Hoi An
Hoi An has it all. Situated on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An was once a major trading port. Now a heritage site, the architectural setting of the old town has been well preserved and just picture perfect. Hoi An is also very popular amongst tourists for its beautiful beaches.
The nearest airport to Hoi An is Da Nang International. We flew Vietnam Airlines from Hanoi and the flight lasted just under 2 hours. The transfer from the airport to the resort was approximately 30 minutes.
Our travel agent recommended the Boutique Hoi An Resort. This beachside property is modern and luxurious. The grounds include a large pool surrounded by beautiful gardens and private villas. Relative to some of the hotels we experienced in Vietnam, the breakfast buffet is very impressive and the hotel has quite a few amenities. Whilst the hotel is situated a bit further away from the old town, there is a shuttle service available. There is also a laundry right across from the hotel which offers a same day service.
The resorts beach is pristine with crystal clear waves, soft sand, straw huts and loungers. If you love the sea and the sand, spend an extra night or two in one of Hoi An’s beautiful beach resorts.
The old town has ornate temples and pagodas, ancient houses and buildings. Our walking tour lasted 3-4 hours after which we had free time. If you need a break after all that sightseeing, take a 30 minute boat cruise down the river and back. Keep those camera’s close.
The old town is a shoppers’ paradise and here you can find tailors making custom made clothing, as well as jewellery, fresh fruit and food, curios and gifts. Hoi An is well known for it skilled tailors if you keen on purchasing tailor-made clothing.
Ho Chi Minh City (known as Saigon)
Saigon was once the former capital of Vietnam. It was renamed Ho Chi Minh City, after the name of the first president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
We flew Vietnam Airlines from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. The flight time was just under 2 hours however we experienced major traffic delays before we reached the hotel. The Liberty Central Saigon Centre Hotel is well located with modern and comfortable rooms. The breakfast buffet caters well for international guests.
Vietnam’s history is one of war, conflict and division. The War Remnants Museum puts this into perspective with its many exhibits on the Vietnam war. They say a picture is a worth a thousand words and these graphics depict the heinous crimes and atrocities on the Vietnamese people. It is truly heartbreaking. Unfortunately the museum was very busy so it was challenging to read the captions or concentrate with the noise levels. We also visited the Reunification Palace which was mildly interesting as it showcases the residence of the South Vietnamese president due to its significance in which the war came to an end.
After a heavy morning, I was in shopping heaven at the Ben Thanh Market. Just a street away from the Liberty Central Saigon Centre Hotel, it is one of the best markets in Ho Chi Minh City for curios and gifts. Don’t feel shy to bargain with the locals as often the item can be purchased for half the price. The stalls start closing around 5.30pm. It is unpleasant in the heat so I’d suggest an early morning or late afternoon. The night market offers similar goods just on a smaller scale.
The Mekong Delta excursion was another highlight of our trip. It’s a drive to the port where you journey on by boat to the Delta. The canal is narrow so you hop on a sampan and row until the stop. Here you visit a local honey farm, sample the tropical fruit and enjoy the local entertainment.
For lunch, we ate at a local restaurant recommended by our private tour guide. This is one of the best Vietnamese meals I ever had. The duration of this trip is approximately 6 – 8 hours.
Ganges Indian Cuisine Restaurant offers the best indian food in Ho Chi Minh City. For dinner, we sampled the dal makhni and chicken tikka accompanied by naan bread. Staff speak very little English so this was slightly challenging. However the owner was very welcoming and tried his best to assist.
The next day we visited the famous Cu Chi tunnels. The Cu Chi tunnels are a vast area of underground tunnels used by the Vietnamese soldiers during the war, and was significant in their fight against the growing American forces. The tour describes the conditions that the soldiers who were forced to spend days in the tunnels underwent and invites tourists to crawl through the tunnel system to experience this firsthand.
Next stop – Cambodia.
