Vietnam: Cities, Nature, and Food to Try
- Laura Wakefield
- Jul 19
- 6 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
Vietnam is a country built on contrast, where daily life can feel completely different from one region to the next. You might spend one morning in a dense, fast-moving city filled with scooters and street vendors, and the next day find yourself walking through quiet rice fields or drifting along calm waterways. What makes it especially compelling is how distinct each place feels in its atmosphere, pace, and personality.
From the historic depth of Hanoi to the modern intensity of Ho Chi Minh City, the riverside charm of Hoi An, and the coastal openness of Da Nang, each destination offers a completely different way of experiencing the country. Together, they create a journey that feels varied, immersive, and constantly shifting.
Hanoi: Lakes, History, and Old Quarter Chaos (in the best way)
Hanoi is Vietnam’s cultural and historical heart, and it often feels like the most atmospheric introduction to the country. The city is layered—French colonial buildings sit alongside ancient temples, while narrow streets in the Old Quarter overflow with food stalls, small shops, and constant movement. Life here feels dense and rhythmic, with scooters weaving through intersections and street life unfolding on every corner.
Despite its energy, Hanoi also has moments of calm. Lakes, shaded parks, and quiet temple courtyards offer breaks from the pace of the streets, giving the city a balance between chaos and reflection. It’s a place where tradition feels very present, and where everyday routines—especially food and coffee culture—are central to how the city functions.
Top things to do
Hoan Kiem Lake – a peaceful central escape surrounded by walking paths and local life
Ngoc Son Temple – small island temple connected by a bright red bridge
Old Quarter walking streets – each street historically dedicated to a trade
Train Street – a narrow residential street where trains pass through tightly packed homes
Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university and a calm cultural landmark
Where to eat
Pho Gia Truyen – classic beef pho, simple and authentic
Bun Cha Huong Lien – grilled pork noodles (famous Obama visit spot)
Cha Ca Thang Long – sizzling turmeric fish cooked at your table
Cafe Giang – original egg coffee café
Street food stalls selling banh mi, sticky rice, and grilled meats
Where to stay
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi – luxury colonial-style hotel near the Old Quarter
La Siesta Premium Hang Be – boutique hotel with strong Old Quarter access
Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel – modern option with rooftop views
Old Quarter boutique guesthouses – smaller stays for walking access to everything
Ho Chi Minh City: Energy, Skyscrapers, and Constant Motion
Ho Chi Minh City (often still called Saigon) feels like the modern pulse of Vietnam. It is fast-moving, loud, and full of contrast, where glass skyscrapers rise above colonial-era buildings and busy street markets operate just blocks from sleek rooftop bars and contemporary cafés.
The city’s energy is constant—motorbikes dominate the streets, cafés stay busy throughout the day, and nightlife districts feel active well into the early hours. At the same time, Ho Chi Minh City carries deep historical weight, with museums and preserved landmarks that reflect its complex past.
What makes it especially interesting is how easily old and new coexist. You can spend the morning in a quiet museum, the afternoon in a modern shopping district, and the evening on a rooftop overlooking a glowing skyline.
Top things to do
Ben Thanh Market – busy central market for food, souvenirs, and clothing
War Remnants Museum – powerful historical museum
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon – French colonial landmark
Saigon Central Post Office – still functioning historic building
Bui Vien Street – nightlife street full of bars and energy
Bitexco Skydeck – panoramic city views from above
Where to eat
Pho Hoa Pasteur – one of the city’s most reliable pho spots
Banh Mi Huynh Hoa – famous oversized banh mi sandwiches
Quan An Ngon – great introduction to multiple Vietnamese dishes
Secret Garden – rooftop-style traditional Vietnamese dining
Hum Vegetarian – calm, plant-based Vietnamese cuisine
Where to stay
Park Hyatt Saigon – luxury stay in District 1 near major attractions
The Reverie Saigon – ultra-luxury hotel with dramatic interiors
Hotel Nikko Saigon – comfortable, modern option slightly outside center
Fusion Suites Saigon – relaxed boutique hotel with apartment-style rooms
Hoi An: Lanterns, Riverside Calm, and Slow, Walkable Beauty
Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most visually distinctive destinations. Unlike the large, fast-moving cities, it feels small, walkable, and intentionally preserved. The Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its yellow-painted buildings, lantern-lit evenings, and riverside setting that encourages slow exploration.
The atmosphere here is noticeably calmer. Cars are limited in much of the old town, so most travel happens on foot or by bicycle. Days often revolve around wandering streets, visiting tailor shops, sitting in cafés, and watching the river change with the light. At night, lanterns glow across the water, giving the whole town a warm, almost cinematic feel.
Top things to do
Walk the Ancient Town (especially early morning or evening)
Cross the Japanese Covered Bridge
Take a lantern boat ride on the Thu Bon River
Visit tailoring shops for custom-made clothing
Cycle to nearby rice fields and villages
Relax at An Bang Beach
Where to eat
Morning Glory Original – well-known Hoi An specialty dishes
Madam Khanh (The Banh Mi Queen) – famous banh mi spot
Cao Lau Khong Gian Xanh – traditional noodle dish in a local setting
Secret Garden Restaurant – peaceful courtyard dining
Riverside cafés serving fresh seafood and local tea
Where to stay
Anantara Hoi An Resort – riverside luxury close to Ancient Town
Little Riverside Hoi An – boutique stay with calm atmosphere
La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa – highly rated resort-style property
Homestays in rice field areas – quieter, more local experience
Da Nang: Coastal City Living and Beachside Balance
Da Nang sits between Hoi An and northern Vietnam’s cultural centers, and it often serves as a refreshing coastal break within a longer itinerary. It’s a modern, spacious city with wide roads, long beaches, and a noticeably more relaxed pace compared to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
What makes Da Nang especially appealing is its balance: it offers both city convenience and easy access to nature. You can spend the morning on the beach, the afternoon exploring mountains and caves, and the evening watching the city lights reflect off the river.
Top things to do
My Khe Beach – long sandy beach ideal for swimming and walking
Dragon Bridge – weekend fire and water show
Marble Mountains – caves, temples, and viewpoints
Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge – mountain theme park with iconic bridge
Coastal cafés and beach clubs along Vo Nguyen Giap Street
Where to eat
Mi Quang Ba Mua – famous central Vietnamese noodle dish
Be Man Seafood – casual beachfront seafood restaurant
Madame Lan – traditional Vietnamese dishes in a riverside setting
Street seafood grills along the beach road
Where to stay
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort – luxury cliffside retreat
Sala Danang Beach Hotel – modern beachfront option
Hilton Da Nang – central location with river views
Boutique beach hotels near My Khe – mid-range, walk-to-beach stays
Nature: From Mountains to Bays to River Networks
Vietnam’s landscapes are as varied as its cities, and often just a short journey away from urban centers.
Ha Long Bay – limestone islands rising from emerald water, best seen on overnight cruises
Ninh Binh – river valleys surrounded by limestone cliffs and rice fields
Sapa – mountain terraces and ethnic minority villages in the far north
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park – vast cave systems and jungle landscapes
Mekong Delta – floating markets and river-based communities
Each destination feels like a different world, adding depth to the overall journey.
Culture and Everyday Life
Across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, everyday life is shaped by movement, food, and social interaction in public spaces. Streets double as living environments—people eat outdoors, gather in cafés, and spend much of their day in shared, communal settings.
Coffee culture is especially strong, with iced coffee (often with condensed milk) acting as a daily ritual. Markets open early, nightlife runs late, and food is rarely separated from social life.
Food Across Vietnam
Vietnamese cuisine is one of the country’s defining experiences, with each region offering subtle variations.
Must-try dishes:
Pho – noodle soup (especially Hanoi)
Banh Mi – French-influenced sandwich found nationwide
Bun Cha – grilled pork with noodles
Cao Lau – Hoi An specialty noodles
Mi Quang – central turmeric noodles
Com Tam – broken rice dishes from the south
Goi Cuon – fresh spring rolls
Ca Phe Sua Da – iced coffee with condensed milk
Food in Vietnam is deeply integrated into daily life—often eaten quickly on sidewalks, in markets, or in small open-air kitchens that are part of the street itself.
What makes Vietnam so compelling is how much diversity exists within a single journey. One day you’re navigating the historic streets of Hanoi, the next you’re cycling through rice fields near Hoi An, and later you’re standing above limestone cliffs in Ha Long Bay.
It’s a country where cities feel alive, nature feels expansive, and food connects everything together—creating a travel experience that feels constantly shifting, layered, and memorable.
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