Flying Tokyo to Paris - Better to layover in China or Vietnam?

Flying from Tokyo to Paris in a few months, and seeing comparable flight prices with Air China (8hr layover in Beijing PEK) or Vietnam Airlines (3.25hr layover in Hanoi HAN). Would love some informed opinions on if either option is better, or alternatively more of a risk?

I do videography work so I'm carrying a full-body camera, drone, laptop, portable charger, etc. in my carry-on. And all of that is my main concern. I believe it's all above-board with both airlines, but also did have to offer a bribe on a prior Vietnam trip years ago, and heard China can be overly strict on batteries. Also heard Chinese flights from Japan were seeing higher cancellations awhile ago with tensions between the two, although that seems to have dropped off.

Also my backpack will definitely be over the carry-on weight limit so will have to pay for that...

Anyway any guidance at all would be massively appreciated.