What do people REALLY think about Vietnam

[boatboy]

Air Asia are running their cheap flights from Oz again ($99 one way to KL), so I jagged my lot ready for another 6 week stint next year.

This time , I think I would like to do a couple of weeks in Vietnam, with Sabah (KK) and Penang, but after reading some of the post here it seems the tout, scam, begger bit is a bit out of hand.

Is this a fair and correct observation?

What sort of scale would you put it at? As a comparison, I just got back from 5 weeks KL, Penang and areas in between and had no issue whatsoever, and 2 weeks in Phuket.


The week in Patong were a friggin nightmare with the continual spruikers and touts for anything and everything, whereas the second week out and about with a car were somewhat more enjoyable, but still rated low compared to the more laid back Malaysian experience.

Do you think Vietnam would be more "intense" than the Phuket/Patong experience or less?

As an indicator, Air Asia flies into Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi and we were wanting to see Halong Bay, some beach and some city, but dont want to have to be "On Guard" fending of touts continualy like Patong.


Your thoughts please.

[kingwilly]

more intense scams.

worth going and seeing.

[wefearourdespot]

If you thought Cambo mototaxis were annoying , try Vietnam.
If you thought Thai hookers had long hands, try Vietnam.

[blackgang]

very nice people, beautiful women, nice beaches and good food, is better if you can speak some of the language.

[terry57]

Matey, I've done a shit load of travelling, I thought I knew every scam known to man but those slippery little bastards got me 3 times in one trip.

I was dark as a blackmans arsehole at the time but Its just improved my scam radar so I salute them.

Anyway, theres some great stuff to see so you must go and have a crack but for fok sakes dont trust the little bastards or they will steal the eye out of your wrinkly cock.

Cheers matey, have a nice trip.

[kingwilly]

Matey, I've done a shit load of travelling, I thought I knew every scam known to man but those slippery little bastards got me 3 times in one trip.

just goes to show how arrogantly stoopid you are.

[boatboy]

for fok sakes dont trust the little bastards or they will steal the eye out of your wrinkly cock.

Cheers matey, have a nice trip.

Fuk me that'd be terrible

I couldn't have a piss or shoot me load.


Funny post

[boatboy]

So, still no real indication from anyone

Worse or less touty/sharky than say, Patong?

[Wayne Kerr]

Less than Patong, in fact if you get to one of the islands, say Phu Quoc in the south there are f'k all touts mate, but still some great times to be had

Been a long time since I looked at these threads but here's a few from my trips. Bobcock put some stuff up about Nha Trang, maybe Hue also if my memory serves me correct

https://teakdoor.com/vietnam-nepal-an...peditions.html (Wayne Kerr’s Phu Quoc Expeditions - Vietnam)

https://teakdoor.com/vietnam-nepal-an...g-vietnam.html (Wayne Kerr Goes Lizard Farming in Vietnam)

[kingwilly]

Worse or less touty/sharky than say, Patong?

about the same I reckon.

[Fast Eddie]

So, still no real indication from anyone

Worse or less touty/sharky than say, Patong?

I guess that may depend on where you go, Vietnam is a big place, and i would imagine you will only find the touts in the most touristy of areas, as you experienced at Patong.

My own experience, from time spent in the South of Vietnam, is that i never felt overly hassled anywhere that i went, nor was i knowingly scammed, but i gather that other people's experiences may differ.

I enjoyed my time there, and intend on spending more time there in the future.

[Bexar County Stud]

Patong is not representative of Phuket as a whole. Avoid Patong, and you won't have any problems with touts IMO.
Shame about the overdevelopment on the island though, which seems to have kicked into high gear since the tsunami.

If you want a more mellow seen, there's plenty of spots in the area. Khao Lak, Krabi, Trang...rent a car and explore.
Not to discourage travel to Vietnam, but it's not as if you have to leave Thailand in order to escape touts and touristy scenes.

[Rural Surin]

Matey, I've done a shit load of travelling, I thought I knew every scam known to man but those slippery little bastards got me 3 times in one trip.

just goes to show how arrogantly stoopid you are.

That....and brief disconnected visits, wrong place and wrong time, predisposed mindset.

[Marmite the Dog]

Been to both Saigon and Hanoi and as far as I'm aware, didn't get scammed. Most people who do seem like they're the type of people who would get scammed anywhere.

[FlyFree]

Matey, I've done a shit load of travelling, I thought I knew every scam known to man but those slippery little bastards got me 3 times in one trip.

just goes to show how arrogantly stoopid you are.

The heart of the matter indeed.

[boatboy]

Less than Patong,

Marmite the Dog
Been to both Saigon and Hanoi and as far as I'm aware, didn't get scammed.

Fast Eddie
I guess that may depend on where you go, Vietnam is a big place, and i would imagine you will only find the touts in the most touristy of areas, as you experienced at Patong.

Thanks for that, sounds like I'm in.

OK, Tickets to Saigon in and 2 maybe 3 weeks later Hanoi out, just need to fill the spots in between.

Halong Bay sounds like a tourist trap I'll have to do (shudders) Just like Patong was, just to say I've done it.
Any other spots to NOT go to?

And cant miss spots as well please

Like I said, I liked Thailand but Patong was feken torturous, so I definitely dont want that experience again.


I am looking at possibly catching a rattler from either HCM to Hue or would the scenery be better going Hue to Hanoi?
Or just stick with silver birds for travel?

Thanks in advance

I have read those other links as well Wayne, I remember the one you linked on the island with the plate of dog, but will go back for another read of both, thanks

[kingwilly]

I am looking at possibly catching a rattler from either HCM to Hue or would the scenery be better going Hue to Hanoi?

Definately catch the train to Hue, either way probably doesn't matter too much.

the train was difficult to organise when I was there (about 10 years ago) but for sure worth it mate.

[Wayne Kerr]

Whilst I think about it mate, might be worth checking out the Topgear Vietnam special, the boys ride mopeds from down south up north to Halong bay.

[terry57]

Matey, I've done a shit load of travelling, I thought I knew every scam known to man but those slippery little bastards got me 3 times in one trip.

just goes to show how arrogantly stoopid you are.

The heart of the matter indeed.

You have just hurt my foking feelings matey, jeeesuus you bastards if ya gonna have a crack make it a good FOKER pleeeassse.

Anyway, off you go and suk Willy'S slimmy slug.

[boatboy]

Whilst I think about it mate, might be worth checking out the Topgear Vietnam special, the boys ride mopeds from down south up north to Halong bay.

Thanks for that, shall do

Top Gear Vietnam Special

It's definitely a new world there, almost every website I look at has dodgy, or seemingly dodgy info on it, one price on the front page for a room, go to check prices and they seem to be double, or reading reviews it "seems" that people (owners?) are giving themselves good reviews and even having conversations with themselves via multiple accounts.

Heaps of "beware of room being searched, gear getting stolen, hotel not what we booked" stuff as well, much much much more so than what I found on Thai/Malaysian travel sites.

Might have to hide my wallet in my arse crack or ball bag by the sounds of it.

[Wayne Kerr]

If you have any hotels in mind, can get a mate to call em up and get a local price if ya want mate, no worries

[Bobcock]

I travelled there for 2 weeks last year with two small children.

great place, not an ounce of bother.

[babygirl]

I spent a month in Vietnam last year. It is a beautiful country, and I suggest taking the train down the coast. For most of the trip you'll be right along the ocean for fantastic views.

Regarding touts, I'd say that there were many hidden costs. If you book a trip, you should find out if there are any hidden costs that you will have to pay for. You may also end up waiting around a lot. Vietnamese seem to run like Thai time does.

Spend an overnight on a 'junk' in Halong bay. The traffic is nuts, so just walk out in the traffic, and hope that they swerve around you. The only way to 'do it' in Hanoi at least.