travel to Vietnam things to do

[kingstonkid]

Hi I know this is probably the wrong place for this but not sure where it should be.

 

Was thinking of going to Vietnam for a holiday with GF.  

 

Being a boomer the Vietnam war was big and wanted to actually go to some of the sites.  I realize that going I will get the Vietnamese version.

 

Also wanted to do the tourist thing.

 

Wondering if anyone else here has done this trip or vacation and have suggestions.

[KhunLA]

It's the 'American War', there, and their version of it, is probably closer to the actual truth...IMHO

 

No advice, as haven't been and no desire.  Suspect same same, not that different, except infrastructure not as good as TH's.  Some lovely landscape, as I followed 'Paddy Doyle' on YT, his first few days there.

 

https://www.youtube.com/@PaddyDoyle./search?query=vietnam

[buick]

i like saigon and danang.  in saigon i stay in the dong khoi area.  in danang i stay in the hai chau district, right near the river.  has a nice walkway along the river with bars and restaurants.  obviously there are a few historical war sites in saigon.  i think most of the others are overgrown and such, like khe sanh.  i did go to Hill 55 south of the danang airport.  nothing there except the hill.  could fly into one of those cities and fly out of the other, i think air asia goes nonstop to danang now.  i go to saigon or danang every year, other than the covid years.  it is a good side trip from bkk.

[Lacessit]

For the tourist thing, a cruise on Halong Bay, and the water puppet show in Hanoi. Brilliant. Danang is good for beaches and fish restaurants. Dalat in the mountains has a pleasant climate.

Don't be surprised if the locals want to practice their English with you.

[xylophone]

I've been to Da Nang and found it very pleasant, with the people being extremely friendly and many of them can speak good English.

 

Also travelled to the little, supposedly picturesque fishing village a few kilometres south because it's supposed to be a tourist attraction, however it was so full of tourists that I didn't find it attractive at all!

 

The beach at Dan Nang was not that appealing, however I'm not a beach lover anyway. There was some nightlife which was quite interesting and I liked the Vietnamese cuisine, and also found a superb and not expensive Italian restaurant, with some excellent food and when I asked the owner if the chef was Italian, he said that he was Vietnamese and trained by an Italian chef – – whatever the case, the food was great.

 

I could well visit again, as I have got a friend coming over from Australia, and would like to see a little more of it.
 

[Thailand J]

Take a cruise on Halong Bay, spend a night or two on a boat. You will not regret it.

Go on a trekking trip on Sapa HIghland.

Old Hanoi is charming. Head to 49 Bat Dan  for beef noodle. In the evening take a street side table at 50 Bat Dan where they serve freshly brewed beer by the glass. Check out their menu, i recommend snails cooked with banana and tofu.

https://goo.gl/maps/gjzbvoCH5JMkftNXA

I have only been to Hanoi and Saigon.

There are tours to Cu chi tunnels from Saigon if you are interested.

[BritManToo]

Go to Hanoi,

Food walking tour

Cultural walking tour

Halong Bay cruise

Ninh Binh, Tam Coc and Mua Cave

 

Plenty of stuff to see and do, and not expensive.

[gargamon]

Bia Hoi! 

[Thailand J]

Has anyone been to Hanoi water puppet show?

Forget the puppets, you will go back for the amazing live traditional music and singing.

 

 

Edited June 20, 2023 by Thailand J

[Northstar1]

Have been many times, by far the friendliest people in SEA, Saigon is a much nicer city than bkk, danang is a great place, I stay in an Thuong area. Ha long bay, dalat, ha giang motorcycle tour is rated top 3 in the world . Cu chi tunnels in Saigon   War museum and Hanoi Hilton in Hanoi, Great War history!

and some of the most beautiful woman in the world bar none!

[Tropicalevo]

On 6/21/2023 at 1:38 AM, Thailand J said:

Has anyone been to Hanoi water puppet show?

Forget the puppets, you will go back for the amazing live traditional music and singing.

 

 

I go to the water puppet show every time that I go to Hanoi. Brilliant. Four times now.

It is a Must Do.

They tried to start one in Phu Quoc but not sure if it got off the ground.

 

[Tropicalevo]

On 6/21/2023 at 3:49 AM, Northstar1 said:

War museum and Hanoi Hilton in Hanoi, Great War history!

Totally agree.

My girlfriend back in the late 60's was from California. Lots of male students visited the UK to avoid the draft.

Great culture in Hanoi as well.

Riding a m/b is interesting there.