Two nights in Hoi An

Hi there,

I will be in Ho Chi Min for two nights in a an organized trip on next march.

Normally I prefere to escape from the tourist traps because I like to talk with locals, without having the sense that they just want to sell me something or just a tip.

I would like to have typical food and handicrafts.

I think I will have some hours left, so where should I go to eat and shopping ?

Of course I should visit some markets, where are they, name and what I can find on them ?

Thank you

Two nights in Hoi An

In Hoi An,

I think you should check out ';the secret garden'; its kind of hard to get too, but the food is really good %26amp; the evironment was really nice..I don%26#39;t have the address or anything, but I do see a couple of reviews for it on the restaurant forum. see if that helps.

Two nights in Hoi An

** Typical food - Hoian Specialities can be found in any restaurants in town.

+ White Rose

+ Cao Lau

+ Won Ton

Try also Fish grilled in banana leaf

** Handicrafts : lots of shops in the ancient area Tran Phu Street, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street where you can do your shopping.

+ Lanterns

+ Silk handbags, ties, shawl, table-clothes ...

Mr Phuoc

Hong Ngoc or Elegant?

Hi all,

I鈥檓 visiting Hanoi next summer and wonder which hotel i can stay. Some friend recommended Hong Ngoc I, otherwise with Elegant 4. Anyone give adviser?

Thanks.

Hong Ngoc or Elegant?

Dear Chris,

Both of them are boutique, clean, reputable, great location, but Elegant 4 is new one %26amp; offering some nice reviews, the good promotion. so why you can miss Elegant 4 ';

Enjoy your stay.

Einstein

pores

A review on Columbus Adventures and Hotels in Hanoi

You all may not be able to imagine the excellent service that i received from the Elegance 3 hotel in Hanoi during my 2 nite stay here. Ideally located in one of the busiest and oldest street of the city, this hotel gave me the unique chance to wander to almost all points of interest of the city as they are all just a walking distance from the hotel. When the plane landed, i was so surprised at the professionalism of the hotel driver, in uniform, his courtesy, fast and safe driving. Furthermore, the staff there were helpful with lots of information. The service was unsurpassable. Anyway, everything was perfect.

We also booked the two night tour one night on the boat and one on Cat Ba Island and could not speak more highly of the professional service that we received from Columbus Tours. We were picked up in an air-conditioned bus from our hotel and from the minute we arrived on the boat the service was fantastic.

The boat was clean, tidy and particularly luxurious, well structured,the staff were great and the food was amazing...it just kept on coming.

Our accommodation on Cat Ba was beautiful also. The guide was so knowledgeable, friendly and quick minded. The second day of kayaking was marvelous and we made the tour to the open sea area with the famed fishing village to closely explore the daily life of the fishermen. Before that we were picked up and lured by the smaller Nina Cruiser that is a perfect blend of traditional and modern charms. We enjoyed the second day in an eclectic style on azure-blue and basked on the pristine beach. We could not recommend this company more highly with such a reasonable price and it was great and our trip on Ha Long Bay was the highlight of our holiday.

Easy Riders Dalat

I have read many posts about these famous Easy Riders in Dalat. After googling them online, I find that there are many different types of Easy Riders - how does one know which ones are the legitimate ones? If anybody has the email address/website/phone number/name of a good English speaking guide whom they can recommend, that would be appreciated. I am thinking of doing a 3 day ride from HCM to Dalat but I have not done biking before and am wondering how safe it is given most travel insurance does not cover you for riding on a motorbike. Also, am interested in learning about the culture and history of the country so the more informative the guide the better. Thanks all!

Easy Riders Dalat

Hi,

We just left Dalat a couple days ago and had a really wonderful time. Our Easy Rider guides were arranged by Mrs. Dung at Dreams Hotel and were great! Mr. Duong Huynh (Yang) and Quoc Dung, Yang spoke English very well, was a calm driver and was great in answering our questions (that weren%26#39;t in the guide book) and showing us around. His email is huyen_chieu@yahoo.com, Dung%26#39;s is quocdung24@yahoo.com

Hope that helps, have a great time!

Easy Riders Dalat

And this is all in the Hoi An forum because?

For Easy Riders, yes of course there are 81 members of Easy Riders based on Dalat city but to find who is the best, I don%26#39;t know if you are lucky enough. Why don%26#39;t you try to use Free Riders. You can see them on www.dalatfreeriders.tk

Thanks eg conley ... will investigate further.

I am interested in arranging for an easy rider for a day trip around Dalat. How much should I expect to pay? (going in April 09)

Thanks!

Reliable Travel Agent

Just back from a 6D5N Hanoi-Sapa-Halong Bay Tour with 5 friends. Wanted to share the wonderful holiday we had organised by Ms Ha of Vietland Discovery Tour Co. Ltd. She was quick to respond to our queries and offered great advices. She is on the constant lookout for the best hotel offer and help us to save alot. Her tour quote is the most reasonable.Although she helped us save alot, her services never lack for once. When our flight was last minute rescheduled to an earlier time, she was quick to arrange our airport pickup and also luggages storage with the extra spare time we had before the overnight train to SaPa. She also arranged for a guide to take us to our train cabin in Hanoi and Lao Cai without extra charge.Whoever has taken the train in Vietnam will understand. Its chaotic in the train stn and can be frustrating due to communication problem.Ms Ha and her team of quides were great. We were touched when she called through the driver%26#39;s and guide%26#39;s cellphone to ask our well being.We were surprised when the guide asked us what we dont eat, which is beef. It never strike our minds to specify that in our meals preference. Once again Ms Ha%26#39;s team earned our praises. Halong Bay was spectacular and we have the whole Bai Tho Junk boat to ourselves with the rate we are paying which was unbelievable. All meals were sumptuous. You can rest assured when Ms Ha organise your tours. She can do wonders.Jasmine Hotel recommended by Ms Ha was good. Good location in Old Quarters and the staff were very obliging and cheerful. The breakfast were good. I highly recommend Jasmine Hotel, Hanoi. She can be reached at info@discovervietnam.com.vn. Or www.discovervietnam.com.vn

Honeymoon Advice

We%26#39;re using Hong Kong as the base for our honeymoon in late April/early May, and are thinking about spending 3-5 nights in Hong Kong, and 8-10 nights somewhere else in SE Asia.

Any thoughts/advice/travel agent recommendations for a trip from Hong Kong?

Right now, we%26#39;re considering Malaysia, Thailand (east coast given the season), Vietnam or Lombok - main goals are a beautiful beach with swimming, access to good snorkeling, access to wildlife as well would be ideal. Luxury accommodations may be doable, given that it%26#39;s for our honeymoon, but it does depend on how much airfare and other activities will be.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!!!

Honeymoon Advice

HI,

Viet nam is great place for your honeymoon, you ca n visit Nha Trang city, it is wonderfull. I experienced at Angella hotel last year.

Happy your wedding

Honeymoon Advice

In Vietnam; For a incredible relaxing and peaceful honeymoon it doesnt get any better than a private boat tour of Hang Long Bay: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ha_Long_Bay

Next for the other adventures then Phu Quoc Island, a truly unique and special place.

www.phuquoc.info/

Sharing of tour guide 1st May - 2nd May

Like to see if anyone is interested to share tour guide from the 1st May - 2nd May 2009. PM me!