Hoan Kiem Lake - a tourist destination in the heart of Hanoi.

According to the travel website, Hanoi is teeming full of Buddhist shrines and picturesque lakes, along with a number of tourist destinations, including the millennia-old Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the grand Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, and Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Meanwhile, Tripzilla.com noted that visitors can discover plenty of museums and European-esque structures, such as the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, and the Museum of Vietnamese History.

“For a dose of French architecture, don’t miss the Saigon Opera House and the Saigon City Hall, as well as the neighboring Saigon Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica,” it suggested.

Along with these must-visit spots, local culture and lifestyle are also among the main reasons to visit the two largest cities.

Hanoi has managed to remain loyal to its original roots, while Ho Chi Minh City has always embraced foreign aspects, from French culture to rapid Western urbanization. 

The travel platform stressed that visitors cannot talk about travelling to a city in Vietnam without discussing about its range of unique cuisine.

“If there’s one thing we love equally about Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, though, it’s the vast selection of mouth-watering dishes!” it noted.

According to Tripzilla.com, in Hanoi street food is king and delicious meals can be enjoyed from roadside stalls to hole-in-the-wall eateries in narrow alleyways. Visitors will also find lots of homegrown restaurants, most of which have belonged to the same family for decades, it shared.

Apart from street food and authentic French-Vietnamese dishes, there are also plenty of options for international cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City, including cozy brunch spots,  expat-owned bistros, and fine-dining restos.

“No wonder it’s dubbed the food capital of Vietnam! Oh, and it’s also the birthplace of bánh mì; on the other hand, phở and gỏi cuốn hail from good ol’ Hanoi” the travel website added.

According to the website, the best time to visit the two cities is during the drier months from December to March. 

Hanoi has all four seasons, therefore if visitors prefer moderate seasons like spring and fall then they should take a trip sometime between February and April, or September and November, it suggested.

Tripzilla.com shared that both Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City are budget-friendly cities, saying that Hanoi is slightly more affordable. 

The average daily budget per person in Hanoi stands at 40.16 USD. This includes transportation, food and drink, and other activities such as entertainment and sightseeing.

Meanwhile, in Ho Chi Minh City, the average daily budget per person is 69.57 USD. This includes transportation, food and drink, and other tourist activities.