Troy Tempest

Thanks.....I understand now!

Thanks for your info. We are planning on doing Laos another time. With all the helpful information members have kindly sent we will have plenty to get around in VN and even now 1 month might not be long enough! Look forward to posting back on here after the trip!

Great info Lales......Impressed you did it in a Lada too!

Some people have said that, but I got this from the UK Government Website: https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit Vietnam is on the list which requires you to have an IDP 1968. Are you saying that the UK Govt. Website is wrong?....Maybe it has changed, but this was taken from the website today...... Check which IDP you need Check the table to find out if you need an IDP. There are 3 types of IDP: 1926 1949 1968 Update: I just looked at car rental prices at HCMC Airport.....There were either no cars available or they were incredibly expensive....$168 per day for a Medium Sedan! Have to be Plan B.....

Thank you SC....I have heard good and bad reports about Hanoi, but I believe the Architecture and Food in many parts is heavily influenced by the French Colonisation which should make for a very interesting visit, particularly for my GF who has never ventured outside Thailand. She is from Sakon Nakhon and so could easily be mistaken for VN or Lao, but does not speak any languages other than Thai in Various Dialects and Broken English! If we go somewhere where they may speak French or Viet-English I will have to translate for her for once, which should be a laugh! ????

Thanks for the tip....I like the sound of that!... As you say it was 15 years ago and many places have changed, but i will take a look and report back in AF after my trip. Of course I could have Googled Trip Advisor, Lonely Planet, etc., but I prefer to get information from Real People who have experienced places without any vested interest in promoting a place without trying to sell me something!

Thanks GB....Checked them out on Google and all look Great. Very good advice about driving.....I am English so used to driving on the left unlike most Thais (particularly when on motorbikes). However, I have worked and driven in many countries that drive on the right including USA, many European and Middle East countries and somehow I have managed to live this long.....I have learned to drive Defensively wherever I am! Also, I never drive at night (After Dark) in SEA if I can avoid it! Except of course in Emergencies!

Wow!.....Thank you so much....I had a look at Ninh Binh images....I will go there Deffo! https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&sca_esv=562326839&q=ninh+ninh&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijyMe5qo6BAxV13AIHHQ4uC0wQ0pQJegQIDhAB&biw=1280&bih=539&dpr=1.5

Oh Yeah! .....But, I have learned to put up with myself ....Well most of the time anyway. At least I know who is "Pulling the Strings"!

Thanks!...Actually it is from Stingray, but same producers.

Not really worried about the price, but from the YouTube vids I have seen it looks like what should be a paradise ruined by Tourism!

Thanks CP...Exactly the type of info I was looking for!

Thanks...Maybe I'll leave Marina on her "Sea Bed" for this trip?

Thanks Scuba, but from what I have heard it is massively overcrowded and the Cruises are Massively Over Priced? Did you get a good deal?

Thanks!...My mate has sent me some pics....Looks GREAT!

Thanks Mate...I do not plan to drive through many cities, but will need to get a car in Saigon and then I only need to get out....... Planning on the first 3 days in Saigon.....Then Pick up a car at the Airport and down to Vung Tau....After that looking for suggestions.

I appreciate your comment I have been warned that VN driving is even worse than Thai Driving.....I know that is hard to "Fathom", but I have been driving in Thailand since 2006.....I like a challenge and so maybe it would be another stepup? But, I also know that whilst it is CRAZY in the Cities, once you get out it is only about as bad as Thailand!

Thanks Mate!......But, I forgot to say that I plan to hire a car in Saigon and drive!

Thanks Lacessit......Souds Great!......Like I said, we are looking for unusal stuff away from the Sheep!

Dear All, I have a friend who lives in HCMC or as he and his VN wife still call it "Saigon"......She is from the South. He has done some travelling and indeed at this moment is in Quy Nhon, but VN is so BIG and he is still working, that he has only been to a few destinations outside Saigon. Quy Nhon .....Beach paradise, but I live on Samui and don't need that. I am asking please for your recommendations from your visits to anywhere you have been that you Really Liked in Vietnam? I have already seen loads of YouTube stuff about the usual tourist venues such as HCMC, Vung Tau, Nha Trang, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, etc., but I am looking for more off the "Beaten Tracks"experience. Obviously, I will be travelling with Marina so please....No Dumb Answers!...It gets on yer T!Ts after a while! Love Troy and Marina xxx ????

Why would you ever buy an expensive electrical item online from Lazada, Shopee or anyone else for that matter? If it doesn't work when when it's delivered you've just let yourself in for a whole load of BS and maybe total loss of the money if the seller is Bent!

Yeah!...And the necks of 120 passengers in the back!

Samui.....Maybe had 5-6 days when it rained since January (short Thunder Storms), but not all day. Some good storms though at the time! The local reservoir went from nearly dry to about 2/3rds full now. Luckily, we have a well under our place, but it hadn't been used for about 15 years for some reason....We moved in 13 years ago. So, I got it checked out and re-commisioned and bought and fitted a Brand New pump. So far....So Good!

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