Vung Tau is a lot more commercialized compared to the Con Dao Islands and there's a lot more to do in the mainland town. This is partly because this area was used as a rest & recreation destination for American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Later on when Vung Tau became the centre of the oil business in the country, many Russians came to work in the oil fields and started a large resident compound here. Many of them socialised downtown and revitalised the place. If your idea of a good night out is a game of pool and chatting with girls who work as hostesses in some of the more ‘colourful’ cafes and bars, Vung Tau is the place to be. Con Dao is beautiful and very quiet at night. Nightlife activity here is still very limited. It can be quite simple – eating out at one of the local restaurants, followed by drinking Vietnamese coffee or tea or beer probably at the same venue. 

Shopping in Hanoi is most famed for its traditional markets and narrow shophouses, but there are a growing number of flash boutiques and shopping malls offering a wide range of international brands, as well as dining and entertainment options. The best thing about shopping in Hanoi is that you can do it all on foot, with many streets dedicated to specific trades. This is particularly true in the Old Quarter, where Silk Street and Silver Street still retain their particular trades after hundreds of years. Whether you are looking for gimmicky souvenirs such as Vietnamese farming hats or a hand-made silk evening gown, we have compiled a list of great places to shop in Hanoi.