Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: The Ultimate Guide

If you are planning to visit Vietnam, you may be trying to decide whether to base yourself in Ho Chi Minh City (often abbreviated to HCMC) in the south, the country's old capital formerly known as Saigon, or Hanoi in the north, the current capital. The two cities are more than 1,000 kilometers apart.

Ideally, if you want to fully explore Vietnam, you should visit both. Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling, busy, and modern metropolis that has many of the scars of the Vietnam War, called the American War in Vietnam. Hanoi, despite being the new capital city, is the older of the two cities and feels more traditional and “authentic”.

Read on for a detailed comparison of the two cities so you can decide which to visit first and where to spend most of your time when discovering this fascinating country in Southeast Asia.

Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Main Differences Overall

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are both distinctively Vietnamese, but walking the streets, they feel very different.

Hanoi is the smaller of the two cities with a population of around 5.2 million. It feels like what you would expect from a Vietnamese village that has naturally evolved into a big city. You will see Buddhist temples, street food vendors, small hidden alleys, traditional markets, and local culture.

Ho Chi Minh City, with a population of around 9.3 million, feels much more modern, like Hong Kong or Shanghai. As well as towering modern skyscrapers you can expect high-end shopping and international restaurants.

Both cities are a mix of traditional Vietnamese and French colonial architecture and have a vibrant street life and strong cafe culture. You can expect to feel simultaneously welcomed by locals and overwhelmed by busy streets.

1. Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Things to Do and See

Both cities have long and rich histories, which means that there is plenty for tourists to see and do.

Hanoi

Hanoi is the older of the two cities as it was founded in 1010 under the Ly Dynasty and was the administrative capital of the country until 1802.

When you visit Hanoi, it feels surprisingly close to nature thanks to more than 20 large lakes spotted around the city. One of these lakes is Hoan Kiem Lake in the Old Quarter. In the center of the lake is Ngoc Son Temple, also called the Temple of the Jade Mountain. It was dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao, who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century.

Lake Tay Ho or West Lake is the largest in Hanoi spanning 15 kilometers. The Tran Quoc Pagoda sits near the lake and is the oldest Buddhist temple of its kind. Here you can also enjoy a water puppet show, which is a unique northern Vietnam tradition.

Meanwhile, St. Joseph's Cathedral, also called the Big Church, was one of the first structures built by the French after arriving in Vietnam. Walking the French Quarter you will find many old colonial buildings and tasty cafes.

Hanoi is also considered the cultural capital and you will find many museums and art galleries there including the Fine Arts Museum, Hao Lo Prison Museum, National Museum of Vietnamese History, Vietnamese Women's Museum, and Military History Museum.

Another popular stop is the Temple of Literature. It was Vietnam's first national university where students were taught about Confucianism, literature, and poetry. Today it is a museum of Vietnam's great scholars and thinkers.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City centers on the Saigon River, which runs through the middle of the city that was officially founded in 1698. It fell into French colonial possession in 1862, which had a profound impact on the character of the city, earning it the name the Paris of the Orient. It returned to Vietnamese hands in the 1950s.

HCMC was an important center during the Vietnam War, and it bears many scars from that recent conflict.

One of Ho Chi Minh's top sights is the Reunification Palace, which was the base of General Ngo Dinh Diem until he died in 1963. The palace was bombed by his own air force in 1962 in an attempt to assassinate him.

It was then home to the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. A North Vietnam tanker crashed through the main gate at the end of the war in 1975.

The War Remnants Museum also tells the story of the conflict that the locals call the American War. There you will find displays of arms and armory, but also photos demonstrating the effects of Agent Orange, a horrific chemical weapon.

But HCMC is also home to beautiful historic sights. The Taoist temple known as the Jade Emperor Pagoda is probably the most popular, decorated with intricate woodwork and sculptures.

There is also the stunning Saigon Opera House, where you can take in a show. Send a letter from the Saigon central post office while soaking up the 19th-century French Gothic architecture. Finally, visit the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon.

Get an overview of the modern city, lined with luxury hotels, deluxe shopping, and Michelin-star restaurants, by visiting Landmark 81, the tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City. Find the lounge on the 75th floor called Blank Lounge Landmark with 360-degree views.

2. Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Shopping

Ho Chi Minh City is the shopping capital of Vietnam. There are both trendy shopping malls and traditional markets. The city prides itself in being a place where you can find anything!

For high-end shopping and big international brands, head to large international malls such as Diamond Plaza, Saigon Center, and Takashimaya. In Dong Khoi Street you can find many boutique stores selling items by local designers and artisans.

For markets, the most popular is Ben Thanh Market, which is honestly a bit of a tourist trap (read: expect to pay higher prices or bargain really hard), but has an amazing selection of souvenirs, jewelry, and handicrafts. Head to An Dong Market for textiles and custom-made clothing. There are a variety of other local markets to discover.

Unlike Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi isn't known for its big shopping centers. But the markets are better!

There are a variety of good markets in the Old Quarter, often specializing in goods such as textiles, jewelry, or woodwork. One of the most popular permanent markets is Dong Xuan Market, which is four stories of shopping dating back to 1889, and the Hanoi Weekend Night Market.

Hanoi is also one of the best places for tailoring services. Visit your tailor at the start of your visit and your suits and dresses should be ready by the time you head home.

The city is also known for its book streets where you can find sellers of new and secondhand books side by side selling both Vietnamese and international titles.

3. Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Food

Hanoi has to be the food capital of Vietnam and is the best place to discover traditional Vietnamese food. Every corner is occupied by food vendors selling traditional noodle soup, bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), banh mi (a popular type of sandwich), and more.

Hanoi is the place to try Pho rice noodle soup, since the dish comes from the city, and is also the place to try traditional egg coffee, a rich expresso topped with a meringue-like fluff.

You will also find great street food in HCMC, but it might be disappointing after Hanoi. But Ho Chi Minh offers international cuisine and interesting fusion restaurants.

Try Cuch Gac Quan for traditional Vietnamese food and the Deck Siagon for Vietnamese seafood. Xu Restaurant Lounge is known for fusion cuisine and creative cocktails. The Racha Room serves a mixture of Vietnamese and Thai flavors, while Baba's Kitchen does authentic Indian food, Saigon style.

HCMC also has an emerging craft beer scene. There are several breweries in the area including Pasteur Street Brewing Company, Heart of Darkness Brewery, East West Brewing Co., and Winking Seal Beer Co.

4. Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Accommodation

Both HCMC and Hanoi are big cities that are popular with tourists. This means that there are a lot of accommodation choices and you can probably find something decent within your budget.

Hanoi has lots of hostels, but also a good range of hotels and Airbnbs. But the big-name luxury hotels and boutique hotels are mostly found in Ho Chi Minh City.

When staying in Hanoi, the historic charm and bustling streets of the Old Quarter make it a popular choice. West Lake is better if you want luxury hotels with scenic views. If you don't have long and you want to be close to the main historic sights try the Ba Dinh district. If you prefer serenity a little bit further from the center, look at Truc Bach.

Also, read my entire guide to the best places to stay in Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh City is divided into 21 small districts, but if you are a tourist you will want to stay in one of the central districts, so districts 1, 2, 3, or 5.

District 1 is the main central district, close to all the best cultural and historic attractions. District 2 is also sometimes called Thu Duc City, and it has more modern and comfortable options, especially when it comes to Airbnbs.

District 3 is great for access to the best food and museums. District 5 is close to Chinatown and its many food and cultural options.

Read my guide to the best places to stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

5. Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Nightlife

Despite being an attractive destination for young backpackers, the nightlife in Vietnam is not out of this world. This is because the government discourages venues throughout the country from staying open after midnight.

Ho Chi Minh City has the best nightlife to be found in Vietnam. Around the center, you will find alleyways full of bars that are flooded with both locals and tourists. Bui Vien Street is particularly popular with backpackers and District 2 with tourists in general.

More venues are open later on the weekends with a selection of live music venues, classy cocktail lounges, and some pretty good clubs including Lush Nightclub and Blanchy's Tash.

In Hanoi, expect more hole-in-the-wall bars and eateries where you can talk the night away with friends. Some bars are called Bia Hoi and serve locally brewed beers.

The Hanoi Social Club is located in a 1920s colonial villa and is one of the most popular nightspots in the city for tourists. It is also one of the best live music venues in the city.

6. Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Day Trips

While Vietnam's cities are wonderful, it is the surrounding countryside that offers some of the most exciting experiences in the country. There are many day trips available from both cities. From Hanoi, you can expect more nature-based activities, and from Ho Chi Minh City more historic sights.

One of the top day trips from Hanoi is Halong Bay. This is a spectacular bay of emerald green waters and is spotted with around 1,600 limestone islands. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the perfect place to spend a day or two island hopping and kayaking.

Near Hanoi, close to the Chinese border, is also the Sapa Rice Fields, considered among the most beautiful examples of agricultural engineering in the world. During the growing season, the region turns a brilliant shade of green and it is a great place for hiking and visiting local ethnic communities.

Hanoi is also close to Cuc Phung National Park, one of the most diverse ecosystems in the country. The ruins of the imperial citadel of Thang Long are also nearby. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can visit the Kinh Thien Palace, North Gate, and Princess Pagadoa.

A popular day trip from HCMC is the Cu Chi Tunnels, which are on the outskirts of the main city. The underground tunnels were part of the Viet Cong resistance and served as living quarters and transport and communication channels. Covering 250 kilometers, the tunnels are only about 80 centimeters wide and 120 centimeters tall, so they are certainly quite claustrophobic to visit.

The Mekong Delta is also close by, where you can visit mangrove forests, floating markets, and traditional fishing villages. The Mekong Delta is popular for trekking, bird watching, and eating great seafood.

Cao Dai Temple is also close to HCMC and is the center of the Cao Dai religion. The temple has a colorful architecture that reflects Buddhism, Taoism, and Christianity. Ceremonies and rituals are conducted daily.

7. Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Weather

Wherever you visit in Vietnam, you can expect it to be hot most of the year thanks to the tropical climate.

There are only two seasons, wet and dry. You will get slightly cooler temperatures in Hanoi than in HCMC.

In Ho Chi Minh City, you can expect temperatures in the low 90s degrees Fahrenheit (over 32 Degrees Celsius) in the summer and the high 70s degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. The wet season is between May and November and not only does it rain, but it feels humid and muggy.

Hanoi is more moderate and can even feel chilly in the winter months with daytime temperatures dropping as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The rainy season is also a little shorter, starting in May and finishing in September.

8. Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Value for Money

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are both very affordable destinations for most tourists. Hanoi does have a slightly lower cost of living, but you probably won't see much of a difference in what you spend as a tourist.

Budget travelers can probably get away with spending as little as US$20-$30 per day in Vietnam, while most travelers should expect to spend US$50-$60 including accommodation, assuming that you are also eating out and visiting attractions.

Of course, you will pay a lot more if you choose luxury hotels and exclusive experiences.

You can easily make your way to either city as both have international airports. You can find affordable flights from nearby Asian cities to both destinations especially if you only have carry-on luggage. Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines, and Vietravel Airlines all operate domestic flights.

9. Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Safety

While dodging scooters can be a nail-biting experience in both cities, both Hanoi and HCMC are safe places to visit as a tourist if you stick to the main parts.

The cities are crowded and busy so they can feel hectic, and tourists should always look out for pickpockets, but serious crime is rare.

Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City – Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is Hanoi better than Ho Chi Minh City?

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are both fantastic cities. Which you will prefer depends on what you like. Both are busy and crowded cities, but Hanoi is better for traditional building, greenery and temple visits, while HCMC is better for shopping. I strongly believe the food is better in Hanoi, but the nightlife is better in Ho Chi Minh City.

📍 Is Ho Chi Minh City more modern than Hanoi?

Ho Chi Minh City is a more modern city than Hanoi with modern skyscrapers and international shopping centers. It feels a bit like Hong Kong or Shanghai. While Hanoi is not quite as big as HCMC, it exudes more traditional Vietnamese culture.

⭐ Is Hanoi cleaner than Ho Chi Minh City?

While both cities are working hard to improve cleanliness, neither is probably as clean as most tourists would like. It is not uncommon to see rubbish in the streets and big populations mean that air pollution is something you have to live with.

🏨 How many days are enough for Hanoi?

You can probably see all the major sites of Hanoi within 2-3 days, and the same is true for HCMC. You will want to budget more time for some of the nearby day trips.

Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City – Final Words

If you are visiting Vietnam, both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City should be on your must-visit destination list. Hanoi has been a major political center for more than 1,000 years and exudes rich history and Vietnamese culture.

HCMC is an exciting international destination with international brands and experiences but also has some local charm.

Split your time between the two cities based on what appeals to you. Choose Hanoi for nature-based expeditions and old Vietnamese culture and HCMC for shopping, nightlife, and the finer things.

Are you planning a trip to Vietnam? Read this guide to the 16 best places to visit in Vietnam.