Vietnam
By Dr. Noël Norcross – Feb 1, 2011
“A Country, Not a War”
For many, “Vietnam” still conjures images of young American men planting flags, marching through mud, and arriving on helicopters as well as less heroic scenes of death, destruction, and tragic losses on both sides. For others, the name evokes verdant rice fields and water buffalo. Partly because of Vietnam’s war with America, which has been documented extensively in writing, film, and photographs, the country has developed a persona that lives beyond its geographical borders—a mixture of sorrow and idealism, war and beauty, history and exoticism—forever entangled with the war, but also finally breaking free of its hold. Today, Vietnam is a popular travel destination often part of longer Southeast Asia tours including Cambodia and Thailand, although with its diverse regions and cultures, it is worth spending several weeks exploring.
Travel Considerations
Before you travel to Vietnam, you should consider if there’s anything else you’d like to see in the region. One popular choice is to travel from north to south, ending in Cambodia. You might also want to consider booking through a tour company if you don’t like making a lot of domestic travel arrangements.
Most importantly, check on visa requirements. Vietnam requires a travel visa that can take a couple of weeks to receive.
Finally, consider the weather. In the summer months, Vietnam can be miserably hot and humid, so much so that you may find yourself willing to forego sightseeing for air conditioning. While tourist destinations are less crowded and less expensive during these times, you’ll pay in other ways (your health and comfort). It’s a good idea to bring an umbrella, which can protect you from rain and sun. Also try to avoid visiting during the Tet Holiday in January and February, which makes domestic travel a nightmare.
Top Places to See and Some Things to Remember
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
The traffic here is unforgettable. It’s also dangerous. When getting around Saigon or anywhere in the larger area known as Ho Chi Minh City, be very careful when crossing the street. Another option is to take taxis. They’re everywhere and relatively inexpensive, even when they’re giving you the special “tourist price.” If you’re staying at a hotel, consider arranging pick-ups and drop-offs through them; it might be a little more, but you won’t have to confuse your driver with a map and bad pronunciation. A great place to eat near the Reunification Palaceis Ngon. You may want to go there before the War Remnants Museum, which can make you lose your appetite.Hotel Suggestion: Xuan Mai
Mekong Delta
While it’s part of southern Vietnam, this expansive area is really a region of its own with a unique culture and countless communities. To really see the delta, you will probably want to book a tour. It seems like there are thousands of tour companies in Vietnam with a huge range in their offerings and prices, so take some time to figure out what works best for you. There are decent one and two-day tours that give you a quick overview; they usually involve visits to several “farms” with products for sale. Don’t feel like you’re being tricked though; these people work hard and your purchases help them and make great souvenirs. Tour Company Suggestion: Sinh Café Tours
Hoi An
Although it is overrun by tourists, this is a charming city and the highlight of any quick trip to Vietnam. Even if you’re only here for 48 hours, you should be able to have a few pieces of clothing tailor-made for you. The small museums around town aren’t that impressive from the inside, but there’s a lot to see as you stroll along the shop-lined streets, many that prohibit the ubiquitous motor bike, and there are some delicacies worth trying. If you’re lucky, you can catch the full moon lantern festival one evening or watch some youngsters practicing martial arts around dusk. A nice way to spend the afternoon is biking to nearby Cua Dai beach where you can rent a cabana from one of the resorts there for some much needed shade and refreshing drinks. Suggestion: Ha An Hotel
Hanoi
The capital of Vietnam is a very busy city. However, there are some oases amidst the chaos, namely the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake at its center. One of the most popular things to do here is to see the Thang Long Water Puppet Show. You’ll need to get your tickets a day or two in advance, but if you don’t go, you’ll be missing out.If you are interested in the country’s political history and its war with America, you might want to check out the Ho Chi Minh Museum and Hoa Lo Prison (aka Hanoi Hilton). For a pleasant stroll, consider the Temple of Literature.A great place for quick and cheap eats is Bun Bo Nam Bo where they only serve one, delicious noodle dish. Suggestion: Hanoi Elegance 4
Halong Bay
Although it can be a little hazy depending on the weather and although it’s pretty much impossible not to include a few of the hundreds of tourist boats in the many photos you’ll undoubtedly be snapping, the green islands rising out of the water are amazing. Because it’s a few hours outside of Hanoi, most people book through a tour company and decide to stay on the water overnight. The accommodations range from simple junks with a few cabins to large luxury cruise ships. In any case, be flexible. Your author had an overnight trip booked that was cancelled on the morning of departure due to an approaching typhoon. Although other companies went (and took their customers’ money), no boats were allowed on the bays, so their guests wound up staying in hotels onshore. I was able to get a full refund and to book a quick one-day trip for the following day with another company. Because this is a less-popular choice, my friend and I wound up being the only passengers aboard a boat equipped for 30! Tour Company Suggestion: Ocean Tours
Planning a Trip
The easiest way to plan a trip to Vietnam is to consider its three main regions: north, central, and south. These all have different weather conditions at different times of year, so it’s a good idea to consult a guidebook or website that can help you figure out in which direction you’d like to travel. If you only have a week or so to spend in Vietnam, you might consider sticking to a single area. Below is a possible 1-week itinerary stopping in all three regions, but it is an exhausting tour that will require taking domestic flights. While you can arrange for inexpensive buses throughout the country, these are long, often uncomfortable trips.
Possible One-Week Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in and explore Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Day 2: Day trip to the Mekong Delta
Day 3: Fly to Danang (DAD) and drive to Hoi An (most hotels can arrange transport)
Day 4: Enjoy Hoi An
Day 5: Arrive in and explore Hanoi (HAN)
Day 6: Halong Bay overnight cruise
Day 7: Return to Hanoi
With More Time
A quick trip to Vietnam, even one that hits most of the “must-sees,” will probably leave you exhausted, but also wanting more. You might want to consider skipping the larger cities and focusing on smaller towns or historical sites like My Son and Hue. Another option is to visit the hilltribe groups in the north. Others may want to try a trip with more adventure activities like kayaking and cycling, while still others can live the high life in the emerging resort culture. No matter what your tastes are, you should be able to put together a rewarding trip to this beautiful country.
By Dr. Noël Norcross – Feb 1, 2011
“A Country, Not a War”
For many, “Vietnam” still conjures images of young American men planting flags, marching through mud, and arriving on helicopters as well as less heroic scenes of death, destruction, and tragic losses on both sides. For others, the name evokes verdant rice fields and water buffalo. Partly because of Vietnam’s war with America, which has been documented extensively in writing, film, and photographs, the country has developed a persona that lives beyond its geographical borders—a mixture of sorrow and idealism, war and beauty, history and exoticism—forever entangled with the war, but also finally breaking free of its hold. Today, Vietnam is a popular travel destination often part of longer Southeast Asia tours including Cambodia and Thailand, although with its diverse regions and cultures, it is worth spending several weeks exploring.
Travel Considerations
Before you travel to Vietnam, you should consider if there’s anything else you’d like to see in the region. One popular choice is to travel from north to south, ending in Cambodia. You might also want to consider booking through a tour company if you don’t like making a lot of domestic travel arrangements.
Most importantly, check on visa requirements. Vietnam requires a travel visa that can take a couple of weeks to receive.
Finally, consider the weather. In the summer months, Vietnam can be miserably hot and humid, so much so that you may find yourself willing to forego sightseeing for air conditioning. While tourist destinations are less crowded and less expensive during these times, you’ll pay in other ways (your health and comfort). It’s a good idea to bring an umbrella, which can protect you from rain and sun. Also try to avoid visiting during the Tet Holiday in January and February, which makes domestic travel a nightmare.
Top Places to See and Some Things to Remember
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
The traffic here is unforgettable. It’s also dangerous. When getting around Saigon or anywhere in the larger area known as Ho Chi Minh City, be very careful when crossing the street. Another option is to take taxis. They’re everywhere and relatively inexpensive, even when they’re giving you the special “tourist price.” If you’re staying at a hotel, consider arranging pick-ups and drop-offs through them; it might be a little more, but you won’t have to confuse your driver with a map and bad pronunciation. A great place to eat near the Reunification Palaceis Ngon. You may want to go there before the War Remnants Museum, which can make you lose your appetite.Hotel Suggestion: Xuan Mai
Mekong Delta
While it’s part of southern Vietnam, this expansive area is really a region of its own with a unique culture and countless communities. To really see the delta, you will probably want to book a tour. It seems like there are thousands of tour companies in Vietnam with a huge range in their offerings and prices, so take some time to figure out what works best for you. There are decent one and two-day tours that give you a quick overview; they usually involve visits to several “farms” with products for sale. Don’t feel like you’re being tricked though; these people work hard and your purchases help them and make great souvenirs. Tour Company Suggestion: Sinh Café Tours
Hoi An
Although it is overrun by tourists, this is a charming city and the highlight of any quick trip to Vietnam. Even if you’re only here for 48 hours, you should be able to have a few pieces of clothing tailor-made for you. The small museums around town aren’t that impressive from the inside, but there’s a lot to see as you stroll along the shop-lined streets, many that prohibit the ubiquitous motor bike, and there are some delicacies worth trying. If you’re lucky, you can catch the full moon lantern festival one evening or watch some youngsters practicing martial arts around dusk. A nice way to spend the afternoon is biking to nearby Cua Dai beach where you can rent a cabana from one of the resorts there for some much needed shade and refreshing drinks. Suggestion: Ha An Hotel
Hanoi
The capital of Vietnam is a very busy city. However, there are some oases amidst the chaos, namely the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake at its center. One of the most popular things to do here is to see the Thang Long Water Puppet Show. You’ll need to get your tickets a day or two in advance, but if you don’t go, you’ll be missing out.If you are interested in the country’s political history and its war with America, you might want to check out the Ho Chi Minh Museum and Hoa Lo Prison (aka Hanoi Hilton). For a pleasant stroll, consider the Temple of Literature.A great place for quick and cheap eats is Bun Bo Nam Bo where they only serve one, delicious noodle dish. Suggestion: Hanoi Elegance 4
Halong Bay
Although it can be a little hazy depending on the weather and although it’s pretty much impossible not to include a few of the hundreds of tourist boats in the many photos you’ll undoubtedly be snapping, the green islands rising out of the water are amazing. Because it’s a few hours outside of Hanoi, most people book through a tour company and decide to stay on the water overnight. The accommodations range from simple junks with a few cabins to large luxury cruise ships. In any case, be flexible. Your author had an overnight trip booked that was cancelled on the morning of departure due to an approaching typhoon. Although other companies went (and took their customers’ money), no boats were allowed on the bays, so their guests wound up staying in hotels onshore. I was able to get a full refund and to book a quick one-day trip for the following day with another company. Because this is a less-popular choice, my friend and I wound up being the only passengers aboard a boat equipped for 30! Tour Company Suggestion: Ocean Tours
Planning a Trip
The easiest way to plan a trip to Vietnam is to consider its three main regions: north, central, and south. These all have different weather conditions at different times of year, so it’s a good idea to consult a guidebook or website that can help you figure out in which direction you’d like to travel. If you only have a week or so to spend in Vietnam, you might consider sticking to a single area. Below is a possible 1-week itinerary stopping in all three regions, but it is an exhausting tour that will require taking domestic flights. While you can arrange for inexpensive buses throughout the country, these are long, often uncomfortable trips.
Possible One-Week Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in and explore Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Day 2: Day trip to the Mekong Delta
Day 3: Fly to Danang (DAD) and drive to Hoi An (most hotels can arrange transport)
Day 4: Enjoy Hoi An
Day 5: Arrive in and explore Hanoi (HAN)
Day 6: Halong Bay overnight cruise
Day 7: Return to Hanoi
With More Time
A quick trip to Vietnam, even one that hits most of the “must-sees,” will probably leave you exhausted, but also wanting more. You might want to consider skipping the larger cities and focusing on smaller towns or historical sites like My Son and Hue. Another option is to visit the hilltribe groups in the north. Others may want to try a trip with more adventure activities like kayaking and cycling, while still others can live the high life in the emerging resort culture. No matter what your tastes are, you should be able to put together a rewarding trip to this beautiful country.