Vietnam Travel for Expats in China – Part 1, The North

One of the benefits to being an expat in Asia is being close to many stunning countries that are a must to visit. CHI gives the lowdown on traveling in Vietnam, and offers advice on where are the best places to go.

Living in China? Already done the normal vacation to Phuket, Bali, or Cebu during one of China's many national holidays? Ready for a trip that’s a little less cliché? Pack a bag and head to Vietnam for a week or two. Round trip flights from China's major cities to Hanoi or Ho Chi Min are usually cheaper than those to most other desirable destinations in Asia, and Vietnam offers the opportunity for several different activities on one single itinerary.

Given Vietnam's recent history, many westerns haven't put it on their bucket list of places to see before they die. This is actually a good thing for the savvy China expat, since it means that the country is not absolutely overrun with tourists, and in a way this lack of visitors has helped Vietnam maintain some of its charm. On top of this, Vietnam has ancient ruins, war memorials, five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, abundant wildlife, long sandy beaches, and natural geographic features found no where else on Earth. Plus, there is endless street shopping for souvenirs, coffee sipping, cold beer, photography, and people watching in cities that are more than a thousand years old. And it’s hard to find a bad meal, because the food in Vietnam is outstanding.

To be sure, Vietnam is still a poor country. But capitalism now reigns supreme and as a result, traveling to even the most far flung corners of Vietnam is relatively easy.

Hit hard by the global economic downturn, Vietnam is struggling to reinvent itself as a place to see rather than just have goods manufactured cheaply. What this means is that hotels are popping up all around the country, and soon prices will increase considerably. Ahead of the coming tourist boom, though, rooms in international five star hotels are still much cheaper than in almost any other country, making them a guilt-free indulgence. So get to Vietnam soon, while it still remains fairly uncrowded, very affordable, and rather innocent-feeling overall.

Best of all, the Vietnamese are probably the most smiling nation of people on the planet. This alone should lift any traveler's spirits.

Where To Go

Starting in Hanoi, the foodie capitol of Vietnam, the Old Quarter should not be missed and it is a perfect place to spend a night or two to acclimate and get a lay of the land. It is crowded and cramped, a bit dingy, and delightfully quaint. And somehow, Hanoi manages to be absolutely chaotic and yet very peaceful at the same time. Take a camera and some small bills; no one can resist buying a few kitschy souvenirs or snapping shots of the city’s delightful neighborhood.

A fun, half-day leisurely walk to take in the “newer” Hanoi is easy: go from the Old Quarter toward the Botanical Gardens (really just a large park) at the end of Dien Bien Phu Street. Along the way is the Hanoi Flag Tower and the Vietnam Military History Museum which houses lots of old military hardware outside that can be seen and touched for free (though the indoor museum will be a bit of a bore to anyone who is not a war buff). Across the street is Lenin Park, in honor of Vladimir Lenin and Vietnam's reunification under communism. It is quite pretty, with towering palms and wide grassy areas. This also marks the start of the Embassy District, with plenty of small restaurants and bars to cool off in while admiring the French Colonial architecture now housing many of the embassy and government buildings.

After a couple of days in Hanoi it's time to get out of town. Head to the breathtaking Ha Long Bay for a one-day or overnight boat trip into the towering limestone spires that jut defiantly from the sea. Trips and excursions are available for any budget, and transportation for the four hour overland trip can be made by motor coach or private taxi. One day in the bay is enough, but nearby there is also little known Tam Coc, which rivals China's Guilin for its beauty and has far fewer tourists. Going early in the morning will usually allow for hiking and exploring without another westerner in sight.

Back in Hanoi, an epic (yet easy) train ride can be made by booking a comfortable and affordable overnight sleeper cabin down to the ancient capitol of Hue or nearby Da Nang. Just be sure to wake up about three hours before the train is due to arrive, because the view from the train is amazing (as is the Vietnamese drip coffee). This area is home to some of Vietnam's best beaches, swankiest resorts (there are cheaper accommodations too), and most chilled-out coastal villages.

The main activity on the central coast is napping, so join in on the festivities. Just be sure to wake up early at least one morning to watch the sunrise over the ocean and be amazed at how the beaches fill up for about half an hour at six a.m., with whole families of locals enjoying an early morning swim before heading to work and school. Other daytime activities include snorkeling, scuba diving and of course, strolling on the long sandy beaches. This area is also known for its Western-style nightlife, with lots of bars and restaurants. And definitely don't miss the seafood; usually so fresh that it's still flopping when it's ordered.

For those who get bored relaxing on the beach, a nice day trip is to take a tour to My Son Sanctuaries near Hoi An. These ancient Hindu temples date back to the fifth century and feel a bit like Angkor Wat, but are again much less crowded and somewhat better preserved.

At this point, travelers can decide to keep heading south, or return to Hanoi for a flight back to China or elsewhere. Check back soon for the next installment: Vietnam, Part 2 - The South.

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