So, Viet Nam?
Posted by SpikeDec 30
Looks like I’ve got my gf convinced that Viet Nam should be our destination. The tipping point was the food. “I can eat the same food we have at Nha Trang?” (A popular Vietnamese restaurant in HK with branches in Central, Wanchai and TST.) “Yes, the same, only better!”
But now the question is, where to go? I’ve only been there once and that was about 4 years ago. I spent 4 days in Hanoi and 4 days in Saigon and Saigon was mostly shut down for Tet. I preferred Hanoi but I don’t think my gf would go for it so much. So I want to go back and spend more time in Saigon. I’d also like to go to Hue, the old capital. And also a few days on a beach somewhere.
So if anyone can recommend … good beach resort town, in-country travel, etc. Thinking 3 or 4 nights in Saigon, 3 nights in Hue, 3 or 4 nights at some beach somewhere … does that sound about right?
9 comments
Comment by Joyce Lau on December 30, 2009 at 1:01 am
I prefer Hanoi, too. Why wouldn’t your gf like it?
From Hanoi, you can drive down to the coast and spend a night on a boat in Halong Bay.
I’ve never been to Hue.
But I have been to Danang, which is beachy / resort-y. But that was YEARS ago. I hear it’s much more touristy and expensive now.
Have a nice time!
Comment by Spike on December 30, 2009 at 1:24 am
The things I loved in Hanoi – getting lost walking around the old quarter, the government monuments – are not things that would appeal to her. And the lack of nightlife, presuming that things haven’t changed much since last visit. Saigon should be much more her style. I really want to go to the market in Saigon and also get out to the Cu Chi tunnels. But maybe a triangle of Hanoi/Hue/Danang works better from a logistics perspective?
Comment by another opinion on December 30, 2009 at 2:02 am
Forget about Hue if your time is limited. There is not that much to see that you can’t see better elsewhere.
However I do recommend in Hanoi the French restaurant in the old colonial five star hotel (not as expensive as it sounds). And most of all a 2-day luxury cruise in Halong Bay. Think beautiful island scenery and endless amounts of seafood. Have it with beer or bring your own champagne.
Watch the so-so French movie Indochine as an appetiser.
Comment by Spike on December 30, 2009 at 4:06 am
I like the cruise idea, thanks!
Comment by HKHam on December 30, 2009 at 8:55 am
I had one of the best eating experiences in my life (twice) at Qua An Ngan. It’s a unique restaurant housed in a beautiful old colonial courtyard that apparently gathers together the best of Saigon’s street food vendors and presents the whole thing as an almost fine-dining experience. I say ‘almost’ because it’s still very cheap, and it’s not really fine dining when you have to use your hands. The place is always full.
There’s a short piece about it here: http://goseasia.about.com/b/2009/11/06/lunch-qua-an-ngan-hanoi.htm
Comment by chrisrawk on December 31, 2009 at 3:55 am
I second the Halong Bay recommendation. Beautiful area. You might want to book the boat/package in advance so you get a good boat (not too many people). “Perfume Pagoda” is also a good day trip from Hanoi.
Danang has an airport, so you could fly in without much hassle. The beach at Danang is massive and empty. Danang itself isn’t that great, but the beach is impressive. Only about 30 minutes from Danang, Hoi-An was my favorite place for cultural things/shopping and I think the locals were the friendliest there. Hue is a day-trip from there, too.
Comment by Nick on January 1, 2010 at 3:36 pm
If you’re going to Saigon (HCMC), then you could take a car or train to Mui Ne, it should be about 3 hours or so. Its an up and coming beach destination that is still pretty cheap and has a lot of good food, nice beaches, and some interesting stuff around (massive sand dunes, kitesurfing mecca in asia, some historical sites etc). Google it for more…
Comment by Spike on January 1, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Thanks for the suggestion, will definitely look into it further.
Comment by Combover on January 4, 2010 at 4:56 pm
As movie prep, I’d watch Cyclo over Indochine.