A few members have asked me privately if they can travel from Nanning to Vietnam.  I would rather answer using this site so all can benefit from the information shared.

Yes, Nanning is a gateway to visit Vietnam.  Nanning is about 150 kms from the Vietnam border (and DeTian Falls), and does have a Vietnanmese Consulate where you can get a 30 days visa for about $ 43 US dollars and takes about 3 or 4 days.

There are basically three main ways to go there other than driving yourself, and they are bus, train and airplane:

1) Bus
Take the international bus from Nanning to Hanoi from Langdong Bus Station at 7:30, 8:00, 8:50, 9:50 or 13:40. The bus also departs from the Nanning International Tourist Centre at 7:30, 8:00, 8:20, 8:40 and 9:40. The bus ride is only about 6 hours and costs 148 RMB.  Warning, if going to Hanoi, bus terminal is located outside the city, requiring a long taxi ride to reach downtown, be sure to negotiate price, frequent scalping point.

Langdong Bus Station
Add: 186 Minzu Avenue, Qingxiu District, Nanning
地址：南宁市青秀区民族大道186号
Tel: 077 1550 8333
Getting there: Take bus 6,25,39,42,45,52,76,206,213 to Langdong Station

Nanning International Tourism Centre
Add: 10 Youai South Road, Nanning (Youai Zhonghua Road intersection)
地址：南宁市友爱南路10号(友爱中华路口)
Tel: 077 1210 2445
Getting there: Take bus 5 district, 6, 8, 19,32, 41, 43, 52, 59, 66, 69, 202, 203, 212, 605, 801 bus to Youai Zhonghua junction.

2) Train
Take the overnight train (T8701) from Nanning Railway Station to Hanoi Jialin Railway Station. The train leaves at 18:45 and arrives at 5:45. Hard sleeper tickets are priced at 160 Yuan while soft sleeper are 248 Yuan. The train from Hanoi Jialin Railway Station departs at 22:40 and arrives in Nanning the next day at 10:15 (all according to Beijing time).

Nanning Railway Station
Add: 28 Zhonghua Road, Nanning
地址：南宁市中华路28号
Tel: 0771 9510 5105
Getting there: Take bus 5 district, 6, 8, 19, 32, 41, 43, 52, 59, 66, 69, 202, 203, 212, 605, 801to Youai Road, Zhonghua Road intersection.

3) Airplane
Flights from Nanning to Hanoi run every day. The fastest flight is run by China Southern Airlines. The flight takes off at 17:55 and arrives in Hanoi at 23:15 with a fare of approximately 1440 Yuan. To book call 95539 or go online to http://www.csair.com/en/index.shtml.

Nanning Wuxu International Airport
Add: Wuwei Town, 32 km southwest of Nanning
地址：南宁市西南32公里的吴圩镇
Tel：0771 2095 114
Getting there: Airport Line 1: from Chaoyang Civil Aviation Ticket Office (next to the train station) to Airport, daily 5:30-19:00 (depending on flights scheduled) 15 Rmb each way ;  Airport Line 2: Nanning City Terminal (Jinhu North Square) to Airport, price 20 RMB or take bus 301 from Chaoyang Square – Airport, 6:00-19:00 (runs every 30 minutes), price 3 RMB

These three options from Nanning to Vietnam are all relatively cheap, fast and easy for an international vacation. Take advantage of all Vietnam has to offer, it's only a short trip away!.  The above information is a courtesy of eChinacities

Vietnam is as safe as China for foreign tourists, basic things to look out for are pickpockets, purse grabbers in motorbikes, and scalping foreigners.

It would be nice if others add below places of interest to visit, and hotels or restaurants worth patronizing.