Hanoi or Saigon: which city to choose in Vietnam?

Updated 3 November 2026

Our verdict

On a full trip, the two complement each other: you fly into one and out of the other. If you must choose, Hanoi is the better base for a first trip, with Ha Long, Ninh Binh and Sapa within reach. Saigon suits winter better, when the South is dry, and travellers heading for the Mekong and Phu Quoc.

Point-by-point comparison

Criterion	Hanoi	Saigon
Atmosphere	Old town, lakes, traditions	Big, modern, lively metropolis
Climate	Cool and grey in winter, hot and rainy in summer	Hot all year, dry from December to April
Best months	March-April and October-November	December to April
Day trips	Ha Long, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Ha Giang	Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, flights to Phu Quoc
Suggested nights	2 to 3	2 to 3

Which to choose?

Hanoi

The right choice if it is a first trip and you want to see the great landscapes of the North.

Saigon

The right choice if you travel between December and April, or are heading for the Mekong and the beaches of Phu Quoc.

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Frequently asked questions

Should you start in Hanoi or Saigon?

It depends on the season: from March to May and in October-November, starting in the North works well; from December to February, starting in the South and heading up gets you to the North when it is milder.

How do you get from Hanoi to Saigon?

By plane, the simplest: direct flights are frequent and take about 2 hours. There is a train, but it takes well over a day.