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Howdy there! On this article, I needed to check two cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Metropolis (Saigon). Should you’re planning a visit to Vietnam and making an attempt to decide on between each of those cities and may solely go to one, hopefully, this text will aid you perceive which metropolis to go to and which metropolis is extra fascinating for you: Ho Chi Minh vs Hanoi!
With out additional ado, let’s get began!
Learn this put up about our 7-day itinerary for Vietnam or this text about our 14-day beneficial itinerary for Vietnam and Laos right here >>>
Ho Chi Minh Metropolis – is it price visiting?
Ho Chi Minh Metropolis is Vietnam’s largest metropolis. Although the Capital is in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh Metropolis is essential, and it has additionally been growing a lot quicker than Hanoi. The tallest constructing in Vietnam is positioned in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis (The Landmark Tower), and a number of the nicest eating places within the nation will also be discovered there.
Ho Chi Minh Metropolis is a way more fashionable metropolis, nevertheless it’s additionally a lot busier than Hanoi. The sound of the honking could be a bit overbearing, and crossing a highway in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis can also be fairly an journey.
Ho Chi Minh Metropolis doesn’t have as many landmarks as Hanoi, and because it’s a a lot newer metropolis general (it began growing within the nineteenth century), there are only a few historic buildings and architectural highlights.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply that Ho Chi Minh Metropolis shouldn’t be price visiting! To start with, it’s all the time sizzling in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis! Winter in Hanoi could be fairly chilly, however on the identical time, it’ll all the time be +32C in Saigon. Secondly, we discovered the meals choices in Saigon a bit extra thrilling than in Hanoi. There have been loads of good eating places and in addition cool avenue meals markets; there was nice bubble tea round each nook, and Bahn Mi was to die for! There are additionally far more Western meals choices and in addition a lot of hipster and classy bars and cafes (just like the Clean Lounge on the Landmark Tower).
How lengthy do you have to keep in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh Metropolis)?
We spent 2 days in Saigon and felt prefer it was sufficient to see many of the landmarks within the metropolis, however we didn’t have time to go exterior the town – on a day journey to the floating market and the battle tunnels. One of many must-do issues in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis is taking a avenue meals tour with the native college students by motorcycle – it’s a enjoyable expertise, and we acquired to attempt so many issues we in any other case wouldn’t have tried or identified how you can eat! It’s additionally a really reasonably priced tour – you may examine the costs and availability of this tour right here >>>
What about Hanoi? Is Hanoi price visiting?
Hanoi, however, is the capital of Vietnam that’s rooted in deep historic significance. Hanoi has so many landmarks that it’s tough to go to all of them in a few days. The distances between them are additionally large! Hanoi can also be famend for preserving its cultural heritage. The town’s Previous Quarter stands as a residing testomony to its conventional roots. The slender streets within the Previous City are stuffed with small outlets, conventional eateries, and historical temples.
Hanoi doesn’t have as many fashionable buildings as Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, and it even has a totally completely different ambiance.
Hanoi is a way more stunning metropolis, it’s not as busy, and it’s method greener. It’s extra touristy, and lodging choices are additionally a bit costlier in Hanoi, particularly if the motels are on a greater facet.
Vietnam’s most stunning bay, Ha Lengthy Bay can also be simply accessible from Hanoi; it’s only a 2-hour drive away – therefore, many individuals come to Hanoi & Ha Lengthy Bay on a protracted weekend journey.
What number of days are sufficient in Hanoi?
Should you’re visiting Hanoi and planning to go to Ha Lengthy Bay as properly, I like to recommend spending a minimum of 3 days or, higher, 4 days in Hanoi – that gives you sufficient time to see the town and go on an in a single day cruise to Ha Lengthy Bay!
The cruise we took, and I can advocate quite a bit, is the Paradise Class cruise – it’s an in a single day luxurious cruise that doesn’t break the financial institution and visits all the details of curiosity in Ha Lengthy Bay!
Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh Metropolis – in the event you can solely go to one place in Vietnam?
Nonetheless, in the event you can solely go to one place in Vietnam and are selecting between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, that actually will depend on what you want. Should you like fashionable, super-busy cities with glorious purchasing malls, skyscrapers and classy eating places, you would possibly get pleasure from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis a bit extra. Should you like nature, structure and historical past – Hanoi could be a greater possibility.
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