Vitnam

[Banjoman]

Has anyone any tips for Vietnam. In particular am thinking of visiting Hanoi and Nah Trang . maybe getting Train down from Hanoi - Nah Trang. Did Siagon last year. Great place

[bongerman]

We did a loop from Bangkok - CAmbodia - Saigon - Hanoi - Laos - Bangkok using buses (usually overnight) except for boat along mekong for the Siem Riep - Phnom Penh - Saigon part. The only nightmare journey was the bus journey from Hanoi to Vientiane (Laos) so if you're flying into Bangkok maybe consider flight to Hanoi.

Hanoi (and North Vietnam) are very different to Saigon. More Communist in feel and the roads are even harder to cross than HCMC.

If in the north though the big tourist pull is a trip to Halong Bay - definitely recommend it.

If you're going to go as far south as Nah Trang stop off in Hoi An. Much less touristy - you can get suits/dresses made their at amazing prices and if you hire a bike it's a 20 minute cycle to a beach you'll probably have to yourself!

My trip was part of a round - the world trip nearly two years ago and Viet Nam was one of our favourite countries (we also liked NZ and Bolivia)

Enjoy!