Vietnam -- What's it like?
 

We are going to be in China this fall and her sister is hoping we will go with her down to Vietnam for a bit.

I can find various bits of practical advice on the web but the more basic question of how interesting we might find it is quite another matter.

It all depends on what you're looking for. Reminds me of China 20 years ago. The entrepreneurial spirit is quite alive but the locals (and kids) don't start following you in packs for hand-outs, everyone loves to bargain but they don't shout at you and understand it's in good "fun", everything is dirt cheap including the high end restos. The north and south are for the city experience, central Vietnam is for the cultural experience.

My wife and I loved it.

It's difficult for anyone else to say how interesting YOU will think it is.

I found plenty of things to see in 9 days when I was there (north and central). Lots of construction going on everywhere. Lots of traffic in the cities.

I find it more like China 30 years ago.

There is plenty to see and do in Vietnam. And plenty of websites that have loads of information about places to see and things to do. I like it there/here (just arrived back in Saigon today).

Let's split the difference and call it 20-30yrs depending on where you are at. Including pricing of food/accommodations and the attitude of the staff. Surprisingly I think the English skill of front line tourism staff higher than China 25yrs ago.

IMHO HCMC and Hanoi is 20 and rural 30.

Went to Hanoi, a couple of years ago as a tourist..... thought it was a bore.

Have been spending a lot of time in Saigon for business recently. Great place. Fun, interesting, people are friendly hard working. Haven't done much site seeing though....mostly just occasional trips to bars, restaurants, coffee shops, walking around town.

It's a lovely place.I went once in 2009 and had a great time to the point I am going back at the end of this year.I went to see Vietnam War Movies a long time ago amongst other thing and studied Asian History back in High School which explains a thing or two about why I went.It's one thing to do the work in the classroom but nothing compares to seeing it in person.

This is almost an unanswerable question.

Some general travel preferences, personal predilections, levels of adventurousness, and levels of tolerance from OP would be helpful.

It's a bit like old Shanghai with its rich French colonial houses in HCMC, airport is modern and int'l terminal is small, taxi ride to District 1 hotel is inexpensive but hair-raising, local street markets are crowded, and a trip to the countryside is eye opener.

Motocycles everywhere and cross the street at your own risk - keep walking & don't stop - they will go around you (it worked.) Interesting view inside our chartered MB Sprinter Van with driver & tour guide from 2010
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/64025118/20...p/SDC10131.JPG

Not sure I would call it "hair-raising" as your lucky to get above 25 mph :D

Yes, it's messy but safety.

Just got back from SGN. Loved it. Next to no problems with touts or scams, surprisingly nice old colonial center that's cleaner than you might expect, getting around by taxi was no problem, food is great, everything extremely cheap including newly built 5-star hotels and fine dining restaurants.

I usually don't like organized tours but I did a motorcycle street food tour and it was a lot of fun. Felt perfectly safe even though I am not a biker.

Nightlife leaves something to be desired, though.

Did you use XO Tours for the tour? I ask because I saw their ads and the tours on the street when I was in SGN in January, seemed to be pretty popular.

Yes I did..they're a bit pricey but based on my experience seem to be a very professional operation.

That's good to hear. As you can there are many companies in Vietnam that are all pomp and no circumstance. I was rooting for this company to be as advertised. It's a creative concept.