Job Discussion Forums

[sojourner]

Greetings to all Vietnam-based FTs !

I've just posted some queries to the China (off-topic) forum. However, those who actually live/work in Vietnam would, I'm sure, have a lot more suggestions than what many of my China-based colleagues would probably have ! So, here is the posting:




Hi Everyone !

During the forthcoming 6-7 week winter break I'll be spending most of the time in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. However, prior to returing to China I'll be spending about 11 or 12 days in Vietnam, which I have not yet visited. For those who have already been there, could I have some ideas/suggestions re the following issues:


- if I were to spend 3 or 4 days in each of HCMC and Hanoi, what are the "must see/do" suggestions;

- any hotel recommendations for those two cities (decent, not-too-expensive 2 or 3 star establishments);

- any other places that I should visit in the short time I'll be in Vietnam (will probably return in a year's time);

- will probably be flying from BKK to HCMC, then by train to Hanoi. Is it best to travel by bus, rather than by train ? Also, any places along that route that I should consider breaking my journey;

- will travel from Hanoi to Nanning - is it best to go by train or bus ? - quickest/most convenient (I did a google search, but a lot of the info appears to be a bit dated);

- I hope to be spending the last 2 or 3 days of my holiday in the Guilin/Yangshou area - anyway, is it worthwhile to spend a day, or so, in Nanning - many people don't seem to be over-impressed with Nanning ! Anything worth seeing there, or should I immediately head for the bus or railway station as soon as I arrive !

Thank you !

Peter

[wasted_ace19]

I can only answer one of your questions; "train or bus?"

In August I was in Vietnam, but only briefly. After flying in to Hanoi from BKK, I found almost immediately that I had to (well, "would be better to") get to HCMC as soon as possible... so I took the train. I thoroughly recommend you to do likewise.

There are three options with regard to seat class; soft sleeper, hard sleeper, or seat. Only a fool would take the seat for such a long journey (33hours). I personally had only a "hard sleeper" (the soft was sold out), which I was dreading, but turned out to be absolutely fine. I expected a wooden board, but I was delighted to discover its only "hard" relative to the mattress-like soft bunks. Its soft enough to be comfortable, and you get a pillow.

The beauty of the sleeper train (appart from the obvious; the bed) is that you're in a compartment with up to five others. At the risk of sounding cliche, I enjoyed meeting the Vietnamese people (little children, students, mothers, grannies...) so much that I would put this (rather long) train ride down as one of the most memorable parts of my month-long travel in SE Asia.

What I loved was not only that people (literally every one of the ten or so that were at some point in the cabin with me) were eager to interact with me and dine with me etc., but that -crucially- it was a friendship that I knew was genuine. In other words not based upon them wanting to sell me something. People were just intrigued by me as a westerner; but not in a pushy/slimey way, and not in any attempt to gain (other than perhaps english practice in the case of the students, but that's fine!)

Granted; the 33 hours dragged on a bit. After 24 hours I was pretty keen to get off, but at no point of the whole trip was I desperate to disembark, and like I say there was always someone to chat to. The scenery was stunning too (particularly for me, my first time in SE Asia).

There's also a delightfully "nostalgic" "buffet car", where you can smoke, have a beer etc. if you fancy it. And there's a guy coming round selling reasonably-priced meals from time to time, which most people on the train seemed to be buying without a moment's thought (contast with British trains!). And if you're like me people on the train will give you Vietnamese food wrapped up in banana leaves. What a memorable experience.

So yeah- take the train! I didnt take any long-distance busses in VN, but I did in other SE Asia countries and they were instantly forgetable; though those in vietnam might be different.

Alternatively you can take a "jetstar airways" flight (just over one hour!) for a seemingly flat fare of 845,000 dong. Certainly, that's the most "rational" option. I only discovered this recently and it certainly explains why I was the only person on the train going the full hanoi-HCMC!! But if I could go back in time,I wouldn't change a thing.

best of luck

[wasted_ace19]

I've just worked it out and I think at 845,000D its actually cheaper to fly. So TBH I fully concede that you should definately do that; unless -like a lot of travellers- you have a desire to (a) expereince genuine interaction with VN people, and/or (b) see the "whole country" through the window (frustrating at times but all in all very memorable)

I'd be very interested to hear others' opinions on this. Has anyone had any bad expereince with the train? I imagine if you were in a cabin with dick-heads it'd be an absolute nightmare

[jimmiethefish]

Hi Sojourner,

In response to a couple of your questions: