Where should you visit on first trip to Vietnam: Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City ?

Where should you visit on first trip to Vietnam: Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City ?

Situated at the northern and southern extremes of this long, thin country, Vietnam’s two main cities lie more than one thousand kilometres apart.

Hanoi is the country’s capital and is located in the north and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in the south is the country’s economic powerhouse. If you can’t decide which city to visit on your first trip to Vietnam, this short guide can help you if it’s Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City that you want to visit first.

You are a foreign visitor. So you need an international airport to enter Vietnam .

It is a pleasure to tell to you that both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have international airports: Noi Bai International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Where should you visit on first trip to Vietnam: Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City ?

Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Therefore, to start any trip in Vietnam you have to be present in these two cities. In each city you will be able to choose different tour packages.

From Hanoi, You can easily make Mountainous Northern Vietnam Tours such as: Sapa Tours From Hanoi, Sapa Mu Cang Chai Tour, Halong Bay Tours…

 

From Ho Chi Minh City, You can easily make Southern Vietnam Tours such as: Mekong Delta. Cu Chi Tunnel,….

Where should you visit on first trip to Vietnam: Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City ?

Mekong Delta

And if you want to visit destinations in Central Vietnam (Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An…). You must make a domestic flight to Hue airport or Danang airport.

Here are a few reasons to choose Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh: Where should you visit on first trip to Vietnam ?

Which is best for culture?

Neither city is short of museums, temples, pagodas and impressive colonial architecture. Both have a cathedral too – relics of the French occupation – and highly entertaining traditional water-puppet shows.

HCMC has several more theme parks than Hanoi, so if rollercoasters are your thing, head south. If you’re more at home in a gallery than doing loop-the-loops, Hanoi will be a better bet, as it pips the post for both fine and contemporary art.

Where should you visit on first trip to Vietnam: Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City ?

Ho Chi Minh City

People from Hanoi are known for sometimes being more standoffish than their southern counterparts, with more traditional values and formal manners.

HCMC, more influenced by foreign cultures than Hanoi – particularly American and French – has a more spontaneous and open feel to it. While Hanoi tries to stick to its past, Ho Chi Minh City is evidently gearing towards the future.

Where should you visit on first trip to Vietnam: Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City ?

Hanoi

Best for food

Both cities are haven for foodies. Pho originated from Northern Vietnam which is nearer to Hanoi. It’s a street food and everywhere around the city you can enjoy this delicious hot bowl of broth and noodles for just a dollar ($1). But the street food scene in Hanoi is just equally as good as Ho CHi Minh City’s. The most sought Bahn Mi stalls are easy to find anywhere. The coffee culture influence of the French is spread throughout in both of the cities.

Where should you visit on first trip to Vietnam: Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City ?

Best Accommodations

Ho Chi Minh City boasts more business hotels due to its position as a financial hub but Hanoi is not too far behind having several luxury hotels around the city. The Old quarter has a wide options of accommodation from backpacker’s hostels to 3 star hotels that are affordable.

Best in Shopping

There’s no doubt that Ho Chi Minh City is far better than Hanoi when it comes to shopping. The markets and shopping arcades in Ho Chi Minh City offers more options than in Hanoi. Most people who visit Ho Chi Minh City shop for “branded” jackets and bags. Most shops can be found in Saigon Square 2. Go on a shopping spree as you wish but always make sure that you keep your possessions in mind as there are a lot of pickpockets in the area.

So, choose Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City for your first trip to Vietnam, it depends entirely on the hobbies and the destinations you want to visit. From there make the most accurate choice !

To see more our other articles:

The Best Northern Vietnam Tours that tourists should know.

The top tours from Ho Chi Minh City

The most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam in the first half of 2017.