Vietnam

Guide to travelling to and around Vietnam
A truly beautiful country that is growing very quickly. Hanoi, in the North is a masterpiece of French architecture and Saigon in the South is truly a modern and fully up and coming city. Vietnam also offers some amazingly pristine beaches that have largely been untouched by tourism.
Vietnam has a population of around 80 million inhabitants, with 54 ethnic groups. The country is divided into 64 provinces with the capital being Hanoi.
Beach Resorts in Vietnam
Vietnam is not famous for tourism, nor its beaches. However it has some very beautiful and almost untouched beaches to offer. Tourism is beginning to slowly take off, with major investment from International hotel companies, and a government who is finally beginning to realise how much the tourism dollar can help. The selection below features some of the main International resorts, around Vietnam. Although at this time the number is still limited.
We will soon be adding more of these hotels with online reservations facilities to the site so please do keep checking back.
Beach Resorts
Anoasis Beach Resort - A privately run hotel company which stands out. The owner a Vietnamese lady must be one of the most successful Vietnamese entrepreneurs. She was the first lady to ever fly from Ho Chi Minh to Paris by Helicopter, and has succeeded in many other ventures that are too numerous to mention. Simply the fact that she and her husband a senior and highly respected hotelier are in charge of this hotel will guarantee that it is a success. As for the hotel itself, well it is in Long Hai, on the coast. Long Hai has one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, and this hotel runs along it, offering you 20 secluded and exclusive villas to choose from, which are set amidst 32 acres of gardens. SEE MORE OF THIS HOTEL WITH PICTURES SPECIAL RATES AND ONLINE RESERVATIONS HERE.
Furama Resort Danang : One of the first resorts of International standing and quality in Vietnam, this outstanding resort runs along the picturesque beach of Danang. Once inside the resort you would never imagine you are in Vietnam, as the resort offers everything a seasoned International traveller could desire. SEE MORE OF THIS HOTEL WITH PICTURES AND SPECIAL RATES WITH ONLINE RESERVATIONS HERE.
Inland Resorts in Vietnam
Sofitel Dalat- One of the most famous hotels in Vietnam, and a heritage hotel in itself, this beautiful resort can be found inland only a few hours drive from Ho Chi Minh at Dalat. A wonderful golf course is attached, and this beautiful hotel is extremely popular with expats, wealthy residents and with leisure travellers who demand the highest in quality. SEE MORE OF THIS HOTEL WITH PICTURES AND SPECIAL RATES WITH ONLINE RESERVATIONS HERE
Novotel Dalat - Well how do we put this ? If you can afford the Sofitel stay there. If not then the Novotel Dalat will most definitely do. SEE MORE OF THIS HOTEL WITH PICTURES AND SPECIAL RATES WITH ONLINE RESERVATIONS HERE

Transportation in Vietnam
As with every country in the world, when you arrive at the airport you are at the most vulnerable. This is because generally travellers carry cash and quite a lot of it as well. Therefore care is always needed and advised. Vietnam is a very safe country we have never had a problem, however we always take the most precautions when arriving at any country especially if it is on business.
Hotel Cars
In Ho Chi Minh the ride is very quick, taking between 10 to 30 minutes tops at most times. The cost of a car will be between US$ 10 - US$ 25. Depending on the hotel.
H anoi however is quite a bit further, and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour depending where you are staying. The cost here is considerably more between US$ 20 - US$ 50.
Taxis
From the airport never take a taxi from a tote. This is difficult to define in either Ho Chi Minh, or Hanoi, so strongly recommend that you take the comfort, luxury and safety of one of the above, hotel cars.
Within the city, the taxis are safe, and pretty many hassles free. Meters run in most of them, although the starting rates vary a little from each taxi company.
Alternative
Bicycles can be rented out for around US$ 1.5 per day, they are a bit wobbly, but good fun and a great way of travelling around.
Motorbikes are between US$ 4-7 a day, although I will let you decide whether insurance is included.
Rolex Watches in Asia
Certain countries in Asia are famous not only for their natural beauty and wealth of culture but also for some of the things that you can buy. No matter what country in Asia you visit at some point you are likely to be offered a Rolex watch.
In Hong Kong along Nathan Road, you will have people asking if you want a fake watch, in Thailand fake Rolex's can be found easier than the closest Starbucks, but these are not exceptions to Asia they are the norm.
Buying a fake watch is like anything else, you basically, even in the 'fake watch' world, pay for what you are getting. There are many different quality fake watches at many different prices, and if this is what you are looking for then we would suggest you visit the closest Rolex shop to get an idea of the watches weight and other characteristics.
Be of course very wary of people trying to sell you authentic Rolex's at knockdown prices. In Vietnam many shops sell so called Rolex watches from the Vietnam war period. Some of these watches may even have Rolex parts in them but most are not 100% authentic. Would you sell a real Rolex for so little when you know its real value? Of course not, and neither would anyone else. Remember if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.
Real Rolex watches are probably among the best watches you can buy in terms of re-sale value. One London jewellers we spoke to, said that of all the watches Rolex maintain their value the best. So instead of buying a fake, why not buy the real thing, it is likely to last you years longer than a fake if not lifetimes, and if you do get bored of it sell it!
After our research we found that the best place to buy a real Rolex is in Singapore. Call all the shops first and haggle on the price of the watch you want and then finally, when you have an idea who is cheapest, go in person and haggle some more. Many of the watch shops in Singapore can discount on their prices and due to very strict laws all the reputable shops have not only their reputation to maintain but must also stay within the law.
Our limited research in this area covered most Duty Free shops in Asia and Dubai, plus many high street shops in Asia, but of them all, the high street reputable shops in Singapore had the best available prices for real Rolex
Bars in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) and Hanoi, Vietnam
Vietnam will definitely shock many visitors, when coming for the first time. The skyscrapers of Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) and sprawl of Hanoi, are tributes to the determination of the Vietnamese people, and the dollar of opportunity from foreign investors. The mass of mopeds or motorbikes alone will overwhelm most senses especially in Saigon. Here one could quite easily spend a Saturday evening watching most of Saigon's population all dressed up, and whizzing around literally in circles, looking for their future girlfriend, wife or to simply chat (whilst driving) to friends. This is Vietnam. We have some pictures of Hanoi available here.
However you may not want to sit looking at this motorbike spectacle in disbelief, on stools so small you wonder who they were made for. Instead you may feel that a nice refreshing drink accompanied by live music, or even a night of disco would be more appropriate. Then fear not; Ho Chi Minh has a lot to offer, with many new discos and bars being added to the already large supply. Having said that Hanoi, is by no means quiet, just quieter, and there are still some great restaurants, bars and discos to visit.
Bars in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
Modestos Currently one of the more popular bars is "Modestos" which is located on the ground floor of Me Linh Point Tower (next to Renaissance Hotel). It has live music nightly and is particularly popular with the Singaporean community and Vietnamese ‘yuppies’.
Saigon Saigon on the 10 floor of the Delta Caravelle Hotel, has some of the best views of Saigon. Built on a corner you have three different views of HCM. It is the place to meet and tends to receive a fair number of earlier after work drinkers. They also have a live band, which attracts quite a crowd, although it is nothing like back home, the bartender kept insisting that it got better. Great bar. Now with Happy Hour from 4pm to 8pm "Buy one Get one free" on all standard drinks and also Carlsberg beer. Go for it !!
Apocalypse Now Do not go here unless you want a quiet game of pool, before 22:30 as it only really starts to get busy from then on. This is more of a disco come bar with one pool table thrown in. It is very popular at the weekends with expats and locals alike. Good music, inexpensive drinks, and a novel decor have made it famous within Vietnam. They even have another outlet of similar style in Hanoi.
Shark 2000 is the latest addition to the disco scene. One of my friends raved so much about it, that I could not resist. Therefore I offer a word of caution, because it is very easy to forget where we are. This is Vietnam and when the locals rave about somewhere, they are raving on local terms, so do not forget where you are and let your imagination run wild. It is a good disco, and definitely the best I have seen in HCM, but I am surprised the owner, was not a little more imaginative with the decor. Still a great place to dance with all the latest music, and a very good place to mingle. Dance anyone ?
Cheers is worth going to see only if you have lots of spare time on your hands, and have seen everything else. It is an unusual type of disco/nightclub/hostess bar. The girls, all dress up in au dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) or other very nice outfits, and do not as far as I know work there. At least officially. Interesting place worth a peek.
Gecko Bar Hai Ba Trung St, D1 - early in the evening a quite spot for darts and a beer. Later it hots up as a popular spot for a bit of dance on the tiny dance floor. Your host Dragan is a charm. Famous for their chocolate vodka shots. (reviewed by HL)
Bars in Hanoi
Apocalypse Now is very similar to the one in HCM, above. It starts late around 23:00 has one pool table, good loud music and all the last ones for the road that you need.
Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) and Hanoi Vietnam
Vietnam is famous especially within Asia for its excellent cuisine. With both Asian influences, and also French, they have melanged together to create some excellent dishes and some wonderful restaurants in the process. This guide of restaurants will help you choose where to wine and dine whilst in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. There definitely is no need to limit your experience to the hotel restaurant, and you would be missing out on all the fun if you did.