Vietnam is Vietnam, right? That’s what I used to think, but after spending time in both of its top cities—Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City—I realized that each city has its own vibe, pace, and even must-try dishes.

Both offer a taste of Vietnamese life, and honestly, I think both are worth visiting. Ho Chi Minh City—with its modern skyline and buzzing streets—feels like the future, while Hanoi—with its ancient temples and charming Old Quarter—is all about history and tradition.

To help you decide which city better suits your travel style, I’ve gathered all the details—from food and shopping to attractions and nightlife. Whether you’re after the thrill of a fast-paced metropolis or the slower charm of a city rooted in tradition, I’ve got you covered. (And a spoiler alert: You really can’t lose with either.)

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam dignissim sapien diam, nec euismod nibh sagittis ac. Etiam in metus scelerisque, luctus turpis at, pellentesque ligula. Donec sed enim et dolor sollicitudin imperdiet eget quis neque. In vitae enim at felis aliquet sodales sit amet sit amet est. Aenean gravida nunc quis lectus consequat, eget sodales turpis fermentum. Fusce tortor nibh, lobortis non porta at, condimentum ac turpis. Sed in vestibulum dui. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Aenean est sem, semper non luctus vitae, euismod sit amet justo.

Duis iaculis interdum egestas. Donec et urna vestibulum, bibendum lacus a, posuere odio. Donec eleifend mollis sem, ut gravida enim molestie nec. Maecenas nisl ligula, dignissim eu purus in, dapibus posuere tortor. Nam laoreet aliquet dolor non venenatis. Integer ullamcorper dolor in arcu eleifend bibendum. Vivamus gravida nulla quis imperdiet congue. Phasellus aliquam quis metus at porta. Etiam sit amet rutrum nisl, at accumsan neque. Vestibulum finibus vestibulum lectus quis aliquet.

Praesent dapibus nibh enim. Aliquam magna justo, egestas at mi in, laoreet aliquet sapien. Mauris vestibulum varius nunc. Morbi ut nisl luctus, rhoncus urna at, consequat nisl. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent augue nibh, interdum quis tellus finibus, accumsan dignissim purus. Praesent tempor eget tortor quis sagittis. Ut quis aliquet risus. Maecenas imperdiet lectus in luctus facilisis. Phasellus mattis arcu nec nulla tempus, vel blandit tortor lacinia.

Nullam vitae pellentesque dui. Sed euismod, enim id laoreet volutpat, tellus purus tincidunt mi, quis accumsan nisl nulla non neque. Suspendisse pretium neque massa, at porttitor urna condimentum eget. Phasellus fringilla magna eget mi sodales vehicula. Proin vulputate blandit magna vel posuere. Vestibulum euismod maximus blandit. Phasellus faucibus congue metus, non molestie risus iaculis luctus. Fusce pellentesque elit vel tortor aliquet mollis. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Aliquam consectetur lacinia arcu ut malesuada. In sit amet leo massa.