Korean Job Discussion Forums

Lizara · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul

I'm thinking about going to Vietnam for my winter vacation (such as it is... grrr... but that's another story...) so I'm wondering if anyone can recommend places to go and especially places to stay while I'm there.

Thanks!

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Sure.

Saigon - Tunnels, that really different religion building (forget the name), and mekong delta (every hostel and travel agency in saigon will try to sell you tickets to these - even your hostel will have a travel agent for these. Afterwards you can buy a ticket from your same hostel - or go next door - there are tons of them - to another travel agent - and buy tickets to go north.

From there.. Dalat, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, to Hanoi.

In Hanoi.. try to see Halong Bay, the village up north, some of the temples nearby, etc.. again, every hostel will be selling all of these tours and numerous people will be walking around with pictures trying to get you to sign up through their agency.. shouldn't be a problem booking anything.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Check the VN (int'l asia) forum and www.mekongesl.com for ideas, plus travel guides/sites. I liked Nha Trang.

deessell · Joined: 08 Jun 2005

It's going to be very cold in the north and Hoi An in December and January and hence not the best time to visit.

ejmlab · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Location: Pohang

If you're looking for some beach time you might consider Mui Ne which is about 2 hours north of Ho Chi Minh. You can catch a bus for about $10 and there are plenty of decent places to stay for reasonable rates. Also, Phu Quoc Island is pretty nice but then you have the travel costs to get there. I agree that it will likely be pretty cold up north in the winter but having lived for one year in HCMC I can tell you it will most likely be darn hot down south. Head over to the Pham Ngu Lau area near the New World Hotel to find reasonable guest houses in HCMC and it only costs about $10 to enjoy the posh pool and health club at New World if you want a relaxing pool side roast. They even serve drinks poolside;).

Cheers,
ejmlab

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

I didn't particularly like Vietnam, but check out my tour page. It might give you some ideas of things to see.
http://keneckert.com/pictures/southasia/southasia.html

Ken:>

Lizara · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul

Awesome, thanks. And Deessell... I'm Canadian. I'll probably be okay.

deessell · Joined: 08 Jun 2005

Cold also means wet. In Hanoi in winter there is about 100% humidity and it makes things unpleasant. I really love Hanoi and the north of Vietnam and I wouldn't want you to take away a bad impression of the place. Hanoi is so beautiful that you need to see it when the weather is nice. So I would stay down the south.

trevorcollins · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

deessell · Joined: 08 Jun 2005

Nice photos Mouldy...

I know what you mean about the noise in Vietnam. I lived there for two years and there is nowhere safe from noise. That's progress for you.

ejmlab · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Location: Pohang

I particularly liked it when the neighbors would have a brass band come over at 6 am to play regular sets of drums and brass till 10 oclock at night for a few days in a row.