Western newspapers compare Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Roughguides has made interesting comments about the differences between the two cities so that tourists can make the right choice when coming to Vietnam.

Vietnam’s two major cities are more than 1,700 km apart. Ho Chi Minh City, in the south, is a modern, bustling metropolis. The capital Hanoi is more classic, with a more hectic pace and a charming old quarter. However, both cities can get too hectic, and visitors will need some tips on how to navigate the traffic. If you can’t decide where to go, consider the differences between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Where better to explore culture?

Both cities have many museums, temples and impressive colonial architecture. They also have ancient churches from the French colonial period and attractive traditional water puppet shows.

Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon seen from above.

Ho Chi Minh City has more amusement parks than Hanoi, so if you like roller coasters, head south. If you like galleries, Hanoi is a good choice, with plenty of classical and modern art on display.

Hanoians are sometimes more aloof than Saigonese, with more traditional values ​​and manners from the old days. Ho Chi Minh City is more influenced by foreign cultures, especially American and French, so it feels more open and uninhibited, with dynamic young people, modern businessmen and developed commerce.

Where has better food?

You will easily find delicious and cheap local specialties in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The street food in both places is very unique and wonderful. Hanoi is home to the famous traditional Vietnamese dish Pho, sold all over the streets for just over 20,000 VND.

The street food in Ho Chi Minh City is just as plentiful, but a little sweeter. Wonderful aromas waft from the streets of both these food havens. You will have more to discover than pho and banh mi.

Coffee culture exists in both cities, but the coffee in Ho Chi Minh City is sweeter and not as strong as in Hanoi.

Both places have international cuisine worth exploring, however HCMC has more quality and diverse options, more upscale restaurants than Hanoi.

Nightlife

Ho Chi Minh City has more nightlife, although the Vietnamese capital has plenty of bars that stay open late. Hanoi’s Old Quarter comes alive at night, with thousands of locals and tourists spilling out onto the streets, sitting on plastic stools drinking cheap beer and nibbling on grilled meat or fragrant chicken feet.

Hanoi attracts backpackers. Photo: Roughguides.

Many bars in Ho Chi Minh City have live music on the weekends, perfect for a cocktail and a relaxing evening. If you are looking for a classy place to enjoy a romantic evening, or a nightclub that can keep you entertained until the early hours, the southern city is the best choice.

However, Hanoi is more suitable for backpackers who prefer quietness. If you do not bring nice clothes, Hanoi is the place to go.

Where to shop?

Hanoi has a wide variety of handicrafts, silk and handicraft products, stone and wood carvings, embroidery and lacquerware, which are sold in large quantities in the south of the Old Quarter.

Ho Chi Minh City has many cheap souvenirs such as Ben Thanh market, or if you want more high-end items, you can go to Dong Khoi market. The southern city has many large, modern supermarkets, with big brand stores.

Where to go to relax?

Hanoi has been growing rapidly in recent years, with many high-rise buildings springing up. Both cities have around 8 million people, but Ho Chi Minh City seems more cramped. However, Hanoi’s Old Quarter is also packed during rush hour, making it difficult to navigate, and the constant noise can be tiring for many people.

Traffic in both cities can be overwhelming, with motorbikes whizzing by. The newer, wider streets in Ho Chi Minh City may make things easier, but it’s all relative.

In Hanoi, temperatures can drop to 17 degrees Celsius in January. Temperatures in Ho Chi Minh City do not drop below 20 degrees Celsius, adding to the humidity that will make visitors sweat.

To escape the heat in the South, you can go to the Cultural Park, Tao Dan Garden and relax under the shade of the trees. In Hanoi, you should go to the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake to temporarily escape the noisy streets and watch people play chess.

Where better to go for a day trip?

Ha Long Bay, a picturesque destination with majestic limestone islands on calm waters, is Vietnam’s top day trip destination from Hanoi. However, it will take you up to 8 hours by car round trip.

Ha Long is a famous destination in Vietnam.

About 2 hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels is the ideal destination for a day trip. This tunnel consists of many tunnels, used during wartime.

Where should you go?

Of course, it depends on what you’re looking for. Hanoi leans towards the historical and the subdued, offering visitors a taste of traditional Vietnamese culture, art and creativity, and a quieter lifestyle.

Ho Chi Minh City is the commercial center of the country, with many luxury hotels, high-class restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.

According to zing.vn