This article is not about the North Vietnam vs South Vietnam war. The war ended a long time ago. This article is my opinion about the similarities and differences between North and South Vietnam in terms of tourism. We will look at some categories such as weather, food, history and culture, people, nightlife and shopping.
Vietnam is a long and narrow country that is divided into 3 main regions, north, central, and south:
- North Vietnam is home to major tourist destinations such as Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh, and Ha Giang Loop.
- Central Vietnam is where you can find Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue.
- South Vietnam is home to Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong delta, Phu Quoc, Da Lat, and Nha Trang.
In general, North Vietnam has a better mountainous landscape and richer history and culture. It is the traditional part of Vietnam. If you are into breathtaking natural beauty, lots of cultural attractions, and authentic street food, go visit the north first.
South Vietnam has a more urban atmosphere, westernized lifestyle, and warm weather all year around. Ho Chi Minh City, in particular, is the best place to go in Vietnam for nightlife. You can find some of Vietnam’s best beaches in South Vietnam in Phu Quoc island.
Accessibility
Both North Vietnam and South Vietnam are easily accessible by air. They are both well-served by an international airport. Hanoi is the major transport hub of North Vietnam and is home to Noi Bai airport. Ho Chi Minh City is a major transport hub in South Vietnam and is home to Tan Son Nhat Airport.
Noi Bai airport is located 30 km away from Hanoi’s Old Quarter while Tan Son Nhat is closer to its city center, only 7 km away from District 1 and 3. From both airports, you can easily use Grab or Taxi to get to the downtown area of each city.
North Vietnam is bordered by China and Laos, so you can access North Vietnam by road from these land ports. You can access South Vietnam by road from the neighboring Cambodia.
Depending on the availability and distance of the flights from your city to Vietnam, you can choose to land either in Hanoi (North Vietnam) or Saigon (South Vietnam). From any of these two destinations, you can easily travel to other parts of the country by airplane, trains, motorbikes, and buses.
Once you are in Vietnam, I recommend using Grab to get around. It is a cheap and convenient way to travel within one city and short distances. Grab is widely available in big cities and major tourist destinations in the country.
There are several other riding share options, but Grab, in my opinion, is the most popular and the best, so I don’t bother using other apps. There is no Grab in some remote areas like Ha Giang, but I don’t think it is a problem, as there are plenty of easy rider options, as well as traditional taxis and private drivers.
North Vietnam vs South Vietnam Weather
North Vietnam has four different seasons with a distinct summer and winter weather. Summer can be very hot and humid and winter can be very cold. South Vietnam has warm weather all year round with two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.
Heavy rainfall and flooding can occur in both regions in the rainy season. The rainy season in the north is usually from May to September with July to September being the wettest months of the year.
The rainy season in the South is from May to November with June, July, and August being the wetter months of the year. Rain usually occurs in the afternoon in a form of heavy and short lasting rain.
The best time to visit north Vietnam is from September to November and March to May. The best time to visit South Vietnam is from December to May, when the rainfall is at its least.
People, History and Culture
Vietnamese, both in the north and south, are very friendly, fun-loving, and hospitable people. From my observation, people in North Vietnam are more conservative and traditional, and people from South Vietnam are more open minded and outgoing.
The Culture, architecture, and food in Vietnam is influenced by China and French. The North, particularly Hanoi, has a history of a thousand years, so it has more in terms of cultural attractions, ancient temples, and pagodas.
The South, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, has a history of a few hundred years, and is a young city with a more modernized atmosphere.
North Vietnam or South Vietnam for Food?
Both food in North and South Vietnam are delicious and cheap. You can easily find Vietnamese food anywhere in Vietnam, from Pho, Banh My, to Goi Cuon. The food in South Vietnam is sweeter and spicier than the North.
The North, in my opinion, has more traditional and authentic food such as Bun Cha, Pho, Banh Cuon, and Cha Ca La Vong. Famous dishes in the South include Banh Xeo, Hu Tieu, Com Tam, and Pho Bo.
Tourist Attractions and Activities
North Vietnam is a better place to visit if you want to explore stunning natural landscapes and cultural attractions. South Vietnam is a better region to visit if you want to explore modern parts of the country, tropical islands, beaches, and floating markets.
Hanoi is the cultural capital of Vietnam. You can explore the old quarter with attractions such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoa Lo Prison, Thang Long Imperial palace, the train street, and Ho Chi Minh mausoleum.
You can try many traditional street foods, go shopping, get a message, and enjoy the nightlife at Ta Hien Beer Street. From Hanoi, you can easily use trains and buses to get to nearby destinations such as Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Sapa, and Ha Giang.
Halong Bay is a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its towering limestone formations. It is located only 3-4 hours by bus ride from Hanoi old quarter and it is recommended to take an overnight cruise to have the best experience in Halong. If you have time and money, the 2 night cruise gives more time for exporations, and a chance to visit Cat Ba island.
Ninh Binh, known as Halong Bay onland, is located only a 2 hour bus ride from Hanoi. You can take a boat tour of Trang An or Tam Coc area, explore Hang Mua, Hoa Lu ancient town, and Bai Dinh pagoda. You can stay a night in Tam Coc to experience the nightlife in this area.
Sapa is a beautiful mountainous area located 5-6 hours by bus /train ride from Hanoi old town. The town is known for its mild climates, rice terraces, and many tiny hill tribe villages. You can go trekking, explore the traditions of local peoples, relax, or check out the top of the Fansipan Mountain.
Ha Giang Loop is one of the most scenic drives in the world. You can take an easy rider tour where local drivers will drive you around the Loop, admiring breaktaking landmarks, visiting several ethnic villages, eating traditional Vietnamese food, and staying in traditional houses. I recommend going for either the 2 nights or 3 nights tours.
In South Vietnam, you can explore the metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong delta, beach city Of Nha Trang, Da lat, and Phu Quoc.
In Ho Chi Minh City, you can visit the War Museum, Independence palace, and Ben Thanh market. You can take day trips to Cu Chi Tunnels, which is the secret underground system used during the Vietnam-American war.
If you have time, you can consider staying 2-3 nights in the Mekong delta. This area is known for its floating markets, rice fields, and life on the river.
For beaches, you can easily check out Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Mui Ne. To escape from summer heat in the south, you can visit Da Lat, a beautiful city in the highland center of Vietnam. Similar to Sapa, Da lat is known for its mild weather, stunning natural landscapes, and lots of spiritual attractions.
Accommodations
You can find all types of accommodations both in North and South Vietnam. There are backpacker hotels, budget-friendly guest houses, and luxury 5-star hotels. The prices are quite similar for the same type of accommodations between big cities and popular tourist destinations.
However, in my opinion, there are more options for luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts, with huge rooftop areas and infinity pools in South Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and famous beach destinations.
North Vietnam vs South Vietnam Nightlife
Both Hanoi (North Vietnam) and Ho Chi Minh (South Vietnam) are the best places to go for nightlife in Vietnam. But, in my experience, Ho Chi Minh City has a better nightlife scene.
Ho Chi Minh City is a bigger city with many more nightlife areas such as Bui Vien, Nguyen Hue/ Dong Khoi, Japan Town, or Thao Dien. In Hanoi, most nightlife scenes are concentrated in the old quarter and around Ta Hien Beer Street. You can also find some trendy western bars and nightclubs in Tay Ho district.
You can find many bars, rooftop bars, and nightclubs in Ho Chi Minh City open until early morning. You can easily go bar hopping all night.
North Vietnam or South Vietnam for Shopping?
Both North and South Vietnam are great places for shopping. You can easily find traditional Vietnamese handicrafts and souvenirs at markets, malls, and boutiques.
In the North, you can shop at many shops in the old Quarter of Hanoi as well as numerous markets and shopping centers such as Dong Xuan Market, Weekend Night Markets, Trang Tien Plaza, and Vincom Ba Trieu.
Similar to the North, you can find the same products in the South in Ho Chi Minh City at Ben Thanh Market, Central market, or Vincom Dong Khoi.
See more:
- Is it better to stay in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
- Ho Chi Minh City vs Da Nang
- Hanoi vs Da Nang
- Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
- Where to stay in Hanoi
- Where to stay in Phu Quoc
- Top 10 Most Beautiful Places in Vietnam
Overall, North Vietnam is the place to go for incredible natural landscapes, cultural attractions, and exploring traditional parts of the country. South Vietnam is the place to visit if you want a westernized atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and warm weather all year round. Whether you visit North or South Vietnam, you’re sure to have a wonderful holiday in this beautiful country.