Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City—find out which one's right for you
Hanoi may be Vietnam's capital, but Ho Chi Minh City isn't your ordinary 'second city'. Its appeal for travellers is on a par with Hanoi's, but the two cities have a very different atmosphere. Since Ho Chi Minh City's name was changed from 'Saigon' following the country's reunification after the Vietnam War, it's evolved and grown exponentially. While Hanoi, in the north, is on the doorstep of popular attractions like the Sapa hill tribes and Ha Long Bay, southerly Ho Chi Minh City is a gateway to the mighty Mekong Delta. Which one suits you best? Hanoi
Population: 8.6 million
Key experience: Catching a mua roi nuoc (water puppetry) show
Climate: Subtropical, with cool winters (17C in Jan) & hot summers (29C in Jul)
The city vibe is… cultural, historical and traditional. Hanoi is Vietnam's capital, a sophisticated, thousand-year-old city whose heartbeat emanates from the Old Quarter. Here, 19th-century teak-beamed Chinese shophouses shelter cafes with French names and traditional music mingles with the sound of millions of motorbikes. Amid the bustle, a source of calm is Hoan Kiem Lake, a serene body of water on the edge of the Old Quarter.
If you like… museums, Hanoi is home to many of Vietnam's finest. Highlights include the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which showcases the country's 54 ethnic groups, and the Vietnamese Women's Museum, which explores folk religion and features exhibits about wartime heroines. There are always long lines at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh district, where the embalmed body of Vietnam's greatest national hero, communist leader Ho Chi Minh, is on display. One legendary spot for pho is the no-frills Pho Gia Truyen restaurant.
If you want to explore… architecture, you'll find many elegant examples here. Perhaps the city's most iconic structure is Thap Rua, a weather-worn, moss-strewn tower on a tiny island in Hoan Kiem Lake. Also, don't miss the Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century to honour the Chinese philosopher Confucius.
If you're hungry for… pho, Hanoi is the home of this national noodle broth dish. It's said to have originated here in the 19th-century French colonial period and is served everywhere from street stalls to high-end restaurants. One legendary spot is no-frills Pho Gia Truyen restaurant, near Hoan Kiem.
Go now because… the city is easier to navigate on foot thanks to new hefty traffic fines, which are making the roads safer. The Hanoi Metro Line 3 opened in 2024, too, connecting the centre with the west of Hanoi. Ho Chi Minh City is a place of superlatives. Vietnam's largest urban hub, it's brasher, louder and more restless than Hanoi — and it's growing at breakneck speed. Ho Chi Minh City
Population: 10 million
Key experience: Discovering its street food and bars after dark
Climate: Tropical, with highs of around 32C all year; the dry season is Dec-Apr
The city vibe is… cosmopolitan, vibrant and cool. Ho Chi Minh City is a place of superlatives. Vietnam's largest urban hub, it's brasher, louder and more restless than Hanoi — and it's growing at breakneck speed.
If you like… bars, Ho Chi Minh City is second only to Bangkok when it comes to Southeast Asian nightlife — and there are countless voguish bars and cocktail clubs. Head for the rooftop bar of the five-star Hôtel des Arts in District 3 for some of the best views of the city or book a cocktail tour with Secret Experiences to find hidden speakeasies. In Ho Chi Minh City, there are countless voguish bars and cocktail clubs.
If you want to explore… art galleries, Galerie Quynh, in District 1, showcases cutting-edge sculpture and installations, while the Lotus Gallery in District 7 scours the country for the finest modern painters. Traditional Vietnamese lacquer and silk painting can be found at District 1's Museum of Fine Arts, housed in a 1930s French villa.
If you're hungry for… street food, Ho Chi Minh City brings the country's best dishes together in one place, with some great markets and a number of stall-lined 'food streets' famed for particular specialities. Feast on crab and sea snails, washed down with local beer, on raucous Nguyen Thuong Hien Street in District 3, or head to Cô Giang Street in District 1 for delicious com tam (broken rice with grilled pork and spring onions). Highlight markets include Ben Thanh Market and Ben Nghe Market, both in District 1.
Go now because… Ho Chi Minh City is at the heart of Vietnam's economic boom, but still retains the traditional spirit and bustle of its street food markets, Chinese temples and stately French squares. December 2024 also saw the opening of Ho Chi Minh's first Metro line, making it easier to get around. This story was created with the support of InsideAsia and Vietnam Airlines. Published in the July/August 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).
To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eater
25 minutes ago
- Eater
The Michelin Guide Adds 14 NYC Restaurants Up for 2025 Awards
is the deputy editor of Eater's Northeast region, covering Boston, Philly, D.C. and New York. Based in Boston, she has spent years covering the local restaurant industry. On July 15, Michelin, the tire company and restaurant ratings powerhouse, released a list of 14 new additions to its New York restaurant guide, signaling which new restaurants the inspectors are liking — and earmarking for potential awards later this year. Michelin's additions, which are announced piecemeal throughout the year, join the existing New York guide alongside hundreds of other spots as 'recommended' restaurants. Typically, inspectors have had good first impressions at these restaurants, and they are in the running to possibly be awarded Michelin's more high-powered designations, like stars, later on. First up, it's no surprise that Kabawa, the Caribbean tasting menu spot from Momofuku vet Paul Carmichael, which has been snapping up accolades left and right since its spring debut, is on the list. 'From its elegant dark green dining room with subtle regional references to its sophisticated three-course tasting menu, expect an elevated take on the tropics,' according to the inspectors. Two Thai restaurants made the list, including Hungry Thirsty, the new Carroll Gardens spot run by a band of Ugly Baby veterans, and Glin Thai Bistro, a year-old restaurant in Fort Greene. Inspectors praise the latter restaurant for its 'unique offerings using high-quality ingredients, all with a distinctively Thai look and feel.' In Manhattan, inspectors were impressed by chef Jiho Kim's West Village restaurant Joomak, the second iteration of his former one-Michelin-starred Koreatown spot Joomak Banjum. Adda, the relocated Indian restaurant from the high-flying Unapologetic Foods team (who are also behind the celebrated restaurants Semma and Dhamaka, among others), is on the list, as is Maison Passerelle, Portland chef Gregory Gourdet's sparkling French restaurant inside downtown luxury department store Printemps. Papa San, the Peruvian and Japanese restaurant from acclaimed Llama San creators Juan Correa and Erik Ramirez, and Georgian debut Laliko, home to a formidable 'mother dumpling,' round out the list. The date for Michelin's annual New York awards ceremony has not yet been announced, but it typically takes place towards the end of the year. (Last year, it was held in December.) These 14 restaurants, alongside the other nearly 400 spots in Michelin's recommended New York restaurants list, will be up for the coveted stars and other award designations to be revealed at the ceremony. Eater NY All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Factbox-Bank holidays across the world
(Reuters) -French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Tuesday proposed to cut two bank holidays to drive economic growth as part of a plan to overhaul the country's debt-laden finances. Here is an overview of public holidays around the world: Nepal has the highest number of public holidays in the world with 35 days annually. Other countries with a high number of public holidays include India, Colombia and Philippines, with around 18 public holidays each. England and Canada, with less than 10 days a year, are among the countries with the least public holidays. While the actual number of holidays varies across its states, the United States recognises 12 federal holidays. According to data from the European Employment Authority EURES, Slovakia has most public holidays in Europe with 15 days, while the Netherlands and Denmark sit at the bottom of the count with nine days each. France is at 13 bank holidays according to the EURES, which covers data from the European Union as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Sign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Forbes
Why Wealthy Americans Are Ditching Fancy Hotels For Vacation Homes
Affluent Americans—especially the ultra-wealthy—are increasingly choosing private vacation homes over luxury hotel stays. An Exclusive Resorts villa on Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica Courtesy Exclusive Resorts The usual desires for privacy and more space drive the trend, while expectations of exceptional amenities such as concierge support, private chefs, housekeeping and in-villa spas have become the norm. In response more luxury hotel operators are adding villa-style (a.k.a. branded residential) accommodations to their properties, away from the maddening crowds. This year, according to Statista, the global vacation rentals market is expected to generate a revenue of $105 billion and reach $125 billion by 2029. But competition is fierce, as the proliferation of fractional ownership and private membership club models continues, with French luxury players like Fontenille Collection and Iconic House adding evermore dazzling, design-conscious properties to their books. Others, like Equity Estates, offer globetrotting investors the option to invest directly in their real estate portfolio and potentially reap the rewards of capital appreciation. Earning money while traveling? Imagine that. An Equity Estates holiday home in Tuscany, Italy. Courtesy Equity Estates But the latest salvo at the ultra-luxe end of the spectrum comes from Exclusive Resorts, a private membership club which is majority owned by AOL co-founder Steve Case, and comprises a $1 billion portfolio of more than 400 private residences across 75 destinations. 'We operate, and control 70-plus percent of the real estate. And because we have one primary shareholder that owns the majority of the organization, we have a tremendous amount of flexibility in terms of how we strategically manage the growth of the club,' James Henderson, CEO of Exclusive Resorts, told Forbes. Growth Requires New Tactics So, last month the company announced it is taking a minority stake in the Onefinestay vacation rental brand, owned by the French hotel giant Accor. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but it clearly enables Exclusive Resorts to cross-market across the two customer bases, and expand into new markets where it might not have a strong presence. Onefinestay lists about 3,000 homes, villas, and chalets across 40 destinations, including the gateway cities of London, Los Angeles, Paris and New York, and across the Caribbean, Tuscany, the South of France and Thailand. Both companies offer round-the-clock concierge support, airport transfers, housekeeping, and 24/7 guest assistance. 'For me, private villas and yachts are the most important kind of product out there for high net worth clients,' says Jaclyn Sienna India, CEO of Sienna Charles, a lifestyle and travel concierge agency. 'Because everything in that house or boat is all about you, and can be customized to very high standards. Staff can be handpicked, from the captain to the person serving you food.' Having complete control over the travel experience without the responsibility of maintenance and insurance of the real estate can be rather appealing. This is why Case's company is now breaking into the branded residential business, the first of which is a development being built on Costa Rica's Cacique Peninsula on the northwestern Pacific coast. 'Many of the club's members are not only frequent travelers—they're also active buyers,' said Henderson. 'By entering the branded residential market, we are providing our members with an opportunity to invest in homes backed by the same quality, trust, and service standards they have come to expect from the club. And for the first time, we're introducing an extended stay option—a request we've heard for years.' Inside the lounge at Nekajui, the new Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica Jennifer Leigh Parker Destination: Costa Rica With a new Waldorf Astoria, Ritz Carlton Reserve, and an established Four Seasons, Costa Rica's Guanacaste province is very much the 'It' holiday destination this year. It's only about a 30-45 minute drive from Liberia's international airport and a key market for Exclusive Resorts. On Peninsula Papagayo, a stunning crescent-shaped peninsula jutting straight out into the Pacific Ocean, Case's company already owns and operates 21 four-bedroom villas or 'jicaros' (fruit bowls) complete with private pools, fully stocked kitchens, outdoor showers, and access to a private beach club. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the whole place is surrounded by lush tropical nature reserves, and that members can cruise down the hill in golf carts to avail themselves of the neighboring Four Seasons' spa, restaurants and golf course. Picture waking up to the sounds of the ocean, taking your morning coffee at sunrise on the private pool deck, and peering down a dramatic cliffside to see secluded bays and beaches beckoning with powdery white sand and turquoise waters. From here, your outdoor adventures begin. Costa Rica is an ecological marvel with jungles, rainforests, and active volcanoes, and people from all over the world come here for yoga or surfing retreats. If that's not your thing, you can easily explore other parts of Guanacaste on foot with epic guided hikes, take boat trips to spot whole schools of dolphins, fish for tuna or snorkel with sea turtles, dorado and colorful parrot fish in the surrounding waters. Pura vida , indeed. Peninsula Papagayo Costa Rica Residence Courtesy Exclusive Resorts The Villa Experience Immediately, you get the appeal. The bar is fully stocked, there are fresh flowers in every room and there are not one, but two outdoor showers to match your private plunge pool and jacuzzi bathtub. You promptly run and jump on the made bed (vertiginous ceiling heights allow it), squealing like a toddler with delight regardless of your age. As this is not a hotel, you can pretty much make as much noise as you want. Dance to the music. Use a megaphone to announce breakfast. Howl at the moon, like your new howler, capuchin and spider monkey neighbors! Their troops certainly won't complain, so this is going to be great. You live here now. That's your fridge, your espresso machine, and your brand new fluffy robe with matching slippers. Properly enrobed, you can fully embrace the fantasy that everything in the past is behind you, and you can finally just go stir that chilled martini Stanley Tucci keeps raving about. The concept of room service seems quaint, when a specific list of groceries can be delivered and a private chef can be summoned to whip up local dishes like red snapper baked in a banana leaf, ginger rice, and savory sofrito. This being Costa Rica, the real culinary gems are also the simplest: think fresh, ripe mangoes, avocados, bananas, and coconuts fallen straight from the trees. And we haven't even talked about the quality of their famous coffee beans. There's simply a lot to be said for this trendy style of travel. If you can afford the eye-watering membership fees. More From Forbes Forbes Virgin Atlantic Unveils Free Starlink Wi-Fi, OpenAI Partnership And More By Jennifer Leigh Parker Forbes Why Now Is The Time To Sail The Azores, In 12 Stunning Photos By Jennifer Leigh Parker Forbes LVMH Stake Helps Boutique Hotel Group Triple Its Growth Outlook By Jennifer Leigh Parker
