First time to Vietnam
 

I have 6 days and want to see Hanoi and/or HCMC

Do I have enough time to do both, or focus on just one?

If I can do both, any advice on flights/airlines?

If I have to pick one, which one? I favor nightlife, shopping, food, street food, markets, night markets, and nice hotels (either Starwood or IHG preferably).

I'll be flying from Hong Kong if that matters.

Thanks!!!

I've only been once but IMO, both are doable within 5 days but you're only getting a quick sampling. I would consider it recon to see what you like for a return trip.

When I think Hanoi, I think historical city and when I think HCMC, I think big urban city. That's not completely accurate but that's the feel I got where we visited in Hanoi (Old Town and vicinity) and HCMC (various).

IMO, it sounds like HCMC is your better option if you had to choose just one.

Actually you can visit both of them, but i recommend that you should visit Hanoi which have a lot of best place in this season. You can stay at Old Quater and walking around Hoan Kiem Lake, Dong Xuan Market and enjoy street food there with cheap price and good taste. If you want to travel with guide, you can book some free tours in Hanoi in which tour guide is students from universities around Hanoi, they can speak English so well (You can check out: https://www.facebook.com/HanoiFreeWalkingTours/?fref=ts). Further, hiring motobike to travel outside of Hanoi such as Ba Vi national park, Tam Dao with US$10/night in hostel. You can visit Halong Bay by bus and join cruise there during 2 last days (check out: http://www.halong-bay-tours.com)
Happy travels!

5 days is almost too much for either city alone, IMHO. Then again, I have only been to the cities themselves, but never done any sightseeing in the surrounding countryside.

If looking at only one, I prefer HAN over SGN any day. Some reasons, while obviously subjective, include:

- It actually gets cooler during the winter months. Not a fan of 30°C all year round.
- Streets are cleaner, the whole city feels safer.
- Generally prefer Northern Vietnamese cuisine.
- The area around Hoan Kiem Lake has everything within walking distance: luxury hotels, street markets, small cafés, backpacker bars, opera.

Did exactly what you did not too long ago, 5 days for both cities, out of HKG. Took VN, HKG-HAN-SGN-HKG for something like 2.200 HKD all-in.

Not a lot of intel on IHG/SPG hotels in either place, but I stayed at the Sheraton in HCMC and it is ideally located.

As for HAN, the Sofitel is in a good location. There's a cool little boutique hotel around the corner, too, where I have been staying every time I go ("Conifer").

It's possible to visit both cities in a 6 day trip, but you won't see everything. What season are you planning to go? What do you want to see and do? Vietnam is a very long country so Hanoi and Saigon are really in two different climates. I spent three months in Saigon in 2012 so I'm a bit familiar with it.

You do have time to see both, but Hanoi remains the real jewel of Vietnam, so I would stay there for those 6 days. I just came back about 2 weeks ago from 25 days in Hanoi. I do not recommend the big international chain hotels because they're in the wrong locations. You want the Old Quarter - I like the Art Boutique Hotel or Elegance Ruby Hotel. If you have money to burn and really like to be pampered try either the Sofitel Metropole or the Apricot Hotel. The family suite at the Art Boutique has an enormous balcony that I love, and they spoil their guests to no end! You can PM me for more details or pictures. Vietnam is a very friendly place - I'm returning for trip #9 at Xmas.

From Hong Kong, Dragonair (Cathay Pacific) would be the best choice, but there are several LCC's now from both Hong Kong and Macau at lower prices. Vietnam Airlines is also an excellent carrier in my opinion.

You should research Vietnam at Travelfish.org - the very best online source for SE Asia.

I did HCMC and Hanoi in 2 weeks. If I had to drop one, I would drop HCMC. Whilst there is history there I liked the Hanoi history and culture far more. Even just wandering through the streets in Hanoi at 6 am was fascinating. The city was waking up and people were exercising or carrying bundles of food.

I would recommend the Metropole in Hanoi. Such a stunning Asian looking hotel so you knew you were in Asia, rather than hotels that could be any any part of the world.

I did my internal flights with Vietnam Airlines in business class. I was pleasantly surprised by the service received.

I did a couple of tours in Hanoi with Vietnam Awesome Travel. Fabulous "food on foot tour" for about US$25.

http://www.vietnamawesometravel.com/...tour-hanoi-25/

One of my favourite moments was when I couldn't cross a busy street and a group of young Vietnamese teens came over and helped me cross the street! lol They were delighted to speak to me in English.

I would say 5 days is too much for one place and too little for both. I would spend 2-3 days in Hanoi and 2-3 days in Hoi An instead if you can make that schedule work.

Yes, I agree, as both Hanoi and Hoi An seem to be universally recommended. I've seen recommendations for a night train from Hanoi, but 16 hours seems to be a bit much. Is it possible (or recommended) to drive? I suppose flying to Da Nang is a good way to go as well.

I wouldn't want to drive in Vietnam unless some insurance company offers a package that provides me no liabilities for mowing down motorbikes. You should fly.

Definitely too much for me. Just fly to DAD.
And no way you gonna drive there. You'll understand why as soon as you'll arrive in Hanoi ;)

LOL on the driving comment. It took me 12 hours just to get the courage to cross the street on foot. Did lots of loops around the Metropole in Hanoi upon arrival.

And I think both cities are doing in this short time frame.

Everyone but everyone in Asia want to learn English, and what a great way for tourists to meet the locals. On my recent trip in March, I spent at least 2 hours every day around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, and students, young kids and even one 93 year old man came up to me and asked if they could practice their English.

Same thing happened to me in Nanjing - mostly students though, approached me (nervously, but still very friendly) and we had a lot of fun. One kid said very seriously and stoically: "America is a very powerful country!!!"

Lots of selfies, they were so much fun.

The girls gave me a little Vietnamese flag key ring too. It was sweet.

Another woman helped my husband and myself across the road but she had a sneaky motive. She kindly held my arm as we crossed the road then escorted me in to her beauty salon. We went back there every day and sometimes twice a day on our 10 day trip!