Would Like Opinions, And Answers About Visting Hanoi And Ho Chi Minh City

[livinthailandos]

I plan on visting vietnam for 6 days and after looking online I'm stuck between either visiting hanoi or ho chi minh city. I looked online and from online posting that I read from other travelers it seems the 2 are a bit opposite in terms of pace of life, shopping malls, nightlife. Thats just what I put together I don't know if thats true or not. Would like to know

1. Getting around town meaning transportation - is it difficult for both cities

2. Traffic - better or worse than bangkok

3. If you stayed in hanoi or ho chi minh city, where's a good area to stay at where can get around on foot and view as much as possible before needing transportation

3. Street stall food - safe or to avoid

4. In terms of sightseeing - better in hanoi or ho chi minh city

5. Booking tours for sight seeing - better to book through hotel or are there any good reliable agencies around

6. Paying for things - do many places accept credit cards?

I look forward to seeing all opinions and answers on the matter

[boogiewoogie]

1 roads better in Thailand

2 traffic much worse

3 pho worth whole visit

4 saigon better

5 a LOT of agencies(in tourist areas, ofcourse)

6 same as in thailand

Edited November 18, 2012 by boogiewoogie

[WhizBang]

1. Getting around town meaning transportation - is it difficult for both cities

Yes.

2. Traffic - better or worse than bangkok

Same same, but different.

3. If you stayed in hanoi or ho chi minh city, where's a good area to stay at where can get around on foot and view as much as possible before needing transportation

Both the same. Pretty spread out so you cannot get far without transportation.

3. Street stall food - safe or to avoid

Same as Bangkok. You takes your chances.

4. In terms of sightseeing - better in hanoi or ho chi minh city

Hanoi: Stepping stone to Halong Bay (a must see, in my opinion).

Saigon: Stepping stone to the Mekong delta (another must see).

5. Booking tours for sight seeing - better to book through hotel or are there any good reliable agencies around

Same same. Hotels just act as agent for the tour companies.

6. Paying for things - do many places accept credit cards?

Last time I was there (10 years ago)... No. I think Vietnam has come a long way since then, so I would expect hotels and larger restaurants to take them, but probably not small shops. Used to be there was a surcharge for using a credit card, so it is cheaper to pay cash and you get to haggle too.

I am sure someone else will have more current info on credit card useage. Mine is a tad dated.

[ableguy]

1. Getting around town meaning transportation - is it difficult for both cities

Yes.

2. Traffic - better or worse than bangkok

Same same, but different.

3. If you stayed in hanoi or ho chi minh city, where's a good area to stay at where can get around on foot and view as much as possible before needing transportation

Both the same. Pretty spread out so you cannot get far without transportation.

3. Street stall food - safe or to avoid

Same as Bangkok. You takes your chances.

4. In terms of sightseeing - better in hanoi or ho chi minh city

Hanoi: Stepping stone to Halong Bay (a must see, in my opinion).

Saigon: Stepping stone to the Mekong delta (another must see).

5. Booking tours for sight seeing - better to book through hotel or are there any good reliable agencies around

Same same. Hotels just act as agent for the tour companies.

6. Paying for things - do many places accept credit cards?

Last time I was there (10 years ago)... No. I think Vietnam has come a long way since then, so I would expect hotels and larger restaurants to take them, but probably not small shops. Used to be there was a surcharge for using a credit card, so it is cheaper to pay cash and you get to haggle too.

I am sure someone else will have more current info on credit card useage. Mine is a tad dated.

Getting around Saigon is very easy, taxis honest and cheap. been there twice in last year, pm me if you want more details on hotels and food.

[craigt3365]

Let's try this over in the SE Asia form. Topic Moved.

[rak sa_ngop]

Hanoi can start to look pretty dam_n miserable about now. Check out the weather forecasts before deciding especially for such a short trip.

[craigt3365]

Pattaya's pretty dam_n miserable now...

[bangkokburning]

Hanoi and Hue hands down and six days - tital waste of time, money and effort.