| M Limbrick |
21 January 2003 |
Stayed at Metropole Hotel, Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
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Just a fleeting visit to Ho Chi Minh so no great sightseeing insights. The fake watches/glasses in the market are superior AND cheaper than those found in BKK for those looking for a brand-bargain. Pagodas not of any great interest, although the Jade Pagoda was the best of the bunch of you do choose to visit one.
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| E Nguyen |
20 January 2003 |
Stayed at Hanoi Horison Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
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Hanoi is a great tourist city with Far East charms and western influence.. The beautiful architecture from the French era are not to be missed.. Great restautants like the Brother's Cafe on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street has great ambiance and tasty entrees. Great shopping for tourists in Pho Nha Tho District. Good silk and handbag buys.
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| R Cetin |
06 January 2003 |
Stayed at Yasaka Saigon Nhatrang Hotel - Nha Trang, Vietnam.
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There isn't a lot to see in Nha Trang, but the beach is a change. The resort the Ana Mandara has a nice gift shop and good for a meal but very pricey. Ladies - do not walk around at night. We had an unpleasant experience on the beach with a local (during the day).
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| J Dupont |
06 January 2003 |
Stayed at Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
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I recommend to utilize rickshaws (Xiclo) to visit the city (2USD per hour). Many interesting contrasts: the old quarter (36 corporations streets), French colonial quarters, temples; 2 days are necessary to get a good overview of the city; add one day to go to Hoa Lu (1 1/2h our drive from Hanoi).
Fine silk materials designers, antique dealers and deco concentrate around the cathedral. Restaurant: try the Spice Garden at Metropole hotel. Expensive (30 USD)but memorable. A superb wine list.
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| D Von takach |
05 January 2003 |
Stayed at Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort - Hoi An, Vietnam.
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We love Hoi An so our days were crowded. We got our laundry done in town which was a zillionth of the price of that of the hotel. We visited the temples of My Son but generally ate at the wonderful restaurants in the old quarter and shopped. We got around on bikes and the hotel bus mostly. The best restaurant by far was Miss Ly's and the best tailor was 19 Le Loi, the girls there work hard and deliver a good product.
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| M Pannell |
04 January 2003 |
Stayed at De Syloia Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
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Things to do:
- stroll the old quarter markets and shops
- 2/3 days on Halong Bay
- day trip to Perfume Pergoda
- a couple of hours at the 'silk village'
- see a movie at the English speaking cinema
- Go to dinner at Cafe Roma
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| H Narzynski |
02 January 2003 |
Stayed at Bong Sen Hotel - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
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Saigon is great. We had more fun walking through the city and trying out as much Vietnamese restaurants as possible than visiting tunnels etc. Don't miss restaurant no. 19 on Ngo Duc Ke Street or grill frog legs at your table at Luong Son Restaurant on Ly Tu Trong Street.
Really worth the long trip through the city is Binh Tay Market in Cholon. They sell nothing westerners usually buy - so the vendors mostly ignore tourists.
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| V Longfellow |
02 January 2003 |
Stayed at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi - Hanoi, Vietnam.
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A great location. There is a super market across the road on the top floor.
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| M Pannell |
01 January 2003 |
Stayed at Green Park Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
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Much of the local tourist shopping is centered around the Lake / Old Quarter.
Things worth doing if you're in Hanoi for a few days are...
- Silk Village (max 2 hours)R
- HaLong Bay (This is a whole trip in itself. If the weather's good a 2 night boat cruise is a must. 1 night is just enough, especially if it's cold and raining.)
- Perfume Pergoda (a day trip involving bus, row boat and steep climb up a hill)
- Seek out Cafe Roma (a new restaurant that opened on New Year's Eve 2002/3). The manager was very hospitable.
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| T Chin seong |
27 December 2002 |
Stayed at Majestic Hotel - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
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Didn't do much visiting cause I was on business trip. But If you're looking for shopping convenience in Ho Chi Minh city, try to stay along Dong Khoi Street. Plenty of handicrafts to buy and also walking distance to Benh Thanh Market. Probably around 5 - 10 minutes of brisk walk.
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Traveller's Tales: Shopping suggestions in Vietnam
