What to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Sunday, 13 May 2012 15:01 Last Updated on Sunday, 13 May 2012 16:02 Written by David Cronk

The final leg of the Reunification Railway and the terminus is Ho Chi Minh City. The journey started in spectacularly dodgy style. I get to Nha Trang railway station nice and early and I go over to the desk and the woman on the desk checks my ticket and says for me to wait in the seats until the train comes - usual story.

I have a chat to the guy next to me who is Vietnamese lives in Philadephia, I guess this is something that would happen a lot, I know where I live there is a large population of Vietnamese now in the second generation. Anyway a fair bit before the train is due the woman from the desk says I should go out on the platform - no one else does though she gets me a chair to sit on and the realisation dawns on me she doesn't work for the railway.

Great Value Hotels

With over 900 hotels worldwide, Ibis provides a great place to stay at reasonable prices. If you're looking for hotels in Cardiff, try an Ibis in Cardiff for great value accommodation.
For Professionals

Looking for a hotel in Manchester for business use? Ibis can offer express reservation at your favourite hotels, SMS reservation confirmation and exclusive services for frequent guests.
Your Room

You shouldn't have to lose out on a great night's sleep looking for cheap hotels in Birmingham. Ibis rooms are modern, comfortable and offer the important extras such as internet and climate control.
City Locations

Situated in cities and towns throughout the UK, Ibis hotels are great for when you need an overnight stop somewhere. Our hotels in Sheffield mean you can stay longer and not break the bank.
Amenities

Looking at hotels in Reading? Be assured you will receive the same same amenities at all Ibis Hotels. With modern rooms and quality service, enjoy your stay where ever you go.

What to do in Nha Trang

Friday, 20 April 2012 22:13 Last Updated on Friday, 20 April 2012 23:04 Written by David Cronk

The train trip south to Nha Trang was another overnight sleeper trip. This time it was our first encounter with Vietnam Rail First Class Sleeper Air-Con. It was pretty bad. Despite labour being so cheap in Vietnam they appear to not want to worry about leaving dirty sheets on beds and as one person leaves another arrives in the compartment to use the same facilities.

We had 2 middle-aged women who were stowaways in the compartment - 2 of them sleeping in one bed. At first i thought she was the conductor because she wanted to see our tickets. See, steal who knows. After a little while one of the conductors worked out what was going on and once she had paid her bribe everything was OK for her trip down south.

What to do in Hoi An

Wednesday, 11 April 2012 21:23 Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 23:12 Written by David Cronk

The trip to Hoi An (or actually Danang becasue the train doesn't go to Hoi An) is the highlight of the train trip - the Reunification Express. It passes through an area where the mountains meet the sea. White crescent shaped beaches dot the coastline and the train cruises above the beach.

Well that's what its supposed to be like. However we had rain, a lot of rain and wind, so the brown murky sea crashed onto the brownish sand in huge breakers. In areas the sea smashed against the huge boulders throwing water into the air.

As for the train I was in coach seats 1st class and the train was awful. The drink tray in front of my seat was busted so was in the down position most of the way. A local guy tried jamming a plastic cup in it to try and keep it up but that only lasted for half an hour or so.

The trip was only a couple hours so the pain was only temporary. I arrived in Danang train station and quickly found a taxi that I shared with a couple from Belgium I had met in the train station in Hue. The fare was 500,000 dong to my hotel in Hoi An however the taxi driver was pretty keen to take us to the Marble Mountain for some sightseeing where, I'm sure his metre was have stayed in the "on" position.

Hoi An though was a delight. French colonial building dominate the old town and there is a fantastic ambience to the place. This is maybe due to the lack of motorbikes and cars cruising around beeping their horns. The quiet without that was great.

Frecnch Colonial houses Hoi An