How to Choose Between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi

 

If time is short and you only have room to visit one of Vietnam’s top cities, which one should you choose? Keith Hajovsky details the charms of each of these very different cities.

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KEITH HAJOVSKY

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When people plan a trip to Vietnam they often have to choose between visiting Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi due to time constraints. Each city is very different from the other, so here are some things to consider if you can’t visit both.

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Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, which many people still call Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam with a metropolitan area now populated by more than 9 million people. A city in perpetual motion, at least compared to its sister city Hanoi, it’s the economic centre of the country. Unfortunately, traffic and pollution have come hand in hand with the spectacular growth of the city over the last several years.

Having said that, there are some very worthwhile things to see and do in the city. The War Remnants Museum, which gives a very graphic version of the Vietnam War quite unlike most you get in the United States, thoroughly fascinated me. I also enjoyed exploring the Reunification Palace that has been preserved almost exactly as it was when the North Vietnamese forces took over in April 1975. Wandering around the Chinese-style temples in the district of Cholon was interesting as well.

The high energy of Ho Chi Minh City does rub off on you. If you are into nightlife, the city is by far the place to be in Vietnam. It’s clear that people work hard and play hard in this dynamic city.

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Hanoi

Hanoi, the country’s capital, is pretty big as well with about 6.5 million people in its metropolitan area. But in contrast with fast and furious Ho Chi Minh City, this is a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and leafy parks. French colonial architecture abounds in the city centre, so much so that some people refer to it as the Paris of the Orient. Hanoi locals seem to be living a more traditional style of life compared to those in Ho Chi Minh City, so you feel much more like you are in “old” Asia when you visit. And although it certainly has its share of traffic, it is easier and much more pleasant to walk around the city and take things in at your own pace.

I enjoyed walking around the Old Quarter while poking around the endless little shops, checking out Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, and going to the Hoa Lo Prison (a.k.a. The Hanoi Hilton) which during the Vietnam War held American POWs who were shot down – its most famous prisoner being John McCain. But as much as anything I enjoyed simply hanging out at the numerous street-side cafes and restaurants, just watching the locals in their daily routines.

The bottom line is choosing the city that best fits your tastes and interests. Those who favour high-energy bustle should head to Ho Chi Minh City, while those looking for a more relaxed atmosphere will prefer Hanoi. But whichever you choose, your visit will be a rewarding one.