Vietnam forum

Posted from within Vietnam.

Hey look, I can't make a truly objective comment as I live here and so I probably experience the city in a very different way to a backpacker or holiday-maker. But when I go to get my bike fixed and get directions from one shop (that can't help) to another (who hopefully can) and then he's not there so the neighbour calls him and he comes and fixes my chain whilst wearing his Sunday best, then that afternoon I go to the market and get smiles and welcoming chit chat from the market ladies, then I go to my local pho chua place for dinner and on the way get greeted by half a dozen locals who I see every day. That's when you really can't fault the people here. Personally I had worse experiences with the people in Bangkok and Phnom Penh, but everyone's experiences are different.

And a question on one of the specific complaints: 'too busy'?? I'm not really sure what you mean by this?

When all you see of Hanoi is Ma May Street or Hoan Kiem Lake, it's sure to be a downer. I suspect the OP did little if any research before coming to Vietnam. If you came to New York City, and the only places you went were Times Square and the subways, you'd think the United States was the worst place in the world. Get out and meet the people who have never seen a foreigner - get off the Tourist Trail and stop taking guided tours.

Personally, I find Americans rather annoying, and yes, I'm one of them!

hey everyones replied i was being some sort of *****!! so sorry if i offended you in anyway - as being "too busy" i think you can understand where im coming from (crazy busy city) yes like most places but crazier than Bangkok and Places in morocco iv been too! I wrote this just to warn other travellers about what i saw that went on there (people being robbed in the street) - I took No guided tours, saw most of Vietnam which i thought was Beautiful infact, Travellers just have to be aware sometimes "**** goes on"-and thats in majority of cities round the world.

Posted from within Vietnam.

Didn't offend me either - I get it. I just wanted to give an alternative perspective to balance things out a bit. And I agree with daawgon's comments - I'd use Oxford Street as a comparison in the UK (noisy, busy, rude, theft risk etc.). Glad you enjoyed your trip overall though!

First, to the OP, if you write that anyplace "is annoying!!" in your headline, you're obviously going to rub some people the wrong way. Many live in Hanoi and love the city. I mean, just the way it comes off... "hanoi is annoying!!"... it sounds like you're whining about a 5th grade classmate or something. Something like, "Beware Hanoi pick pockets", might have been less offensive.

Just to balance things out further, I spent two weeks in the Hanoi area a few years ago and loved the city. Busy, yes, but there are some charming, relaxed neighborhoods mixed in too. For culture and food Hanoi is among Asia's best.

I didn't see anyone getting robbed in the street. It's unfortunate the OP saw that, and apparently more than once, but I don't think it's more common in Hanoi than other cities? I live in Bangkok and saw the immediate aftermath of a pickpocket on a river boat pier recently. I've known people who've been pick-pocketed in Delhi, Dublin, London, and New York. It happens everywhere.

Vietnamese people get a lot of bad press on this and other travel websites. Yes, some can be a bit pushy at times (similar to the Chinese in that regard), but my experience after almost 3 months in Vietnam and having known many Vietnamese immigrants in the US is that they're usually genuine, kind-hearted people who will bend over backwards to help someone in need. Just my two cents.

Posted from within Vietnam.

I am more of a HCMC fan but Hanoi was friendly the two times I visited. The traffic is the same as most cities in SE Asia -- beeping is a way of life. I did not encounter aggressive, rude people -- at least in my travels. I live in NYC. Aggressive and rude is a way of life.

I think part of the problem of only 5% of Vietnam travellers returning is not knowing where to go. A lot folk complain about being hassled but they tend to be (almost always) in touristy areas. Half the fun is exploring and getting away from the holiday rat race, just people dont seem to realise that.

I suspect the problem is with the character of Vietnamese culture. That's what most reporting indicates.
Wow what claptrap. I am going to Vietnam for my third visit. I have found the locals to be hard working and friendly. One reason for the non returns is size of the country. Stay a month and you can see most things Thalland is bigger so it takes more time.

The guide books say the further north you go in Vietnam;the meaner the people get. I found Danang the friendliest city.Why? Could it be the lack of tourists. Also the government actively encourage the people to rip-off tourists as I was told by a hotel manager. They say we can't afford to pay you more so supplement your income by ripping off the 'rich' capitalist Westerners.
I'm in Thailand now, wow it's really nice to find how honest the Thais are after the constant dishonesty and rip-offs of the Khmer. Vietnam is even harder work, kind of wearing day after day to ask the price of everything in advance or get stiffed.

Is that not why we travel?? To see other places, things and experience the good, the bad and the ugly of every destination.

Benno - that's why you travel. Everyone has different motivations for travelling to different destinations.

"I found them to be quite friendly if not a little too pushy with sales, but they are in a different position to us judgmental westerners that can afford to spend a fair bit of disposable income to visit."

Don't worry, they are going to be every bit as judgemental as the westerners are. That's a human trait, not a western one.

"As I've said in the past on here (or TA) if you have traveled and have not been ripped off or duped then you have not experienced 'travel' Live-Learn and appreciate what you have."

As I've said in the past, if you have traveled and not been shot and lived like an animal, then you haven't traveled. Dude, going on vacation is not a survival exercise for most people. People go on vacation to have fun. And no, travelling isn't a special, different experience. It's another word for being a tourist.

"If you leave a country and you are still alive and not injured, then when you get home, have a beer, talk S*$t with your friends and laugh about it."

You are not gaining cachet or street cred by having taken a bus through Vietnam. Maybe if you fight in the Korengal or Mogadischu. If we were talking Vietnam in 1970 it might be different.

The point the OP and some other posters made was for at least some people going to Vietnam was not a positive experience and they found other destinations more desireable. That is clearly true for some, not others. When you've only got a few weeks vacation time, that can be an important element in making a decision about where to go. Not everyone is looking to get ripped off or hassled as part of their vacation experience.