hanoi or saigon?
Vietnam's two big cities sit at opposite ends of the country, and they feel like it. Hanoi is older and more traditional, with lakes, the Old Quarter and cool winters, while Saigon is bigger, faster and hot all year, with street food from morning to night.
hanoi
Dear group chat,Egg coffee, phở on a plastic stool, and the Old Quarter at dusk.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingHanoiVN, Hanoi
ho chi minh city
Dear group chat,Motorbikes everywhere, bánh mì on every corner and iced coffee to keep up.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingHo Chi Minh CityVN, Saigon
- From KL
- hanoiAbout 2,040 km
- saigonAbout 1,010 km
- Best months
- hanoiOct–Apr
- saigonDec–Apr
- Vibe
- hanoiOld Quarter lanes, lakes and an older feel
- saigonFast, busy and modern, with rooftop bars
- Food
- hanoiPhở, bún chả, egg coffee, chả cá
- saigonBánh mì, cơm tấm, bún thịt nướng, iced coffee
- Weather
- hanoiCool winters, hot and rainy summers
- saigonHot all year; dry from December to April
- Getting there
- hanoiAbout 3 hours 20 minutes' flight from KL
- saigonAbout 2 hours' flight from KL
- Side trips
- hanoiAn overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay
- saigonThe Mekong Delta and the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Best for
- hanoiHistory, scenery and cooler weather
- saigonEating, nightlife and a quick city break
Go hanoi if…
- Ha Long Bay is on your list
- you like history, temples and lakes you can walk around
- you'd enjoy cool weather in the winter months
- egg coffee and bún chả are top of the list
Go saigon if…
- you want the shorter flight
- you like a big, buzzing city with rooftop bars
- a boat day on the Mekong Delta sounds good
- bánh mì and iced coffee sound like breakfast, lunch and tea
The verdict
Hanoi has more scenery and history, especially with Ha Long Bay on the side; Saigon is the easier, livelier city break. Can't decide? If anyone in the group wants Ha Long Bay, it has to be Hanoi; for a short eating trip, Saigon. With a week or more, fly into one and out of the other.