Vietnam – Great experiences?

Vietnam – Great experiences? Recommendations? Eateries? We're flying into HCM and out of Hanoi. Making our way from south to north. Any suggestions welcome.

Nha Trang and Vinh Peal Island are great spots in the middle of Vietnam, served by Cam Rah airport. It is a holiday spot but very beautiful with the island hosting a water park and was once a host to the Miss World pageant. HCM is a beautiful city, the Chu Chi tunnels outside of the city are a interesting experience, would recommend it, they even take you through a portion of it and you can do some shooting of old style weapons for cheap price. The night life is crazy and vibrant, if you have a family well..... Hope this might help!

My friends where in Vietnam few years ago and really like it. Personally I fail to see why I have to fly 10 hours somewhere to see something when I have not seen even half Australia.

I would, and occasionally do, fly 10 hours just for the incredible variety and quality of street (& off-street) food available in Vietnam. Particularly in HCMC, Hoi An and Hanoi. Seafood in particular is excellent, and very rarely dead for longer than 5 minutes before it reaches your table - even at the simplest eateries. The unique Vietnamesse means of preparing coffee is another delicious highlight...

I drive to Kimberly for 10 days in my 4WD rather than squeeze myself for 10 hours in budget airline's seat. And for price of 2 biz for 10 hours flight I can see half Australia. Seriously, people paying thousands of dollars to fly here and for them Australia is incredibly exotic place. We (BTW me definitely not) living here and do not really care. Shame. NZ is another wonderful destination for 3 or so hours flight (except Perth of course). Not rubbishing Vietnam, just saying that majority go everywhere and never see what is on backyard.

Do my Vietnamese neighbours count? 

I wouldn't bother with any of it apart from Nha Trang. The people are rude, cities are overcrowded, polluted and dirty.

It's a very overlooked destination for many of us.Have been twice and loved it.The people the sightseeing and the food are amazing.You have to see it for yourself.I am thankful to my high school teacher this time twenty years ago for teaching me in her history class about Vietnam.She would be very pleased to know I took what I studied in her class and saw it in person.

Hi qfflyer,

instead of randomly talking about the Kimberleys and 4WDs, I thought I'd try and answer the question.

HCMC. Excellent restaurants, with lots of variety. Some personal faves.... Le Jardin (French Bistro), Cuc Gach Quan (Country style vietnamese), The Deck (modern)... U can actually arrange the restaurants private speedboat to get you from the city. It's fabulous! When you're not eating in HCMC, just take your time, wander and stop and have coffee. There's not lots of 'must do' touristy things in the city.... Which can be appealing. 

In Hcmc the best views are from 'Chill Bar' in the AB building in Le Lai street. Anywhere else is not as good

Nha Trang is all about the Sailing club. Great place to be day and night cafe/restaurant/nightclub.

Great restaurant also include Alex's Chopsticks, Le Petit Bistro and Louisiane Brewery. All really sweet places.

take the train on one of the legs in the country just for the experience. It's not fancy by any means... But you won't forget it!!

hope these help :)