I didn't mind the mild ripoff. About the size of New Mexico, the country is long and narrow with a 2,200-km coastline. There are no direct flights from Canada. Vietnam is one of the world's great travel bargains. There are also several deluxe international hotels in Saigon and Hanoi with prices to match.
Vietnamese cuisine is both delicious and inexpensive.
In busy tourist areas, beware of drive-by thieves, pickpockets and beggars carrying children. The latter have gone to such barbaric extremes as to cut off the hands of children to make them look like war victims, though they were obviously born long after the war ended. 1233-20th St. NW, Suite 501, Washington, DC 20036. We welcome your feedback. All rights reserved.