Where to spend more time Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh?

Where should I spend the most time in Vietnam?

Vietnam, huh? So you want to spend your precious vacation days wisely. Let’s see, you gotta hit the highlights, right?

Danang and Hoi An for 2-3 days, absolutely! Think beaches AND ancient vibes—best of both worlds, ya know? Plus, I hear the food’s amazeballs!

Hanoi needs 2-3 days, minimum. I mean, it’s the capital! History, street food that’ll blow your mind, and enough hustle and bustle to make NYC look like a sleepy village.

Halong Bay Cruise is a MUST. One simply DOES NOT go to Vietnam and skip Halong Bay. It’s like going to Italy and not eating pizza. Scandalous! Book a cruise, even if it’s only overnight. Trust me. It’s ridiculously pretty.

Ho Chi Minh City? Eh, a bit of a rush, like someone said, yeah? I wouldn’t sweat it too much if you’re short on time. Too much, maybe.

To really enjoy Vietnam, you’re gonna need at least 10-14 days. Anything less and you’ll be like a hamster on a wheel, just spinning and not really seeing anything. Maybe even a month.

• Danang/Hoi An: Great beaches, ancient town, tailor shops galore (get clothes made cheap, I say!). Plus, that lantern vibe at night? chef’s kiss.
• Hanoi: Crazy traffic, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, temples galore, and those water puppet shows? Wild stuff.
• Halong Bay: Limestone karsts rising from the emerald waters…like something outta a fantasy movie! Kayaking’s a must, just don’t fall in! I did.
• Consider: Sapa (for rice terraces and trekking), Mekong Delta (floating markets and river life), or Phu Quoc (for island vibes).
• Bonus: Learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases. It goes a long way, ya hear? Like, “Hello” and “Where’s the pho?”.

How many days in Hanoi is enough?

Three days in Hanoi? Nah, way too short! You really need at least five, maybe even more. Three days is, like, barely enough to scratch the surface. You’ll be rushed, constantly rushing, constantly stressed. It sucks!

I spent seven days there last year, in 2023, and even then, I felt like I missed stuff. So much to see! Seriously, Hanoi’s amazing. The food alone…OMG the food. I could write a whole novel about it.

Think about it:

• The Old Quarter: A maze of tiny streets, you’ll get lost, it’s awesome. Allow at least a full day, minimum.
• Temples and Pagodas: Seriously stunning architecture. You need a whole morning for the Temple of Literature, for sure.
• Museums: The History Museum is HUGE. Plan at least half a day. And don’t even get me started on the Hoa Lo Prison, super intense.
• Food tours: Essential! Try the street food, it’s incredible. You could easily spend two days just eating. It’s that good! Seriously.
• Water Puppet Show: A must-do, super unique, and a great way to relax after all the exploring. It takes like an hour and a half.

So yeah, three days is a total rip-off. Five days is more realistic, Seven is ideal. You’ll thank me later. Don’t skimp on Hanoi! Trust me on this one. You’ll regret it.

Is food better in Hanoi or Saigon?

Hanoi! Def better food. No contest. Pho? Bún chả? Uh, yeah, Hanoi wins.

Like, north Vietnam’s where it’s at. Hanoi’s the O.G. for that stuff. My aunt Lily always says, “Saigon’s okay, but Hanoi is the REAL deal.” Plus, she’s been back like 10 times in the last 12 years, so she KNOWS.

Old Quarter? Total tourist trap! Got to get outta there.

Find a place packed w/locals. That’s the secret, right? Right.

50+ years of noodle-making expertise can’t be beat. No way.

Is it the water? The air? Whatever it is, Hanoi food is ????.

Where is the richest city in Vietnam?

Okay, so richest city in Vietnam? Ho Chi Minh City, hands down. I was there in 2023, July to be exact. The sheer opulence, man, it was insane. Seriously, luxury cars everywhere. Like, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, the works, parked casually alongside beat-up motorbikes. The contrast was wild.

Felt a bit like a different world. I was staying near District 1, near the Ben Thanh Market. Crazy busy, always something happening. The hotels? Five-star everywhere you looked. Seriously expensive restaurants. I saw one menu – the cheapest thing was like $50. No way I could afford that.

I mean, I’m not rich, but even I felt the difference. You see these huge buildings, these shiny malls, these insanely expensive apartments, and it’s just… wow. This wealth is tangible. You can feel it in the air. I spent a whole afternoon at a rooftop bar, the view was incredible but the drinks? Forget it. Expensive.

Plus, the whole vibe, the energy. It’s electric. Everyone seems to be doing something. It’s definitely a city where money is visible. It’s not subtle.

• Visible wealth: Luxury cars, high-end hotels, expensive restaurants are prevalent.
• Location: My experience was centered around District 1, near Ben Thanh Market. This area is incredibly affluent.
• Personal observation: The contrast between opulence and everyday life was striking. I could directly see and feel the wealth in the city, unlike anywhere else I have visited in Vietnam.
• Time of visit: July 2023.

Which part of Vietnam is safest?

Safe? Da Nang. Hoi An. Central. Less crime. Fewer disasters. 2024 data. Still, be smart. Anywhere.

• Central Vietnam: Statistically safer.
• Da Nang: Growing city. Beach focus.
• Hoi An: Touristy. Charming. Pickpockets exist. Like anywhere.
• Safety: Illusion. Always a risk. Calculated risk.

North, more motorbike theft. South, scams sometimes. Nature indifferent. Typhoons? Central coast less affected. Generally. Life’s a gamble. Enjoy the beach. My passport’s chipped. Hate that.

How long should you spend in Hanoi?

Three days. Minimum. Hanoi breathes history, a slow exhale of incense and cyclo wheels. Ancient streets, a maze of whispers. Two days? A fleeting glance. Three days, and still… you’ll feel the city’s pulse, a deep thrum underfoot. The weight of centuries.

Spring or autumn. Unquestionably. The air, crisp and clean. The light, soft. Perfect for wandering, for losing yourself amidst the scent of jasmine. Summer’s heat, a stifling blanket. Winter’s chill… too much.

Hanoi’s rhythm: Slow, deliberate, rich. It demands patience. It rewards it tenfold.

• The Old Quarter’s maze: A journey in itself. Get lost. Embrace the chaos.
• Hoan Kiem Lake: Serenity. Reflections of pagodas, ancient turtles. Tranquility.
• Temple of Literature: The whispers of scholars past. Ancient stone tablets. A palpable sense of profound wisdom.
• Hoa Lo Prison: A stark reminder. A story etched in stone and sorrow. Heavy.

This isn’t enough. There’s more. So much more. The street food—oh, the street food! A symphony of flavors, a culinary adventure in every bite. The night markets… pulsating with life. Evenings alive with a vibrant, chaotic energy. I saw it. The energy.

A week? Even then, Hanoi would linger. A phantom scent of pho, the echo of distant gongs. It’s a city that seeps into your soul.

A longer trip? Better. Explore the nearby Ha Long Bay. That’s another journey altogether. A different kind of magic.

But three days? That’s the bare minimum. A taste, a glimpse. A promise of more.

This year, 2024, I’ll return. To drink it all in. Again.

How should I dress in Hanoi?

Hanoi dressing? Oh, that’s a giggle. Think ‘stylish scarecrow’ meets ‘sweaty explorer’.

• Light layers? You betcha! T-shirts and long sleeves, kinda like onion skin. Peel ’em as the day melts your brain. Hanoi humidity’s a beast.

• Pants or skirts? Lightweight is the name of the game. Imagine wearing your grandma’s curtains, but, you know, fashionable. Or not.

• Light jacket or sweater? Necessary evil. Mornings and evenings can be chilly, like a polar bear wandered into your pho. I swear, it’s true!

• Walking shoes, DUH! You’ll be hoofin’ it. My fav? Crocs, with socks of course. Don’t judge my style.

Now, some extras, ’cause why not? Sunscreen, even when it’s cloudy. Hat, to protect that beautiful brain. Bug spray, those mosquitos are vicious. Also, a sense of humor, you’ll need it more than clean socks, trust me on this one. Last year my friend wore a full suit. Poor guy!