Originally Posted by
Daawgon
For a family I'd have to agree that Bangkok would be the best all around, but for an individual or young couple, I'd say Hanoi. Don't miss the real sleeper in Indochina - that's Laos.
While I love Hanoi and have spent alot of time in Laos the visa costs need to be factored in. A charge of $35 per person each time you enter Laos disqualifies it as a base. The same problems with Vietnam, although it might be easier to get a multiple entry visa for the latter.
With the hordes in Vientiane and Luang Pabang, Laos is definitely not a sleeper.