Manila or Saigon?
 

I have a 4-5 day window in mid November and would like to make a side trip (from Taipei); both of these choices would be "new" to me, and I was hoping for some advice .

Which would you choose?

I know it's a broad question - but typically I enjoy food, cultural sights (museums/monuments etc.), shopping (though I rarely buy anything!) and nightlife.

I suppose I'm leaning towards Saigon. But having worked with many Filipino and Vietnamese people (I live in the bay area), I'd like to learn more about their cultures as I've found both groups to be exceptionally warm and interesting. (Although I think I'd prefer VN food overall....the Youtube vids of the food in Manila look kind of extreme...but I'd make do). I have been to VN previously (Hanoi and Hoi An), but never anywhere in the Philippines.

Any suggestions or advice would be highly appreciated.

Thanks

RRZ

How about somewhere else in the Philippines like Cebu? There are probably flights from TPE to other places besides Manila in the Philippines. Just suggesting that because I don't know a single person who has particularly liked Manila.

Saigon isn't bad, and if you're there 4-5 days, I'd maybe look into a quick trip to the Mekong Delta too. On the other hand, you've already been to a couple cities in Vietnam, both of which I found to be more pleasant than Saigon.

Saigon suits your interests and fits in 4-5 days.

Since you've been to Vietnam before, now maybe is the right time to experience the Philippines. Just ask me for any questions and would be happy to assist you throughout your stay. I regularly visit the bay area once a year.

saigon +1
 

saigon, then maybe side trip to danang and hoi an too.

november weather in vietnam is nice.

I have spent multiple years in both those cities, and I would say SGN is much easier as a tourist destination. MNL can be great, but it's harder to have it be that way IMO. You kind of need a friend or local there. SGN is set up for tourists more, and has more popular food options.

So I'd also vote for SGN.
But if you really want to try the Philippines, I'd go to CEB as suggested above. It's easier and has some of the monuments from the old colonial days, and has plenty of food options. Beaches and the nightlife type beaches are within easy distance also if you want to get out of the city for a day or two, such as to Panglao/Bohol, Dumaguete or Siquijor. Still if you do go to MNL, it does have shopping and some culture/museums/history. Stay in Makati or the Mall of Asia area, use Grab not taxis, and do some research on the city before you go.

I've never been to the Philippines, but I would say that HCMC is not setup for tourists at all. I can't imagine what the Philippines must be like.

SGN has things pretty centrally located, the two taxi companies of Vinasun and Mai Linh are good and Grab is good too, you can walk pretty easily all around d1 to the major sites (although not that spectacular), and there are some nicer areas/hotels and a backpacker area all in the same vicinity. Plus it is safe, with only real common issue being theft. There are tours and guides readily available. Although again many of the tours are not grand on a global scale of attractions, they are easy and you get what you pay for. Street food is plentiful and food tours are common.

MNL is much bigger and more spread out - the backpacker area has deteriorated, while the nicer areas of Mall of Asia, Makati and the Fort, and Ortigas, have malls but not much else and are a bit of a drive from Intramuros and the old town area. Additionally traffic is way worse, and taxis are less reliable to not have hot meters. I drive a motorbike in MNL, and have ended up via accidental wrong turns in areas I am not comfortable at night. MNL has a lot more crime than SGN, from my outsider/observer point of view. I love Corregidor and the American cemetery more than about anywhere I've been in Asia, and love the Philippines overall, but MNL is just not a tourist city IMO. If OP or anyone is into day trips though, you can make some nice ones from MNL to Pinatubo, Corregidor, Taal, and Anilao/Batangas etc.

I'm not Filipino or Vietnamese, these are just my views having spent time living in both cities. To be fair though, much of my MNL time was quite awhile ago, with recent years just being shorter visits.

Ahhhhh, I misunderstood your comment. I thought you were saying that Vietnam had purposely built things in HCMC to cater to tourists.

Manila is OK to get around if you are a bit intrepid and patient. I find there is plenty to see and do - and as mentioned above great day tours (if you are prepared for very early starts). Feel pretty safe in most (tourist/business) areas.

Previously we have used Uber to get around without any hassles, but Uber is gone and yet to try Grab. I would steer clear of public transport.

Food is fantastic and readily available for all budgets and tastes. The big bonus for me is English only is required - so navigation and communication is a comparative breeze.

I was just in Manila this week, and couldn't wait to board my Hanoi flight! The Philippines might now be independent, but it still feels like it's part of the USA. Just not my kind of place, but I must say the locals I met were very nice. I'm not a big fan of HCMC either, but it certainly beats Manila any day of the week.

With Manila a lot of the negatives hit you right away and it takes time for the positives to build up (the positives being very people-related, as it's hard to find a friendlier place than the Philippines). Traffic is indeed terrible.

Cebu is indeed more manageable and with a lot of big-city advantages but also less overwhelming.

Just got back from Saigon. I would say it's a good city if you're up for some night out. (Lots of partiers) Very great food as well but the traffic is like the worst I've ever experience in SE Asia…….

I am currently in Manila and unless you really need to come here, choose another place. Traffic is a nightmare. It can take 40 minutes to travel 4 kms or less than 3 miles. Walking is faster but there are no footpaths. Forget rental cars as only locals know how to drive. No real sightseeing and very few daytrips. Not a place for holiday.

Saigon it is then!