Vietnam forum

I've just arrived in Con Dao and found the situation somewhat different from info I'd read. Given how little information is available I thought I should report on the situation I find here.

The cheap hotel is full, and seemed very noisy anyway. I tried to book before I came but as they speak no English and my Vietnamese is not much better, we failed to get anywhere. The resorts are all pretty expensive for the budget traveller, and far more expensive than I've seen reported anywhere.

Saigon resort has a new building, which is very glamorous but not to my taste. I was offered the old building- quite interesting with a nice garden- for $40 (actually $46 when you add the taxes)but told it was "not secure". They were right; anyone could climb in the window and there appear to be no other guests or staff in that area. The new building was upward of $55 plus 15% tax.

At the Con Dao resort I was offered a mountain view room for $40, or a beack view room for $50. Well appointed hotel, with a swimming pool but a bit shabby and seems to lack shade. Then I found the Con Dao Sea Travel resort, next door, which has well appointed wooden cabins in a garden. I got a huge room for $40 and it seems pretty good, though it would be a problem if the neighbours are noisy. There is so much furniture you could live here.

The restaurants all seem pretty pricey but the food here is not bad so far. I found very little on offer in town but it may have been available earlier. Every town I've been thus far I've been able to get at least soup and usually a lot of other things; still hopeful. The town has a few little shops for water and milk etc, but not much and the market was not a very abundant affair.

The only transport I have found are the resort shuttles that come in from the airport. No one asked me "where you go?"; I've seen nothing looking like a taxi or a xe om.

The island seems very quiet and pretty and the clean air is a relief after the terrible pollution and traffic of Saigon.(I've been there many times but was shocked at how bad it has become.)

The travel market here appears to be Vietnamese; I've seen very few Westerners and we don't seem to be catered for.

The beach looks clean and the water is clear and warm.

So far so good.