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senor boogie woogie
Joined: 25 Feb 2003
Posts: 676
Location: Beautiful Hangzhou China
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 Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 4:39 am Post subject: Vietnam travel. |
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Hola!
I am an American living in China that is interested in travelling in Vietnam. My plan was to go in December-January and cross the border overland from Yunnan Province in China to Lao Chai (spelling?) then to Hanoi, then go down the country, see some beaches, see some towns and then on into HCMC (Saigon). After saigon, I want to go west and go into Cambodia.
I would like to know what would be interesting to see in Hanoi, Saigon or anywhere else in between. I am interested in scenic spots and history, especially the history of the Vietnam War. I would enjoy seeing the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" for example, or the old American embassy in Saigon. Is there really a China Beach? Where is the best beaches in Vietnam, and where are the nice quaint villages that would be relaxing and worth a look?
Does Vietnam have a reliable rail system? I would much rather "ride the rails" than take four wheel transport if possible.
How expensive would my holiday be? I am probably going to stay in VN for 7-10 days. How much is a clean hotel room in Hanoi, Saigon etc.?
Lastly, is there a "backpacker haven" like Khao San Road in Bangkok where I can get information and buy tickets for Cambodia? I want to travel from Saigon to Phenom Penh. My total trip will be to PP, then to Angkor Wat, then cross into Thailand (BKK for 1-2 days) then to Chaing Mai Thailand, travel the Mekong to Laung Prabang, Laos then to Vientiane Laos and fly back to China. I've been to Laos and Thailand before and am familiar with both places somewhat.
Any info appreciated.
Senor |
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Micro67
Joined: 29 May 2003
Posts: 297
Location: HCMC, Vietnam
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| Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:30 am Post subject: Re: Vietnam travel. |
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| senor boogie woogie wrote: |
| see some beaches |
Nha Trang has some beautiful beaches and if you've got time when you are going from Nhat Trang to Phan Thiet/Mui Ne stop in Ca Na. If you are a diver it is worth it as there are 3 Japanese wrecks, but if you aren't the beaches are really nice and it hasn't been touristed to death.
| Quote: |
| I would enjoy seeing the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" for example |
I've been there and the thing that really stuck out in my mind was that it was right in the center of town, much like S-21 in Phnom Penh. That always just seemed odd to me. Ho Chi Minh's tomb is worth seeing, but plan ahead and make sure you do it through a tour company or you will wait forever and possible not even get in.
| Quote: |
| or the old American embassy in Saigon. |
I'm still not really sure exactly where that is. I think it might have been demolished.
| Quote: |
| Is there really a China Beach? |
Don't know. [quote}Where is the best beaches in Vietnam,[/quote] Mui Ne is nice, but it is becomming a tourist spot.
| Quote: |
| Does Vietnam have a reliable rail system? |
Yes, but get a sleeper - trust me.
| Quote: |
| How expensive would my holiday be? I am probably going to stay in VN for 7-10 days. How much is a clean hotel room in Hanoi, Saigon etc.? |
That depends on where you stay. You can get a nice, clean, air conditioned room in the backpacker area (De Tham and Phan Ngu Lao) for $10 a night or so, or you can get a place for $3 with a fan.
| Quote: |
| Lastly, is there a "backpacker haven" like Khao San Road in Bangkok where I can get information and buy tickets for Cambodia? |
De Tham
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| I want to travel from Saigon to Phenom Penh. |
7-8 hours overland. I suggest hiring cars as upposed to the busses. |
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Micro67
Joined: 29 May 2003
Posts: 297
Location: HCMC, Vietnam
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| Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:32 am Post subject: Re: Vietnam travel. |
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| senor boogie woogie wrote: |
| see some beaches |
Nha Trang has some beautiful beaches and if you've got time when you are going from Nhat Trang to Phan Thiet/Mui Ne stop in Ca Na. If you are a diver it is worth it as there are 3 Japanese wrecks, but if you aren't the beaches are really nice and it hasn't been touristed to death.
| Quote: |
| I would enjoy seeing the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" for example |
I've been there and the thing that really stuck out in my mind was that it was right in the center of town, much like S-21 in Phnom Penh. That always just seemed odd to me. Ho Chi Minh's tomb is worth seeing, but plan ahead and make sure you do it through a tour company or you will wait forever and possible not even get in.
| Quote: |
| or the old American embassy in Saigon. |
I'm still not really sure exactly where that is. I think it might have been demolished.
| Quote: |
| Is there really a China Beach? |
Don't know.
| Quote: |
| Where is the best beaches in Vietnam, |
Mui Ne is nice, but it is becomming a tourist spot.
| Quote: |
| Does Vietnam have a reliable rail system? |
Yes, but get a sleeper - trust me.
| Quote: |
| How expensive would my holiday be? I am probably going to stay in VN for 7-10 days. How much is a clean hotel room in Hanoi, Saigon etc.? |
That depends on where you stay. You can get a nice, clean, air conditioned room in the backpacker area (De Tham and Phan Ngu Lao) for $10 a night or so, or you can get a place for $3 with a fan.
| Quote: |
| Lastly, is there a "backpacker haven" like Khao San Road in Bangkok where I can get information and buy tickets for Cambodia? |
De Tham
| Quote: |
| I want to travel from Saigon to Phenom Penh. |
7-8 hours overland. I suggest hiring cars as upposed to the busses. |
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smalls
Joined: 01 Apr 2003
Posts: 143
Location: China
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 6:55 am Post subject: Went the opposite way |
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| I went from Bangkok, on a nasty 10 hour bus ride into Siem Reap - Ankor Wat, then took a large speed boat to Pnom Phen (sp?) and after, we took a great little boat along the Mekong up and into Vietnam, crossing the border and staying in a small city named Chou Doc (very peaceful - rented motor bikes, cruised around, some military history around, before we headed into crazed Saigon. Chou Doc might be what you need after the big cities. Can't recall prices, had every affliction known to man, but had a great time doing it and Angkor Wat was really impressive, nothing roped off or behind giant enclosed cases. The hill tribe treks were also great in Thailand, very serence and not overly touristed. |
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cha muir
Joined: 28 Apr 2003
Posts: 64
Location: Plateau, Montreal
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 5:27 am Post subject: |
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Hola, Senor,
MTCW:
The train is nice. The sleeper is a must.
Must See: Hue, the Imperial City.
Hoi An, ancient town, world heritage site.
Nha Trang
Bus to Dalat (our lovely home)
bus to Saigon
bus (or car) to PP
sounds like a great trip
i'm hoping to go to lao and chiangmai with my family this summer.
cha |
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