Hanoi has done better than Ho Chi Minh City on a quality of life index, with the northern city ranked as safer than its southern sister, according to a report. Hanoi is considered to have less crime and is safer than Ho Chi Minh City, according to a new set of indices. However, both cities are still seen to have problems with corruption and bribery, according to VNExpress.
Ho Chi
Minh City is a relatively safe city to travel with.Its main source of income is tourism, so the safety of tourists is its main concern. Street crime is more common in cities such as Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. No big city is free of crime, and neither are those in Vietnam. While cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh attract pickpocket thieves, you don't usually have to worry about more serious crimes.
As long as you keep an eye on your belongings, even that threat can be completely avoided. Alternatively, if you go along the car rental route, Ho Chi Minh City is more urbanized than Hanoi, so it tends to have better roads to drive. It also has day trips further than Hanoi, so you'll get better value for money if you choose to rent a car there. Let's be honest, Vietnam doesn't exactly have the prize for the safest and most scam-free country in the world.
Hanoi tends to prefer more conventional dishes, so if you're looking for authentic Vietnamese food, this city is the place to go. Ho Chi Minh City, a budget-friendly destination for backpackers, is known for its excellent street food vendors, offering cuisines from around the world and a wide range of cheap accommodation. So if you're looking for a more cultural experience, a better food option or a less expensive trip, here's our guide on whether you should visit Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. If you don't want to spend 6 hours going back and forth from Halong Bay and you're not interested in cruises, Ninh Binh is a good option.
And New York in the United States, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City represent the economic and political centers of Vietnam, respectively. For this, most travelers don't choose a city, but instead add Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh to their trip. Hanoi has an extensive history that gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the Vietnam War, colonial rule and the ancient history of the region. However, since Ho Chi Minh City is more westernized than Hanoi, there is a larger selection of shopping malls and urban stores to choose from.
You should stock up on diapers or any medical supplies your children may need before leaving for Vietnam. Da Lat is a great example of colonial influence in Vietnam, with French-style buildings and star-shaped streets running all over the city. The information in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing, yet the world is a changing place, now more than ever. Missing street food will mean missing an entire portion of where Vietnamese life really takes place.
Ho Chi Minh City tends to have more things to do outside the city than in the city center itself. In the evening, however, they hurry to go to the famous restaurants of Ho Chi Minh with delicious food and enjoy its vibrant nightlife.
