Single and going to Vietnam. What to do?

Question

I'm planning a trip to Vietnam in Nov. and want to know what's there to see and do? Where is a good place to stay to be near all the action? Planning on traveling solo. Anything and everything goes!!!

Answer 1

you are a boy? omg, if you are a girl i would tell you everything such as bring as many shoes and clothes as you can because vietnamese are all base on looks , you will catch a whole load of hot dates if you got your bling bling going on , hehe, but in this case, do dress up like you are an english prince , wear some body spray omg, girls would totally fall for that, if you want to see all the actions go to diamond plaza , it's in saigon, ask the localists because they know all about it. it is a pretty decent place, got nice services too. if anything goes then you should be careful with the bargains. not that it's anything bad but i used to let them stepped all over me with the prices since i just flying my happy @ss back there for a visit and i got ripped off.
Vietnam has two international airports, Hanoi to the north and Saigon in the south. There are no direct flights to either location, so depending on the airline all air travelers are routed through gateway citys such as Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul /Incheon, Hong Kong or Taipei. You can and should shop for the best fares through online travel sights such as Travelocity.com, contact consolidators and be sure to check the Sunday travel section of your local newspaper for special deals. Economy/Tourist class airfare can cost as little as $750.00 or as much as $1500.00, so shop and shop. Travel time is about 13 hours across the Pacific and in total takes between 18 and 26 hours, depending on the layover required by your airline at their gateway city. It doesn’t seem to cost any more for an open return or “open jaw” ticket. An open return is exactly as it sounds; you leave your return date open, allowing you flexibility on your return date. With an open jaw ticket, you fly into one city and return from another. So, for example, you could fly into Hanoi and back from Saigon or maybe fly into Vietnam and return from Thailand. However, keep in mind that if you have an open return, airlines have only a limited number of flights across the Pacific, and they try to fill then to the max. So it may take a while to confirm your return ticket. Call the airline sooner, rather then later with your requested return date.

Due the long narrow geographic nature of Vietnam, your in- country travel options are simplified. Air travel is available between major cities and a train runs from Saigon to Hanoi and on into China. But I think the best deal overall is bus travel. It is inexpensive, efficient, and it gives you a chance to see the country. Government buses are dirt-cheap but should have signs posted saying, only skinny butts allowed here, so I can’t recommend them. However, the so-called open tour buses offered by traveler’s cafes, which ply up and down the coast and between all major tourist destinations is a best bet. You can buy a ticket on these, say from Saigon to Hanoi (one way $29.00) and stop off in cities along the way, and when you want to move on, just request a seat on another bus and you’re on your way. Car rentals that you drive yourself are not available, but a car with driver can be arranged at about $35.00 a day. Yes, those motorbikes are cute, and you can rent one at very reasonable price, but they are as dangerous as they are cute. Vietnam has one of the highest incidences of traffic related injuries of any country in the world.
Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as it was known prior to 1975, is an amazing place. It has large new buildings, outdoor cafes, wide tree-lined streets jam packed with motorbikes, classy Vietnamese music clubs, discos and great shopping. All this, mixed with the traditional Vietnamese shop houses, street side coffee shops and a population density that has to be seen to be believed. There are museums, chronicling the war years and the life of the famous Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh, even a water park for your splashing pleasure, numerous temples but my favorite is just hanging on a street corner and watching the goings on of the city. Other good options are a day trip to Cu Chi tunnels where the Viet Cong hid out during the war; Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh the main temple of Vietnams only homegrown religion or maybe the hydrofoil to the beaches of Vung Tau.
The Mekong Delta is a flat agricultural area in the far south of Vietnam, honey combed with waterways. The Mekong is well worth a visit and can be done as a day trip if you’re short of time or as a three- day tour booked through one of many travelers agents in Saigon.

About 60 km from Saigon is the ever-cool hillside city of Dalat. Temperatures here are 10 to 15 degrees cooler then Saigon, the Vietnamese wear ski parkas, wool hats and gloves in the evening, but us North Americans can easily get by with a long sleeve shirt. This is a very popular place for Vietnamese and considered to be the perfect spot for a honeymoon.


One of my fonder memories from 1967 was the beaches and the warm South China Sea that washed across them. I am happy to report, this hasn’t changed, the water is just as warm and the palm trees still sway idyllically over sun splashed, white sand beaches. There are many nice beach areas to choose, from little, laid-back Mui Ne to Nha Trang with its noisy drinking spots like the Sailors Club and interesting boat day trips out around the islands. ....
You say to yourself, yikes isn’t Vietnam a communist country? Yes, it is communist, formally named Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Ngic Viet Nam or the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) but not to worry. What you will see probably doesn’t fit with any of the concepts of communism you have been carrying around with you. From a visitors prospective, it appears to be a free, open market society. This is primarily due to the strength and flexibility of the Vietnamese people, not the reality of what is really going on. Behind the go-go veneer it is a country that allows only one political party, the Communist Party and it used the Soviet Union and China as its models for the government. However, the government, after watching Thailand’s success with tourism, has cultivated a strong interest in developing tourism as a cash crop. So as a visitor, life is good. But due to all these hidden wranglings, remember that no matter what you think you see and hear, the government is in complete control. With this in mind my strategy has been to stay away from any problems involving anything governmental related and just concentrate on being a good little tourist. Though I have to admit a plus to tight government control and their lack of the interest in personal freedoms is that the criminal element is held in check, and the threat of terrorism is minimal. There are very few American visitors in-country so it seems that wherever you go people are fascinated by Americans.

can. From my experiences most Vietnamese, anyway in the south, have a great regard for America and its people. Since the war ended in 1975 North and South Vietnam have been one country but geographically and culturally there are still is two separate regions. For people like my self and many Vietnamese’ there is a distinct North and South. Historically, the north was the home of industry and craftsmen. The south was more of an agricultural area with cities like Saigon involved in trade. For myself, who has never past Hue where the south transitions into the north. At this geographic point my mind starts having problems. Not rational but still problems to me, telling me something to the effect of, its 1967 again, and I shouldn’t be going up there. While in reality I have been told Hanoi is a wonderful city, more laid back and relaxed then Saigon, the northern mountain village of Sapa is a charming and Halong Bay from the photos I have seen is unbelievable beautiful.
The Visa deal: You must have a visa to enter the country and you need it before you board an aircraft to Vietnam. Though I have heard, that as with so many laws in Vietnam, there is an exception. It goes like this. If you have a travel agent at your arrival city, Saigon or Hanoi, they purportedly can arrange a visa for you at the airport. I haven’t actually tried this, but supposedly all you need to do is notify your travel agent of your arrival date, give your name as it is on your passport, passport number and they will meet you with the paper work for the visa at the airport.

.. The official way is to apply for a visa through the Vietnamese consulate. In the USA: Consular Section, Embassy of Vietnam, 1233 20 th Street NW, Suite 400 Washington DC 20036. You have a choice of one month, three month or six month visa. The price of each type of visa depends on this and how many entries you need into the country. For example, if you were to use Vietnam as your travel base for Southeast Asia, a multiple entry visa is probably what you need. Then, if you plan is to arrive in Vietnam and stay there until you return home, a single entry is the deal for you. A one-month, single entry visa is $65.00 for standard five business day processing, $85.00 for two business day processing and a multiple entry visa is $130.00 which includes two business day express processing. A Three-month, single entry is $110.00 for standard five day processing, multiple entries at $150.00 and five days to process. A six-month visa allows multiple entries, takes five business days to process and goes for $ 200.00. To apply you need a passport six months away from its expiration date, passport size photo (2x2), money order or certified check payable to Embassy of Vietnam, along with your completed application form. (application form on line at http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/consular/visainfo.php3) Send all this, along with a return envelop with postage attached for either express mail or FedEx, to the embassy via Express Mail or FedEx. Note this very important point, your visa goes into effect the day you specify on your application and not before. Meaning if you arrive before the visa’s entry date you will be refused entry and arrive after the date you will have a shorter visa period. The visa time clock starts ticking on the entry date you requested not the date you arrive.
Accommodations in Vietnam range from a few dollars a night for a bunk in dormitory style accommodations, to a few hundred a night in a five star hotel. Normally, on the average you can plan on spending around $ 30.00 a night for a comfortable room with air-conditioning satellite TV, front desk to assist with your travel arrangements and a free breakfast tossed in. If you are staying more then three days and it is an accepted practice to inquire about a discount off the original rate. I always ask for a discount even if I am only staying for one night and I usually get one. The Vietnamese are used to bargaining. I think the bargaining process in Vietnamese culture is meant more as a lighthearted social game then a win, loose proposition - a social exercise where the desired result is the transfer of goods and services between individuals where every one is a winner.



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have a wonderful trip

Answer 2

I would suggest that you not go alone. Buddy up with Ong Jon and travel with him. I've read several of his answers about Vietnam, and been to most of the places he's been. The man knows where the fun is in Vietnam better than I do.

Make sure you have him take you to the following places:

Saigon
Da Nang
Nha Trang
Mekong River
Hanoi
Hue
Hai Phuong Bay

Don't go to Cu Chi (The Tunnels). Coming from New York, you will probably end up beating the crap out of the tour guide after you're done with the tour.

The ASEAN (???) conference is being held in Hanoi in November, and is expected to be extremely crowded. This could be good or bad. The good part is you will see many from other Southeast Asian countries at one place and one time.

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 3

Don't forget to plan a trip to Sapa and go hiking. You will be safe I was only 21yrs old blonde female alone in Vietnam. I did just fine. Don't stay in hotels stay in guesthouses because it is easier to meet people. Sign up for day tours when you get to a place that way you will meet some people to hang out with while you are there. I met up with a someone and ended up traveling with them for 6 days in Vietnam. A good tour in Hue.. look in the lonelyplanet book for a Mr Silver or Mr Do. He owns a coffee house or guest house. That was by far the best tour I had ever been on. And all 7 of us that were on it hung out for a few days afterwards and partied. have fun you will be just fine!

Answer 4

it is very easy to meet people in Vietnam if you just head out on the day trips, ie Halong Bay, Sapa trekking, A MUST, Cu Chi tunnels, boat cruise in Nha trang, Mekong Delta day trip etc. It is easy to meet and mix with the locals where ever you eat or going out for drinks. Plenty of Western bars to mix and meet people. Travel the whole of Vietnam as travel is very easy and inexpensive. Each place has its charms. Mostly you will get great ideas of where to go off other travellers. Have fun, wish I was back there....

Answer 5

Vietnam is one of the best places for a guy to go solo. The women are sweet, beautiful, and not-so-shy. In general, the south is more friendly than the north, and Ho Chi Minh City is a blast. Forget the tourist trap of Nah Trang, instead head to Mui Ne. Rent a motorbike, explore the red and white sand dunes, borrow a some gear from a local cafe and spear your own crabs and cuttlefish. Don't forget to take a boat cruise in Halong Bay in the north.

Answer 6

nha trang is the best place to be if you want to be "near all the action". it is the only city where the tourest area[ hotels, bars resturants] is right by the beach.. there are also plenty of place of intrest and adventure you can easily get to from nha trang[ once you are there they are easy to find out about]. sai gon, hoi an, and ha noi are also nice with their own "flavor".. they are also good jumping off points to other places , mekong delta, marble mt, and sapa , respectively.. but nha trang is deffinatly the place to spend the most time. check out all the other responces to similare questions in the "resolved questions" section of this catagoty...,, ps. that "anything goes" attitude is a bad idea on long island... it's down right foolish when traveling alone in a forgien country.. be safe ,be adventurous, have fun , but dont be foolish....
.... i agree with "dan", he couldnt be more correct... oh wait,... that means he gets the
"points"!?!?.... hey "mo-dan" what happened to your face?? lol

Answer 7

Nha Trang!!!!
beach town on the east side, Blue Gecko and the Sailing Club...

Answer 8

You could get conned and money stolen if you not careful! so watch out!