Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh: Where Should You Start Your Vietnam Vacation?

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City? This is a pertinent question that crops up for most travellers planning to visit Vietnam, as the entry point into Vietnam for their Vietnamese vacation.

So, what makes both these bustling cities of Vietnam different and yet so similar?

We came to HCMC from Da Nang and earlier Hanoi, hence a comparison between these two Vietnamese cities is inevitable.

Let's find out...

Location

Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam. Like most capital cities, it is the political and cultural hub of Vietnam. It is located in the northern part of Vietnam and serves as an important gateway to the world-famous natural landscape of Halong Bay and Sapa.

Ho Chi Minh was the former capital of Vietnam and is its largest city. It also has the distinction of being Vietnam's main economic hub. HCMC lies in southern Vietnam and is close to the famous Mekong Delta, which can be done on a day trip from here.

Weather

Hanoi is best visited during the springtime from February to April or from September to November. Winter in Hanoi can be very chilly, with temperatures dipping to as low as 10 degrees Celsius.

HCMC enjoys a warm, tropical climate throughout the year. So, the best time to come is between the dry months from December to April.

Culture

Hanoi is warm and vibrant. You'll get hooked on the city if you spend a weekend in the Old Quarter. Live concerts, lakeside, people sitting around in open-air eateries... sounds like everything distinctly European? No, you'll be surprised to learn that it's very Vietnamese and that's what makes it even more intriguing! The French colonial influence is unmistakable, which is not just present but celebrated.

The air is vibrant as dusk falls in Hanoi

HCMC is the commercial hub; the city boasts a glittering skyline, a vibrant culinary scene, and a lively nightlife. I felt it exhibits a more distinct American influence than its northern counterpart, Hanoi. HCMC is more modern; it's like any other metropolis, with a very fast-paced city life.

HCMC has the Saigon Theatre, famous for its Bamboo dance.

Attractions

Hanoi has the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It's an experience that could leave you in awe of the pride the Vietnamese people have in their nationality and the love they have for their beloved leader. Hanoi's proximity to the Ninh Binh region is also a big plus.

And not to forget, the world-famous Halong Bay is closer to Hanoi, and can be done on a day cruise.

The famous art form of Vietnam, water puppetry, is at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi, in the Old Quarter.

HCMC has the riveting War Remnants Museum and the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. HCMC also serves as a gateway to the famous Mekong Delta.

Accommodation

Hanoi is touristy, so there's a price tag for being one!

The hotels in the city are expensive, and many of them are boutique hotels for visitors. And why not? Visitors are willing to pay more for an overnight stay in the Old Quarter to get the typical Vietnamese feel.

HCMC, like any other capital city, offers a large variety of hotels, from corporate ones to touristy ones, fitting every budget and taste.

Culinary Scene/Shopping/Nightlife

Hanoi is known for its street food. Anyone visiting Vietnam who wishes to experience typical Vietnamese cuisine should first head to Hanoi to savour the traditional Vietnamese dish, especially 'Pho', pronounced ph.

Shopping in Hanoi is more of a touristy experience; you'll find small shops selling souvenirs in the Night Market, shoes, scarves and more. The day we arrived in Hanoi, we were taken aback by the cold and decided to buy a jacket each. We were surprised to see jackets of every possible international brand being sold in these shops at very reasonable prices. We were quite amused to see that all these jackets were fakes and were being proudly sold as one!

Hanoi has a regular party setting in the Old Quarter. You will find hundreds of low plastic stools scattered along the pavements, with youngsters squatting on them, chatting and munching on roadside snacks and draft beer. Our hotel manager told us that this roadside party place is called Bia Hoi Corner.

HCMC, like any other World-class city, has all kinds of restaurants with all levels of pricing. They have food courts with all kinds of cuisines, upscale restaurants and swanky nightclubs, too. I didn't experience the nightlife, but going by the look of it, it would be like any other cosmopolitan city.

HCMC is a shopper's paradise. You will find many upscale boutiques and lots of shopping options in places like Saigon Square, Saigon Centre (Takashimaya), Vincom Centre Dong Khoi, among many others.

The good thing about both Hanoi and HCMC is that both are almost equidistant from Danang, which is a city you should not miss. It's close to the lantern city of Hoi An, the stunning Marble Mountain and the famous Ba Na Hills.

To sum up, I'd say that Hanoi offers a more authentic Vietnamese experience, the kind that tourists crave; its Vietnam on a platter for you, with culture and cuisine in abundance.

HCMC is a beautiful city with good infrastructure that can be used as a convenient entry point into Vietnam.