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mick
Joined: 04 Mar 2005
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 Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:43 am Post subject: vietnam for 8 days - hanoi or ho chi minh city |
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Hi
I'm thinking of going to Vietnam in August..but only for 8 days so I was wondering which you think is the better city to base yourself in to see things, Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City? I know Halong Bay is only 4 hrs from Hanoi and the Mekong Delta and Cu-Chi tunnels can be visited from Ho Chi Mihn. Are there other things within a reasonable distance from each city and which city would you recommend?
Cheers |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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saigon hands down.
even the vietnamese will tell you the folks are friendlier down south - and saigon is much bigger than hanoi - much larger backpacker district, excellent (really excellent) restaurants, the war crime museum (not to be missed); you can take a couple of cruises on the mekong - also not to be missed.
lots of shopping, just beware of the motorscooters and heroin addicts
and thieves abound in vietnam - you'll hear about it - my camera was ripped from my wrist the last night i was there - he could have had that but the film, well, i wish i had that film
you really might have time to make a junket over to cambodia
have fun
moosehead |
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itaewonguy
Joined: 25 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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| moosehead wrote: |
and thieves abound in vietnam - you'll hear about it - my camera was ripped from my wrist the last night i was there - he could have had that but the film, well, i wish i had that film
moosehead |
can you explain how your camera was ripped from your wrist?
tell us the story if you dont mind...
cheers |
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the eye
Joined: 29 Jan 2004
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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That dude who had his camera ripped. It's common in Nam. There are motorbike riders who drive around looking for opportunities. When they spot a possible easy mark, they drive up from behind and rip your valuables from you.
You are advised to stay away from the street edge while walking and keep your bag, purse, camera, whatever, on the sidewalk side of your body, not the street side.
The best thing is, the cops usually catch these guys. Most of them are caught more than once. I spoke to a traveler there who had to pay a ransom to get his stolen and recovered camera and shopping bag back from the cops. |
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demaratus
Joined: 13 Apr 2005
Location: Searching for a heart of gold, and I'm gettin' old
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| Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 8:47 am Post subject: |
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| moosehead wrote: |
saigon hands down.
even the vietnamese will tell you the folks are friendlier down south - and saigon is much bigger than hanoi - much larger backpacker district, excellent (really excellent) restaurants, the war crime museum (not to be missed); you can take a couple of cruises on the mekong - also not to be missed.
lots of shopping, just beware of the motorscooters and heroin addicts
and thieves abound in vietnam - you'll hear about it - my camera was ripped from my wrist the last night i was there - he could have had that but the film, well, i wish i had that film
you really might have time to make a junket over to cambodia
have fun
moosehead |
I disagree completely. Hanoi has a way, waaaay bigger backpacker district. Chheck out Hanoi old quearter vrs Pham ngu Lao in Saigon- Hanoi's is way bigger and better. Bettter restaurants, more pubs, and better atmosphere. hanoi also has far better sights in the city itself and is close enough to Halong Bay and Sapa to make great side trips. I found the food better in Hanoi as well. Saigon does have close proximity to Mui Ne beach which is awesome though and the best guesthouses are near (not quite in Pham Ngu Lao in Saigon). Both are good, but Hanoi is way more interesting and has access to the best sights in the country.
Hanoi rocks! (not the band)
Better yet you should fly to Danang and spend your time in Hoi An and Hue. Both towns, yes towns have the best food in the country, interesting sights, good beaches great shopping and good weather. Any people who have been there will agree that Hoi An is the best spot in Nam'. |
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crazy_arcade
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 12:19 am Post subject: |
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| Nha Trang! |
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declan
Joined: 25 Mar 2004
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| Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 7:42 am Post subject: |
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Off to Vietnam for 6 days next month..
Will touch base in Hanoi...Ive heard Halong Bay, The Old quarter area of Hanoi and Sapa are well worth stopping by!!
Anybody have any tips or recommendations..
I will be traveling alone!!
Cheers.. |
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demaratus
Joined: 13 Apr 2005
Location: Searching for a heart of gold, and I'm gettin' old
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| Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 8:42 am Post subject: |
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| declan wrote: |
Off to Vietnam for 6 days next month..
Will touch base in Hanoi...Ive heard Halong Bay, The Old quarter area of Hanoi and Sapa are well worth stopping by!!
Anybody have any tips or recommendations..
I will be traveling alone!!
Cheers.. |
In Hanoi don't skimp on food. There are a tonne of great restuarants in or near the old quarter and none are overly expensive. Do the perfume pagoda as a day trip, it is a good hike and worth a day. Halong bay, do a 3 day trip sleeping on the boat, there are a lot of trips availibl so make sure that is the one you take, a day on Cat Ba island wouldn't be bad either. Sapa is great but you might not have enough time if you do Halong Bay, Unless you like train rides. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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I haven't been to Saigon (Ho Chi Min), but most of my friends say Hanoi is better and more cultural. I enjoyed Hanoi and made trips to other areas near there. Check out Nihn Bihn.
The Vietnamese people are some of the most dishonest people I have ever met. If you negotiate a price for something that you will pay for later, like a motorbike ride, dinner, etc., write it down. Even then they will still lie and try to rip you off. |
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antoniothegreat
Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Location: Yangpyeong
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| Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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| i'm going to vietnam too, and i was wondering the same thing, ho chi min, or hanoi. the main thing i want are beaches, what is better? are they both good? |
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ginger7
Joined: 17 Jun 2006
Location: Daegu
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| Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm also going to Vietnam for the break. I chose Hanoi...everything I read and everyone I talk to points me in that direction. So Hanoi for four nights, then I'll decide where to spend my other two nights in Vietnam when I get there. Check out the Lonely Planet and read about the differences between the cities and all of the beaches... |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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| antoniothegreat wrote: |
| i'm going to vietnam too, and i was wondering the same thing, ho chi min, or hanoi. the main thing i want are beaches, what is better? are they both good? |
HoChiMinh is closer to good beaches, but for everything else, Hanoi is better. From Hanoi, you can take a 17 hour bus ride to some great beaches, but other than that, nothing special. Still I would go to Hanoi because it is just more interesting. |
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spliff
Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand
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| Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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| You're trying to do too much in just 8 days...don't go near Saigon. When I went back in 1990 I traveled w/ Don Luce for 2 months, greatest and most educational trip ever. |
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Natalie
Joined: 16 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:59 am Post subject: |
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Glad I found this thread. I'm going to Vietnam for 3 weeks in August...flying into Hanoi and out of HCM city. With that much time, where would you recommend? I don't like shopping, crowds or big Hotels.
I would like to find some bungalo in the bush near a river/beach. Any recommendations? I don't mind roughn it^^ |
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declan
Joined: 25 Mar 2004
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