I have been to Dong Hoi. One of my shipmates was killed there. I do not have fond memories of the place

Interesting… can’t say that anything like that happened to us while we were there, or that we heard any stories of similar incidents.

Actually, one can see the oily waters of the harbour and the trash-strewn sands of the beach easily. Apparently, the photo was taken on a day when the beach was rubbish-free. The South of Vietnam’s people and scenery and food are much, much better! In Dong Hoi, one pays 300,000 VND for a tiny imitation pizza, 100,000 VND for a “hamburger” that’s made of rancid mystery-meat, and 40,000 VND for “skunked” Bia Hanoi at the only so-called Western Cafe located across the street from the Communist Party-connected 5-star hotel (should be 3-star). Really, the city is something of a town, and is good only for 2 nights of rest.

I was there in that year as well, Roch, and can recall the Dutch guy telling me that there were quite a few Europeans and other Westerners who had Acid thrown on their faces, big Bia Hanoi bottles smashed over their skulls by randomly-passing males, and their phones and other valuables stolen from them at gunpoint. I stayed in perhaps the most famous family-operated mansion-hotel located directly across the street from the beach. The owner of Assemlink was good friends with the snake who owned the place, who was a local representative for the Communist Party at United Nations human rights conventions. Overall, the city of Dong Hoi was creepy and a rip off.

So happy to hear that! Vietnam is really an amazing place, especially once you leave the main tourist hubs. Hope you enjoy your trip!