

Phorbesie, Saigon is in the south and Sapa is in the far north. Do you think it's reasonable to plan a trip that spans the country or should we choose between exploring either the north OR the south?

sure...as velvet said, flying is best. do NOT take a bus or minivan.

the middle of the country has some interesting spots like hue (which might interest you for food, but i think saigon should satisfy those needs!) and the DMZ, but the beaches weren't too great and i think it's skippable unless you want to see the DMZ for history reasons...

i would do mekong delta + saigon for a week and then hanoi+halong+sapa for a week

the floating markets are awesome in the south

[afro poppa]

Though it's Cambodia (hey when are you getting any closer to Cambodia than Vietnam?) the temples there (in Cambodia) are something I've always wanted to see. I believe they are in Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat....

Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat are the two biggest temple (and temple complexes) of all the temples of Angkor. They are nearest to Siem Reap.

If you get a chance to go, DO IT!!

[hamilton]

Though it's Cambodia (hey when are you getting any closer to Cambodia than Vietnam?) the temples there (in Cambodia) are something I've always wanted to see. I believe they are in Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat....

Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat are the two biggest temple (and temple complexes) of all the temples of Angkor. They are nearest to Siem Reap.

If you get a chance to go' date=' DO IT!![/quote']

What he said. I spent five days there several years ago - some of the most amazing stuff you can see. Cambodia is pretty awesome. I had a good time in Phnom Penh, too.

[zero]

My cousin is working as a tour guide particularly in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand lately. He'll have tonnnes! of suggestions. I'll pass them on.