Hanoi vs. Ho Chi Minh

Hello,

My boyfriend and I are thinking about going to either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh for about 5 days in January and are finding it really hard to decide which to visit. It's our first time to Vietnam and 5 days is probably not even going to scratch the surface but that is all we have and so I was wondering if anyone had some recommendations of things to do that would give us a bit of a flavour of Vietnam in such a short space of time. Which city would be better for that sort of thing?

Because we only have 5 days we don't want to pack in too much and constantly be travelling about, but we were thinking of maybe two days in the city and then perhaps some kind of trip out to some surrounding areas either on a boat trip, train or bus.

We are completely open to ideas, but one thing that I have found that sounds good would be a 3 day boat trip in the Halong bay (though I'm sure this is very touristy but the bay looks amazing) and then the rest of the time in Hanoi just exploring.

Are there any trips like that you can recommend around Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi that are similar to the above?

Sorry this is not a very specific question but it's intentional as I'd like to see if anyone has any ideas we have not come across!
Thanks a lot for any information!

Peas

Difficult, I like both ends of the country. This is a win-win situation.
But put a gun to my head and I would say Hanoi. The city itself is beautiful and with the added attractions of the maze of the Old Quarter. The French Quarter, Hoan Kiem (that's the lake to the south of the OQ, Ho Tay (West Lake) as well as parks like Lenin Park.

You are right five days is not enough. For trips most would say Sapa and Halong Bay. Also Perfume Pagoda (though in my opinion the trip is more impressive than the pagoda) and Ninh Binh/Tam Coc.

Whatever you choose enjoy!

Hanoi. Stay in the Old Quarter. Temples, mausoleums, museums (of Ethnology especially) good walking, funky shopping, excellent food, cheap, fun blend of old and new. 2-3 day trips to Halong Bay (be sure to grab the sea-kayaking option!) and/or Sapa (sleeper train up and back) for those who have a full week or more; it can all be arranged in Hanoi.

Been there half a dozen times; hope to be there a 1/2 dozen more.

To visit for 5 days perhaps Hanoi....to live for 5 years Saigon for sure.

HCM,besides the city itself several sights within short distance from city that are worthwhile to see also.I agree with others in that this is win win either city

HaNoi

A one day trip to Halong Bay, its a long day , as most will say but you will get to see a part of the bay and my understanding is that most 2 day trips leave to come back after lunch on the second aday
A one day trip to Ninh Binh which will take in Tam Coc or one of the newer canal trips and Hoa Lu
3 days exploring Ha Noi , including a couple of Bia Hoi afternoons at different locations , water puppets, museum of ethonology , temple of literature, jump on a bus , sunrise walk through the streets up to the Long Bien Bridge and zigzag back thru the streets and have breakfast by the lake etc etc

Cheers

Well, the clock says its time to close now
I guess Id better go now
Id really like to stay here all night
The cars crawl past all stuffed with eyes
Street lights share their hollow glow
Your brain seems bruised with numb surprise
Still one place to go
Still one place to go

Hanoi for me ...

I would say, HCMC. much more interesting city in my opinion. throw in the tunnels and a delta tour and you have a taste of Vietnam.
i found hanoi boring, halong, ninh binh and sapa are fantastic but they are a ways from the city if you are short on time.

Hanoi

Ha Noi

Ha Noi

Ha Noi

HCMC

Hi Peas

I think , Visit hanoi and Halong bay is good choice !

The itenary is:

Day1: Hanoi
O/N hotel Hanoi
Day2; Hanoi - Halong
O/N on the boat
Day3: Halong - Hanoi
O/N hotel in Hanoi
Day4: Hanoi - Hoalu tamcoc or Huong pagoda .....
O/N hotel in Hanoi
Day5; Hanoi ------->>>

Cheers

NTV

Ha Noi

Wow thanks for all the responses, it looks like Hanoi is the winner!

We really do want to go to both places and many in between so it's a shame it's only 5 days we have but I have a feeling we will be back so will explore more then.

Thanks again,

Peas

I spent 5 days in Hanoi and also 5 days in Saigon (separate trips) and loved both, but i think for both diverse options on activity and culture, Ha Noi is the best choice, but you can't go wrong with either....It will be cool, misty and chilly in the north, compared to the south....

Hanoi and Halong bay overnight trip. What's the weather like in January?

What sort of age group are you Peas? I generally find that older people (or people of that mind set) prefer Hanoi, younger people prefer HCMC..

Are you saying that younger people prefer a place with a sleazy nightlife? what a gross overgeneralization.

Not for lack of trying, I haven't managed to find any sleazy nightlife. Perhaps you would be good enough to share your haunts with me?

Ha! We are 28 and 31 and a couple so not really going for sleezy nightlife, but some nightlife would be nice...!

Mookie knows all the haunts, joints and hang outs of the Hanoi area, I got the grand tour and had a hangover for a week. Bring Tylenol!

There isn't really sleazy nightlife in either city. I'd say by your ages you are more likely to prefer HCMC but there are different things in each city. The Hanoi/HCMC question appears a lot so I'm gonna sort it out once and for all:

In Hanoi they have Ho Chi Minh's corpse on display so if cadavers are your thing then this is the obvious choice. If you want to go to Halong bay then Hanoi is the natural choice too. Also, you are unlikely to find me in Hanoi, so as mrmookie will attest - this makes it generally more enjoyable for everyone else.

HCMC, the weather is warmer, some say the people are warmer. It's a bigger city but deinitely has a more provincial feel, though the traffic can be stifling. The fruit here is extemely plentiful and fresh due to the city's proximity to the delta, but dog meat is harder to find than up north.

That about sums both cities up. I doubt there's anything anyone could add to that.

Great summary, now make your decision please peas.

Mook's your slipping! peas is a name and starts with a capital letter!

Hanoi!

Its more likely the women in Sai Gon dont wear underwear than the women in Ha Noi.....hows that for sleezy factor?

Yikes, solohobo/tim
Suddenly, I don't think I want to look at your photos. Just in case you prove a point.

I dont take my camera out at night....

I'd say Hanoi. They are very different and personally i liked hanoi better as it had a little bit more charm and was more of a culture shock, whereas i found hcmc to be more of a big city.

Halong bay is amazing, check out handspan, they do a great range of tours from hanoi and also from hcmc, we did a one day halong bay and from hcmc a mekong delta trip which was great too. Handspan will be more pricey than some other companies but worth the money and they have really small groups (we had 4 and 2 people on our trips). maybe check out their website to get some ideas?

overall i'd go for hanoi for the charm