Help me decide!! Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi?! Moving in October

Ho Chi Minh City, beautiful weather.

I think Ho Chi Minh City is the best choice. Many forgeiners love living there. People in Ho Chi Minh city is nice and friendly. There has many nice places or sightseeing (near Ho Chi MInh city). District 1 in Ho Chi Minh city has a lot of fashion malls, Ben Thanh Market , ect... U can go some coffee houses/rooftop bar to see panoramic city view.

Really nice, right?

I've lived and worked in VN for years now. The question where to live is a relative term due to numerous factors such as climate, social life and salary expectations. Looking at it from just a quality of life and enjoyable place with friendly people I would say Saigon hands down. If your looking to find a job easily I would recommend the northern areas of Vietnam and Ha Noi but the people in the north are known for being less friendly and more concerned about money. The north is also more political. Just remember politics in Vietnam are not the same as the U.S. and never benefit foreigners. If you can secure a decent job in Ho Chi Minh I would go for it!

Both cities are good choices. Many posts here are from Saigonese who like Saigon. Not many Hanoians on this blog. So this blog is one sided. Like having a favorite football team..."My team is better!"

I lived in both places. The People are friendly in both cities. Living in Hanoi, i felt like a Rock Star. All i had to do was say hello and everyone responded with a smile.

I prefer the cooler weather in Hanoi. More like your city. Ho Chi Minh is extremely Hot and this bothered me. The traffic in HCM was the worst I've experienced in Vietnam.

What ever you choose will be a good choice. I eventually settled in the highlands. It is a mountainous area and the weather is the best in Viet all year. I live closer to HCM but i love Hanoi better.

As you read the one sided cliches consider the sources...they prefer their cities. Oh, in Hanoi, i never heard anyone speak badly of their southern countrymen but the south surely say a lot of the north and most have never lived there.

Ha Noi is good for travel, HCMC is good for living

I agree, I've been to HN many times. a nice place to visit but I prefer SG to live

Some peope think its one sided,thats their opinion. The fact is that most expats prefer Saigon,so that in itself would say its a better place to live,if most lived in Ha Noi then that would point to the fact Ha Noi is better. In relation to the Northerners not bad mouthing the South,Hanoians saying they are more intelligent than their southern counterparts says a lot to me.

nhokmon wrote:

I think Ho Chi Minh City is the best choice. Many forgeiners love living there. People in Ho Chi Minh city is nice and friendly. There has many nice places or sightseeing (near Ho Chi MInh city). District 1 in Ho Chi Minh city has a lot of fashion malls, Ben Thanh Market , ect... U can go some coffee houses/rooftop bar to see panoramic city view.

Really nice, right?

What is so impressive about looking at a city full of lights at night in HCMC? Have you been to Vegas or NYC? They got lights there and I'm sure the sight is even more impressive at night. I don't get why people are so awe inspired by the view of this city at night. It's just a city with buildings and lights at nights.

Its a bit like fireworks, I could never get my head around looking at the same thing year in year out.

I was just talking to someone about the pick pocket thieves in HCM and remembered this important point.

Hanoi has less crime than Saigon. And crime in Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh City is increasing evey year. Here is a quote from a source:


"Petty theft, purse snatching, and pick-pocketing are most common in the areas frequented by foreigners, such as major hotels, tourist sites, and public parks.  HCMC is experiencing a steady increase in this type of activity."

On the web, type "Crime Stats for HCM vs Hanoi"

Lots of supporting data

The weather in cooler, the city is not as congested, people are not aa pressured in Hanoi and the Road Rage traffic is not as bad in Hanoi.

Petty theft maybe worse in Saigon, but Ha Noi is known as the scam capital of SEA, tour scams,hotel scams and so on. At the end of the day, the OP should go and see for themself, it wont matter one bit what we say.

As you read the comments, I’m sure you can read between the lines. Most are only opinions without merit. No facts to substantiate their point of view. If you see the comments of the individuals, they mention his/her location. Visiting a location does not give credible advice as one who has actually lived in the area for some time. I don’t think you will experience high end scams, but you can be a victim of thieves, of which HCM has the benefit there; and mostly targeting foreigner sites. (Makes sense since these victims are travelers who may have money and are not aware of their environment)

Mugging and air pollution are worst in HCM. Commercialism is prevalent more so in HCM. If you investigate more the best History of Vietnam and its culture are found in Hanoi. Western commercialism and its influences are more so in HCM.

Check out the traffic videos of HCM. I experienced the worst in HCM. Many times I could not turn left or right for miles because the traffic would not allow this, And In a taxi also, with a Vietnamese driving.

The traffic is chaotic all over Vietnam. I call it, “Organized Chaos.”

Here are some vids:

You’ll love this crazy video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08OpjYn1BlY

This vid is traffic all over Vietnam; the real deal. You’ll see this in every city. And imagine walking in this traffic also…I do it all the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4phFYiMGCIYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKLWZjBu2iQ

Trip advisor customer comments

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserRevi … _City.html

For more

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+ci … fic+in+hcm

Don’t be swayed by opinion but think about the experience and education you will have for the rest of your life. If you have a lot of help, you may not learn as much. Are you looking for fun and culture or a chance to have a wild time, possible get into trouble…?
Whatever, it’s your choice and you can always change. Good Luck.

Just to add to the pollution quote from above,not true,Ha Noi is the worst city for air pollution. Never let facts get in the way of your opinion.

http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/ha … -7782.html

Wow. Anyway The best choice is whatever you choose. I have to smile as you can see some take it personal. (lots of information regarding increased commerce, industry, and vehicles in HCM) Either choice will be a great experience.

AlexterBalexter wrote:

Wow. Anyway The best choice is whatever you choose. I have to smile as you can see some take it personal. (lots of information regarding increased commerce, industry, and vehicles in HCM) Either choice will be a great experience.

No not personal. Going by your profile and previous comments you have lived in Viet Nam for less than a year and lived(as you call it) in three places, not very long to really make judgements. Also posting incorrect information about places. Get back to us when youve been here for say 5 years, you may have a different opinion by then.

I'm a vietnam war veteran and i have family in Vietnam. I travel because of work. I have been in vietnam more than the "required 5 years." i teach martial arts, busines and other subjects.

I hope this helps...

Again, i believe either city will be a great experience.

I'm a vietnam veteran and i have family in Vietnam. I travel because of work. I have been in vietnam more than the "required 5 years." You're becoming silly ... Grow up.

Seems you had second thoughts about your condescending remark.

There are much different points of view which maybe make you confuse. So think what is your purpose to live in VN? And I think if you like history, antique, traditional culture, quiet, something like that, you should choice HN. Otherwise, you choice HCMC. Every place has its bad sides and good sides. I hope you will enjoy with your experiences. Good luck!

Hello, good morning...
I have some personal thing wanna share with you !
HCMC better Hanoi so much.
- 1st, people in HCMC friendly, nice, clearly, straight to the point, open-mind...
- 2nd, in HCMC traffic exaclly not good, but better Hanoi
- 3rd, in HCMC weather better Hanoi

...and so manything need your experience here, but surely u need be careful in both of city.
Good luck to you.

Dearest Colinoscopee.

I have an extensive curriculum vitae. Studying law i found that some comments need no reply. I suggest you talk to me privately since this subject is not about you or myself.

Again. The experience in either city will be a great one.

what do we have here? a cock fight?

Not really. Just stating you should check facts before posting, eg pollution.

HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HO CHI MINH CITY AND HANOI
by Keith Hajovsky
2015
Ho Chi Minh City
“Ho Chi Minh City, which many people still call Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam with a metropolitan area now populated by more than 9 million people.”
“Unfortunately, traffic and pollution have come hand in hand with the spectacular growth of the city over the last several years.”

“Hanoi, the country’s capital, is pretty big as well with about 6.5 million people in its metropolitan area. But in contrast with fast and furious Ho Chi Minh City, this is a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and leafy parks. French colonial architecture abounds in the city centre, so much so that some people refer to it as the Paris of the Orient. Hanoi locals seem to be living a more traditional style of life compared to those in Ho Chi Minh City, so you feel much more like you are in “old” Asia when you visit. And although it certainly has its share of traffic, it is easier and much more pleasant to walk around the city and take things in at your own pace.”

travelandescape.ca/2013/08/how-to-choose-between-ho-chi-minh-city-and-hanoi/

Pollution Comparison Between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
Copyright © 2009-2015 Numbeo
Index   
                                  Hanoi    Ho Chi Minh City
Pollution Index:               89.90       95.34
Pollution Exp Scale:       161.38       172.51
It is not my opinion which I have stated but data supported by facts I found substantial information (Which is too much to include) before I first posted this comment..

Seems there are facts stating both cities having high lead pollution and they conflict as to which is worse. The saving grace for HCM is the ocean breezes.

I’ll agree Both cities have pollution problems. This is a FACT.

Cant tell which is better...just which one would suit you most.  Hanoi offers local characters with feeling.  HCMC offers western style.  Expat normally like to experience Hanoi for its difference....if you have to choose a place to work and live, then HCMC.  Cheers, Jenny

With my observation, American guys like Saigon, British guys prefer Hanoi. Guys from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland their choices are personal.

colinoscapee wrote:

Petty theft maybe worse in Saigon, but Ha Noi is known as the scam capital of SEA, tour scams,hotel scams and so on. At the end of the day, the OP should go and see for themself, it wont matter one bit what we say.

So true,

In Hanoi, you don't have to worry about petty crime. Not knowing the roads, I like to conveniently put my iPhone visible on the scooters side storage so I can stop and quickly check my route. In Hanoi, I feel safe enough to do this but in Saigon, it'll be gone so quick you won't even know it. To be fair, I've never actually had a phone stolen its just a gut instinct and stories from people who live in both cities. There's just noticeably more police and military around in Hanoi. Having said that, there's definitely more scams happening in Hanoi. The only times I've ever been cheated in Taxi's are in Hanoi. Even Mai Linh drivers there can take you for a ride. I've never had a dishonest taxi driver in Saigon and I've spent more time there than Hanoi.

As to where to live, my opinion is biased as I'm one of those Viet Kieu from the south. I didn't have any memories of Vietnam before I left but I've spent enough time there now to know I really don't like Hanoi. Mass generalisation and there were exceptions to the rule but people are unfriendly, It's too political there, too much flag waving, too many police, secret police and military all over the place. Good place to sightsee but Saigon's the place to be.

I visited hanoi 4 times over 10 years as i usually only stay down South. Hanoi still looks like the same sleepy place it did 10 years ago. Saigon on the other hand is barely recognisable every time I go back. Things are happening there, Hanoi seems a bit dead and backwards.

Of course you have to choose acording to your needs. My daughter is also moving in September and she asked me the same question. First,all of Vietnam is very safe,more so than any western city. Second,the difference between Saigon and Ha Noi is very simple: if you like a westernize,nightlife city,Saigon. If you like a real oriental,Vietnamese,authentic city,Ha Noi. South Vietnam was culturally and historically Cham and Khemer,the North,Viet. Ha Noi is a lot more cultural. And if you are interested in photography the difference is huge: people dressed and living in the traditional way,oriental markets...a big difference. If you have a look at google you'll see the huge lakes all over Ha Noi. They provide a great space for leisure and Vietnamese life. Good luck.