Has anybody been to Vietnam? I’m thinking about heading over there at the end of November, start of December. Experiences and tips welcome.
No, but have done a bit round Thailand. Just looking for next year. Sold the van after this summer, so will have a break from driving for the summer holiday and do something Fly & Air BnB. I'm leaning towards Lisbon area of Portugal. Considering Italy. Going to Italy in February again but that's completely different, never been city/coast.
I haven't so can't really help but am looking to do a south to north trek through there myself next winter so also interested to hear of any tips. Looks an amazing country. Will probably visit Cambodia while in that part of the world too.
I went ten years ago so might be different from then. Place is cheap as chips. People are nice and friendly even when paying the tourist prices. Hanoi was good to see and crazy to be in with the traffic and old town. Went to sapa to see the paddy fields on a sleeper train. Nightmare to get to but if you aint seen paddy fields and like hiking its a great place. Halong bay boat trip over a few days was pretty wicked. Hoi an and da nang are less hustle and bustle and places to chill in. Theres a beach nearby. Saigon was a bigger city and the war museum was interesting. From there you can go on the mekong delta river cruise to small fishing villages (didnt go cause wife was ill). The cuchi tunnels was pretty interesting and not good for you if you are claustrophobic lol. There are the enlarged tourist tunnels or the smaller original top level tunnels. Also visited hue which was the ancient city. Lots of historical ruin stuff if you are into that. Hoi an and sapa were my highlights. Not sure what types of questions you had though and i imagine times have changed as tourism has thrived
Was Ha Long Bay full of litter when you went? Apparently quite a big problem now but there is a smaller less touristy option nearby which I was thinking I might do instead.
When i went it was spectacular. No litter. **** loads of boats so it wasnt too peaceful. The boat i was on the tour guide had a 7am tai chi lesson on the deck. That was super cool as all the boats were anchored and it deftly quiet so felt well tranquil. Else it was pretty busy. This was halong bay when i went Sapa although it was much more spectacular than the photo on my digital camera. Was extra funny we were on a 10k guided tour by these grannies and going down the hill via those zig zag roads was pretty dangerous already and this granny takes a short cut down the mountain in her sandals totally chill about it. Cuchi tunnels. I was skinny back then and 5ft7 Crazy seeing their health and safety laws lol
Oh one thing saf, saigon and hoi an is a bit more civilised with a traffic system. Hanoi is lawless you will never cross the roads (maybe look at some youtube vids) if you dont just walk out and move at a constant speed and then just hope all the motorbikes and cyclists avoid you
