HCMC or Hanoi

It looks like I'll only have time for one (and the surrounding areas) unless I really rush it. Can anyone tell me which city they prefer, and what good/bad about each? I appreciate it.

Most definately Hanoi, as a city Hanoi is so much better than HCMC, this is busy but not an insane city. You can actually cross roads and not feel you are about to die any minute. We found people work very hard here like elsewhere and just want to earn a honest living. We stayed in Hanoi Old Town and walked to the Hoan Kiem Lake and visited the Ngoc Son Temple which is built on the lake. A huge variety of restaurants shops of every description and the usual tailoring shops. Walk round and soak up the sights and sound of this city.

HCMC is a difficult place to walk around it is so spread out and the traffic situation is insane. With a population of 10 million and motor bikes at 6 million YES 6 million you can image it is a complete nightmare trying to cross roads. There are no pedestrian bridges, the crossings are ignored, you even have to be careful walking on the pavement because bikes use them also to cut corners. To cross a road you have to slowly move into the road with traffic coming towards you and weave your way across looking both ways all the time because bikes don't think anything to going the wrong way down a road. We visited the Independance Palace, the building where the former president of South Vietnam lived. Had a tour covering 4 floors viewing the rooms used by the president and the basement bunker where the war rooms were. The Cu Chi tunnels are worth a visit.This was a tunnel system built by the Vietcom to help fight the Americans during the Vietnam war. There was a film to go with the tour which was bias. I got talking to a tour guide and asked what year the war started between North and South of Vietnam and was told there was never a war, the war was between America and the Vietnamese people, the Liberation Army from the North liberated the South.
Jean

I have been to both cities several times and Hanoi is definitely the way to go. Be sure to check out Hanoi backpacker's Hostel. It is the best place to stay.

Luck

I'd vote for Hanoi. I spent about five days in Hanoi and left after a couple in Saigon — Saigon just wasn't my kind of city. Plus, if you're travelling near Hanoi, you're just a hop and skip away from Halong Bay. Sweet.

Definitely Hanoi. It's a city but it still has its provincial charm. Much more laid back than HCMC.

If you have been to HongKong, Bangkok, London or New York you have already seen SaiGon - except for the 3.8 million motorcycles.

Ha Noi is more Vietnamese than SaiGon, where the American influence can still be felt.

Ha Noi is easily visited by the district: Old Quarter, Uncle Ho's area, Hoan Kiem, etc. and has more historical features to be seen than does SaiGon.

However, when in Ha Noi: Watch out for pickpockets; ONLY USE Mai Linh OR Ha Noi Taxi (company name) cabs as there are many, many bad taximeters in Ha Noi. Know your hotel name AND ADDRESS - many adjacent hotels have the same or similar names. Some hotels advertise under many names, too. ALWAYS ask your hotel or restaurant how much the cab fare is to your next destination (approximately).

Take the VietNam Airlines shuttle from the airport to Hoan Kiem Lake; tell NO ONE at the airport, or a taxi driver what hotel you are going to until you have crossed the Red River bridges close to downtown.

If paying a restaurant bill with a large bill (note) with VN Dong 200,000 or larger make a note of the last 4-digits before giving it to a waiter (switch trick)!

Take a look at: < http://www.frommers.com/community/forum ... rentPage=0 >.

P.S. I live in VietNam!

HCMC is much better. The following are close by, by open-tour buses:
-Cu-Chi tunnels
-Nha Trang
-Dalat city, with it's coffee plantations and beautiful ao-dai girls
-The beautiful Mekong Delta (with Cham Dynasty influences and Cambodia influences)
-Binh Quoi Buffet
-Close to the Cambodian border(s) for visiting Ankor-Wats
-The Vung Tau beach
-A lot more exciting

I didn't much care for HCMC and found it to be rather devoid of things to do. The Independence Palace was painfully boring, for one thing. The city is real spread out, though navigation is not all that difficult. But, there are so many motorbikes, the constant noise starts to test your patience after a while. Bikers seem to find it okay to drive on the sidewalk. They also drive the wrong way, and I always had to watch out when I crossed the street. It is generally, a horde of motor bikes at any given time, so I was patient, and walked slowly and STEADILY - It is a good idea to not stop!

Plus, tuk tuks hassle you like crazy in HCMC. It wasn't as bad as Ponh Penh Cambodia, and the rest of Vietnam is better, but if you want to avoid the hassle of TTs, maybe skip this city.

The food is okay, but better in other parts of Vietnam.

Hanoi has "Hanoi kids" where a college student will give you a free tour of the city. They do this to make friends and for the language exchange. Plus it helps to know a local.

I love both and spend at least 5 months a year in the country but to answer the question most defiantly HCMC

The place is a buzz and a real adrenalin rush always some thing happening from the people drinking cafe da (a black coffee with ice) to the excitement of the motorcycles on the street.

I also find the people in HCMC are a lot more friendly and willing to spend time having a chat.

As for food its the best in the country

However having said all that you really need to experience both for yourself and the whole country as Vietnam is truly amazing

Hanoi is an incredible city. HCMC is a much bigger city of course, so if you had a lot of time it might make it more appealing but for a few days or a week definitely Hanoi.

Take care,
David

Hanoi without question, HCMC is taken over by 6 million motor bikes.
We loved Vietnam, try and get to Halong Bay, fabulous.
Jean

Hanoi - a very different place and well worth visiting. Also has Halong Bay and Sapa not too far away. Saigon (HCMC) really just seems the same as any other large asian city.

I've only spent a few days in each, but I had more fun in HCMC!

Hi

Without a shadow of a doubt it has to be Hanoi, smaller, more personal, more to do, stay in the old quarter it is fantastic!!! Beer is 7p a glass!!! make sure you go down to the waterfront on the boat to have a beer!!! very cool.

have a good one!

matt

Hi there
In my opinion, I prefer Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh
In fact Hanoi is smaller, culutral & historical city . So if you want to discover historical and Vietnamese life . It’s better to go to Hanoi.
From there it’s easy to go to Sapa( join the minority life), Halong Bay( staynight on boat are very interesting).
Ho Chi Minh is largest and busiest city in Vietnam. It’s likely the major city in Asia. From there you can go Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc, Mui Ne,…
Hope information can help you