Robert Reid: Hi there. This is Robert Reid talking from chilly Brooklyn, NY—way too far from Vietnam! It looks like there are a lot of questions, and I'll try to answer as many as I can! OK, let's get started!

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Lincolnshire, Ill.: What is the best way, in your opinion, to get from Hanoi to HCM City or vice-versa? How much time does that option take and how much does it cost?

Robert Reid: Are you planning on stopping off on places on the way? Such as Nha Trang, Hoi An and Hue? Many people like the "open bus," which is $25 for the full trip between Hanoi and Saigon. It allows free stop-offs, but would take something like 40-45 hours if done straight. I usually do some shorter leg flights, such as Hanoi-Hue ($57 one way) or Hanoi-Danang, near Hoi An ($57 one way), Hanoi-Saigon ($105, or $65 on Pacific Airlines).

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Ann Arbor, Mich.: Is Vietnam an appropriate destination for families with young (age 5-6) children? If so, what locations/activities would be of interest?

Robert Reid: I've met a lot of people traveling with kids across Vietnam and having a great time. People love kids there, so they'll get some adoration. There's lots of interesting things to see: Hanoi has a water-puppet show, Saigon has a water park.

The most walking-friendly place is Hoi An, where you'll feel comfortable walking around the center. Otherwise I'd imagine kids will enjoy a cyclo ride (one adult/one kid can fit on one). A ride around Hanoi's "36 Streets" area is fun, and a bit safer than walking (lots of foot/pedal/motorbike traffic). You can see gibbons and monkeys close up at Cuc Phuong National Park (south of Hanoi). Bigger resorts have kid-oriented activities. Nha Trang's Sofitel Vinpearl Resort is a bit cheesy to my tastes, but it's an island resort you can get to on cable cars, there's an amusement park (near hotel), a HUGE kid's pool and a private beach.

Congrats on the win over Ohio State the other day by the way!

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San Francisco, Calif.: Do you have any suggestions for books to read about Vietnam that AREN'T about the Vietnam war?

Robert Reid: Many of the Vietnam travel lit guides came out after Vietnam 'opened' in the mid 1990s, a whole flurry of them. I think something fresh and new of traveling thru the booming 'little tiger' south of China's 'big tiger' is waayy overdue.