Has anyone here been to Vietnam recently? What are must see places? What are some does and dont's?  I'm thinking about going there next month with two old Army buddies to explore the Country for 14 days.

Thanks

are you staying at the hilton by chance?

Yes we are. Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Tower

Well don't expect to see what you see in the war movies, I've been twice in the 90s and it is a gorgeous place.  Saigon is a shithole though, I'd suggest spending only a day there or so.  Dalat is a nice tranquil town in the mountains, Hanoi and Hue are the most beautiful cities, Ha Long bay is a must see attraction where many movies were filmed.   Have fun!

How about the Hotel Caravelle?

How about not contributing to the economies of murdering, Communist filth?

China included.

Quoted: How about not contributing to the economies of murdering, Communist filth? China included.

Lighten up Francis.

I was there in October, but for family reasons... check out Thai Airways for your flight, since they have a JFK>>BKK>>SGN  flight that'll get you there a lot faster than any other way. Other than that, I haven't done too much tourist stuff.

I don't think I could handle it. Couple of years back a Vietnamese kid about fourteen was part of a JROTC summer camp, I was running the compass/land navigation course. She was a recent immigrant, sweet kid, very shy, when she spoke it was just like I remember thirty six years ago, I had flashbacks for weeks. It was seeing those eyes again that got to me. They had a way of reaching to the very depth of your soul. It was that painful and eternal suffering look but at the same time a determination that you knew they would never quit. Ya'll know what I mean.

rk

This thread reminds me of the opening line of that Charlie Daniels song, "Still in Saigon."

"Got on a plane in Frisco and got off in Vietnam." Freaky stuff.

Quoted: Quoted: How about not contributing to the economies of murdering, Communist filth? China included. Lighten up Francis.

Why the hell should he lighten up… he is right,

If you do go make sure you visit one of slave or child labor plants.

I'm going there to visit the battlefields where a lot of our people gave there lives.  I served most of my life in the Military and have always been interested in Military history so thats the main reason I'm going there.

AIRBORNE5697: Please fill us in on all of the details of your trip when you get back.  I would be curious of your observations and impressions.

Quoted: AIRBORNE5697: Please fill us in on all of the details of your trip when you get back.  I would be curious of your observations and impressions.

+1 and pics

The trip to Vietnam was awesome. It was very chilling to be able to visit Hamburger Hill and walk on the red dirt at Khe Sahn . The place is very beautiful and most of the people are friendly.   There seems to be lots of poverty especially in the Central High lands area. I expected it to be very third world, but most of the major citys are very modern. The country side is still very poor. There are a lot of tourist from all over the world visting Vietnam. Its becoming a hot spot for tourism because of the low rates. Saigon seems to be the place for Partying. Hanoi was more conservative and the people not so friendly. The beaches are great. China beach was very cool. My favorite place was Nha Trang. There was a lot of dive shops, reasturants and Clubs. The price is right and the women nice. Here are some pictures:



Fruit vendor in Ho Chi Ming City


2 1/2 ton still in use in Khe Sahn



Uncle Ho's resting place in Hanoi


US Weapons in the Khe Sahn


Fish in the Mekong Delta


boom boom in Saigon

Farm Girls  going to work from the H'Mong tribe


Fresh water Prawns in the mekong


Partying in Nha Trang. Very cool place


Jungle boots in Khe Sahn


M60 from Khe Sahn


Nice tatoo!!


Part of B52 wreck Hanoi


Hanoi Hilton


Rice patties near Da Nang


Town of Khe Sahn


Town of A Luoi near Hamburger hill.


An old Viet Cong peasant. he is missing his hand and eye.


Very cool girl


Fishing boats in Nha Trang

A HMong tribe Village house  in the A Shau Valley


M48 tank in Chu Chi


The Chu Chi tunnels


lady in the Mekong Delta


One of the US weapons in Chu Chi. Got the SN. I wonder if we could trace this?


Traffic in saigon. 4 million people live there.


Mint condition jeep being used by local police now.


Killing time in Saigon


Crazy Cyclos in Saigon

Quoted: How about not contributing to the economies of murdering, Communist filth? China included.

This coming from someone who lives in Cali, this countries biggest cespool?

nice pics.


Is the beer any good?

How were them freshwater prawns?

You on penicillin now?

Surf Vietnam.

cool pics

Hah, those prawns look just like what they were eating in Apocalypse Now....

Viper I did my time in the service (14 years active duty )so I think I can go where I want. I actually ran into several retired GI's living there. The beer was great. The major brands are  333, Siagon, tiger and Hanoi Beer. The food was awesome.  They like hot spicy food.  I used two condoms at a time!!

It looks like a beautiful place. Sometime I want to go on a tour of Asia, hitting Viet Nam, the ROK, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tokyo, Osaka, and Bangkok (not necessarily in that order).

Does the US technically forbid travel to Viet Nam without special permission like they do Cuba? Is it possible to get stuff to eat in Viet Nam that isn't seafood or tendon?

Quoted: Viper I did my time in the service (14 years active duty )so I think I can go where I want. I actually ran into several retired GI's living there. The beer was great. The major brands are  333, Siagon, tiger and Hanoi Beer. The food was awesome.  They like hot spicy food.  I used two condoms at a time!!

Great pics!  Looks like you enjoyed Viet-Nam long time!  

Quoted: 2 1/2 ton still in use in Khe Sahn

Not U.S., but Soviet. ZiL series truck. Right era though...

Quoted: It looks like a beautiful place. Sometime I want to go on a tour of Asia, hitting Viet Nam, the ROK, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tokyo, Osaka, and Bangkok (not necessarily in that order). Does the US technically forbid travel to Viet Nam without special permission like they do Cuba? Is it possible to get stuff to eat in Viet Nam that isn't seafood or tendon?

The US Gov't normalized relations with Viet-Nam like in 1989 or something...

I remember when I was in high school, fresh from watching Platoon and the like being very angry at that happening.

Now... eh, I don't know.  I wasn't in the war.  Lot's of guys who weren't drug addicts got fucked up.  If going there helps them be at peace, so be it.

All you need is a visa to travel to vietnam. There are a lot of different types of tropical fruits and veggies. I'll be going to Thailand and Cambodia this winter. I'd love to be able to take 1 year to travel all over asia. I meet a few American people living over there because the  money goes a long way. I think Thailand would be a great place to retire.  10 more years and I'll be heading somewhere else myself.

Quoted: Viper I did my time in the service (14 years active duty )so I think I can go where I want. I actually ran into several retired GI's living there. The beer was great. The major brands are  333, Siagon, tiger and Hanoi Beer. The food was awesome.  They like hot spicy food.  I used two condoms at a time!!

Viper was quoting mattja, not giving you crap.


Looks like it was a fun trip.  

What were the retired GI's up to?  

Sorry Viper. One guy I meet had Vietnamese wife and did not work. He is just enjoying retirement. Another lived there half the year. He worked as an English Teacher. In Nha Trang there are a lot of shop owners from all over the world. It seemed that most of the nice places are owned by outsiders.