I am heading to Vietnam for a month and the English language book store is conviently sold out of travel guides for the country. If anyone has one (2003 edition or later) let me know and I will buy it from you. Cheers.

Anyone who has been to Nam, I am open to suggestions.

The big cities are very touristy. Price inflation for foreigners is rampant. The people aren't even nice about it. At least here, people smile when they rip you off. Whatever you are doing, even eating street food, negotiate the price BEFORE. I got ripped off on a couple meals. It was way worse in the north than the south.

I really enjoyed the south. I recommend a beach town called Mui Ne. It is about four hours (by bus) from Saigon. Very cheap. Amazing sand dunes. Very chill. Not a party town AT ALL. Just relaxing.

I would try and tour the Mekong Delta on my own. The tour was a rip-off. We weren't told when we scheduled it, but all of the second day's events were cancelled because of Tet. I wish I could remember the tour company so I could warn you off.

You don't need much time in Hanoi. It's actually pretty boring. Halong Bay was okay. There was fog the entire time we were there. I really enjoyed going to Sapa, a village in the mountains north of city. It was pretty cold, but the weather was clear and bright. The local people were cool. Especially the children. The Vietnamese business people were assholes.

I hope that helps. Enjoy your trip.

hey, i have a lonely planet vietnam. it's not for sale but i can lend it to you. let me know if you need it.
Vietnam is a nice place to visit. I'd like to share my experience with you.


li jun

You can also buy one there. There are very cheap photocopies (good quality photocopies) available EVERYWHERE.

I went there for a month, but it was quite a few years ago. This tour operator I will highly recommand, it's called Singh Cafe or something like that. However be warned there are so many fake ones. So check out your guide book very carefully to make sure that you are with the genuine one.
They operate tour buses between cities/ towns and you can hop off anywhere you like and stay for any length of period as you wish and hop on another bus of theirs. Wherever you go you can join their local tour or go your own way. We went around on our own most of the times.
In some cities/ towns they also operate their own hotel/ hostels and the rates were very reasonable (US$10-15 in 1996). You are not forced at all to stay at their hotels. No forced tips. In fact since all were budget travellers we were the only people who tipped the guide because he was too good!
My favorite town is in the middle of Vietnam called Hui. Just a beautiful quiet Chinese town with lots of well preserved old houses.

Hi,

Went there 2 years ago... loved that place for the people. They are usually warm and hospitable. Haven't had any bad enounters with them. I tried the Singh cafe for a day trip to CuChi tunnel in Ho Chih Minh. It's a place not to be missed and the guide was very good.

Personally like Hoi An and Hue better. Hoi An is a small town with loads of tailoring shop and the architectures reminds you of old China. Hue on the other hand is the imperial city of Vietnam in the past. Think it's worthwhile to get a local guide to show u around in Hue if you have some spare cash. You will appreciate the city and its history better. Their english is not fantastic, but you should still be able to understand what they're saying. Hanoi doesn't really leave much of an impression on me. You can catch a water puppet show over there if you feel like getting involved in their traditional art. It's pretty entertaining.

Feel that Ho Chih Minh is not really safe at night, safety is much much better out of that city.

For me, the trip was great, with a combination of nice company, warm vietnamese, and better understanding of the country's history and culture(thanks to the nice guide we got). Hope yours will be as great!