What's the best-kept secret in Southeast Asia? It's the beaches of Vietnam. These stunning stretches of white sand, palm trees, and surf are easily the equal of Thailand's well-hyped oceanfronts, but they're much less crowded. The adjoining resorts are much less expensive too.
Vietnamese resort towns like Nha Trang are terrific places to find a cheap Vietnam hotel deal. The industrial city of Danang also has lovely beaches and is a good place to find cheap hotel deals in Vietnam.
There are lots of Vietnam hotels in Hué, a few miles outside of Danang, but reservations will typically set you back more. Hué, on the banks of the lyrically named Perfume River, was the traditional capital of the Nguyen emperors. Unfortunately, many of the city's most beautiful temples, tombs, palaces, and pagodas were destroyed in the drawn out years of warfare. Though their ruins are still interesting. The remains of the Imperial City, for example, are open to the public and well worth wandering through for an afternoon.
Ho Chi Minh City is still called Saigon by many of its residents. The Emperor Jade Pagoda, built by the city's Chinese residents at the turn of the 20th century, offers intricately carved figures of divinities and heroes from both Buddhist and Taoist traditions. Visit the Ben Tanh Market near the Saigon River where you can buy local handicrafts and textiles and dine on local delicacies from food vendors. Pay your respects to the grim conflict that so recently tore Vietnam apart at the War Remnants Museum. Afterwards, hail a xe lam – the Vietnamese version of a tuk-tuk – and drive out to Phan Thiet beach, a white sand stretch that's popular with locals and tourists alike. You should have relatively little trouble locating hotels in Vietnam you like in Ho Chi Minh City.
If Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's economic center, Hanoi is the country's cultural heart. Hanoi's Old Quarter is a labyrinth of alleyways and courtyards flanked by a system of canals that dates back to the 13th century. In addition to the Buddhist and Taoist temples that abound there, you'll also see shrines called Communal Houses set up by ancient craft guilds in honor of their patron gods.
Tourism is an important part of the Vietnamese economy, so it's not difficult to track down Vietnam hotel deals here. It can be difficult, though, to discover Vietnam hotel packages with all the amenities you want. Expedia can help. Enter the features you want into the database, and Expedia will give you a list of the best rooms that match your criteria. Take advantage of Expedia's top prices and book reservations at special discount rates.
