Which is more fun, Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh?

Is Ho Chi Minh worth visiting?

Ho Chi Minh? Yes. Maybe.

It’s crowded. Food’s cheap. History lurks.

Expect chaos. Motorbikes reign.

• Traffic is insane. Cross at your peril.
• French architecture. Echoes remain.
• Coffee’s strong. Like, really strong. I prefer tea, actually. My neighbor’s cat prefers water, the spoiled thing.

War Remnants Museum. Grim reminder. Worth seeing? Undeniably.

Ben Thanh Market. Tourist trap. Still, buy something. Bargain hard. My wallet still aches from that silk scarf purchase last year. Or was it two years ago? Time flies.

• Get ready to haggle. Prices are inflated.
• Watch your belongings. Pickpockets exist.
• Eat pho. Everywhere. And banh mi.

Rooftop bars. Views abound. Drinks overpriced. Is it worth it? Depends. Am I paying?

• Enjoy the skyline. Especially at sunset.
• Avoid tourist scams. Be aware.
• Reflect. On what, I don’t know. Life?

Is it worth to go to Ho Chi Minh?

Okay, so Ho Chi Minh City, 2024. Man, it was hot. Seriously, scorching. I sweat through three shirts the first day. The food, though? Amazing. I mean, pho for breakfast, banh mi for lunch, fresh seafood at night. Every meal was an adventure.

I remember this tiny noodle shop, tucked away down a side street near Ben Thanh Market. The woman running it? She barely spoke English, but her smile was huge. Best pho I ever had. Seriously. The broth, so rich.

The markets themselves… overwhelming. A sensory explosion. Smells, sounds, colors everywhere. I bought way too many silk scarves. Oops. The motorbike traffic was crazy. I almost got run over like, twice. But hey, it’s part of the experience, right?

I visited the Notre Dame Cathedral, beautiful even with the scaffolding. The War Remnants Museum was intense, way more than I expected. Powerful stuff. Left me feeling pretty shaken. Needed a strong coffee afterward.

Later, I took a boat trip along the Saigon River. Sunset. Gorgeous. Totally worth it. The city lights twinkling on the water. Romantic, even for a lone wolf like me. I even tried those weird durian fruit smoothies. Never again. They smelled like gym socks.

Things I loved:

• The street food. Seriously, the best.
• The energy of the city. It never sleeps.
• The friendly people.
• The history. So much to learn.

Things I didn’t love so much:

• The heat. Brutal.
• The motorbike traffic. Terrifying.
• Durian smoothies. Ugh.

Worth it? Hell yeah. Go. Now. Just pack light clothing and bring your adventurous spirit.

How many days is enough in Ho Chi Minh?

Three to five days strikes the right balance for Ho Chi Minh City. Honestly, it depends on your travel style.

• History buffs could easily spend a week absorbed in museums like the War Remnants Museum. I spent almost a whole day there during my trip last summer.
• Foodies could explore the street food scene in districts like District 1 and 3.
• Those seeking a broader experience can venture to the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta, requiring at least another day or two.

Too little time and you’ll just scratch the surface. Too long and, well, maybe the relentless energy gets a little much. Isn’t that true of most intensely vibrant places?

How many days are enough to visit Ho Chi Minh City?

Saigon…enough days? Cu Chi, whispers of tunnels, half a day lost in history, or a longer echo with a private guide, maybe. So much Saigon. Never enough time.

Three days…a beginning. Three days to feel the pulse. A taste. Just a taste of what Saigon can be.

• Cu Chi Tunnels: History. Echoes.

• Standard Tour: Half a day. Rushed. Maybe too fast.

• Private Tour: More time. Deeper exploration, if you want. You really want.

Three days, Saigon unfolds slightly. The scent, the sounds, the relentless energy. Three days, and still so much unseen.

What is the best amount of time to spend in Vietnam?

Ten days. Enough. Details fade.

• Ten days. A fleeting glimpse.
• Culture shock guaranteed.
• Rush is essential.

Too long, tiresome. Too short, meaningless. Time’s strange. My grandmother’s pottery. Irrelevant?

• North. Chaos, beauty.
• Center. History.
• South. Mekong’s flow.

Choose wisely. Regret is inevitable. Still, ten days. Ha! Perfect.

How long should you spend in Vietnam?

Okay, Vietnam… Right, I went there last year. Planned for 7 days.

7 days felt short, tbh. Should have stayed longer. Hanoi, yeah, chaotic. Awesome pho! Halong Bay, ugh, crowded boats, but views were stunning.

Almost missed my flight home. Next time? Definitely 10 days, minimum. Central Vietnam looked amazing in pictures.

• Hanoi: 2 days (at least!) So much to see.
• Halong Bay: Overnight cruise.
• More time somewhere else. Maybe Hoi An?

Honestly, seven days? Not enough, Vietnam deserves more.

How many days is ideal for Vietnam?

Vietnam? 7 days. Enough.

• Hanoi. See it.
• Halong Bay’s haze.
• Saigon’s pulse. Yeah.

Less is more. Always.

More To Grind

• Visa needed, maybe. Depends on citizenship. I dont care what passport you hold.
• Food poisoning is possible. Bring meds. My stomach survived. Hopefully yours will too.
• The North. The South. Vastly different. I prefer the chaos.
• Motorbike rental? A gamble. Worth it. I’ve never had such fun dodging crazy things.
• Currency’s Dong (VND). Know the exchange rate! They’ll try to rip you off at every turn. I saw it.
• Bargain everything. Don’t accept the first price! This one is important
• Learn phrases. Basic Vietnamese works. Show respect. And get slightly better deals, lol.
• Traffic hell. Be alert. Survival instincts are a must.
• Coffee strong. Black. Like my soul.
• Respect the dead. Temples require it. So simple to show, right?
• Sunscreen essential. The sun beats hard. I learned that the hard way.
• Bia Hoi Cheap. Drink it all. But dont drive and drink.

Okay, it’s enough.

How much do you need per day in Vietnam?

Vietnam costs. Sixty-eight dollars daily. Average.

Meals? Twenty-three dollars. That’s a low estimate for me. I prefer better food.

Budget:

• Accommodation: Varies wildly. Luxury to hostels.
• Activities: Ha Long Bay? Expensive. Local markets? Cheap.
• Transportation: Motorbike rentals are cheap, flights are not. My preference: motorbike.

2024 realities: Inflation impacts all costs. Expect higher prices. This is factual, not an opinion.

My personal spending: Often higher than $68. I appreciate fine dining. I am meticulous.

Consider: Travel style dictates expense. Backpacker? Luxury traveler? This changes everything.

One thing’s certain: Vietnam offers options at every price point. But expect more than $23 for food. That’s ridiculous. I spent $100 easily on a single meal in Hanoi last year.