Ho Chi Minh is a major city in South Vietnam, known for its skyscrapers, vibrant nightlife, and shopping. Hoi An is a small town in Central Vietnam, known for its ancient houses, lantern-lit streets, and tailor shops.
In this article, I will compare Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An. I will outline the similarities and differences of these two cities based on their location, accessibility, accommodations, attractions, nightlife, shopping, and food.
I’m a local Vietnamese who has traveled all around the country. Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An are some of my favorite places to visit in Vietnam. I hope to share some helpful recommendations based on my personal experiences and local knowledge
Is it better to stay in Ho Chi Minh City or Hoi An?
Both Ho Chi Minh and Hoi An are ideal places to visit for first-timers to Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh is a more popular destination as it’s one of the two major transport hubs of Vietnam, so most visitors come to Ho Chi Minh first, before heading to other parts of Vietnam, including Hoi An.
Generally speaking, Ho Chi Minh City is a better place to visit if you want to get a good mix of everything in one place, including modern amenities, cultural & historical attractions, great nightlife, shopping, and food.
Hoi An is the better place to stay if you want a small town vibe with a photogenic atmosphere, lanterns, canals, and ancient architecture building. You can easily explore the old town on foot and bicycle.
Hoi An is also famous for its custom tailor shops, traditional crafts, unique regional food, and close proximity to the beach. If you’re looking for any of these experiences, Hoi An is definitely the place for you.
Another factor to consider when choosing whether to stay in Hoi An or Ho Chi Minh is their location. Ho Chi Minh is located in Southern Vietnam, and is a better base to explore the Mekong Delta, and Cu Chi Tunnel.
Hoi An is located in Central Vietnam and is a better base to explore Da Nang, the ancient capital of Vietnam Hue, and My Son sanctuary. Hoi An also has some great beaches, so if you want a beach holiday, it’s a better option than Ho Chi Minh.
If you want to explore both cities, you can do it easily within a single trip. They are located just 1.5 hours flight apart, making it easy to travel between them. Spending 2–3 nights in each place is generally enough to get a sense of what each has to offer.
My recommended hotels in Hoi An:
- Luxury: La Siesta
- Mid-range: Hoi An Historic Hotel
- Budget: Square Villa
My top picks hotel in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Luxury: Park Hyatt Saigon
- Mid-range: Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel
- Budget: Hoang Lan Hotel
Location and How to Get There
Ho Chi Minh City is located along the bank of Sai Gon River, in South Vietnam. Hoi An is located on the bank of Thu Bon River, in Central Vietnam. Hoi An is around 900 km north of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a 2 hour flight and taxi ride to travel between Ho Chi Minh and Hoi An.
Ho Chi Minh City is easier to reach internationally because it is one of the major hubs of Vietnam, along with Hanoi (the capital city).
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is located just around 6km from the city center, so you can easily take a short Grab taxi ride to your hotel when arriving.
Hoi An does not have an airport or train station. The closest airport to Hoi An is Da Nang International Airport. From Da Nang airport, you can take a taxi to Hoi An (around 45 minutes). If you want to take a train, you need to get off at Da Nang train station, then taxis to Hoi An.
Ho Chi Minh vs Hoi An Accommodations
Both Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City have a wide range of accommodations for all budgets and preferences. Ho Chi Minh City has more luxury hotels and Hoi An has more charming boutique hotels.
Ho Chi Minh City is full of high-rise buildings, whereas Hoi An has mostly low-rise hotels. Accommodations in Ho Chi Minh often have rooftop areas with bars or infinity pools. Having an outdoor swimming pool is also popular at hotels in Hoi An old town and the nearby beaches.
Accommodations in Ho Chi Minh City are also usually more expensive than in Hoi An. You can still find budget-friendly places, but keep in mind that the city is generally quite expensive.
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Ho Chi Minh or Hoi An for Nightlife
Ho Chi Minh is one of two nightlife hubs of Vietnam, so it’s a better place to go for nightlife. The nightlife in Hoi An is also lively and has a scenic atmosphere.
The nightlife in Ho Chi Minh is scattered around the city center, in district 1 and district 2. District 1 is more touristy and district 2 caters to expats and long term travelers.
District 1 itself has many different nightlife areas. You can check out cheap street-side beer bars and girl clubs at Bui Vien Walking Street.
For high end rooftop bars and clubs, head to Nguyen Hue Walking Street area. Japan town is also a unique place to go for nightlife and Japanese food.
In Hoi An, the nightlife is more relaxing. You can check out romantic bars and restaurants along the banks of Thu Bon river, watch traditional performances, take a boat ride and release latent, or shop at the night market in An Hoi island.
At night, the entire town glows with lanterns, giving it a photogenic and romantic feel. It’s ideal for couples, honeymooners, and anyone who wants a calm and scenic atmosphere rather than partying.
Ho Chi Minh or Hoi An for Shopping
Both Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh city are great places for shopping. Ho Chi Minh is a more developed city, so it has more modern shopping malls with luxury products.
Hoi An is a small town with beautiful bounties and family-run shops where you can find unique traditional handicraft, silk, and custom tailor-made clothes & leatherwork. You can also shop at the night market and Hoi An central market.
Both cities have a wide range of markets and tailor shops. It’s a good idea to learn how to bargain to help you negotiate better prices with vendors.
Ho Chi Minh is home to many shopping malls such as Vincom, Saigon Centre – Takashimaya. You can find high-end products and enjoy the air-conditioning system in these malls. There are also many trendy shops in Districts 1 and Thao Dien (District 2).
In terms of traditional markets, you can shop at Ben Thanh Market, which is a huge market in the heart of district 1. You can find everything at the market, including clothes, bags, lacquerware, handicrafts, souvenirs, coffee, and spices.
Ho Chi Minh vs Hoi An Food
Both Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An are great places to visit for foodies. You can easily find street food in both cities. Hoi An is best known for its regional dishes while Ho Chi Minh is best known for traditional Vietnamese food with southern Vietnamese flavor.
Ho Chi Minh is a bigger and more popular city, so it has more restaurants including fine dining, rooftop dining, and fusion restaurants serving various international cuisines.
Legendary street food in Ho Chi Minh City are Banh My, Pho, Com Tam, Hu Tieu, and Bun Thit Nuong. The signature local dishes in Hoi An are Cao Lau, Com Ga Hoi An, My Quang, and Banh My Hoi An.
Restaurants in Hoi An often have a more romantic atmosphere. The food here are also generally cheaper than in Ho Chi Minh city.
Historical Influences
Both Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An have rich history and culture. HCMC is influenced heavily by French colonialism (architecture, urban planning) and American presence during the Vietnam War.
Hoi An is influenced by Champa culture and centuries of international trade with Chinese, Japanese, and European merchants.
Early Settlement & Early Vietnamese Influence
Ho Chi Minh City
Before the 13th century, Ho Chi Minh city was part of ancient Funan, Chenla, and Khmer Empire. During these town, the population of this area was very sparse, and no large settlements were established here.
By the 15th century, the Khmer Empire gradually collapsed and was invaded by Siam. In the 16th century, Nguyen Hoang Lord ruled Dang Trong (central Vietnam) and extended his land to the south.
In the 1620s, Khmer King Chey Chetta II married Nguyen Ngoc Van, the daughter of the Nguyễn Lord. This political marriage allowed Vietnamese settlers into the Prey Nokor (Saigon) and Nguyen Lords helped King Chey Chetta II fight against the Siamese.
In 1679, Nguyen Lords allowed a group of Chinese that did not follow the Qing Dynasty left China to settle in Saigon and the surrounding areas.
Saigon was officially part of Vietnam in 1698 when general Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh established Gia Định prefecture. Nguyen Anh (future Emperor Gia Long) built Gia Định Citadel in 1789.
Hoi An
Hoi An was part of the ancient Champa Kingdom, which ruled most of central Vietnam from 2nd to 15th century. Cham has Hindu cultural influences with red brick temples and art styles. Champa became wealthy through trade (spices, silk, ceramics) and strategic ports along major sea routes.
Today, you can see many ruins of Cham Kingdom around Central Vietnam. The major Cham ruins near Hoi An is the My Son sanctuary, which was the spiritual center of Cham Kingdom from between the 4th and 13th centuries.
In the 14th century, Cham King Jaya Simhavarman III married Vietnamese princess Huyen Tran. The Cham King offered two districts of northern Cham Kingdom to Dai Viet, which included Hoi An.
The area was officely part of Dai Viet in 1471 when Emperor Lê Thánh Tông launched a major offensive against Champa.
Hoi An grew rapidly in the 16th-18th century as one of the most popular trading ports in Southeast Asia under rule of the Nguyen Lords. Merchants from Japan, China, and Europe came here to trade goods.
Nguyen Lords allow Japanese and Chinese traders to settle in the area. They built their houses, assembly halls, temples, bridges, and pagodas. These places have a great blend of Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese styles. Many of these ancient houses still exist till today.
Hoi An gradually lost its status as an important international port town in the late 18th century due to the Tây Sơn Uprising and later the silting up of the harbour. All big ships were moved to nearby Da Nang port due to its deep harbor.
French colonial period (mid 19th-20th century)
After capturing Gia Định Citadel in 1859, the French quickly began redesigning Sài Gòn into a major urban center to serve their colonial exploitation purposes.
Many important buildings were built in Saigon during the French colonial period such as the Governor of Cochinchina’s Mansion, the Resident-General’s Palace, Ben Thanh Market, City Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, or Saigon Central Post Office.
In 1865, Saigon is the 3km. Sq around the district 1, and Chợ Lớn coved an area around 1km sq around district 5 today. In 1931, the two separated areas, Saigon and Cho Lon, merged into the Saigon-Cho Lon area.
American-Vietnam war
Saigon was the capital of South Vietnam. It’s home to the presidential palace, government offices, and foreign embassies. In 1956, Sài Gòn–Chợ Lớn was renamed to Saigon.
The highlight of Saigon in this period was on April 30th 1975, North Vietnamese forces captured the city, raising their flag over the Presidential Palace, ending the war.marks either the Fall or Liberation of Saigon.
The evacuation of American personnel and South Vietnamese officials via helicopter from the U.S. embassy became an iconic moment.
In 1976, The city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City afterward, in honor of the communist leader.
Today
Today, Ho Chi Minh city is one of the two major centers in Vietnam, in Hanoi. It’s a modern city with cityscapes, lively nightlife, great shopping, and lots of cultural and historical attractions.
Hoi An became a tourist town with historical attractions dating back to its golden age when it was a famous port town in South East Asia from 16th to 18th century. It has a delicious food scene, photogenic lantern-lit streets, and colorful traditional round boats.
Cultural Attractions
Ho Chi Minh is known for modern history, colonial, and wartime sites. Hoi An is known for its ancient history as it was an important international trading port in the 16th to 18th century.
Hoi An today is packed with well-preserved ancient houses, Chinese temples, and Japanese bridges. Walking through the old town gives you the feeling of stepping back in time.
Some popular cultural attractions in Hoi An old town are the Japanese Covered Bridge, Cantonese Assembly Hall, and Fujian Assembly Hall.
Hoi An is also home to several traditional Craft Villages such as Thanh Ha Pottery Village, Kim Bong Carpentry Village, and Tra Que Vegetable Village. You can learn pottery, woodworking, and organic farming practices.
Top cultural attractions in Ho Chi Minh city are the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace (Reunification Palace), Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, Central Post Office, and Jade Emperor Pagoda.
The Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh city is also a great place to visit. This area in district 5 has colorful temples, markets, and Chinese-Vietnamese culture.
Outdoor Activities/ Day Trips
Hoi An is a great base to explore Central Vietnam. You can visit nearby beaches such as An Bang and Cua Dai Beach for swimming and water activities.
You can take day trips to Da Nang to visit iconic attractions such as Ba Na Hill, Golden Bridge, My Khe Beach, Marbles Mountains, or Han Market, or Linh Ung pagoda. You can take boat trips to Cham Islands and check out My Son sanctuary for more ancient history.
Ho Chi Minh is a great base to explore South Vietnam and the Mekong Delta.You can take day trips to Cu Chi tunnels to explore historic Viet Cong underground tunnels from the Vietnam War era.
There is also a trip to Mekong in detail taking boat trips through rivers, floating markets, and traditional villages. The Sunset or dinner cruises along the Saigon river are also popular activities for scenic city views.
Cost of Living: Is Hoi An cheaper than Ho Chi Minh?
Hoi An and central Vietnam generally have lower cost of living than Ho Chi Minh City. Accommodations, foods, and drinks are around 30% cheaper.
Prices for accommodations, food, and drinks in Ho Chi Minh City are extremely high in the area around Nguyen Hue street in district 1 due to its prime location and in the high-end neighborhood.
Prices in Hoi An are quite good even in the touristy area of the old town. I was able to find reasonably priced guest houses and cheap good restaurants to eat.
Ho Chi Minh City vs Hoi An Weather
Both Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City have warmer weather compared to North Vietnam. They have a dry season and rainy season. The rainy season typically starts from May to December.
Both cities can experience flooding in the rainy season. Hoi An is located along the coast, so it often has typhoons and storms especially from September to December. You might want to avoid visiting Hoi An in the storm season.
Getting Around
Both cities are popular tourist destinations, so there are plenty of taxi and riding share services such as Grab Taxi and Grab Bike. Grab is like Uber in the western countries. It’s relative to get around by Grab in Vietnam and I use them all the time when I’m not driving.
Hoi An is a bicycle-friendly town, so you can rent a bicycle to explore the old town and surrounding countryside. You can consider taking the traditional cyclo ride around the old town, visiting major attractions in this area.
See more:
- Hanoi vs Hoi An
- Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City
- Hoi An or Hue
- Da Nang Vs Hoi An
- Ho Chi Minh City or Nha Trang
- Hoi An or Phu Quoc
So there you have it, my comparison between Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An. In conclusion, Ho Chi Minh is better than Hoi An if you want the feel of modern Vietnamese life with good nightlife, shopping, food, plus cultural and historical attractions.
Hoi An is a better choice if you want a small quaint town with lantern-lit streets, ancient houses, custom tailor shops, low cost of living, and proximity to the beach. You can explore other parts in central Vietnam such as Da Nang and Hue.