Ho Chi Minh city is a major city in Southern Vietnam, known for its modernity, westernized atmosphere, bustling nightlife and shopping. Da Nang is the tourist hub in Central Vietnam, known for its beautiful beaches, laid back vibe, and affordable cost of living.
In this article, we will look at Ho Chi Minh City vs Da Nang, in terms of nightlife, shopping, food, weather, accommodations, and cost of living.
I’m Vietnamese and have traveled all around Vietnam, visiting many places, including Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. I hope to share some insights about these two major cities in Vietnam.
Both Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang are one of the most popular cities to visit and stay in Vietnam. Both have an international airport, making it easily accessible from many destinations in the globe.
Is Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang better?
As a bigger city, Ho Chi Minh City is a better place to stay for nightlife, shopping, dining, visiting museums and historical attractions. It is a cosmopolitan metropolis that has more infrastructure such as hospitals, universities, and malls.
Ho Chi Minh City is also more accessible with more direct flights from most cities in the world. To travel to Da Nang, you need to either transit at Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City from some cities.
Da Nang is a beautiful, laid-back beach town, making it a better place to visit for beach holiday, luxury beach resorts, and cheaper cost of living. The air is also less polluted compared to Ho Chi Minh City.
If you want to explore Central Vietnam, visiting famous Hoi An Old Town or Hue, Da Nang is a better base. If you want to explore South Vietnam, visiting Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong Deal, Ho Chi Minh is a better base.
If your time allows, you can consider visiting both Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. I recommend arriving in Ho Chi Minh first because it has more direct international flights. You can easily travel between these two cities in just 1.5 hours by plane.
My hand‑picked hotels in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Luxury: Park Hyatt Saigon
- Mid-range: Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel
- Budget: Hoang Lan Hotel
My recommend hotels in Da Nang:
- Luxury: Novotel
- Mid-range: Sala Danang Beach Hotel
- Budget: Wink Hotel Danang Centre
Location
Ho Chi Minh City is located in South Vietnam, along the bank of Sai Gon River. Da Nang is located in Central Vietnam, along the bank of Han River. Da Nang is approximately 900 km north of Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh is often known as the gateway to explore South Vietnam. You can easily take trips to Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong delta, Vung Tau, Mui Ne, Nha Trang, and Da Lat.
Da Nang is known for its beautiful Han River, Dragon Bridge, Han Market, My Khe Beach, and some cultural attractions such as Marbles Mountains, Ba Na Hill, and Linh Ung pagoda.
From Da Nang, you can take day trips to other destinations in the central region of Vietnam such as Hai Van Pass, Cham islands, Hoi An, Hue, and My Son sanctuary.
Getting There and Getting Around
Both Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang are very well connected by airplanes, trains, and buses. Both Tan Son Nhat international airport in Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang International Airport are located only 5-7 km from its city center. From these airports, you can easily use Grab to your hotel.
You can use the train to travel to Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang. Saigon railway station and Da Nang railway station are conveniently located in the city center, only a short Grab ride away.
To explore each city, you can use your foot and Grab. Grab is widely available in both Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, making it a cheap and convenient way to get around.
As a bigger city, the road traffic in Ho Chi Minh City is more chaotic, and Da Nang has lighter traffic. But, alway be mindful when crossing the road as you do in any part of Vietnam.
Cost of Living – Is Da Nang cheaper than Saigon?
From my observation and experiences, the cost of living in Da Nang, including apartment rentals and food, is usually cheaper than in Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll have a more comfortable life in Da Nang with the same amount of money that you spend in Ho Chi Minh.
Da Nang vs Ho Chi Minh City Accommodations
The only difference between accommodations in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang is that Da Nang is a beach city, so it has lots of luxury beachfront resorts. Otherwise, both cities have all accommodations for all budgets and all facilities you would need for a comfortable stay.
There are high-rise accommodations with rooftop bars and infinitely many pools in both Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. As a more developed city, you can find more high-rise hotels in Ho Chi Minh.
Most first-time visitors to Ho Chi Minh will either stay in district 1 or district 3. These districts are the most central areas of Saigon, offering easy access to major sights like the war museum, Independence Palace, Bui Vien walking street, Nguyen Hue street, and Ben Thanh market.
You can find many backpacker hostels and guest houses around Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao street. For more higher-end accommodations, consider staying around the Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi area.
In Da Nang, most first-time visitors either stay in the city center on the banks of Han River or along My Khe Beach. You will find a range of all-inclusive beach resorts along the Non Nuoc Beach area.
Both Ho Chi Minh City and DaNang are favorite destinations of digital nomads and long term travelers in Vietnam. They both have a neighborhood for foreign expats. In Saigon, most expats live in Thao Dien – district 2, and in Da Nang most expats live in An Thuong/ My An area.
These expat areas all have a wide range of international restaurants, bars, and supermarkets. You can easily find apartment rentals in these areas, and they all have lively nightlife scenes.
See more:
Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang for Nightlife?
I can confidently say that Ho Chi Minh City has a better nightlife scene. It is actually the best city in Vietnam to go for nightlife.
Ho Chi Minh City has many areas that have vibrant nightlife such as Bui Vien walking street, around Nguyen Hue/ Dong Khoi area, Japan Town, and Thao Dien area. You can find budget-friendly bars and clubs in Bui Vien walking street, trendier bars in Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi areas.
The nightlife in Da Nang is more laid-back. You can find many rooftop bars and nightclubs dotted in the city center along Han River, My Khe Beach, and An Thuong neighborhood. Some night markets such as Son Tra night market and An Thuong night market add a more lively vibe to the nightlife in Da Nang.
Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang for Shopping?
As a bigger city in terms of size and population, Ho Chi Minh City is a better place for shopping. You can find many modern shopping malls, as well as in independent shophouses and markets in the city.
You can check out Ben Thanh Market, Central Market, as well as many shopping malls such as Saigon Center and Vincom Dong Khoi.
Da nang has fewer shopping malls but lots of markets for tourists and locals. You can find everything at the Han market from clothes, local specialties, to souvenirs. The Son Tra night market is a must-see at night. For a more local atmosphere, you can have a look at Han market, and Bac My An Market.
For a bit of a high-end shop, you can check out Vincom Da Nang, which is located very close to the Han river. The H&M in here is quite big and you can find some good stuff.
Ho Chi Minh City vs Da Nang Weather
Both Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City have warm weather all year around. They have two main seasons, the dry season and the rainy season.
The Dry season in Da Nang is generally from January to August; in Ho Chi Minh City, it is from December to April. The rainy season in Da Nang is from September to December, and in HCMC, it is from May to November.
Ho Chi Minh City can experience floods and heavy rain during the rainy season, especially September and October. Tropical storms and flooding can happen in Da Nang from October to December.
Saigon vs Da Nang Food
As a bigger city, you can find all food in Ho Chi Minh City, from local Vietnamese food to international dishes. You can find food in many street food stalls, as well as Michelin star restaurants. Ho Chi Minh City, in general, has more food options and restaurants compared to Da Nang.
Da Nang is known for its regional dishes and fresh seafood. You can try My Quang, Banh Cuon Thit Heo, and Com Ga. The city also has a wide range of both local and international eateries but, in my opinion, there are not many choices compared to Ho Chi Minh City.
Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City for Beaches?
Da Nang, without a doubt, is a better place to stay and visit if you want a beach holiday. My Khe Beach was regarded as one of the best beaches in the world by many reputable travel websites. You’ll be walking distance or only a short Grab bike to the beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing.
In Ho Chi Minh City, if you want to go to the beach, you will need to drive for at least a couple of hours to get to nearby beaches like Vung Tau or Mui Ne. You can also visit Nha Trang or Phu Quoc which is only one hour’s flight away.
Tourist Attractions
Both Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang have their own tourist attractions. Da Nang is better for beaches and easy access to the ancient town of Hoi An, My Son sanctuary, Hai Van Pass, and Hue City.
Additionally, you can explore the Han River, Dragon Bridge, markets (Han Market, Son Tra night market), as well as Linh Ung pagoda, Ba na Hill, and Marble Mountains. You can also enjoy outdoor activities on Son Tra peninsula and Monkey Mountains.
Ho Chi Minh City, in my opinion, is better for museums, temples, pagodas, and historical attractions. You can explore the war museum, the independence palace, Ben Thanh Market, Emperor Jade Pagoda, and Thien Hau Pagoda. You can take day trips to Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong delta.
Historical Influences
The major highlight of the history of Da Nang started from the 2nd century when it became part of the ancient Cham Kingdom. The region became part of Dai Viet (now Vietnam) in the 15th century. It was later an important location in the French colonial period and American war.
The major highlight of Ho Chi Minh City started from the late 16th century when Vietnamese refugees and settlers entered the region. In 1698, the Nguyen lords sent Nguyen Huu Canh to establish Gia Dinh Province. The city underwent a big transformation during the French colonial and American war.
Cham Kingdom (2nd – 15th century)
Da Nang was the major port town of the Cham Kingdom, which occupied most of central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 15th century. During their golden ages, they controlled trading in spices and silk between China, India, and Indonesia.
Today, you can see ruins and Cham’s attractions at My Son sanctuary, Cu Lao Cham island, Marble Mountains, or the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture at the left bank of Han River.
Ho Chi Minh City was part of the ancient Funan Kingdom (1st-7th century CE), then Chenla Kingdom from (7th-9th century), then Khmer (from 9th-15th century). Saigon was known as sparsely populated land Prey Nokor, or “Forest City” during this period.
Nguyen Lords and Nguyen Dynasty (16th-19th century)
In the 14th century, part of northern Cham Kingdom which included Da Nang was offered to Dai Viet (now Vietnam) as the wedding gift of Cham King to married Vietnamese Princess Huyen Tran.
During the Nguyen Dynasty, Da Nang was an important trading and military port town near the capital Hue. European ships came here to trade to replace the nearby port town Hoi An when the Thu Bon River silt up.
The Nguyen Dynasty built a defensive fortress along the bank of Han River, and you can still visit the ruins of this fortress today.
In 1620, The Khmer King – Chey Chettha II married Ngoc Van princess, the daughter of Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Lord. In 1623, the Nguyen gained permission for Vietnamese to settle in Prei Nokor (later Saigon).
In 1698, Nguyen Lords sent general Nguyen Huu Canh to establish Gia Dinh garrison, and make it officially under Vietnamese administrative control. The Vietnamese allowed Chinese Ming refugees to settle in this region.
In 1778, Gia Dinh was captured by the Tay Son brothers and in 1788 Nguyen Anh, with the help of the French, recaptured Gia Dinh. In 1790, Nguyen Anh built the large Gia Dinh Citadel to serve as a major military fortress. Gia Dinh Citadel was destroyed by King Minh Mang in 1859.
French colonial period (1858-1954)
Under the French colonial government, the layout of Saigon and Da Nang transformed into Western style layout. They built infrastructure to serve the colonial purposes. These include markets, train stations, wide boulevards, and French-style buildings.
In Da Nang, you can still see some French colonial structures such as Da Nang Church, Da Nang train station, and Da Nang museum. They also built Ba Ha Hill, which is the summer resort for the French to escape from the heat of the coastal area.
Saigon today is packed with architects from French colonial periods. Iconic buildings are the Ben Thanh Market, The Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Post Office. The wide boulevards such as Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi still have some buildings dating back to this period.
Vietnam-American War
Da Nang was an important military base of the US during the Vietnam-American War. The US built infrastructure such as an airport, bridge, and port. You can learn about the wartime past in Da Nang at the Ho Chi Minh and the Fifth Military Zone Museum in the heart of Da Nang.
Saigon was the capital city of South Vietnam and the US during the war time. The highlight of Saigon during the wartime is the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when North Vietnamese tanks captured the Presidential Palace, making the end of the war.
Today
Today, both cities are major cities in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is the center of South Vietnam, Da Nang is the center of Central Vietnam.
Da Nang developed into beach tourist destinations with affordable cost of living, delicious regional food, and a good range of facilities. It’s also a great base to explore Hue and Hoi, an ancient town.
Ho Chi Minh City is a modern city with lots of French colonial style buildings, sky scapeers, and sites related to the Vietnam American War. It’s an excellent base to explore Cu Chi Tunnelers and Melkong Delta.
See more:
- Hanoi vs Da Nang
- Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City
- Da Nang vs Nha Trang Vs Phu Quoc
- Da Nang Vs Hoi An
- Ho Chi Minh City or Nha Trang
So, Ho Chi Minh or Da Nang, which is better to visit?
Overall, in my opinion, Ho Chi Minh is better than Da Nang in terms of nightlife, shopping, and dining options. It also has more infrastructure such as health care facilities, universities, and malls. As a bigger city, it also has more job opportunities if you come to Vietnam for work.
Da Nang is better than Ho Chi Minh City if you are after a beach holiday, more laid-back atmosphere, cheaper cost of living, and more clean air.
Additionally, if you want to explore south Vietnam, go to Ho Chi Minh City; if you want to explore the central region of Vietnam such as Hoi An and Hue, go to Da Nang. Y
ou can easily visit one city from another by taking flights. Both cities have many daily flights and are only 90 minutes away. They are excellent places to visit for first-timers to Vietnam.
This is my opinion about Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang, including some categories like nightlife, shopping, cost of living, and proximity to the beaches. If you think I missed any points, please feel free to leave a comment in the box below.