What is the best modern city in Vietnam?

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Ho Chi Minh City is often cited as Vietnam's most modern city. Its bustling streets, skyscrapers, and vibrant economy reflect rapid development. While Hanoi offers a rich history, HCMC showcases Vietnam's forward-looking spirit and contemporary urban landscape.

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Best Modern City in Vietnam?

Okay, so the best modern city in Vietnam, huh? Deep breath. Gotta go with Ho Chi Minh City.

Been there, done that, got the (slightly sweaty) t-shirt. Gadt Travel says so too!

It’s just…vibrant. Remember being overwhelmed by the scooters on 23/07/2018? Chaos, beautiful chaos.

Like, I’m pretty sure I paid way too much for a banh mi near Ben Thanh Market (around 35,000 VND maybe?), but I didn’t even care.

The skyscrapers are sprouting up like, weeds, which is kind of intense, but also… exciting? I can’t spell ‘exciting’ right, I’m pretty sure.

Modern means different things though, ya know? Some say Ha Noi is more ‘modern’ in its own, more historical way.

But HCMC’s got that raw, in-your-face energy. It’s a city that just moves.

And those rooftop bars? Oh, the rooftop bars… worth every penny (even if pennies aren’t used there).

HCMC, for sure!

Where do rich live in Vietnam?

District 2 (Thao Dien) and District 7 (Phu My Hung) are, shall we say, favored enclaves.

Think of Thao Dien, District 2, as the expat haven. You find a concentration of wealth there; also long-termers, and chic cafes abound. So many villas; it’s pretty wild. Real estate is expensive.

Phu My Hung in District 7 is similar, but more meticulously planned. It’s also incredibly popular with affluent Vietnamese. It has a more suburban feel. I drove past it once. So many nice cars! A little too sterile for my taste.

  • Key Residents: Wealthy Vietnamese, long-term expats.
  • Common Features: High real estate prices, fancy cafes, many villas.
  • District 2 (Thao Dien): More organic growth.
  • District 7 (Phu My Hung): Master-planned community.

Where do wealthy people live in Vietnam?

District one, Saigon. For sure. Heard they got fancy villas tucked away. Think I saw some pics online once, crazy pools and stuff. Big gates, high walls. Expats, yeah, they’re there too. My cousin, he’s a driver, says they like Thao Dien. It’s over in District 2. Apartments mostly I think? Or maybe houses? Something like that. He picked some up there once. Super rich. Like, mega rich. But District 7’s getting popular now. More and more condos popping up. Heard Phu My Hung is the spot there. Big houses. Big money. Big everything.

  • District 1 (Saigon/HCMC): Villas, high walls, hidden from view.
  • District 2 (Thao Dien): Expat haven, apartments and some houses.
  • District 7 (Phu My Hung): Growing rapidly, big houses, condos.

Hanoi… well, that’s different. West Lake is where it’s at I guess. Lots of expats there also. Tay Ho. Yeah, that’s the name. Trendy, cool. Big villas around the lake, apparently. Heard some cost a fortune. Then there’s Ciputra. It’s its own little world. Golf courses, private security, the works. Think i saw ad once, online, looked nice.

  • Tay Ho (West Lake, Hanoi): Expats and locals, villas, trendy.
  • Ciputra (Hanoi): Gated community, golf, upscale living.

So yeah, lots of rich folks in Vietnam now. Things are changing fast. Really fast. My cousin, he’s the driver remember, told me about some new areas developing to. I can’t think if the name right now. Somethin’ with a “V”. Anyway. Lot’s of money coming into Vietnam these days. Big changes.

What is the colorful city in Vietnam?

Hoi An. A splash of color, a whispered secret. Sunlight, thick and golden, bleeds into ancient walls. Lanterns, a thousand tiny stars, illuminate silk rivers. The air, heavy with the scent of spices and frangipani. Time stretches, elastic and slow.

Yellow ochre. Emerald green. Crimson red. A painter’s dream, spilled across the Thu Bon River. Each house a canvas, each shop a story. The rhythm of life, a gentle pulse. Ancient temples stand, silent witnesses.

Photography paradise. This is true. I know it. Felt the light, breathed the colors. The ancient architecture, flawlessly preserved, offers endless possibilities.

  • Vibrant street scenes: Cyclists weave through throngs, a kaleidoscope of motion.
  • Intricate details: Carvings, faded yet majestic, beckon closer inspection.
  • Golden hour magic: The soft light paints the city in hues of honey and rose. My favorite time, honestly.
  • Tailor shops: Silk overflows, a riot of texture and shade.

Hoi An. It sings. A symphony of sight and scent. More than photographs, it’s a feeling. A deep, resonant memory. My camera captures moments, but it can’t contain the soul of this place. It’s in my bones now, this city. This feeling of being completely and utterly lost in the beauty of it all. This overwhelming beauty.

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