Where do most people stay in Vietnam?

Which part of Vietnam is best to stay in?

Ugh, Vietnam trip planning… seven to ten days? So little time!

North is stunning. Hanoi, the old quarter, crazy traffic, delicious street food. Sapa’s mountains though, wow. Trekking. Beautiful. But freezing in winter. Seriously cold. No beaches, that’s a bummer. Halong Bay – gorgeous, iconic karsts. Must see.

South? Beaches! Nha Trang, Phu Quoc… picture perfect. But, the culture… it feels less… I dunno… authentic. More touristy.

Phu Quoc is amazing, though. White sand, turquoise water. Spent my last birthday there! Expensive, though. Mui Ne, windsurfing. Not my thing. Saigon is a mega city. Exhausting but exciting. Shopping’s great, tons of markets.

Think… Northern Vietnam’s culture is richer. The food’s better in the north too. Seriously better. But the south has the beaches. It’s a tough choice.

• North: Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay – culture, nature, food. Cold in winter.
• South: Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, Saigon – beaches, shopping, different vibes.

Ten days? Split it? Nah. Too rushed. Pick one. Northern Vietnam wins for me this time.

My brother went to Phu Quoc last month. Said it was crowded. Should’ve gone to Con Dao instead. Heard it’s more chill.

Next trip – Central Vietnam! Hue, Hoi An. Been meaning to go for ages. Ancient towns. Beautiful beaches. Perfect mix. Maybe next year.

Where do most people live in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam. Rural, right? I always pictured rice paddies. Seventy percent? That’s a LOT. Makes me think of my trip to the Mekong Delta in 2023. Crazy crowded markets, but also these quiet villages tucked away. Such a contrast. I wonder about the infrastructure, access to healthcare in those rural areas. Probably a huge disparity, huh?

70% is a massive number. That means the cities are way less populated than I imagined. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City… they must be bursting at the seams, though. But still, the sheer number of people in the countryside… wow.

• Rural areas dominate: 70% live outside major cities.
• Megacities booming: But Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are packed.
• Healthcare disparity: A big worry.
• My 2023 trip: Confirmed the rural/urban divide. Saw it firsthand. Crazy.

Think I read something about government initiatives to improve rural life? Need to find that article again. Maybe it was about internet access. Seriously important, right? Connecting rural communities to the rest of the world. That’s progress. Anyway, gotta run.

Where do most people go in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam. So many places! Phu Quoc, right? Sun, sand, the whole shebang. Perfect for Instagram, I bet. Definitely going there. My friend went last year and sent amazing pics. She said the food was killer.

Hanoi. Crazy busy, I heard. Not my vibe, really. Too many people. Give me beaches any day. But the history? Maybe it’s worth a day trip, right?

Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long Bays. Kayaking, stunning views. I’d love to see the limestone karsts. Need to book that cruise ASAP. Seriously considering a private boat tour. Costs way more, obviously, but I deserve it after the last project.

Ho Chi Minh City – sounds intense. War history, bustling markets. A whole different world. I’m not a big city person but I need to see the War Remnants Museum. Its got to be powerful.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang. Caves! Seriously impressive cave systems. Spelunking isn’t really my thing, though. I’m more of a surface-level adventurer, tbh.

Hoi An. Ancient town. Cute little shops, tailor shops everywhere. Got to get a suit made, I’m thinking. And the lanterns at night?! Perfect for photos. I’ll get a silk one.

Central Beaches… which ones? Need more info. My friend swore by My Khe Beach, near Da Nang.

Hue. Imperial city. Temples, tombs… all the historical stuff. Not really my thing, but maybe I’ll pop in for a few hours. It’s on the way to somewhere else, anyway.

My Trip Plan (so far):

• Phu Quoc (Beaches, relaxation)
• Lan Ha/Bai Tu Long Bays (Kayaking, cruises, photos)
• Hoi An (Tailor made outfit, ancient town vibes)
• Ho Chi Minh City (War Remnants Museum, a day trip only!)

Need to book flights. Where am I even flying from? Ugh, need to organize. Soon. Maybe.

I’m thinking 2024, not 2025. I’ll have to adjust my plans then.

Where do rich people in Vietnam live?

Districts one, three, and seven in Ho Chi Minh City. Luxury towers pierce the humid air, a testament to wealth. Sunlight glints off glass and steel, a shimmering, almost cruel display. I saw it myself, last year. Those balconies, overlooking the frantic city, are havens. Private havens.

Then there’s Phu Quoc. Ocean villas, a different kind of opulence. The salty air, so different from the city’s haze. The endless turquoise expanse… it swallows the soul. Peaceful.

Villages too, believe it or not. Hidden amongst the rice paddies, discreet and quiet. Ancient money. Generational wealth. That’s where the real power lies, I suspect. Less flashy. More…enduring.

Da Nang’s coastal areas also house the elite, a quieter luxury. More understated than Saigon’s brash display. I prefer it that way, honestly. Subtle elegance.

• Ho Chi Minh City (Districts 1, 3, 7): Skyscrapers, modern luxury. A concrete jungle, almost.
• Phu Quoc Island: Oceanfront villas, secluded resorts. Tranquility. Absolute privacy.
• Hidden villages: Traditional homes, quiet wealth. Ancient lineage. Legacy.
• Da Nang coastal areas: Elegant, understated luxury. Refinement. Subtle sophistication.

The scent of jasmine and the weight of history… Vietnam, a land of contrasts. Of breathtaking beauty and shocking inequality. It’s always a strange mix. The very air is heavy with it.

Where do foreigners stay in Vietnam?

Hanoi, Tay Ho. Crowded. Expats cluster.

Binh Thanh, Ho Chi Minh. Similar. Work magnets.

Options limited elsewhere. Jobs scarce. Reality bites. Adaptation crucial. Survival of the fittest, Darwin style. My Nha Trang apartment overlooks the bay. Irrelevance.

• Hanoi: Tay Ho District (West Lake). Density breeds familiarity.
• Ho Chi Minh City: Binh Thanh District. Central. Costly.
• Da Nang: An Thuong, My Khe Beach. Coastal. Touristy. Growing expat community.
• Smaller cities: Fewer options. Integration challenge. Local immersion.

Rent fluctuates. Research crucial. Negotiate. Landlords opportunistic. My current rent is $500 monthly. Two bedrooms. Ocean view. Irrelevant again.

Visa runs. Border hopping. Cambodian visa easiest. Overstay fines hefty. Best avoided. $50 per day. Last overstay was in ’23. Paid $300. Stupid.

Learn Vietnamese. Essential. Survival. Respect. My Vietnamese? Basic. Getting better. Slowly.

Key takeaway: Big cities offer more. Smaller cities, more challenge. Choose wisely. Your sanity depends on it. Mine does.

Which city in Vietnam is best to live in?

Da Nang’s sprawling size, almost 1300 sq km, offers diverse living. Big city feel, but beaches nearby. Unlike denser areas. Consider what you want. Da Lat, much smaller, mountainous charm. Cozy, about 400 sq km. Reminds me of my trip there in 2021. Enjoyed the cooler air. Nha Trang, coastal, touristy vibe. Smaller than Da Lat even. Compact, approximately 250 sq km. Hai Phong, another coastal city, industry-focused. Around 150 sq km. Smallest of the bunch. Is bigger always better?

Da Nang:

• Large, diverse
• Beach access

Da Lat:

• Mountainous
• Cooler climate
• Smaller, cozy

Nha Trang:

• Coastal
• Tourist hub

Hai Phong:

• Industrial
• Coastal

Each city unique. Reflects different lifestyles. Choices depend on priorities. Nature versus city life. Career versus relaxation. These are just a few top cities. Vietnam has much to offer. Explore and discover your own best city. My favorite? Da Lat’s tranquility. Can’t beat the fresh air and pine trees. But my brother prefers Da Nang’s energy. Everyone has their own preference. Think about what matters most to you. Location. Climate. Job opportunities. Cost of living. All important factors.