Hanoi vs. Ho Chi Minh City: Where Should You Go in Vietnam? (Climate, Atmosphere, Food Comparison)

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When planning a trip to Vietnam, one of the biggest concerns for many is deciding between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In this article, we'll explore the climate, atmosphere, culture, and cuisine of these two cities. We compare various aspects and recommend a travel destination that suits you better.I will do it for you.

1. When is the best time to visit Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City? (Climate comparison)

Hanoi (charm of all seasons)

Hanoi is Located in northern Vietnam, it has four distinct seasons.no see.

  • Spring and Autumn (February, November)
    • The weather is mild and pleasant, making it the best time to travel.
  • Winter (November – February)
    • The average temperature is 15–20 degrees Celsius, making it cool and dry. The calm atmosphere typical of winter makes it a great travel destination.
  • Summer (May to September)
    • It's a time when it feels a bit hot due to the hot weather and high humidity.

Ho Chi Minh City (warm tropical climate)

Ho Chi Minh City is located in southern Vietnam and boasts a warm tropical climate all year round.

  • Dry season (November - April)
    • The weather is clear and dry, making it a great time to travel. December is particularly pleasant, with an average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius.
  • Rainy season (May - October)
    • There are several heavy showers a day, but the rain is short and clears up quickly.

2. Hanoi vs. Ho Chi Minh City: A Comparison of Atmosphere and Culture

Hanoi (a city alive with tradition and history)

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a city where tradition and modernity coexist. It retains more of Vietnam's traditions and retains more of its old architecture.

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  • Experience the traditional charm of Vietnam at the tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake and Trung Cần Pagoda.
  • Historical sites such as the Temple of Literature offer a glimpse into the culture of Vietnam's past.
  • Quiet nights: Hanoi's nights are relatively calm, making it a great choice for travelers who prefer a more traditional atmosphere.

Ho Chi Minh City (a dynamic modern city)

Ho Chi Minh Vietnam's economic center, characterized by a vibrant and modern atmosphereIt is the most developed city in Vietnam, with large apartment complexes and tall buildings.

호치민-필수여행지-통일궁
  • Experience Vietnamese nightlife on the vibrant Bui Vien Street.
  • French colonial architecture and modern high-rise buildings blend together to create a unique urban landscape.
  • Historical sites such as the Vietnam War Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels are also popular with tourists.

3. Hanoi vs. Ho Chi Minh City: Which food tastes better?

Vietnam is known as a culinary paradise. But The cuisine of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has different charms depending on the regional characteristics and climate.has.

Hanoi food (traditional and light)

  • Pho
    • Hanoi-style soup is characterized by a clean, clear broth, with fresh herbs and bean sprouts adding flavor.
  • Bun Cha
    • This dish, which consists of charcoal-grilled pork and rice noodles served with a sweet and sour sauce, is a famous dish that former U.S. President Obama also ate during his visit to Hanoi.
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하노이의 유명한 CNN 분짜의 구성
  • Cha Ca
    • A traditional dish of grilled fish marinated in turmeric, it is one of Hanoi's representative dishes.

Ho Chi Minh food (rich and intense flavors)

Ho Chi Minh City cuisine is generally rich and intensely flavorful, a characteristic that is particularly evident in its pho.

I've personally visited and tried some of the best pho restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. Click the link below to see the Ho Chi Minh pho style in a video I shot myself!

베트남-남부-호치민-쌀국수
호치민에서 가장 유명한 퍼퀸 쌀국수

  • Rice noodles (Pho)
    • Ho Chi Minh style is more spicy, has a richer broth, and is often served with chili and chili sauce.
    • 🔎호치민 쌀국수 맛집 추천 (Podin3, Poquin, Po Kim Heung)
  • Anti-Americanism (Banh Mi)
    • Ho Chi Minh-style banh mi can be made richer with the addition of various toppings (grilled beef, cheese, vegetables, etc.).
  • street food
    • You can enjoy a variety of snacks and foods at Ben Thanh Market, and there are also plenty of desserts.
    • However, there have been recent reports of people getting sick from eating Vietnamese street food, so we recommend that you avoid street food in markets as much as possible.

4. Hanoi vs. Ho Chi Minh City: Where Should I Travel?

Hanoi's major tourist attractions

  • Hoan Kiem Lake : A peaceful lake in the city center
  • A tight temple : Symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism
  • Confucian Shrine (Munhaksa Shrine) : Vietnam's first national university
  • Hanoi Old Quarter : A place to experience traditional markets and local food

Major tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City

  • Bui Vien Street : Ho Chi Minh City's best nightlife streets
  • 🔎Ben Thanh Market and Saigon Square : Markets and shopping spots
  • Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral : French colonial architecture
  • Vietnam War Memorial

Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City: Which City is Right for Me?

  • Hanoi is perfect for those who want to experience tradition and history or prefer a more relaxed trip.It is especially good for traveling in spring and fall.
  • Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant and modern city for those looking to travel or experience a diverse nightlife.I recommend it to anyone who wants to do it. (It's even better if you visit during the dry season.)

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are two cities with truly distinct charms. If you're unsure about choosing a Vietnam destination, I recommend researching the information in advance to help you decide which one best suits your needs.

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Ho Chi Minh City Travel Essentials: Saigon Square vs. Ben Thanh Market (feat. Tips)

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Ho Chi Minh City has a must-see destination for travelers: Saigon Square and Ben Thanh Market. These places are steeped in the history and culture of Ho Chi Minh City's residents. Here are some must-know tips for both shopping malls.I tried it.

1. Travel to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The capital of Vietnam is Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City is the economic center and largest city in Vietnam.It was formerly called Saigon, and is a city where the present and the past coexist, and is loved by many travelers.

  • Ho Chi Minh City's characteristics
    • economic center
      • Ho Chi Minh City is divided into 9 districts, each with its own characteristics.Districts 1 and 3 are the most developed centers of Ho Chi Minh City, and other areas are also experiencing rapid economic growth with the construction of high-rise buildings and large-scale apartment complexes.
    • Phu My Hung, the city of Koreans
      • In particular, District 7 is an international area representing Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and is especially famous for being home to a large Korean population.
      • Centered around the new city of Phu My Hung, it is well-equipped with luxury apartment complexes, commercial facilities, and international schools.

Before reading this article, it will be helpful to watch the video below.

👉 Check out Saigon Square vs. Ben Thanh Market in this video.

2. Saigon Square vs. Ben Thanh Market

In Ho Chi Minh City Two representative shopping destinationsThere is Saigon Square, a modern facility, and Ben Thanh Market, a traditional market that preserves the history and traditions of the people.

From now on, I will compare and review the two places.

호치민-사이공스퀘어-입구
The stylish entrance to Saigon Square is impressive.

Saigon Square

Saigon Square is a representative shopping destination in Ho Chi Minh City.It is known as a counterfeit market, especially for selling luxury goods and branded goods at low prices, so many tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City visit this place.

In a hot country like Ho Chi Minh City, air conditioning is crucial. This place has the advantage of having air conditioning inside, making shopping relatively cool.

  • Features and Precautions
    • forced shoe shine
      • There is always a shoe shiner at the entrance of Saigon Square. Even if you refuse, he will already be shining your shoes, or he may even force you to shine your shoes even if you are wearing slippers or flip-flops in order to extort money.
      • Please firmly decline (or we will keep trying).
    • Cash only
      • All stores in Saigon Square only accept cash, so it's a good idea to prepare some cash in advance.
      • On the first floor of Saigon Square, on the far right, you will see a currency exchange office.(If you purchase over a certain amount, you can use a card.)
    • Purchase of the 2nd floor
      • Saigon Square consists of the first and second floors.
      • In general, the first floor is more ornately decorated, and the deeper you go inside and up to the second floor, the fewer people there are.
      • If you search thoroughly up to the second floor, you can buy the same product at a cheaper price.
    • No Nike Air purchases
      • According to a Korean who lived in Vietnam and was a regular customer of a shoe store, if you are going to buy Nike shoes at Saigon Square, you should not buy shoes with air in them because shoes with air in them will burst quickly.
      • Even for the same product, the price may vary depending on the quality, so check the quality!
    • Beware of pickpockets
      • According to my younger brother who has lived in Ho Chi Minh City for a long time, Pickpocketing incidents occur occasionally.They say it happens. Most people go to shopping malls with cash in hand, so please be careful.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market is more than just a market in Ho Chi Minh City; it is a place that embodies the culture and history of Ho Chi Minh City. It has been located here since 1985. Ben Thanh Market is a symbolic market that showcases the life and culture of Ho Chi Minh City citizens.no see.

However, since there's no air conditioning inside, only a fan, it's quite hot for leisurely shopping. I think this factor also had a big impact.

호치민-벤탄시장-내부
There is fun in walking through the densely packed maze-like paths.
  • Features and Precautions
    • No air conditioning
      • Vietnam is famous for its extreme heat, but Ben Thanh Market has no air conditioning. While each store has a fan, shopping can be quite challenging for those who are sensitive to the heat.
    • narrow passage
      • Ben Thanh Market is very large. However, because so many shops are packed together, the passageways are so narrow that it feels like a maze. This can make it hot and uncomfortable for some people.
    • Price quotation system
      • The stalls along the side of Ben Thanh Market are marked with "FIXED PRICE" signs. A characteristic of Vietnamese markets, bargaining is prohibited and prices are fixed by posted price tags. Therefore, those who find bargaining difficult can shop more comfortably here.

If it's your first time in Ho Chi Minh City, where should you go?

If you're a first-time visitor to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and have time to visit just one place, I'd recommend Saigon Square. Shopping and exploring a vast area can be exhausting, but the heat can make it even more tiring.

Based on my own experience, I can't say that Ben Thanh Market is cheaper than the surrounding area. It depends on how much you bargain. If you're going to do it, go for it. I recommend Saigon Square, where you can comfortably view the same items in a pleasant environment.do.

Ho Chi Minh City's Ben Thanh Market vs. Nha Trang's Dam Market

If there is Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam, there is Dam Market in Nha Trang. Dam Market is a famous must-visit destination in Nha Trang and is loved by many travelers, especially Koreans.no see.

Nha Trang's Dam Market is closer to Ben Thanh Market than to Saigon Square in Ho Chi Minh City, and is a traditional market that preserves the lives of Nha Trang people who have preserved their old traditions and culture.

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At the entrance to Damsi Market, various handicrafts and the best-selling one-piece dress are on display.

Compared to Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, prices are much lower, the market is larger, and the selection of products feels much more diverse. It's known for its popular items like one-piece dresses, sportswear, souvenirs, and mango jelly.

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