Vietnam Info

[willbartholomew]

I have a friend coming to visit Chiang Mai in January. We are planning a short trip to Vietnam (Saigon). We will spend 2-3 days in Saigon and then would like to go to a decent beach within bus ride distance from Saigon. Flights to Saigon and back are already done. Anybody know of a good beach destination that would be no more than a 4-5 hour ride from Saigon? I did a quick check on the internet and Mui Ne sounds like it would work but really don't know much about it. Looking for a place with at least some action but not over run with tourists. Any info on destinations and accomodations there would be greatly appreciated.

[gpdjohn]

Vung Tau

40 minutes by hydrofoil from Saigon. ( Vina Express..around 30 dollars )

Several hotels located on "Back Beach".

Some "action", minimal tourists during the week, lots from Saigon on weekends.

Good food

Rent a motorbike ( Ms. Suong, Mobile 0903.673 584, tell her I sent ya )

Pics are of "Front Beach" ( yeah, there is a beach) where hydrofoil lands

and of the other side from a nice seafood restaraunt..

I liked it, the wife did not. ( All the Viets thought she was as well... Vietnamese, that is.. )

[hanno]

Personally, I don't care for Vung Tau much; always thought it too seedy for my tastes.

Another option is Mui Ne, 4 hours by bus or 5 by train from HCMC.

[gpdjohn]

"Seedy"...

You should have seen it 35 years ago with the dirt streets and all.

Much better now than then.

[Rsteeltje]

I have a friend coming to visit Chiang Mai in January. We are planning a short trip to Vietnam (Saigon). We will spend 2-3 days in Saigon and then would like to go to a decent beach within bus ride distance from Saigon. Flights to Saigon and back are already done. Anybody know of a good beach destination that would be no more than a 4-5 hour ride from Saigon? I did a quick check on the internet and Mui Ne sounds like it would work but really don't know much about it. Looking for a place with at least some action but not over run with tourists. Any info on destinations and accomodations there would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Willbartholomew,

I think within 5 hours you should be able to make it to Nah Trang. My favorite beach place in Vietnam, actually my favorite place in Vietnam. Clean beaches, nice restaurant. Perfect place for a beach holiday. Plenty of hotels which you can book when you are in HCMC. Sorry cannot remember the names of the places I stayed.

Cheers

R'steeltje

[willbartholomew]

I agree that Nha Trang sounds like a great place but according to the information I have it's an 11 hr bus ride from Saigon(HCMC). You can fly there but I really like to keep myself on terra firma as much as possible when traveling. Thanks for the replies from all and correct me if I am wrong about Nha Trang.

[hanno]

Nha Trang is indeed at least 11 hours by car or train from HCMC.

[bungalowbill]

There's a new luxury train that goes from Saigon to Nahtrang. IMO Muine has nice beaches but kind of a sleepy place. Vung Tau's beaches are dirty. Nahtrang is further away but has nice beaches and more to do than Muine.

http://www.vietnam-travelservices.com/home...on_Nhatrang.htm

Edited November 24, 2008 by bungalowbill

[hanno]

I have taken the "Luxury Train", currently called "Golden Express" I think. Not bad, but do not expect the Orient Express.