Visiting Vietnam

[scorecard]

On 1/28/2025 at 6:31 AM, BritManToo said:

Hanoi is great for sightseeing, also worth a train ride to Ninh Binh, Tam Coc/Trang An for the caves and lakes (2 hour rowing boat ride at either), then the cast peak Hang Mua.

 

Not much at Da Nang apart from a nice beach.

 

Hang Mua

 

Trang An

 

Hanoi

 

As said , Hanoi is great, especially the old quarter area which still has architecture from several European countries. This area has wonderful old style accommodation some vey cheap, some a bit more expensive, and great food / big variety, reasonable prices.

 

I've been to this area many times on days off from giving uni lectures (all English, great students, intelligent, analytical, all speak very advanced English).

 

Haven't done t it but I've read before that some agencies / hotels / restaurants offer excellent whole day / half day guided walking tour of the old quarter, guides speaks English. 

 

Enjoy.

[BritManToo]

34 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Haven't done t it but I've read before that some agencies / hotels / restaurants offer excellent whole day / half day guided walking tour of the old quarter, guides speaks English

I've done the Hanoi day cultural walking tour, and the evening food walking tour.

Both very good value and worthwhile

[fredwiggy]

Thanks for all the info. I'll keep it in mind and probably visit some of the places mentioned when I go.

[GypsyT]

On 1/29/2025 at 1:42 PM, Flyguy330 said:

But be warned - it isn't Vietnam. It's a purpose built Italian town, the authenticity of which is stunning

Why go to see fake Italian town(s) in Asia?

Better go to see real one...

[jingjai9]

On 1/29/2025 at 5:57 PM, BritManToo said:

Been to Da Nang and Vung Tau beaches, no vendors at all, I was totally ignored by everyone. In Hanoi, Da Nang and Saigon town, in fact everywhere I travelled in Vietnam no beggars at all, was approached by a few young ladies in Saigon though. I was warned not to wear my backpack in crowds or getting on bus/train, keep it in front of you, apparently they crowd you while someone behind razors your backpack.

 

Don't think beggars/vendors are allowed to hassle you these days.

I am glad to hear things have changed for the better. I was there a long time ago and I imagine the tourist industry has changed after all these years. Thank you for your reply.

[scorecard]

17 hours ago, jingjai9 said:

I am glad to hear things have changed for the better. I was there a long time ago and I imagine the tourist industry has changed after all these years. Thank you for your reply.

 

Vietnam has changed quite a lot, and in many ways.

 

Streets etc., much cleaner. A lot more English spoken...

 

Education has improved a lot,  whole education system is now modelled on the Singapore education system.

 

Education minister is quite young, came from poverty, worked hard to win many scholarships to education in Singapore, ultimately proposed to Vn parliament that their current rote learning approach to education had no value, proposed total change to copy SIngapore style student centered learning.

 

All agreed, now 60 - 70% through total change under 'on the ground' guidance from S'pore ed. experts. Just one aim is to get to the point where all education will be conducted in English.

 

Education Minister keen to keep expanding his own education, attended an executive MBA course (all in English) that I lectured in HCMC, great local uni affiliated with high ranking S'pore and Thai unis. He kept a low profile in the class but all the other students knew his story.

[Drumbuie]

Unlike others on this forum, I loved HCMC. Went on a motorbike streetfood tour where all the guides are students subsidising their studies. Our guide took pains to show us how ordinary people live, and recommended a non-tourist-y boat tour of the Mekong delta area - which was unforgettable. 

 Stayed in a 3* hotel where the food, and the service,  was better than many a 5* hotel in Europe. Shall be going again. 

[scorecard]

On 1/31/2025 at 11:12 PM, GypsyT said:

Why go to see fake Italian town(s) in Asia?

Better go to see real one...

 

But perhaps visiting the 'fake' Italian town might just be 1 hour of a multiple diverse list of activities for that day?

[GypsyT]

7 hours ago, Drumbuie said:

Went on a motorbike streetfood tour

How do you cope with insane honking?

Also, blasting through red lights on motorbikes? There's zero respect for pedestrians.

- I like all motorcycles but not in Vn

 

[GypsyT]

15 minutes ago, scorecard said:

But perhaps visiting the 'fake' Italian town might just be 1 hour of a multiple diverse list of activities for that day?

 

"When tourists go to see something they only see what they went to see."

"When I travel I see what I see"

 

- that's the difference, neither one's right or wrong