ponyrama

Hey aussie travellers

I am hoping to go to Vietnam in early 2014 to visit my ex brother in law who has set up a farm stay in the Phong Nha region but also want to spend a few days in Ho Chi Minh City and also at a beach resort in the south.

Anyone been, have any ideas about nice hotels, beach resorts, flight tips to share.

Ideally I want to travel to Ho Chi Minh, stay in the city before an internal flight to Dong Hoi (closest airport to Phong Nha), then back to a beach resort close to Ho Chi Minh before flying back to Sydney.

All ideas/advice gratefully received.

Lou_Diamond_Phillips

I've been. Ho Chi Minh's great, some interesting day trips to do from there as well (Mekong Delta, Cu Chi tunnels).

Beaches: I went to Mui Ne, which was nice but very quiet (at least, it was when I was there. Must have been low season, a lot of places were closed). Nha Trang was a lot more lively and also had a nice beach.

My favourite place was Hoi An. Beautiful town full of old merchant houses, great food and a nice beach just up the road. Some good day trips from there, too (My Son, Marble Mountain). Hue's nice as well. They're both within reasonable distance of Dong Hoi. Or Da Nang if you wanted to fly.

Can't remember the names of any guest houses I stayed in, I always just find a place once I arrive rather than book ahead.

Have fun!

With All Due Respect...

+1 for Hoi An.

Heard great things about Phu Quoc island...but it's just hearsay.

JoeBloggs80

Phu Quoc is great. We stayed here:

http://bamboophuquoc.com/aboutus.html

Its totally isolated from the main strip of the island but is absolutely beautiful and really friendly. If you're looking for a few days to chill out I would highly recommend it. Flights from HCMC are about $40 if I remeber correctly.

HCMC is good but hectic. SOme great restaurants. Definitely do the trip to the Cu Chi tunnnels.

ponyrama

Thanks guys - great info. I'm very excited.