Hanoi or HCMC?
Aug 7th, 2004, 03:38 PM
#2
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HCMC is mostly just a large, modern Asian city these days. Hanoi still has some charm, wide shady streets with huge trees, and more cultural institutions like the Temple of Literature. The Old Quarter is also very interesting. I'd vote for Hanoi, no question.
Aug 7th, 2004, 04:05 PM
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We have traveled throughout Vietnam and have visited both Hanoi and HCMC (Saigon).
We agree wholeheartedly with Kathie; Hanoi wins hands down. Make sure you do the "touristy" things such as seeing the Water Puppet Theater for one of the charming performances. See the prison of Hoa Lo (otherwise known as The Hanoi Hilton), there's not much left but what there is is chilling. Lots of museums and temples. Wonderful shopping at very reasonable prices in the Old Quarter. Tailor-made silk outfits delivered and fitted at your hotel. Take a day trip down to Ha Long Bay. See the silk embroidery school, porcelain factories, and by all means stuff yourself with glorious VN food. Too bad you don't have time to take the train northwest overnight to Lao Cai, into the mountains and go on to a real Shangri-la, the mountain villages around Sapa.
We agree wholeheartedly with Kathie; Hanoi wins hands down. Make sure you do the "touristy" things such as seeing the Water Puppet Theater for one of the charming performances. See the prison of Hoa Lo (otherwise known as The Hanoi Hilton), there's not much left but what there is is chilling. Lots of museums and temples. Wonderful shopping at very reasonable prices in the Old Quarter. Tailor-made silk outfits delivered and fitted at your hotel. Take a day trip down to Ha Long Bay. See the silk embroidery school, porcelain factories, and by all means stuff yourself with glorious VN food. Too bad you don't have time to take the train northwest overnight to Lao Cai, into the mountains and go on to a real Shangri-la, the mountain villages around Sapa.
