Vietnam

My fancy has been taken by the thought of a photo trip to Vietnam...

I would love to visit / dive Halong Bay.

Has anyone been to Vietnam?

When is the best time to go, and is the diving any good?

The top side interests me as much as the diving opportunity, but my visit would primarily be a dive / water based vacation. I am planning to travel later this year (instead of DEMA - just cant stand Las Vegas... my other half, a non-diver is letting me go solo, if anyone else is interested in coming along the more the merrier!).

Any help very much appreciated!

We did the standard overnight junk trip on Halong Bay and it was great. The food on those boats is amazing, and they make it a fun trip with kayaking, swimming and a visit to caverns on some of the islets around the bay.

I dove further down the coast, at Hoi An (with the Hoi An Beach Resort), and it was okay... nothing to write home about. Overfishing, you know.

The weather was cool to warm -- and a bit humid -- a little dryer and warmer down around Hoi An. This was in March.

I spent three weeks in Vietnam a few years ago shooting a project but didnt' make it up to Halong Bay or do any diving. I was too busy working. But it's an incredible place to photograph topside and a great place to visit for the hardy. I stayed three days in Hoi An and loved it there. I found the Vietnamese people to be extremely warm and kind. I was there in late June/early July and it was hot, hot hot and humid. I don't think I ever stopped sweating.

Next time I go it will be to the north. We spent our time working mostly in Quang Ngai and Quang Nom provinces. I did enjoy the nightlife in Saigon/HCMC very much. The worst part was getting there and getting back. It's a long trip but worth it IMO.

BTW, here is a link to the project I was working on. It was the story of a lifetime.