Vietnam forum

I would recommend HCMC. Many people go there with the wrong expectations about what type of city it is. It is basically a mad scramble to make a living. This may be why people say there is much to so (opinion).

I like it because it is very walkable especially compared to cities such as Bangkok (can't compare to Hanoi because I haven't been there) and while traffic looks like a nightmare you can get around district 1 pretty quickly in taxis. At the very least I would check out the war remnants museum which is the best museum I have ever been to.

HCMC is my favorit city as well and indeed most people go with the wrong expectations. If you're interested in contemporary asian culture there are few places better than HCMC.

On the other side of the spectrum is Con Dao islands which is for me heaven as well with absolutely nothing to do and great scenery. Also not for everyone because when I say there's nothing to do, I really mean there's nothing to do.

Very good move to spend the entire trip in Vietnam - it's bigger than it looks, and those 3 weeks will go by in a flash. The north has more places of interest for the average traveler IMHO. #1 for me is Hanoi, #2 Sapa/NW Highlands, #3 Hoi An, #4 Dalat/Central Highlands and #5 Mai Chau.

I have also been in the south, but my experiences in the Delta and in Saigon were not especially good. The places with the most crime against tourists are Saigon and Nha Trang at present (those are also the party towns).

Everyone will have differing tastes and differing favorite places in Vietnam. I advise you to take it slow, don't crowd your itinerary with too many stops, and avoid road travel as much as possible (roads are quite dangerous in this country). Better than even the most interesting place in Vietnam are the Vietnamese people - go out and meet a few that do not work in the hotel or travel business.

I love Hoi An (known more for culture but the beaches are pretty good too, not all that different from Nha Trang's beaches except not as crowded).

Also had a good experience with Sapa; definitely the place to trek.

And I think the ruins in and around Hue are some of the best historical sites in the whole region, if you're into history.

Posted from within Vietnam.

Nobody mentioned Phong Nha! The national park and caves there are very much worth factoring in, Hoi An has won the best beach in Vietnam for me (An Bang Beach) and it even has little fisherman's houses that you can stay in 50 meters from the sand. Dalat is stunning, Nha Trang my idea of hell and Saigon I love - but only after several visits to find the best bits. I guess if beaches are important to you, you might want to tell us when you are heading this way, the weather in the north and south are completely opposite from each other, so factor that one in.
And for spending the whole 23 days in one country.. I take my hat off to you, too many holidays are spoilt by rushing around (travelling from A to B in S.E Asia takes much longer than in more developed countries). Its perfect.