Best Cities to Visit in Vietnam: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An

I spent three weeks bouncing between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An, and each one felt like a completely different country. Hanoi is chaotic charm and deep bowls of noodle soup. Ho Chi Minh City is nonstop energy and rooftop bars. Hoi An is slow mornings and lantern-lit evenings. Here’s what I learned, where I stayed, and what I’d do differently.

Which city should you fly into first?

I landed in Hanoi and I’d do it the same way again. The old quarter is walkable, the street food is immediate, and the jet lag hits softer because you can sit on a tiny plastic stool and drink egg coffee within an hour of landing.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is more intense on arrival—bigger roads, faster scooters, more sprawl. If you’re coming from a long-haul flight, Hanoi is the gentler entry point.

Hanoi for culture, history, and food-first travel
Ho Chi Minh City for nightlife, war history, and modern energy
Hoi An for a mid-trip breather and tailor-made clothes

What is the best neighborhood to stay in Hanoi?

Hoan Kiem District (the Old Quarter) is where everything happens. I booked a room at La Siesta Hotel & Spa near Hang Be Market, and it was the right call. You step out the door into a maze of streets named after the goods they used to sell—Hang Bac for silver, Hang Gai for silk.

The trade-off is noise. Scooters honk until midnight. If you want quiet, stay in Tay Ho (West Lake) and taxi in. But for a first visit, stay in the Old Quarter.

La Siesta Hotel & Spa – mid-range, great service, central
Hanoi Moment Hostel – budget, social, clean
Tay Ho – expat area, quieter, better for digital nomads

Where should you eat in Hanoi?

Skip the tourist pho spots on Ta Hien Street (Beer Street). Walk to Bun Cha Huong Lien on Nguyen Huu Huan—yes, the one Obama ate at. It’s actually good, not just famous. The grilled pork patties in that vinegary broth are the best thing I ate in Vietnam.

For coffee, Cafe Giang on Nguyen Huu Huan invented egg coffee. It’s thick, sweet, and tastes like liquid tiramisu. One is enough.

Bun Cha Huong Lien – Obama’s bun cha, legit
Cafe Giang – original egg coffee
Pho Thin on Lo Duc – beef pho with a fried garlic twist
Banh Mi 25 – quick, cheap, crunchy baguette

What is the best time to visit Hoi An?

I went in late October and got unlucky with rain. The Thu Bon River flooded the old town ankle-deep for two days. Locals said October and November are hit-or-miss. February to April is the sweet spot—dry, warm, not scorching.

Hoi An is small. Three days is enough. Two nights lets you see the lanterns, get a suit made, and take a cooking class without rushing.

February to April – best weather, low humidity
May to August – hot but dry, good for beach time
October to November – rainy season, possible flooding

Which tours and activities are worth your money in Hoi An?

The Hoi An Ancient Town walking tour is fine but crowded. I liked the Tra Que Vegetable Village half-day trip more—you actually get your hands dirty in the herb gardens. The Hoi An Eco Tour (basket boats, crab fishing, coconut forest) is touristy but fun if you’re with kids or a group.

Skip the Lantern Making Workshop unless you really want a paper lantern you’ll throw away. I did it. It’s fine.

Tra Que Vegetable Village – hands-on, authentic
Hoi An Eco Tour – basket boats, good for families
Cooking class at Red Bridge Restaurant – market tour + river cruise + cooking
Ancient Town – free to walk, paid entry for specific sites

What should you not miss in Ho Chi Minh City?

War Remnants Museum is brutal and essential. I spent two hours there and needed a walk after. Go early (opens 7:30 AM) to beat the heat and the crowds.

For food, Bến Thành Market is overpriced for tourists. Walk to Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa on Lê Thị Riêng—it’s the best banh mi in the city. Stuffed with cold cuts, pâté, and pickled daikon, wrapped in paper. Costs about 60,000 VND ($2.50).

For a rooftop view, Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar at the Caravelle Hotel has a 1950s vibe and decent cocktails. Bui Vien Walking Street is backpacker chaos—fun for one drink, then leave.

War Remnants Museum – heavy but essential
Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa – best banh mi, no contest
Caravelle Hotel rooftop – classic Saigon view
Cu Chi Tunnels – half-day trip, claustrophobic but fascinating

How do you get between Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City?

I flew. VietJet Air and Bamboo Airways have cheap domestic flights. Hanoi to Da Nang (then taxi to Hoi An) is about an hour. Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is two hours.

The Reunification Express train is romantic in theory—I took the overnight from Hanoi to Da Nang. It’s bumpy, the sleeper cabins are cramped, and the food is bad. Do it once for the experience, but don’t pretend it’s comfortable.

Hanoi to Da Nang – 1h flight, or 15h overnight train
Da Nang to Hoi An – 45-minute taxi, ~300,000 VND
Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi – 2h flight, ~$40 on VietJet
Reunification Express – scenic but bumpy, book a soft sleeper

FAQ

Is it safe to eat street food in Vietnam? Yes, if you use common sense. Eat where locals eat, avoid raw vegetables if you have a sensitive stomach, and watch for stalls with high turnover. I ate street food every day for three weeks and never got sick. Bun Cha Huong Lien and Banh Mi 25 are clean and busy.

How many days should I spend in each city? Three days in Hanoi, three in Ho Chi Minh City, and two to three in Hoi An. That gives you time for a day trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi and a half-day to Cu Chi Tunnels from Saigon. Hoi An is compact—two nights is plenty.

Do I need a visa for Vietnam? Most nationalities need an e-visa or visa on arrival. I used the Vietnam e-visa (vietnamvisa.govt.vn, official site). It cost $25 and took three business days. Print the approval letter and bring two passport photos. The process at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi took 20 minutes.

Conclusion

Start in Hanoi for food and culture, then fly to Da Nang for Hoi An, end in Ho Chi Minh City for energy and history.
Stay central in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Saigon’s District 1. In Hoi An, book a homestay inside the Ancient Town.
Eat street food but pick busy stalls. Skip Bến Thành Market. Go to Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa.
Fly between cities unless you really want the train experience. It’s not comfortable.
Visit in spring (February to April) for the best weather across all three cities.