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Vietnam
We joined a tour with Hanoi Street Foods which was a great introduction to the local grub and took us places we wouldn't have dared go ourselves.
When we got more confident we sampled the local 'bia hois' where a glass of beer is available for less than 10p!
Also recommended is Highway4 restaurant where we were either ultra-confident or drunk on their rice wine and tucked into local scorpions, bugs, ostrich and crocodile!
I love Vietnamese food but after three months on the road in south east Asia, this place was a dream come true!
The most delicious ice cream, and the biggest variety of flavours I've ever had!
There is one near the lake in Hanoi, and also one in Ho Chi Minh City.
Need a break from restaurants? Simply stroll around, look for a street vendor selling a noodle dish or two, pull up a child-size plastic chair and enjoy a quick meal with the locals, cheaply.
Find by accident when hungry
A much-appreciated break from the busy streets of Hanoi, the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, is one of the best examples of traditional architecture left in Vietnam.
Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, the temple is a great place to while away a couple of hours strolling through beautiful courtyards and grand halls.
Who knows, you might catch a traditional music recital and get inexplicably involved in a silly hat wearing photo opportunity as I was.
Pho Quoc Tu Giam, about 2km west of Hoan Kiem Lake.
If you really want to experience Vietnam and all of its beauty and glory, I recommend doing it on a motorbike.
I have made three such journeys (I'm 61 years old) and look forward to yet another tour with this group.
While on the surface it appears to be a bit pricey, when you consider that the tour is all-inclusive it makes really good sense.
The guides are all extremely well acquainted with the country and its people. You will see a Vietnam seldom experienced by the routine traveller. The food, rooms, equipment and companionship are incredible.
Trips ranges from just a couple of days to 21 days depending on where you want to go. The northern part of the country should not be missed.
From easy riding to the adventuresome rough roads, there is something for all levels of riders (my wife journeyed down the Ho Chi Minh Trail with me last year).
It's a trip you will remember the rest of your life.
Most towns have their own varieties of noodles, entrees and beer. We spent a marvellous month sampling the local food and some great brews.
One food seller noticed our apprehension of the local dish and after her comments we couldn't refuse trying them: "Don't try, don't know".
All areas (not just Hanoi)
Beautiful beaches, it's where a Bond film was made. Just hope the weather holds.
Lovely food in a beautiful atmosphere prepared and served by street kids learning the skills for their own futures. Right over the street from the Temple of Literature, and a good 20 minutes' walk from the centre of the old town.
OK, so Bill Clinton's been here, but it's really very down to earth.
KOTO on Van Mieu
59 Van Mieu Street, (opposite the Temple of Literature)
www.streetvoices.com.au/koto_restaurant.asp
Wait until you get to Vietnam to book internal flights. It's much cheaper than booking in the UK. I flew from Hanoi to Hue for £200. I flew from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City for £30.
There are lots of Vietnam Airlines offices in major cities.
A great initiative to train young people up as chefs, waiters and bakers.
The restaurant serves French-accented Indochine cuisine in a lovely garden courtyard.
Seemed popular with diplomats when we were there.
Food is excellent and we felt very very full when we left, but very virtuous as we had helped people just by eating!
They also have a cafe and bakery called Baguette et Chocolat
www.hoasuaschool.com/index.php228a Ha Hoi (it is down a couple of side streets so you may need to look carefully for the signposts - or bring a map).
Tel: 4 942 4448
Baguette et Chocolat:
11 Pho Cha Ca
Tel: 04 923 1500
Okay, it is a chain and you are possibly subsidising Paris's hair extensions, but I thought that this was a really nice contrast to the great guesthouse we stayed at in Hoi An.
The (dis)advantage is that you are out of the hurly burly of the frenzied old town, which is where most tourists stay. For that you get a rooftop pool, gym, flawless service, huge breakfasts and a really peaceful night's sleep. You also get Americans on business travel shouting at the staff, but nowhere's perfect.
The hotel is next to the Opera House, five minutes' walk to the lake and another five to the edge of the old town.
It was less than $100/night (averaged it out with super cheap Hoi An guest house, so it did not feel too extravagant!)
www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/HANHITW-Hilton-Hanoi-Opera-hotel/index.do
This group provides Vietnam adventure travel guides, biking, kayaking, hiking, trekking, motorcycling, overland and family travel guides. Green guides for resposible travel.
[Disclosure: this is a website that I help to run.]
TNH is a community reviews site for Hanoi. You can use it to find the best-rated restaurants, bars, shops and hotels in Hanoi, or just to read the often-entertaining reviews posted by people like you.
The New Hanoian can be a good companion to your guidebook, as the information is kept up to date by the community.
Only citizens of certain countries can visit Vietnam without an entry visa (valid for 30 days). Those countries include: most Asean countries, Korea, Japan & Scandinavia (2005). All other citizens are required to get an entry visa before departure (visa issued prior to departure by Vietnamese consulates or embassies) or a pre-approved entry visa (visa is issued on arrival at Vietnam’s international airports) supplied before arrival in Vietnam.
You may consult more information about Vietnam visa at:
www.guidevietnam.com/travel/vietnam-visa-passport.html
Pho (rice noodle soup, pronounced “phur”) is a traditional meal in northern Vietnam, particularly in Hanoi, dating back thousands of years.
Pho looks like a simple dish, but it actually takes a lot of skill and experience to prepare properly. A good bowl of pho calls for sweet and pure bouillon, soft rice noodles that are soaked in boiling water for just the right duration, and of course, tender and fragrant meat (chicken or beef).
Pho Bo is noodles with sliced beef while Pho Ga is noodles with shredded chicken.
Here are some tips for you while you are in Vietnam:
Things to remember:
- It's in your best interests not to drink the tap water, especially after flooding!
-Avoid cycle rides after dark.
-Dress modestly and appropriately when visiting local dwellings and religious sites, etc.
- Leave your valuables behind before a night out on the town, or going to the beach.
- When crossing the road – especially in HCMC – always keep looking to the left and right and walk slowly!
- Don't offer money directly to beggars – instead donate to a local charity or offer a small gift, such as pens.
-However frustrated, don't loose your temper (“losing face”), as it won't get you very far!
I wish you a nice trip to Vietnam.
For travel guide websites for Vietnam, you can visit Dmoz.org at:
dmoz.org/Regional/Asia/Vietnam/Travel_and_Tourism/Travel_Guides/
Halong Bay is the most beautiful nature sight destination in Vietnam.
It covers about 1,900 spectacular limestone islands and islets jutting out over the South China Sea.
The best way to see this area is to take the junk boat cruise and spending the night on the bay is a must.
Find out Halong Bay travel information, photos, hotels or junk cruises from website bellow:
www.halongbay-vietnam.com/
Activetravelvietnam.com is a professional adventure website with useful information about Vietnam.
#303, 3rd Floor, Building 30 Nguyen Du Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: (84-4) 944 6230
Fax: (84-4) 944 6231
www.activetravelvietnam.com
It seems to be far more current than other sites that have information on Hanoi, and is far more comprehensive than any of the guide books. It's all user contributed reviews, so there's usually a lively debate about the merits of various spots and not a single, psuedo-authoritative voice.
Also, it has most of the things you need for settling in Hanoi, but it's certainly of use to travellers as well.
Highly recommended that you cross-check any other information source on Hanoi on the New Hanoian before you set out, because they keep track of location changes, spots going out of business, and any recent events.
iViVu is the only travel website in Vietnam offering a flight search and booking facility at a great price. It also provides you with travel information on Vietnam.
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