Is food better in Hanoi or Saigon?

What part of Vietnam has the best food?

Ugh, best food in Vietnam? That’s HARD. Okay, gotta pick one, right?

• Central Vietnam? Hue, Hoi An… Royal food, fancy. Complex. Mmm, like that one noodle soup. What was it called?

• Or Saigon! Street food HEAVEN. Sweet, spicy, Khmer vibes… Oh man, I had the best pho ever there.

South. Gotta be the South. It’s just…more fun. My uncle lived there, near Saigon River; said everything tasted better after ’75.

• Too much to choose! What about North? Hanoi’s pretty good too. Did have some pretty great pho.

My cousin’s wedding, that was in Hanoi. So many spring rolls…and dipping sauce. Okay, maybe not the best. I remember seeing a food market.

Nah, I’m sticking with Southern Vietnam. Saigon wins. Easy.

What is the foodie capital of Vietnam?

Hoi An. It’s… quiet now. 3 AM. Thinking about… banh mi. From Phuong. Bourdain… he got it. He understood. The crisp bread. Cilantro. That spicy mayo…

The cao lầu noodles too. So specific to Hoi An. Thick. Chewy. That smoky char. Miss it.

The white rose dumplings… delicate. Shrimp. Garlic. Wish I was there.

Strong coffee. Sweetened condensed milk. Sitting by the river. Watching the lanterns.

Everything felt… authentic. Real. Not like… other places. Just… Hoi An.

• Banh Mi: Specifically, Banh Mi Phuong. Bourdain’s visit cemented its legendary status.
• Cao Lầu: Unique to Hoi An. Thick, chewy noodles. Distinctive flavor profile.
• White Rose Dumplings: Shrimp and garlic. Intricate, delicate shape.
• Vietnamese Coffee: Strong, dark roast. Often with sweetened condensed milk. Iced or hot.
• Mì Quảng: Another noodle dish. Turmeric noodles, rich broth. Often with pork and shrimp.
• Banh Xeo: Crispy crepe. Savory filling. Shrimp, pork, bean sprouts.
• Cơm Gà: Chicken rice. Simple, but flavorful. Often served with a side of soup.
• Chè: Sweet dessert. Many variations. Beans, jellies, fruits.
• Fresh Seafood: Hoi An is a coastal town. Abundant fresh seafood options.

I remember the summer of ’23. Walking along the Thu Bon River. Lanterns everywhere. The scent of street food… Makes me… ache. A little.

Which city in Vietnam has the best street food?

District 1, Saigon. Hot, sticky July 2023. Overwhelmed. Motorbikes EVERYWHERE. Smell of fish sauce, something sweet, exhaust fumes. Crazy mix. My stomach growled. Found a tiny plastic stool. Lady with a huge wok. Noodles frying. Ordered. No idea what. Best. Thing. Ever. Spicy, sweet, savory. Cost, like, a dollar. Ate three bowls. Regretted it later. Belly full. Happy. Went back next night. Different lady. Same delicious chaos. Banh mi from a street vendor. Unbelievable.

• Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is street food heaven.
• July 2023 – my trip, intensely memorable.
• District 1 – starting point. Explored from there.
• Focus: noodles, banh mi. So good.
• Cost: ridiculously cheap.
• Sensory overload: smells, sounds, heat.
• Must-try: street vendor banh mi.
• Best to just wander. Find your own gems.
• Don’t overeat like I did, ha! Pace yourself.

Is Hanoi cooler than Saigon?

Okay, so Hanoi versus Saigon, temperature-wise.

I was in Vietnam last December, 2023. Felt a BIG difference.

Hanoi, man, in December? Chilly! Like, needing a light jacket at night. I was in Hanoi for a week, visiting family on my mom’s side. We went to Hoan Kiem Lake, it was overcast, a bit drizzly, y’know? Kinda gloomy, but still cool.

Saigon? Totally different story.

Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City, was humid and hot, even in December. T-shirt weather all day, every day. I spent Christmas there after leaving Hanoi. Palm trees, sunshine. Total vibe change. I got fried, even with sunscreen.

Europe? Yeah, both are warmer than, say, London, in December. Absolutely. Think “mild” for Saigon’s winter, “cool” for Hanoi’s.

• Hanoi: Cooler, definitely jacket weather. Think of northern Vietnam’s climate.
• Saigon: Hotter, humid, t-shirt weather. Southern Vietnam’s more tropical climate.
• Europe Comparison: Both are relatively warm, but not comparable to summer weather in Southern Europe. I’ve been to Italy in July, and that’s a whole different level of heat.

Hanoi’s winters have that damp chill too. Makes it feel colder than it really is, y’know? Saigon’s heat is more…consistent.

The temperature difference between Hanoi and Saigon is genuinely noticeable, especially in winter. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

Which part of Vietnam is safest?

Central Vietnam? Safest? Well, butter my biscuits! It’s like saying your grandma’s attic is the safest place from a rave. But hey, Da Nang and Hoi Anare kinda chill. Fewer pickpockets than, say, a Black Friday sale.

Think of it this way: Northern Vietnam’s got that “raw, untamed wilderness” vibe, like trying to wrangle a greased pig. South Vietnam? More like a bustling marketplace – exciting, sure, but watch your wallet, ya hear?

Safer than a toddler with bubble wrap? Maybe.

• Da Nang: Beachy keen and less likely to have your motorbike swiped. I actually lost my flip-flops there once, though. Does that count?
• Hoi An: Lanterns, tailors, and fewer things that go bump in the night. Except maybe the price of that custom-made suit. Cha-ching!
• Natural Disasters: Less prone to the big kahunas that wallop other regions, apparently. Not a guarantee, though. Mother Nature’s a fickle beast.
• Crime Rate: Relatively low, but keep your eyes peeled anyway. Common sense is free. Like air. Or is it?

Common-sense precautions? Always. Even in grandma’s attic, you might trip over a box of old Christmas decorations. Trust me. I know from experience. Ouch.

How many days do you need in Hanoi?

Okay, so Hanoi… I went there last spring, visiting my cuz, Mai.

Honestly, three days in Hanoi is perfect.

• You really do need a few days.
• One or two? Nah, too rushed.

It’s way too rushed, trust me, there’s just too much going on to not spend enough time there.

Like, you wanna see all the spots. You just wanna explore it, you know? Mai lives near Hoan Kiem Lake, so it was easy for me to bounce around.

Three days is enough to, um, you know, chill out too. You can hit all the main sights without feeling like you’re a tourist robot.

I spent a week, but I think three days it’s great if you just want a taste. Taste is great, you know, just have the taste and it would be fun.

I remember, I really liked the Water Puppet Show. It was cool! Plus, all the street food… omgggg… amazing. And all of the temples that are there.

How to dress for Hanoi?

Ugh, Hanoi packing. So much to think about. Lightweight clothes are a must, right? Linen shirts. Definitely linen. Cotton too, I guess. But loose fitting, gotta cover shoulders and knees. Temple rules and all that. Stupidly hot, though. I’m sweating just thinking about it.

Swimsuit. Duh. Even if I don’t plan on swimming every day, you never know. And a sarong! That’s perfect for beaches or just throwing over whatever I’m wearing. Seriously versatile.

A light jacket. Even in summer, evenings can get chilly. Especially up north – Sapa was freezing last October! That fleece I have? Probably too bulky. Maybe just a light, packable windbreaker. A hoodie too. Essential.

Oh man, shoes. Need good walking shoes. My trusty Nikes are coming with me. And sandals for warmer days, obviously. Comfortable, broken-in ones. I’m not messing around with blisters in Hanoi.

Need sunscreen! 50 SPF at least, high protection, don’t wanna burn. Chapstick with SPF too. My skin is super sensitive.

My phone charger, duh. Adapter too! Vietnam uses type A and C plugs. Learned that the hard way last trip. Got myself an universal adaptor so I’m good to go.

Key Packing List:

• Lightweight, loose clothing (linen, cotton) Covering shoulders and knees.
• Swimsuit – for unexpected dips.
• Sarong – super useful.
• Light jacket or windbreaker – even during summer.
• Hoodie – essential for evenings.
• Comfortable walking shoes – break them in!
• Sandals
• Sunscreen (SPF 50) – gotta protect that skin!
• International power adapter – so important.

Should I even bring a dress? Probably not. Too much effort.

This is stressing me out. I need a drink. And maybe a less stressful packing list. But I’m going! So excited. Need to book my flight now. Almost forgot!