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Vietnam, a unique and diverse country, often leaves a strong first impression through its two largest cities: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Both are cosmopolitan, vibrant and deeply Vietnamese, but very different in terms of lifestyle, culture and travel experiences. The prestigious American magazine, National Geographic, opened its article with this statement, and invited two veteran travel experts to provide in-depth analysis, helping first-time international visitors choose the most suitable destination and time for their journey of discovery.
Hanoi: Capital of Culture
Journalist and guidebook author Joe Bindloss, who has been fascinated with Hanoi since the 1990s, describes the capital as a multi-layered, fascinating city, steeped in history. He admits that when he first visited, he was overwhelmed, sometimes “almost literally, by the sheer number of motorbikes.”
Coffee shop with antique balcony
Much of the magic of Hanoi lies in the way it feels. The capital blends a laid-back pace with glitz and glamour, with an unmistakable French flair. To immerse yourself in Hanoi life, visitors should head to the vibrant Old Quarter, which has resisted the encroachment of modernity.
Joe Bindloss suggests that an early morning stroll through the streets will reveal traditional sights: street vendors carrying fruits and vegetables on traditional baskets, old rickshaws transporting goods, and old men with white beards playing chess outside townhouses with ancient balconies.
This cultural blend is most clearly felt through the cuisine: fragrant bowls of pho, delicious pieces of pork belly with bun cha, soft banh cuon and meat-filled banh mi, along with strong coffee or local draft beer.
Hanoi is also a place where visitors can easily travel back in time. Start at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake with its small, pretty tower on top of the dragon. Sacred sites such as the red-gold Bach Ma Temple, the garden-enclosed Hai Ba Trung Temple, and the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature serve as anchors to the city in an era of ritual and cultural tradition.
While Ho Chi Minh City has the edge when it comes to war relics, Joe Bindloss loves Hanoi for its museums. From the fascinating History Museum and Women’s Museum to the thought-provoking exhibitions on the struggle for independence at Hoa Lo Prison and a crash course in ethnic culture at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Hanoi is the perfect starting point to explore the rest of the country.
Ho Chi Minh City: A youthful, modern city
On the other hand, James Pham, Lonely Planet’s Southeast Asia Destination Editor, shares a different perspective on Ho Chi Minh City. While Hanoi has been the capital for nearly a millennium with a rich heritage and monuments, Ho Chi Minh City was only founded in the late 17th century. However, the city has made up for that time with a vibrant urban landscape, newer infrastructure, vibrant nightlife and rich cuisine.
"In short, Hanoi is the traditional older brother. Ho Chi Minh City is the youthful, trendy younger brother," James Pham commented.
The city centre is elegant, tree-lined and has wider streets. Attractions range from the historic French colonial buildings of glitzy District 1 (including the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office) to the trendy dining hub of District 3 or bustling Cho Lon.
Beyond the statistics, Ho Chi Minh City feels youthful and open. It attracts students from all over the country and is a place where entrepreneurs look for startup opportunities. More influenced by foreign cultures, Ho Chi Minh City residents are considered to be international and open to change. This is where trends are born and thrive.
This incredible diversity has created some of the best cuisine in Vietnam. Visitors can enjoy Hanoi specialties such as pho and bun cha, but also Bun Bo Hue, Banh Xeo (Western Vietnamese pancakes) and grilled pork broken rice are not to be missed. Ho Chi Minh City cuisine is lighter, with lots of fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables. James Pham expressed his love for being able to easily enjoy different dishes for each meal in a month without feeling repetitive.
Ho Chi Minh City also boasts a thriving artisanal food scene, featuring everything from craft beer and contemporary wines inspired by Vietnamese botanicals to premium chocolates with cacao harvested from the Mekong Delta. The large expat community also ensures that visitors can always find world-class Japanese, Indian, Korean and European cuisine within a 10-minute drive.
Another big advantage of Ho Chi Minh City is the weather: cool all year round with two seasons (hot dry or hot rainy), while Hanoi has a bitterly cold winter. Location-wise, Ho Chi Minh City is the perfect gateway to southern destinations like the Cu Chi tunnels (an hour and a half drive), the Mekong Delta (three hours), the beaches of Vung Tau (two hours) and Mui Ne (three and a half hours). Plus, Ho Chi Minh City’s large international airport means there are plenty of (and cheap) flights to everywhere, including the island paradises of Phu Quoc and Con Dao.
