India vs. Vietnam

SydneyKate

I know this is a tough question ... but can anyone compare India and Vietnam for me as a place to visit? I've been to India a couple of times and loved it, now I'm thinking I should see some other place (not that I've "done" India, but just to see some more of the world).Everyone around me suddenly seems to be going off to Vietnam, I'm not sure if this is for beach/tropical resort type holidays (which don't interest me). I'm more interested in experiencing the cultural differences, foods, religion,sights - the total "wow" factor almost every time you step into an Indian street! . How would the 2 places compare. Is vietnam more/less touristy/commercialised?I should also say I have 2 kids (age 10 & 12) in tow, who actually LOVE India and want to go back there asap.

sky888

I have just came back from a vietnam trip yesterday, and have completed a month's stay in India eariler this year..

well, India is more vibrant, more exoctic, more in your face, while vietnam is more shy, more subtle and less of the "cultural shock"... both places, espeically the cities of the 2 countries, can be both touristy and commercialised.. that is unavoidable for developing countries..

To get a good idea of vietnam for a tourist, visit this picture site
http://www.wright-photo.com/vietnammap.htm

if you want to "see more" as a traveler, go for India. You can see everything! from street food to royal castles.. and that everyone speaks english. I would recommend Vietnam more to single traveler, as they have the time to go around the country without a tight schedule and be able to sit around great scenarys and do daydreaming...

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butterball

I'm in a similar position SK..

As I've got loads of time ( 6 months ) I've decided to do both ! My plan will be to take a 'base' in India ( South ) and do some trips - and as I've not been to Calcutta yet, I thought to there, then to Bangkok to get to Vietnam ( Saigon initially )

OK, I'm in a fortunate position...

I've heard 'mixed' feedback about Vietnam - but mostly good. Misinformation is a problem ( but if you know India already !~ ) as is 'freedom' of travel with much stuff organised - although I'm sure people are finding ways 'round this. Anthony Bourdain seems to like the food there !

How long do you have ? I'd also love to hear more on this subject..

SydneyKate

Thanks Hanleong & Butterball.
BB - I only have 3 weeks, as I said I have 2 kids and we are in the middle of school/work/suburbia/mortgage/work type of life for the moment . We plan to depart late December. I too have heard mixed reports about Vietnam, mostly that nearly all tourists seem to tread the same east coast route and it doesn't really appeal to follow the crowds. I also heard the food can be ordinary.. However I'm still tempted by what looks like stunning scenery.
Anyway I'm just about decided that for this trip it will be India again (maybe Vietnam next year..), my thoughts on itinerary are: arrive Calcutta, train to Varanasi, then Bandhavgarth national Park (look for tigers with the kids), then Orchha, Gwalior, a quick peek at the Taj and home via Delhi. If you get to Calcutta before us, love to get your thoughts!

Ikuru

I wonder if there is a "goa" thing happening over there the Nam... maybe not...

Than Ive heard you pay in dollars at times and that public transport is not allways there for you... But My friends went there and liked it.

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sky888

the transports are working, though can be slow. the train ride from north to south was awesome, as it went arcoss the whole stretch of coast.

however, comparing to India, Vietnam's food, the people, the temples, the dressing, the culture are all rather subtle, and are over shadowed by it's neighbouring thailand and China

I do enjoy Vietnam though...

Bryan

Not been to Vietnam but have done the rest of SEA
the region is very different from india
The mentality and feel of the place is different

Thats not to say its better or worse ...its just extremly different but as you know India is like no where else ...where as SEA have common similarities with many places

I loved Laos ...Incredible amazing chilled out people ...with stunning limestone landscapes ...and still relatively un developed

In Laos you reqlly get a feel for how SEA looked before the 1980s and the huge surge in development that occured in the rest of SEA. It is also very cheap ...comparable to India and has a real slow feel to it

The thousand island delta is amazing and the northern provinces surreal
Youc an still take small river boats up rivers into the jungle and limestone ravines to villages without electricity where bartaering is still common

You can do great rock climbing dur to the limestone and there are incredible cave systems to explore

It also has an arch de triumph in the capital the construction of which is rather amusing

In the early 60s the US gave the government of Laos cement to build a huge runway which could accomodate B52 bombers ...I wonder what for
Well in a stroke of absolute genius the Laotians decided to instead of buildinga runway to accomodate machines that rain death on people they would build a arch de triumph to celebrate peace and prosperity
hahahaha
This tells you much about the people of Laos
It should also be noted that laos is the most havily bombed country in the history of the planet and the US wasn't even at war with it

regions you may explore where so heavily bombed that the people lived in caves as it was too dangerous to live in the open
Despite this they never have anything but a smile for you ...

I can't recommend Laos highly enough

Thailand ...Not a fan

Cambodia ...wild crazy strange amazing place ...

So do the ususal loop ...Vietnam cambodia laos

As for Calcutta ...in my opinion ...Calcutta or as it's known now Kolkatta is the greatest city on the sub continent.

I found the people more friendly hospitable and warm than any other city in India. It realy is a Raj city ...(it was created and built by the Brits and the faded granduer of this perios when India was ruled from here is evident at every turn. The city should be made a world heritage site and the facades and crumbling buildings restored
It is probably the best remaining raj city left ...though Mumbai's VT is probably granduer.

It has an idiosynchratic style all of its own ...

You'll love Calcutta and the Bengalis
Whatever ...enjoy

Bryan

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