Vietnam / Cambodia / Thailand next year

claire16c

I'd spend the whole 3 weeks in Vietnam.

Amazing country.

We stayed in 3 star hotels costing around £15 a night and they were all lovely!

The only one we didn't like was the £8 per night one in Nha Trang.

Hoi An is just lovely. I got boots made there too unfortunately they are too small as when I tried them on they felt too big so they altered them for me but went a bit small & I didn't really realise til I got home so I've never worn mine either!

We had Christmas in Hoi chi Minh & our hotel was brilliant. Free dinners every night.

Halong bay trip was really good too.

Liked wandering around hue.

We preferred the internal flights over the train. But glad we did one train journey as it was quite interesting.

Did a cooking lesson in Hoi an which we've repeated at home many times.

We loved Vietnam!

Systema_2

totallybored wrote: »

Nha Trang was my least favourite place in SE Asia, I hated it. Full of Russian package tourists and Russian beauty salons.

Horses and courses again. We like Nha Trang and easy to get away from the Tourist area which really is not that big.

Cambodia and Vietnam for me.

lovesgshp

Luckily, for us in some ways, we went to Vietnam, before it really started to open up to tourism. There was nothing wrong with Nha Trang and the Russians had not got their feet in the door, so to speak.
The annoying thing when we were there, was if we wanted to go out on a trip to see something, then we had to have a official guide. We had to book departure and visit point, and the driver would not be allowed to deviate from the route, as everything had to be authorised in the different provinces. Even asking to stop and take photos on the journey was frowned on. I am sure pics of waterbuffaloes are not a security risk!!
Anyway, I far prefer Cambodia, albeit we did meet some very nice locals while were in Saigon.
Totallybored, you have to stay away from Phuket as well, as that has been taken over by the Russians!!!

claire16c

lovesgshp wrote: »

Luckily, for us in some ways, we went to Vietnam, before it really started to open up to tourism. There was nothing wrong with Nha Trang and the Russians had not got their feet in the door, so to speak.
The annoying thing when we were there, was if we wanted to go out on a trip to see something, then we had to have a official guide. We had to book departure and visit point, and the driver would not be allowed to deviate from the route, as everything had to be authorised in the different provinces. Even asking to stop and take photos on the journey was frowned on. I am sure pics of waterbuffaloes are not a security risk!!
Anyway, I far prefer Cambodia, albeit we did meet some very nice locals while were in Saigon.
Totallybored, you have to stay away from Phuket as well, as that has been taken over by the Russians!!!

We didn't really like Nha Trang.

Well that's good it's not like that anymore then!

We just got taxis or walked everywhere.

With the taxi driver, he'd wait in the car whilst we looked round places like temples, often asleep then we'd get back in & say where we wanted to go next or he'd suggest a route.

Or there are the motor bikes of course.

The only guided tour we did was Ha long bay & cu chi tunnels.

lovesgshp

Apologies Claire.
We did not have guided tours, but had to have a "minder" in the taxi, as it was still very communist for any travel. Outside Saigon, you had to get permission for travel, but good for you it has openend up now and you had it easy.
Interesting, that we stayed in a very good hotel, but one of the commie officials who was there at the same time seemed to treat the waitresses like dirt, things don't change!!!

claire16c

It really has changed then.

You should go back!

maggiesoop

Hi guys, just had a chance to look through all replies in details, thanks again. Have made 3 pages of notes. We could either go March or November, which would you recommend? As regards what to do, hate shopping, prefer fantastic scenery, visiting important museums/places of interest, and eating authentic food (is street food a no-no?) and talking of which, do you get dodgy tummies - sorry, I'm at THAT age, I have to ask!

claire16c

maggiesoop wrote: »

Hi guys, just had a chance to look through all replies in details, thanks again. Have made 3 pages of notes. We could either go March or November, which would you recommend? As regards what to do, hate shopping, prefer fantastic scenery, visiting important museums/places of interest, and eating authentic food (is street food a no-no?) and talking of which, do you get dodgy tummies - sorry, I'm at THAT age, I have to ask!

We were in Vietnam in December. The weather varies massively from the north to the south.

When we were in Hanoi we had a lot of rain and were wearing jeans, think it was about 20C. By the time we were in HCMC 2 weeks later we were in shorts was about 30C.

I was so worried we'd get dodgy stomachs, I imagined spending 3 weeks with it.

Turned out to be one of the best places food wise on our 8 months travelling, hence the cooking lesson! Didnt get sick once. And I have a very delicate stomach and ibs!

PompeyPete

maggiesoop wrote: »

Hi guys, just had a chance to look through all replies in details, thanks again. Have made 3 pages of notes. We could either go March or November, which would you recommend? As regards what to do, hate shopping, prefer fantastic scenery, visiting important museums/places of interest, and eating authentic food (is street food a no-no?) and talking of which, do you get dodgy tummies - sorry, I'm at THAT age, I have to ask!

No more input from me, and your 'Thanks' total has just been reduced by 2.:D

bylromarha

Doshwaster wrote: »

I can't say I noticed the Blue Pumpkin when I was in PP but their website looks fantastic: http://tbpumpkin.com/

It's those bed sofas on the right of that photo which I adore! Lap tray, free wifi, air con. My happy place