Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh?

Daithio

Hi. I'm in Bangkok at the moment and I have ten days to kill before moving on from here. I'm not really crazy on the city and can get cheap flights to Vietnam, somewhere I've always wanted to go, but it will only be for maybe 7-8 days. So I'm thinking of either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, but know very little about either. If anybody has been to both these cities it would be great to hear their opinions on them and which one they preferred. I'm quite interested in the history of the war, so that's leaning me towards Ho Chi Minh. Any opinions would be much appreciated.

Darren

If it was a choice between the 2 for me, I would go back to Saigon/Ho Chi Minh. I'm not mad on Vietnam, well actually it's the Vietnamese that I didn't really like. I've travelled all over asia and they are the least friendly people I have come across. The war stuff in Saigon is interesting, There is a war museum with a captured F5-Tiger and a Huey outside along with some tanks and self propelled guns. Inside there is some articles about the war and Agent Orange (Have I got that name right??), Some might say that this could explain why the people are so unfriendly. The Cuchi tunnels are worth a visit.

If I were in BKK and looking for somewhere to go for a few days, I would head for Srim Reap on Bangkok Airways. Angkor Wat is fab!! After a few days there I would head to Phnom Pen sor Sihnoukville, Cambodia is a far nicer country.

5starpool

You were only meant to be gone for a week Dave. Thats the life

Enjoy Vietnam, I wish I could help you but never been. I didn't like Bangkok either though, and while the 10 days I had in Ko Samui were nice, it was hardly exciting.

breadmonkey

If I was you I wouldn't bother with Hanoi or HCMC. I didn't aprticularly like either of them and if you're looking for a change from Bangkok you won't find it there. I would say either go to the islands in Thailand or fly to Hong Kong (no visa required).

killbillvol2

They're very different cities. Saigon still has a lot of the French influence in architecture and cuisine. I found the people a bit friendlier in Saigon (and in the south generally). That said, I didn't find the Vietnamese unfriendly in any part of the country like previous posters. I was travelling alone and found they went out of their way to help. If people trying to sell you things all the time gets on your nerves then steer clear. It didn't bother me tbh.

Both cities have a fair bit of military history so it's a toss up there.
The food's better in Saigon.
Saigon's a better looking city.
Hanoi's old quarter is a heaving mass of humanity - great if you like that. I found it very interesting.
From Saigon the Cu Chi tunnels make an interesting day/half-day trip. From Hanoi you should head for Halong Bay, ideally doing an overnight on a boat.
I'd recommend eating and especially drinking at the side of the street if you want to see the Vietnamese at their best. A bit like ourselves, they relax a bit with a few beers on board and enjoy the novelty of a foreigner joining them on the piss. And it's very cheap.

I certainly wouldn't put you off Vietnam. I loved it.

TheNibbler

I would definitely head to Ho Chi Minh. Great city. Was in Hanoi as well and didn't enjoy it half as much.
Highlight of HCM is the Cuchi tunnels ( and the shooting range they have there!). Also a good place to pick up some really cheap clothes if you're interested in doing some shopping.

PunyHuman

I preferred Hanoi to HCMC, but that was mainly because HCMC was so hot.

With the time you have I'd agree with a previous poster that you should go to Cambodia if you haven't been. I much preferred Cambodia to both Thailand and Vietnam.

Eurorunner

I can only give feedback on Hanoi. I felt it could have been better. The weather didnt help ( it wasnt much better than ireland). Did the circuit of museums as the war angle was very much of interest. I think your 'rip off repellent shield' needs to be at a higher state than other asian cities - I can see how they ground the yanks down!

Didnt find the people all that friendly. I was told by other travellers that the south is a different story altogether. I dont think I will be going back to Hanoi anytime soon but a future trip involving HCMC is one for the future.

I find these trips are based on individual experiences - it takes something to happen - ending up in the right place at the right time. As an example, when I took a train ride out of hanoi (halfway to sapa where there wasnt a bloody tourist to be seen), I ended up going to the market with some vietnamese locals, buying the ingredients for dinner(i paid through the nose of course - but on local standards) and an hour later they had converted it into the most amazing meal at their home. I was guest of honour and the good stuff came out (probably rice wine..im not sure). Followed by a night on the tiles vietnamese style ie. chewing sugar cane & eating snails at the side of the street.:D

Experiences like that...priceless.