im thinking of visiting Vietnam for few weeks in September?

Question

I am a regular visitor of Thailand actually going for Songkhran in April too but fancy a change of scenery in September and heard Vietnam is really good for similar experience but did hear similar about Phillipines,is it good same Thailand ????????? these 2 places ...................prefer answer from someone who been to all these places.

Answer 1

I have visited all three, Thailand twice, Phillipines once and Vietnam six times (I met my wife there actually but that is another story!).
I rate both the Philippines and Vietnam though which one would best suit you depends very much on what exactly you are looking for. Likely think is you would love both like me.
Vietnam is great, very easy to travel through, cheap (an adequate hotel away from the biggest cities is about UK£ 5), food is wonderful and the weather is usually pleasent but you do indeed need to choose your time. Central Vietnam (Hoi An which is near Danang is a must on any first visit) can be hit by typhoons in the September - November period and are usually serious to make the international news. I think September the risk is lower then later months though. However, whenever you visit Vietnam there will be areas where the climite is ideal and areas to avoid so, as someone who travels a lot, you could visit one part of the country on your first visit and another on the second if you worry for near guaranteed good weather - a good website will show you the climatic differences. Personally, I would still brave it and aim to hit the main sights, for example over 2 weeks you could do: Hanoi (3), Ha Long Bay side trip (2), Overnight train Hanoi - Hue (1), Hue (1), Train to Danang and bus/taxi to Hoi An (2-3), Fly Danag - Saigon (2) Mekong side trip (1) back to Saigon (1). You will find the nother and south are very different and discover your own favourite places. I had 19 friends travel to Vietnam for my wedding and they all followed this route or the reverse (which is cheaper) and all had different favourites. If you have three weeks you can include visits to Sapa (in the far north), Nha Trang (the top beach resoert) and Dalat or make a more leisurely trip to the places suggested.
As for the Phillipines, it sees a lot less tourists (sex tourists aside). It is a seedy place where far too many drunk men own a gun and something of a political tinderbox which could ignite at any moment. Crime is a far greater problem than Vietnam too in the cities. Manila is a particular minefield most visitors have to circumvent. There are however direct flights into Cebu if island hopping is your thing. Bohol and the Chocolate Hills are a great spectical. Cebu (for me) is a little over rated. However if you want to go to the rice terraces of Banaue are superb and worth the effort to get to (I used an overnight bus which people advise against for safety and security reasons). The country is run by women, with few exceptions the only working males I saw were drivers and manual labourers (who were not doing a lot of labouring). In the big cities the number of bars, betting shops and pawn shops are alarming. In Manila the poverty is really in your face.
On balance, only if you are a very experienced and confident traveller (if you have travelled to every corner of Thailand you probably are) would I recommend the Phillipines otherwise try Vietnam. Both countries are huge and you need to do your homework before you go to either. Remember though, internal flights are very cheap in both which is good news if you only have limited time.
Hope these ramblings help a little

Answer 2

Lived in Thailand for a couple of months, in Katar,Phuket. I have also visited the Phillipines a couple of times. I am currently living in Vietnam, though I will be returning to Europe shortly for a short time. Then I will return to Vietnam.
Vietnam is so friendly and I have a very nice time here. I'm not interested in the war but Old Vietnamese hitory is wonderfull and having travelled completelt through Vietnam you need to go to Hue and see the old city, it is still being reclaimed and restored but they have completed half of it. Hoi An is another nice place but the southern coast has the best tourist resorts for an experience similar to Thailand.
I travelled to Thailand and then Laos then I went to Vietnam and went from Hanoi to Sapa and then travelled south through Vinh,Danang,Hue,Hoi An,Na Trand and Saigon. Then I went through Cambodia and back to Thailand. However I found Vietnam much more friendly and returned to Hanoi. I have been here for 8 months now and will be sad to have to return to Europe but it will only be for a few months then I will return and hopefully move down to Vinh or the Southern Coast.
Enjoy Songkhran, its wonderfull isnt it.

Answer 3

I have been to Thailand for Songkhran but not Vietnam. While I was in Bangkok I talked to a lot of people and they ALL told me the place to go was Vietnam. They told me how beautiful it was. You don't want to go during the rainy season. Have a great trip!!

Answer 4

I am sure you won't regret to visit Vietnam and stay in Hochiminh city (Saigon)

Answer 5

You should because there is stuff about the Vietham war and stuff. It is really cool.

Answer 6

u cn visit VN, that is a great place to travel

Answer 7

Check this websites: (- -,)

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/vietnam

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/philippines

http://www.boracay.com/