Comments on: So, Viet Nam?

By: Combover

Combover — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:56:29 +0000

As movie prep, I’d watch Cyclo over Indochine.

By: Spike

Spike — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:32:33 +0000

Thanks for the suggestion, will definitely look into it further.

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 07:36:20 +0000

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…

By: chrisrawk

chrisrawk — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:55:24 +0000

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.

By: HKHam

HKHam — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:55:32 +0000

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

By: Spike

Spike — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:06:39 +0000

I like the cruise idea, thanks!

By: another opinion

another opinion — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:02:55 +0000

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.

By: Spike

Spike — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:24:17 +0000

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?

By: Joyce Lau

Joyce Lau — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:01:55 +0000

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!