How does HCM stack up against the other major cities in vietnam ?

Whoever told you the air quality in Ha Noi is better, is incorrect. The coastal cities are much better for quality of life.

That's disappointing to hear, are any of the cities better then others in terms of NOTICEABLE air quality ?

1willy1 wrote:

That's disappointing to hear, are any of the cities better then others in terms of NOTICEABLE air quality ?

The coastal cities are much better.

1willy1 wrote:

Hey guys

I really enjoyed my first stay in Vietnam, I spent 3 weeks in HCM but the air quality is really really bad.

Ive heard pretty good reviews of the cities in the north , Da nang, Hanoi , Hoi an , etc....

From what i gather the price of renting is a little cheaper in the north ?

Iveheard the air quality is better ?

Little less traffic

The ocean is closer and readily accessable?

Just looking for opinions on how these cities have compared to HCM in your opinion...the good the bad and the ugly.

Thanks

Yeah, what Colin said is right on, from what I've experienced so far.

If you don't require the ocean, many people vote for the cooler temps and beauty of Dalat.

Hanoi is a beautiful city, to me, but it was brutally hot and humid last August and September when I was there.

Even saying that, I think the air quality in Los Angeles is worse.

But all of the lakes are reported to be terribly polluted. Nice for photo ops, but...

There is an active thread on here talking about Haiphong/Hai Phong. Search for it to get some feedback on an industrial seaport. Apparently Ha Long (Bay area) is much nicer.

But even beautiful Halong Bay is reported to have months of fog and cold weather. Not perfect year round.

Hoi An doesn't appeal TO ME as a place to live. The town itself is a gorgeous tourist trap, with relatively high prices, compared to nearby Danang. Pretty place to visit, though, and very popular with contemporary foodies who are willing to shell out big bucks for small plates.

I'm really drawn to the look of Nha Trang, but EVERYONE here warns me about the tourist nightmare there, saying the area is more Chinese and Russian than Vietnamese.

Here in Da Nang there are definitely larger city problems, with construction noise from new hotels and very dusty air during the dry parts of the Monsoon season. Lots of people (Vietnamese and foreigners) here with rhinitis/hay fever flare ups when the winds shift.

But I've also lived inland here from 1971 to 1972, and after the Monsoon season, by spring and summer it was pretty tolerable back then. I'll see soon if that's changed much.

What hasn't changed here is the ocean, the bay, the Marble Mountains and Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain). Actually Son Tra is even more beautiful with the Lady Buddha Pagoda lit up at night.

There are periods when rain runoff pollutes the ocean and bay (flood channels are nicknamed "poo creek" here) but it's pretty easy to avoid bad water if you have any smarts.

As for rent prices, I think it's less expensive here than in HCMC, but Hanoi is more expensive.

Apologies for the ramble. Hope it helps someone reading.

thanks for that detailed reply ocean beach

halong bay is on my immediate to-do list , and im being pressured to go to dalat as well, by a Vietnamese girl I know from ho chi min, she says its nice there

I loved ho chi min but having to wear a mask outside all the time gets old , I would like to find aplace where the air is a lot cleaner , while still being in a city setting

1willy1 wrote:

thanks for that detailed reply ocean beach

halong bay is on my immediate to-do list , and im being pressured to go to dalat as well, by a Vietnamese girl I know from ho chi min, she says its nice there

I loved ho chi min but having to wear a mask outside all the time gets old , I would like to find aplace where the air is a lot cleaner , while still being in a city setting

Best you do trips to the various cities here and make a decision. Only you can decide what feels right.

1willy1 wrote:

thanks for that detailed reply ocean beach

halong bay is on my immediate to-do list , and im being pressured to go to dalat as well, by a Vietnamese girl I know from ho chi min, she says its nice there

I loved ho chi min but having to wear a mask outside all the time gets old , I would like to find aplace where the air is a lot cleaner , while still being in a city setting

Vũng Tàu is still on my personal list for an extended visit, since it is at the shore yet roughly the same distance time-wise from HCMC as it would take me to go from San Diego to Los Angeles.

Some posters here have suggested that there are more Western brands available in Saigon, and of course the airport is a major hub to lots of places I want to visit.

Maybe @Ciambella will add her two xu worth on the subject.