andrea73
newbie
Posts: 4

#1 Posted: 10/5/2008 - 03:25


Hi There --

We leave on May 19th for a six-week trip to Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Our (rough) itinerary will have us in Bangkok for a few days, Chiang Mai for a week, LP for a week, Hanoi for a week, few days in Ha Long Bay and Hue/Hoi Ann for a week. We fly out of Saigon on July 2.

My question has to do with beaches, generally, and Phu Quoc specifically. Because we are missing the Thailand beaches (on our first trip to Thailand, too!), we'd like to experience a bit of Vietnam's sun and surf before we return to the US - but which beach??

1) Should we save some time and take a flight from HCMC to Phu Quoc for a few days before we fly home, or can/will we get enough out of the beaches near/around Hoi An?

2) As an alternative to Phu Quoc, I'm also considering beaches near Nha Trang - specifically Doc Let Beach, for peace and quiet - and taking the Vietnam Air flight from Danang to Nha Trang to save some time; from Nha Trang area, we'd head down to HCMC for a day or two prior to our flight home.

What are your thoughts?? I'd love to hear suggestions from those who know best :-)

(As an aside, THANK YOU for this site!! I've planned nearly my entire trip based on information gleaned fro Travelfish!)

somtam2000
admin
mahout
Posts: 2418
Located in:
Indonesia

#2 Posted: 11/5/2008 - 08:25


I think it's a case of apples and oranges. The beaches near Hoi An simply don't compare to Phu Quoc.

Likewise, Doc Let/Jungle Beach area is nice -- certainly better than the beach area by Hoi An, but I don't think they're in the same league as Phu Quoc.

That said, May starts to get a little wet in the far south, so you may not have brilliant sunshine day in day out.

CatBa
adventurer
Posts: 348

#3 Posted: 11/5/2008 - 10:23


When in HOI AN, where the beach area is known as CUA DAI BEACH exercise EXTREME CAUTION NEAR THE CENTRE OF THE BEACH.

There are WHIRLPOOLS that, unfortunately, regularly causing DROWNING and EXTREME RISKS but only at CERTAIN TIDE STATES.

ALL THE HOTELS try to minimise the danger, for commercial reasons, particularly the Golden Sands, BUT I HAVE WITNESSED DROWNINGS.

Even the Vietnamese have posted a sign board, in English, to warn visitors.

The safer end of the beach is towards the Palms Resort starting from the last few restaurants to the Da Nang side of the road intersection.

ALSO beware of the PARKING SCAM near the post office where a guy in khaki clothing with a short stick tries to get you to park in a friends parking lot.

Just yell VICTORIA at him and carry on cycling!