Advantages: Outstanding service and fantastic food
Disadvantages: Absolutely none

...I noticed that this airline hasn't yet been reviewed and thought if I was the only Ciao-person who has flown it, I had a duty to write about this fantastic little airline. I flew with them about 18 months ago so please forgive a little rustiness on the detail - I also don't know what it cost for reasons that will be apparent below. I wasn't supposed to be on a Vietnam Airline flight - it was just a lucky mistake. I was on a business trip to Vietnam with two colleagues and we were booked BA from Heathrow to Bangkok with a Thai airlines connection to Ho Chi Minh City. However, sometimes things go wrong in order for something else to go right - and Vietnam Airlines was a happy experience. As an aside, it's worth knowing you CAN'T fly UK to Vietnam direct - normal options are Malaysian Airlines or Air France - I'd recommend Malaysian... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: coolness wheather
Disadvantages: showers

...In the high plateaux of the center of Vietnam one can find Dalat , city of Lam Dong province. Vietnam counts 54 ethnic groups, number of these minorities populates this region. The western part of these high plateaux edges the borders of Cambodia and Laos, the sea of china delimiting the oriental part. exception of the province of Dalat the surrounding zones remained forbidden of access to the strangers until 1992, because one says the rehabilitation camps was for most situated in this region. The city: Dalat city of the high plateaux, altitude 1475m occupies a moderate region and account many lakes and falls . Its climate between 15 and 25 degrees is that it is one of the most pleasant place of Vietnam . "City of the eternal spring" Well-known for its flowers, notably of the roses and its orchards... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Beautifull landscape
Disadvantages: moisty

...About 380 kilometers in the northwest of Hanoi, you can find a small beautifull and picturesque city located in a pretty valley edged of the mountains of Hoang Tie Sound close to the Chinese border . The place has been discovered by Jesuit missionaries in 1918, Built by the French during the colonial era in Vietnam, there is one century, the city was a shelter during the hot season for the soldiers. Situated here to 1650m altitude the town is surrounded of mountains wich the highest Fansipan culminates to 3143 m. Nicknamed "Alpes Tonkinoises“,the area is covered often of mists and clouds giving a particular unreal atmosphere at this place. During the colonial time a lot of house where built and a church. After the withdrawal of the French, most of these constructions have either been abandoned destroyed... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Quaint, cheap tailors, fabulous food
Disadvantages: none

...for tourists wanting hot weather but European food etc. Because it is cheap it has become a well established place on the backpacker trail, a bit like Thailand twenty years ago. In fact twenty years ago other Asian countries were like this and my hope is that Vietnam does not change and become another Hong Kong, Malaysia or Thailand - lovely though those places are they have changed a lot in the last twenty years and not all for the better. Getting there: By plane:The nearest airport is in Danang, which has flights to Hanoi, Saigon and some to Bangkok, Singapore and Siem Reap, Cambodia (for Angkor Wat). A taxi from the airport to Hoi An costs about £7 as they have a monopoly but it is far less for the return journey . By train:There is no railway station in Hoi An and the nearest is in Danang, which has several trains a day from Hanoi, Saigon... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Excellent multiplayer mode
Disadvantages: No mission mode

...The Battlefield series has certainly been a pioneer in this field, and anyone who's a fan of it, especially the newer Modern Combat game, should definitely check this game out, even if it's just out of curiousity and appreciation for the franchise. Although not everyone's cup of tea, Vietnam war-based shooters are arguably an under-developed market, especically in comparison with World War II shooters. In my opinion, having played on numerous 'Nam based games, this is the best. Combining realistic weapons and vehicules with diverse landscape and areas, this game never really grows old. The online multi-player is great fun for players of all abilities, although lag and slow servers can be a problem from time to time. The range of weaponry is fairly impressive, I was particularly pleased with the detail given to the Vietcong... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful