Hi All,
My first visit to Vietnam just before CNY. I was travelling with relatives and friends. I didn't expect any hanky pankies given that I was sharing a room with group members.
For the interest of Hurricane88 and others who are planning to visit Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An in the future, my travel log below may help you.
HCMC
Landed in HCMC in the afternoon. The airport smells like a Vietnamese grocery shop (sweet & sour).
Had my return flight e-ticket printed just in case the immigration officer "fined" me for not having one. Before queuing up at the immigration desks, looked around to avoid chi bai face officers. Ok. Queue up on the female officer line. She asked me whether I speak Viet. I replied no. I am no Viet but my name has similarities. I think she was trying to find an excuse to "fined" me. Clear that hurdle and Custom.
Got out of Custom. There is a row of stalls on the left that sells mobile SIM cards and transport/hotel services. I went for Vinaphone and the group went for Mobifone. I went for 600Mb data for about 186k Dong. Mobifone are slightly more expensive. I'm getting HSDP+ speed most of the time. No problem with either company during our stay. I asked a Malaysian guy queuing up at Vinaphone his experience. He said he use it whenever he is in VN. He is picking his replacement SIM as he left his at home.
Already arranged hotel to pick us up so no experience in getting taxi voucher.
Boss Hotel 3 is very standard and clean. Hotel manager warned us about flashing mobile phones and cameras around (haizzz these youngsters), thieves are particularly active before New Year.
We had dinner on a boat, Tau Ben Nghe, follow by a river cruise. The boat moored just opposite the Majestic Hotel. It has a feature of a fish.
We had hot pot which is similar to steamboat. Food is good. My first 333 beer. The whole dinner worked out about $11 pp inclusing seafood, beer and river cruise.
Nha Trang
Alarm went off before day break. Jumped out of bed and waking up the others. Then realised that I adjusted my watch but not the mobile. I was an hour too early!
First time on Vietnam Airlines. Fully-serviced price that served water only. The Russian/Ukrainian pilot landing was smooth.
Cam Rahn Airport is at least 30 minutes away from Nha Trang. There are a number of resorts planned along the road to Nha Trang but they are just sand dunes and cliffs currently.
Nha Trang is what I called Russian's Bali. Majority of our hotel's guests are Russians. Hotel pool is full of beached whales and walruses. Didn't see any Russky beauties of Sharapova quality until we went to Vinpearl island the next day.
Had my fisrt Mi Hoanh Thanh (Won ton mee). Realised that some of their loan words sound Cantonese, like Xi Yau (Soy Source, not sure of spelling). Some group members had local famous fish soup noodles.
Our hotel is at the northern part of Nha Trang away from the pubs and night clubs but closer to local market (Cho Dam). If you want actions, then stay in middle part of the town near Nha Trang Centre. Like Wikitravel stated, Nha Trang is dead after 10 pm. Only hookers and drunks after hours.
Nha Trang is famous for their sea produce. If you are interested to buy cultured pearl for your love ones, the road-side stalls on Hai Ba Trung leading to Cho Dam market sells them. Pearls come in different colours, white, black, silver and pink. Haggled like crazy but we have relos that speak Viet.
Nem Nuong @ Vu Thanh An Restaurant on Le Loi. Like satay but wrapped the meat together with raw banana, salad, garlic (yes, must try the local small garlic) with rice paper. A true beer food. Biah Saigon has more hops than 333 so more bitter.
Vinpearl island. Can't afford to stay at the resort but just there for the theme park. The theme park has both wet and dry activities and an underwater world. Cable car across is longer and taller than Santosa. Cost 500k for the theme park rides, cable car and underwater world. We went during winter so the beach was closed due to rough sea. Unless you are into theme parks, you can skip Vinpearl but if you want to see dua neh neh Russian in bikinis then go. Note your mileage may very as there are probably more beached whale than beauties. Other sea activities are out of the questions as the sea is rough; SCUBA or snorkelling in soup is not my cup of tea. Relos said by March the sea is calm like a lake.
Mud Bath @ i-Resort Hot Mineral Spring. There are different packages but this one doesn't offer massage. The drill is change into swimming costume provided. Sit in a huge tub and they filled it with warm clay water. Wash body and face with muddy water. Out of water into warm shawer in the open. Back into the tub with herbal brew. Get out and move to a pool of hot spring water. Out of water again and sprayed by chilled water fountain. Finally move to a warm swimming pool. My skin was tingling after this shock treatment. After that choose a snack. I had tempura prawns.
Vietnamese BBQ @ Lac Canh Restaurant on 11 Hang Ca. Like Korean BBQ all DIY. Sotong, prawns, beef, pork, chicken... Goes down so well with Biah 333.
Hua Hung Bakery on 39 Phan Boi Chau made nice cakes.
Note: I am not affiliated with any of the venues mentions in my posts.
Next stop, Da Nang.