We finally decided to include Vietnam in our trip - and never regretted it. In contrast, we found some of the nicest people in Southeast Asia. And the buzzling street life of Hanoi, the bizarre limestone islets of Halong Bay and cruising 
the narrow channels of 
the Mekong Delta are 
memories we will never
forget.

Should we or shouldn't we? Travel handbooks still write that tourists being charged ridiculous fines or bribes by policemen and local authorities, travel restrictions and overpriced facilities are common practice in Vietnam. "Even sightseers with minimal expectations of comfort and convenience will find Vietnam a challenging destination" writes Moon Travel Books. And wouldn`t the locals resent the fact that so many Westerners arrive in Vietnam 25 years after the dreadful war?