Don't know about Nha Trang, we just stayed in Hoi An for our beach section after being advised here that it was more beautiful and safer.
In Hoi An the 4&5 star hotels are generally resorts outside the town so it's hard to just call into hotels to book a room. As for travel agents within Vietnam, I would worry about authenticity, there have been many posts about fake Sinh Cafes, it's difficult to recognise genuine.
I would stick to the recognised travel sites and hotels own sites and book before you go. Better safe than sorry
It is better to reserve your resort or hotel rooms with a travel company before you leave. Book through your local vietnamese/china town district travel company's. They use travel company's in vietnam that do all of the bookings. Pay with credit card to insure your trip ect. The room rates will be much cheaper this way then booking on line or going in person while in vietnam. They seem to get much more favorable rates.
Hi
We just came back from 4 weeks in VN and found it easy to e-mail ahead (whilst in VN) to the hotels of your choice, good to have a couple of options for comparison, or get the hotel you are staying in to do it as they ususally have affilitiated hotels - OZtraveller..
hi!
yes, better you book your stay in advance and infact booking through a travel agent, it is cheaper than booking by you yourself.
We have just returned and can safely say that (martin) tonkin travel (vietnam based) offer the best rates we researched - they book and you pay on arrival, ...however if you are in a hurry and email the Golden Sands directly if you choose to stay there whilst in Hoi An...and highly reccemended
Happy Travels
Hi beechmi,
Just a few comments on Nha Trang---My many friends in vietnam argue amongst themselvesas to which beach is best in Vietnam---there are many.
Nha Trang is pretty famous with Vietnamese---Tran Thu Blvd, which runs about 3 kilometres along beach front is very french and very pleasant ---The best 5 star resort is the Ana Madara on Tran Thu although a number of others have emerged of recent times.
The beach is not wide but clean and palm trees feature along its length.
Nha Trang beach is good but does not rate My Khe in Danang ( 5 Star there is Furama)
The resort in Nha Trang is a stones throw from San Bay Airport.
Nha Trang is predominantly a fishing city --many boats --all painted blue ( good fortune!) and a tourist centre .
The rotunda markets are worth a walk-
to the northern end of Tran Phu and inland 700 metres.
The sailing club is a pleasant place to finish any outings.
A few islands off the coast attract a few divers etc---A good place for a rest!
The previous Posters have answered other questions.
plover
Beechmi,
Can I use your forum to make a few comments that relate to your questions.
I am australian and an old Vietnam traveller.
There are any number of good travel agents in VN (and the odd bad one) --they will look after you well.
The technique I have developed for myself ( trip 12 coming up in 2 months) is I have never used travel agent in Vietnam due to 3 things.
. 8 years ago there were not many!
. I am there 6-10 weeks and do not have a fixed schedule --changing continuously!
. I never like to prepay anything until service is rendered!
If you have a set plan ( inflexible due to airline deal or whatever) stay with advice of earlier posters on this site.
If you are a roaming traveller, this is the go--
. Investigate all accommadation sites in VN on web and get hotel numbers.
. I use "Skypout" ( VOIP) on my computer in Australia to call all hotels and talk to them direct --very cheap.
. I back this up with a series of emails giving approximate dates only of ETA.
Once I am in Vietnam and moving I am continuosly keeping hotels informed by"skypout" or mobile phone. ( I have previously agreed all rates ,terms, conditions verbally and by email from OZ--copies I have with me).
. When I am ultimately 1-2 days out from arrival , I despatch final advice.
Some hotels willingly pickup for no cost, others you pay.
. Upon arrival I inspect the room offered and if there has been a misunderstanding I renegotiate OR I walk out!--95% of time everything is OK---no cost outlay, no credit card numbers floating around, no obligations or committments--pay upon departure --everybody happy!!If anybody ever says you need an agent to negotiate top rate or you will not find hotel to stay in thats a fib--you can find hotel of any standard anywhere in VN.
I have been watching hotel rates offered by agents for years on internet and can match or better anything I have seen on web with this technique.
The BIG VANTAGE is this!---this is my 12th trip coming up and have established long ago, strong bonds with a number of hotels who give me very, very good deals.
I know few people would wish to travel this way but it allows me to be my own man --obligation free---many of hotel staff are good friends ( introduce me to interesting people, invited to homes and I have reciprocated by taking staff and families to dinner etc).
I am not in anyway attempting to undermine top service offered by agents!!---this is just the free and easy wanderer technique.
plover
The life resort in hoi is an amazing hotel, i went there in sept 05 and it was fabulous, one of the best in the area, set within a gorgeous setting with affinity pool, massage etc. It overlooks the river and is two minute stroll into hustle and bustle of hoi an, which has some good restaurants - Cargo is good. Nha trang hotels can be booked whilst your there, there are so many! There was a nice one being built which appeared to be (or will be ) the best one in nha trang. The sailing club bar and restaurant on the beach served great food and was lots of fun at night! Enjoy your trip!
Also for your info, there is new airport in nha trang and is no longer 'a stones throw away', it is more a 25min drive by taxi (loads at airport to greet very cheap journey) So don't get worried if you think the journey is taking a while to the resort.
Pyjama,
Thanks for advice regarding airport --Have not been to Nha Trang for 2 years--to keep pace with VN deveoplment is always a hassle!Apologies to beechmi!
plover