Defenderless in Vietnam

[one_iota]

So the flights have been booked for a 3 week visit over Christmas.

Starting in Hanoi and departing from Ho Chi Minh City

Any tips for the trip?

Things to see, places to go.

No we won't be replicating the Top Gear Scooter Oddessy ;)

[digger]

- the ride - motorcycle tours, motorbike adventures in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia (http://www.exploreindochina.com/index.cfm?page=1&content=the-ride)

[mns488]

Hi,

I did the same route.

One thing I would suggest considering is is going up into the Sapa mountain area. It is a 2-3 day return trip from Hanoi. Up in the mountains among the vietnamese tribal people. We hired some russian minsk motorbikes up there and went and saw the village tribes.

But it is really cold up there so bare it in mind. I recall wearing everything available from my backpack!!!


Enjoy!

[THE BOOGER]

Some viet friends have been trying to get me to do a motorbike tour they say its the best way see the place:D

[land864]

Hey Iote

We're going to be there around the same time :)

I tried to find a Land Rover owners club of Vietnam on the web but no luck

pete

[Ranga]

Halong Bay is beautiful, even though it's full of tourist boats. Wit ha bit of skil, you can get on a good boat with not too many people.

Hue was interesting, went on a really cool scooter taglong tour, through rice paddies and various temples. Can't remember the name of the mob, but they ran out of a ladies cafe and consisted of about 8 of her brother (I think?). Hue is close to the DMZ, if you're interested in war history. Khe Sanh was OK, but not what I epxected. You're often reminded, especially here, who won the war!

The palace at Hue was also interesting, as was the Vinh Moc tunnels.

Hoi An is a must in my mind - lovely place to sip coffee, see lanterns at night whilst watching a thunderstorm light-show off in the distance, and nice little beach. This is the place to get tailored up in new suits/shirts/dresses etc. Some excellent tailors, at ridiculously cheap prices, completed overnight. Yali is one of the more reputable outlets, but beware that some others are rubbish.

Nha Trang is the Gold Coast of Vietnam, relatively speaking. Nice enough place, interesting and cheap seafood markets (prawns so fresh they're still alive and kicking!), and generally nice place to relax by the beach for a while. My Son temple is close by, and probably worth a visit if that thing floats your boat.

Saigon and Hanoi are both vibrant and cool places. The traffic is absolutely crazy, but you soon get the hang of it. The Cu Chi tunnels are also pretty interesting. We just hired a car and driver to take us there, rather than a tour group, which I think worked out much better.

Ah Vietnam, wish I was there now :)

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

My mate and his army buddies just returned for Vietnam.
It's pointless going for a while for anyone thinking of going.
He informs me after their stay their is no beer left in Saigon:D
So it will be a while before it gets replentished.
He came back with a tattoo also, that he can't remember getting.
At least he didn't wake up in a bath of ice and he still has his kidneys.:p

[UncleHo]

G'day Folks :)

Don't forget that tomorrow 18 th August is "Long-Tan Day" 44th anniversary of the battle of Long-Tan

never was so many beaten by so few ;)




cheers