Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

I like Hanoi as it has a lot of 'colonial charm' and is nice for walking around the 'old town' area...HCM has a more western feel to it, very nice in the district 1 area but not as nice elsewhere, more western bars and restaurants available...

if you select Hanoi check the weather before you leave as warmer clothing may be required this time of year...

Posted

For a few days I would recommend HCMC especially this time of year as the weather is better, warmer and more sunshine.

There's not a heck of a lot to do in the city but in the area around Pham Ngu Lao in District 1 there are hosts of travel shops offering everything from one day city tours upwards.

If you fancy crawling along narrow tunnels there the war era Viet Cong tunnels at Cu Chi. They've enlarged sections so westerners can get down there but it can still be a bit claustrphobic.

Alternatively you can take a Mekong Delta tour for up to three days but you tend to be herded everywhere in a group.

You can take a bus out to Mui Ne for some reasonable beach resorts but not a lot else.

Or you could just stay in the city, do the War Remnants Museum (ex Museum of American War Crimes), The Notre Damme (cathedral is open mornings and afternoons), the Central Post Office (not joking, it is impressive inside) and the plethora of restaurants. Bars are a bit thin on the ground but there are a few as there are nightclubs but they're not my scene.

Posted

I would agree this time of the year HCMC, great city just to hang out for a few days. Pleasant to walk around (unlike Bangkok), sidewalk coffee shops , art shops and some wonderful food. Hanoi can also be fun (with even more art) but i have been there on a couple of cold wet days and would not want to repeat that. Hard to put my finger on but i just find HCMC a more relaxing place for a short break.

Posted

I would agree this time of the year HCMC, great city just to hang out for a few days. Pleasant to walk around (unlike Bangkok), sidewalk coffee shops , art shops and some wonderful food. Hanoi can also be fun (with even more art) but i have been there on a couple of cold wet days and would not want to repeat that. Hard to put my finger on but i just find HCMC a more relaxing place for a short break.

Many of the sidewalks are very pleasant to walk on but many are impossible due to motorbikes parked on them, vendors sprawled across them and the coffee drinkers on those tiny plastic stools. The one along Le Loi past all the arty shops, in addition to those hazards, is a bit like an assault course due to the tree roots lifting the surface.

The only time I was in Ha Noi was January/February and, though it was comfortable day time, it got a bit nippy at night. Also a bit strange coming out of the Spotted Cow at ten thirty in the evening and there not being another living soul to be seen in the street. Felt like I was caught up in a John Le Carre novel. :ermm:

I liked Ha Noi, especially the old quarter, but HCMC is a lot more cosmopolitan.

Posted (edited)

I would also advise that during the TET lunar new year holiday in early February Hanoi is like a ghost town with most all shops shut in the principal shopping areas, don't know about HCMC...this year I urgently needed to buy some warm clothes as I was freezing at the job site in north central VN and all I could find was a bathrobe purchased at the hotel that I was staying at...still, plenty of tourists around and there was some activity in the tourist area; the infamous 'Hanoi Hilton' prison was doing a brisk trade and there was a xmas tree in the entrance area; it looked cozy and inviting...

Edited by tutsiwarrior
Posted

I Iived and worked in chaotic and noisy HCMC for about six months and visited Hanoi as a tourist. I would say neither for a holiday - I prefer historic Hue. The 'nightlfie' in Dosan was confusing and problematic but the same across the border in China in Haikou was interesting...

Vietnam is a nice change of pace from Thailand for shopping and getting custom stuff made as they are go-getters, more like China than S.E. Asia. Plus, other than accommodation, it's cheap. Hmm, what with current prices in Thailand, maybe even bed is cheap by comparison. Certainly the options for pure vegetarian food (albeit fake meat) is better.

My favorite thing about Vietnam is that the people are literate and can read and write maps.

Posted

I would agree this time of the year HCMC, great city just to hang out for a few days. Pleasant to walk around (unlike Bangkok), sidewalk coffee shops , art shops and some wonderful food. Hanoi can also be fun (with even more art) but i have been there on a couple of cold wet days and would not want to repeat that. Hard to put my finger on but i just find HCMC a more relaxing place for a short break.

Google Vung tao hotels if you're looking for a break after a few days in HCMC

Posted

Anything like the BKK weekend market in HCMC ?

BK

Called The Russian Market in HCMC but it's been a few years since I saw it, maybe google can help

Just googled it myself. Looks like it's gone up-market so it wont be as I remember. :jap:

Posted

Thanks guys, looks like it will be HCMC for me.

I might add the Saigon (HCMC) Zoo. At the time, about four years ago, I was quite surprised by it. Animals had lots of room and the "cages" seemed quite well designed for viewing. And the animals looked quite healthy.

Posted

Best place to go now: Nha Trang. 400km from Saigon.

Lively, beaches, restaurants and lots more!

Look on intenret before you decide for other location!

Success,

harry

Thanks guys, looks like it will be HCMC for me.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.


  • Topics

  • Latest posts...

    1. 94

      Gaetz withdraws from AG

    2. 19

      Waiting for Tears.

    3. 3

      Trump and his followers.

    4. 19

      Waiting for Tears.

    5. 0

      AOC Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene’s New Role in DOGE Commission as ‘Actually Hilarious’

    6. 0

      The Decline of Free Speech: How the UK Became a Third-Class Nation

  • Popular in The Pub


×
×
  • Create New...