hey gents,

 

anyone here holiday'd in Vietnam ? if so, lets have some do's and don'ts and places to see along the way, me and some mates have booked to go in jan and we are doing the whole "top gear" buy a bike and travel whilsdt eating nasties and getting suits made, i may even bring back a wife lol,

 

let me in on your exp with the country please.

I've only ever heard great things about it, I've a mate who lived over there for a year. He absolutely loved it and has been itching to go back ever since.

Never been myself but if I was to venture to any Asian country again it would be Vietnam without doubt.

Sounds like fun, man. I know I've met some beautiful and classy Vietnamese

women. I hope you do meet a nice one and bring her home. Have fun.

 

My parents went there last year , they had good times

 

couple of things to keep in mind

 

If you are going to visit Ho Chi Minh's Tomb , keep quite .You don't want a whack to the head by a very big man

 

Don't be rude , smug or arrogant like a stereotypical American tourist.

 

Don't Bother about "War Booty"

 

You might find that corruption can be used to your advantage , their pretty open about it. My parents got a marble chess set out of "Best Price" ( just ask for best price , this is not something American Tourists get BTW ) , Vietnam still sorta is socialist and every transaction has to be reported to Hanoi

 

 

You'll like halong bay , it is a must see.

 

there are other things i have yet to remember , i'll get back to you on that

My parents went there last year , they had good times

 

couple of things to keep in mind

 

If you are going to visit Ho Chi Minh's Tomb , keep quite .You don't want a whack to the head by a very big man

 

Don't be rude , smug or arrogant like a stereotypical American tourist.

 

Don't Bother about "War Booty"

 

You might find that corruption can be used to your advantage , their pretty open about it. My parents got a marble chess set out of "Best Price" ( just ask for best price , this is not something American Tourists get BTW ) , Vietnam still sorta is socialist and every transaction has to be reported to Hanoi

 

 

You'll like halong bay , it is a must see.

 

there are other things i have yet to remember , i'll get back to you on that

all these things, do the complete opposite and you will have a great time.

My parents went there last year , they had good times

 

couple of things to keep in mind

 

If you are going to visit Ho Chi Minh's Tomb , keep quite .You don't want a whack to the head by a very big man

 

Don't be rude , smug or arrogant like a stereotypical American tourist.

 

Don't Bother about "War Booty"

 

You might find that corruption can be used to your advantage , their pretty open about it. My parents got a marble chess set out of "Best Price" ( just ask for best price , this is not something American Tourists get BTW ) , Vietnam still sorta is socialist and every transaction has to be reported to Hanoi

 

 

You'll like halong bay , it is a must see.

 

there are other things i have yet to remember , i'll get back to you on that

 

 

thanks for reply mate,

 

Halong bay is on the cards for sure, we wanna see all the military exhibits and museums, point taken about the temple, not sure what you mean about "war booty" and as for shopping, i can't wait. this is going to be so cool.

 

any idea of the night life ?

 

keep the comments coming gents, greatly appreciated.

 

thank you gunner for your valuable input to..

i have spent 2 months in vietnam back in 07.... there is lots of things to see and places to go.

 

couple of things to keep in mind

 

If you are going to visit Ho Chi Minh's Tomb , keep quite .You don't want a whack to the head by a very big man

 

Don't be rude , smug or arrogant like a stereotypical American tourist.

 

Don't Bother about "War Booty"

 

You might find that corruption can be used to your advantage , their pretty open about it. My parents got a marble chess set out of "Best Price" ( just ask for best price , this is not something American Tourists get BTW ) , Vietnam still sorta is socialist and every transaction has to be reported to Hanoi

 

what blackmagic has said is only about half right... Vietnam and its people are great IMO. i backpacked around for 2 months there and had a blast.

 

 

thing about being polite and not being rude an arrogant is true. Vietnamese are a very respectful people. And its not jus Americans that are loud arrogant and obnoxious. there was on one occasion i was ashamed to call myself australian at one point because of the actions of one of our own.

 

So knowing you, like me are a serving member in ADF curb your swearing, dont swear much in public especially to peoples faces... you will notice Vietnamese dont swear at all. and they frown upon it

 

 

One thing to keep in mind it is not really a Thailand. there are large western resorts and night clubs but not on the scale of Thailand. So dont go there expecting to party massively hard.

 

"War booty" If your thinking that way i suggest not going at all. the vietnamese are a very proud people and that sort of treasure hunting would be seen badly. There are plenty of souvoneirs though and all dirt cheap. The War Booty you can buy is usually all fake anyways.

 

The Vietnam war as we refer to it as is called the "American War" by the vietnamese.

 

 

The north is still very heavily Communist and you will see bits and pieces of the communist government all over the country but it seems more stricter and more enforced in the north. and i mean like 5am public wake up calls and exercise stuff on mega phones on street poles.

 

The south is much better IMO and is where i spent most of my time.

 

Wildlife way there isnt much animal life as it was largely killed off during the 50's 60's and 70's. But the landscape is amazing.

 

What magic describes as corruption isnt realy so. its more like bartering and always looking for a bargin. Its all over southeast asia and in Vietnam its a way of life. anything you buy always fight for that bargin. most sellers love it and will always have there prices higher then what is needed.

 

I found there is a "local" high/low price and "tourist" high/low price for everything you buy/pay for.

 

Money wise take 50% of the money you take over in US dollars, it pays for a lot especially in the south.

 

I hired a bike while i was over there on several occasions, never bought one. The Roads are INSANE and i cant emphasise that enough... INSANE. So be careful and give way to everything. Just crosssing the road can be hectic. but fun once you have mastered it and your friends havent.

 

 

in the bigger centres/cities pick pocketing can be a problem... so keep your valuables close, money pouches are a good idea. you dont want to loose your passport.

 

In the larger cities in markets dont give money to begging kids no matter how sad they look. if you feel bad offer them food, not money. this is because they have "working beggar gangs" and kids are exploited. so your better off buying them food or nothing is better.

 

 

Always carry your own water and when you buy it make sure its "brand new". there are bugs in the water and you will get sick if you drink it. so buy bottle water all the time.

 

as for food try anything and everything you want and can stomach. most things are good, health wise. jus choose the places you eat based on how many people are eating there. Banh Xeo (pancake stuff) and Pho' are the traditional dishes of the south (pho is prounced fur is the national dish) and fell in love with both.

 

Pork, can be a problem in some areas specially around Hue in the middle. But seafood only eat if its fresh. if you can see the sea dont eat the seafood is a good motto to have. worked fine for me.

 

 

*Chu Chi tunnels north of Ho Chi Minh (locals still call it Saigon)

*Vinh Moc tunnels are spose to be less touristy so better (never went)

*The old DMZ, Khe Sanh and all that area is good.

*Hue the old capital with is tombs and temples.

*Hanoi is different, but a must is Ho Chi Minh tomb, and try to stay in the chinese district when your there. awesome atmosphere.

*Saigon is an amazing place lots of things to see.

*Mekong Delta is good, lots of things

*Da Lat mountain village is superb amazing vineyards and orchards, good place to take a lady friends most amazing flowers i have seen,very french influence

* of course Halong bay is also stunning

* popping over to Cambodia is also good. you dont "have" to worry bout a visa for there if its spur of the moment, money at the border will buy you a stamp in and out.

*there are tailors all over the place to get suits made. shop around and find the best price. Best place is Hoi An, south of Da Nang, the whole town is pretty much tailors and amazing french bakeries that make the streets smell awesome!

*Sa Pa north west of Hanoi is another world too... completely different people!

 

-- only to name a few of the place i went, there plenty more but these are ones that sprang to mind...

 

But really get your self the Lonely Planet guide and go to a travel agent and grab all the brochures on Vietnam. There is so much, and really it will only be what you make it. GLHF

 

 

one other thing... if you learn some of the language from now to till jan, the locals really appreciate it and you'll get way better deals and be asked to do stuff normal tourist dont get to do.

Edited October 11, 201114 yr by Gypsy8

War booty means , stuff from the Vietnam war . As in DON't DO IT

 

eg.A piece of a B-52 , what has been looted , has .

 

What you'll most likely see is fake , you can get a replica Zippo lighter if you want.

 

and it is advised you read this

 

http://smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Vietnam

I've been twice. Last year went to Long Tan for ANZAC day and toured Nui Dat. Had a stay at the Grand Hotel in Vung Tau and thoroughly loved it. Vung Tau is probably a bit more Thailand-ish in comparison to the rest of the country due to the Russian oil interests there (read: more nightlife of a negotiable nature!).

 

In July I took the family for a month backpacking (with my 2 young girls). We rate it as one of the most enjoyable trips of our lives and cannot recommend it more highly.

 

Saigon is a hoot - take the time to explore it. Dam Seng water park was a hoot and well worth the trip on a hot day. The old Russian Markets (aka the war surplus markets) was amusing, but as said by others 90% of the content is repro not original.

 

The highlight of the trip though, without a doubt, is Hoi An. Whilst expensive by Viet standards (US$60 for a 4 star hotel) it was simply gorgeous, peaceful, fun and delightful all at once. This is where the Top Gear boys had their suits made and we went to the same place. If you have the time, make sure you spend a few days there, ideally during the lunar full moon when the festival is on. There is a second "cool" beach north of the main beach that is just brilliant - you can stay there all day at Jaspars beach club and beers were like $2.

 

2nd favourite thing was we took a tour of Can Tho (Mekong) and came back to Saigon on a riverboat. Took about 3 hours and was an optional extra instead of the faster bus but well worth it. You get to see the real Vietnam up close on the boat and it was waaaay cool!

 

Other advice, Vinh Moc tunnels were - frankly - boring. Not much to see at Khe Sanh either. Roads are a nightmare and the buses are very uncomfortable. Hire a private car/driver from the hotel you stay at (DON'T try to arrange from Aus, you will pay triple). For $50 or 60 a day the private car is the best way to travel. If you ride a motorbike over there then make sure your will is up to date before you leave - we watched a guys head explode like a melon about 10 feet from the car one day - uggh.

 

Also - lots of places say they take CC but in reality you often hear "sorry, EFTPOS machine broken" or similar. Cash remains king but don't change it in Aus or at the airport - downtown Saigon is always best (look for jewellery stores).

 

Once you've been to Vietnam, you'd never go back to Bali!

Oh - and Monkey Island, a 1 hour trip from Saigon. The monkeys are pretty cool but you get to ride high speed sampans through the mangrove areas of the "Rung Sat" where the VC hid during the war and pretend you're the .50cal gunner on PBR Streetgang

like Bammo says... dont book or pay for anything until your in the country. maybe 1st night accommodation if you arrive on an afternoon flight. everything is cheaper and is bargain-able if you stay away from western hotel chains. I like the Private family owned backpackers personally the atmosphere and jus the people and culture you experience is awesome

 

he also right about Bali, i never liked bali, always thought it was a cheap nasty **** hole... Vietnam is way better

 

If you want 5 star european resort dirt cheap compared to australia or other south east asian countries try mui ne about a 3-4hr cab/bus from saigon. Massive big resort there, but there is cheaper backpackers also that are friendlier on the wallet.

 

The Victoria hotel at mui ne is $100 USD a night and that includes everything (food 3xday, your own waiters at restaurants, drinks waiter on the beach and your own masseur) if you wanna learn to kite surf its sweet, also jet skiing, wind surfing an sailing!!

 

very touristy, specially with Europeans.

 

My personal fav was the very early morning motorbike ride from Hoi An to Mỹ Sơn ruins. (one of the oldest temple complex in south east asia.)

left Hoi An before sun rise and watch an awesome view as the sun rose and revealed the old ruins... can't explain it, just amazing. Was in and out before it fills up with tourist buses.

 

Also even before the sun rose Highway 1, the main highway north south (pretty much the only highway) was crazy busy at that time. if you want to ride from Hanoi to Saigon, get your Will sorted, seriously. and do A LOT of research before you go. there is a company that does motor bike tours all over vietnam and they pick up and drop off anywhere in vietnam and i believe cambodia also. you ride yourself or can go pillion. they go to some awesome back country and stay away from highway 1 when they can.

 

Cant remember the name of the company though sorry.

 

Cant remember the name of the company though sorry.

 

Easyriders...

Do not buy stuff at the first price they call

 

Try to cut it must as possible and get a best price

 

They try to sell it higher to tourists

Haven't being to Vietnam have being to Thailand and Cambodia and my step mother is a Thai.

 

My sage advice which is also hers is don't eat chicken. It's often handled poorly. Left out and under cooked. I got a serious case of food poisoning in an Australian run boutique hotel this way.

 

Where you can as Trip said try everything. Keep an eye on other costumers as even though a lot of locals have iron stomachs they still know what is good and who to trust. Grab pork dishes if you want to be safe.

 

Vietnam is one of the world's top pork-consuming countries; in 2005, per capita consumption was 27.5 kilograms, and consumption is rising.

 

If any of you have food Allergies look at getting them translated and put on a few handy business cards. Allot of websites offer this sort of service.

 

Other than that have fun, be respectfil and get a Vietnam War Pith Helmet they are cheap as chips and people honestly use them as stack hats for their bikes over there.