I was in Manila earlier this year, for the fourth time. It's a rough city (and I get a kick out of cities). Much of my walk through Malate/near Rizal Park (a "tourist spot") was riddled with choking pollution, or avoiding syringes and glass. Street food in general consists of garlic, garlic and peanuts, intestines, halo halo (a polychromatic saccharine dessert served in a flimsy plastic cup or bag), and balut. Look that last one up. There are wealthier areas such as Makati, but those are just nicer hotels and malls, so by that point, why did one even bother traveling to Manila?

As for HCMC, haven't been in thirteen years, but I remember three things: good food, getting harassed by rickshaw drivers with joss sticks, and crossing streets was a major pain (the sheer quantity of motorbikes is why).

Because you can't get to Amanpulo without going through MNL first! 😛

You have probably visited a wrong side of Manila again. Actually Manila is not just Manila, it's a mega city- Metro Manila which is comprised by lots of cities that form in one big metropolis. There' s a bad side of Manila (which you just said) and there's also the nice upscale side and the middle class side of Manila if you know where to look and if you could afford it.

Next time, I suggest you stay in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Poblacion in Makati or the Makati Central Business District. You have probably just been to old town Manila which is like urban hell.

Nope. I've stayed in Makati, and it is exactly what I try to avoid. It's devoid of anything remotely interesting for me (as a tourist). Malls, upscale hotels, and...combinations of the two can be found anywhere in the world, but Intramuros is Filipino history.

The food scene (in the case of both restaurant and street food) has never impressed, and places worth the amble are pollution-choked.

The only reason I would go to Manila these days is to position for cheap J-class routes.