When planning a trip to Vietnam, one of the questions that tourists often ask is “Should I go to Hoi An or Hanoi?”. Each location has its own unique characteristics, from space, culture, to cuisine. Join Bliss Hoi An to learn and compare the outstanding factors of both destinations to help you make the right decision for your trip.

Introduction to Hoi An and Hanoi 

Hoi An or Ha Noi are two famous tourist destinations, each with its own unique beauty and atmosphere. Although there are clear differences in culture, history and pace of life, both have strong appeal to domestic and foreign tourists. 

Hoi An – World cultural heritage

Hoi An is an ancient city located on the banks of the Thu Bon River, standing out with its nostalgic, peaceful and attractive beauty. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, Hoi An stands out with its ancient streets, wooden houses, and unique architectural works, reflecting the interference of many different cultures. Hoi An not only attracts tourists by its ancient beauty but also by its slow, peaceful living space, helping visitors find relaxation and peace of mind.

Hanoi – Capital of a thousand years of civilization

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a city with a thousand-year history of civilization. This place is a perfect combination of historical values, traditional culture and modern lifestyle. Hanoi attracts tourists by famous landmarks such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, and bustling old quarters. It is this mixture that creates a Hanoi that is both ancient and dynamic, an ideal destination for those who want to explore Vietnamese culture, history and people.

Outstanding attractions in Hoi An

Hoi An is not only a beautiful ancient city but also contains countless interesting attractions, each with its own unique historical story and unique culture. Visitors to Hoi An will discover unique architectural works, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, and enjoy the unique cultural values ​​of this land. Below are some outstanding attractions in Hoi An that you should not miss:

• Hoi An ancient town: As the heart of the city, Hoi An ancient town is recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, featuring ancient houses, beautiful small streets and colorful spaces. You can easily stroll through shops, restaurants and see historic houses.
• Cau Pagoda: This is one of the outstanding architectural works of Hoi An, more than 400 years old. Covered Bridge is a symbol of the city, a place of intersection of cultures, and an ideal stop for those who love to explore history and culture.
• Thanh Ha Pottery Village: Thanh Ha Pottery Village is famous for its long-standing traditional pottery making. Visitors can visit ceramic workshops, learn about the production process and buy unique ceramic products as souvenirs.
• Hoi An Market: Hoi An Market is a gathering place for handicrafts, fabrics, and local specialties. This is the ideal destination for you to enjoy specialty dishes such as Cao Lau, dumplings, and cauldron cakes.
• Cua Dai Beach: About 5 km from Hoi An center, Cua Dai beach is a beautiful beach with fine white sand and clear blue water. This is the ideal place to relax, swim and enjoy fresh seafood dishes.

Read more: Discover Hoi An where to stay: Best area to stay in Hoi An for every traveler

Outstanding attractions in Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital of thousands of years of civilization, not only stands out with historical buildings but also possesses attractions imbued with cultural identity, a wonderful combination of tradition and modernity. Coming to Hanoi, you will admire historical relics, enjoy unique architectural works and immerse yourself in the bustling yet peaceful atmosphere of the city. Below are some outstanding attractions in Hanoi:

• Hoan Kiem Lake/Sword Lake: Sword Lake is a symbol of Hanoi, associated with many famous legends. This place has a fresh, peaceful space, and is an ideal destination for those who want to relax, walk around the lake and admire the Turtle Tower. The area around Sword Lake also has historical relics such as Ngoc Son Temple and The Huc Bridge.
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: As one of the most important attractions in Hanoi, President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is where his body is kept, a place to remember and honor the great leader of the nation. The mausoleum campus also has many works related to the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh, such as the Ho Chi Minh Museum and Uncle Ho’s Stilt House.
• One Pillar Pagoda: One Pillar Pagoda, also known as Lien Hoa Dai, is one of the oldest and most unique pagodas in Hanoi. The pagoda has lotus-shaped architecture, built in the 11th century, a symbol of longevity and the connection between heaven and earth.
• Temple of Literature – National Tu Giam: Temple of Literature is a famous relic complex of Hanoi, a place to worship Confucius and talented people. Quoc Tu Giam, considered the first university in Vietnam, is a place to train mandarins and scholars in feudal history. This is a tourist destination imbued with cultural and educational values ​​of the nation.
• Hanoi Old Quarter: The Old Quarter is the heart of Hanoi, a place that preserves ancient beauty with traditional houses, beautiful small streets with shops selling crafts, spices, and local specialties. This is one of the interesting areas to walk around, explore old town life and enjoy unique dishes.

Compare the unique features between Hoi An and Hanoi

Hoi An or Ha Noi are both famous tourist destinations in Vietnam, but each place has its own unique beauty and identity. Although there are similarities in history and culture, compared to each other, each city exhibits unique features in architecture, culture, lifestyle and cuisine.

Architecture and landscape

Hoi An or Ha Noi both possess unique architectural works, but the way they are expressed is completely different. Hoi An stands out for its ancient houses, built many centuries ago, reflecting the cultural interference between countries such as Japan, China, and Vietnam. In particular, Hoi An ancient town is recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage, a place to preserve the architectural and landscape values ​​typical of an ancient city.

On the contrary, Hanoi shows a combination of ancient and modern architecture. The ancient houses in Hanoi’s Old Quarter still retain their historical beauty, but are also mixed with high-rise buildings and modern architectural works. The highlight of Hanoi is the system of lakes and parks, especially Hoan Kiem Lake, creating a cool green space right in the heart of the city. When comparing architecture and landscape, Hoi An has a bold ancient and romantic beauty, while Hanoi harmoniously combines the past and modernity.

Culture 

The culture of Hoi An or Ha Noi both has special values, reflecting the history and development of each land. Hoi An, with more than 400 years of history, retains a strong indigenous culture, blending many Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese cultures. Traditional festivals, such as the Lunar New Year festival or the lantern festival, are rich in the cultural colors of this land. Hoi An is also a place where handicraft arts such as lantern making, sewing, and pottery flourish.

Hanoi, as the capital of a thousand years of civilization, has a rich culture with a combination of tradition and modernity. Hanoi’s cultural heritage is expressed through historical relics, temples, museums, and major festivals such as the Perfume Pagoda festival, Lunar New Year, or Giong festival. In addition, Hanoi also stands out with the typical cultural values ​​of Hanoi people such as elegance and respect for the art of Xam singing and Ca Tru. 

Although Hoi An or Ha Noi both have a long-standing culture, Hoi An demonstrates the harmony of cultures, while Hanoi stands out for its traditional Vietnamese national culture.

Lifestyle

The lifestyle in Hoi An or Ha Noi also has clear differences. Hoi An is a small, peaceful city, where residents live slowly and enjoy a peaceful life by the rivers and old town. The atmosphere in Hoi An is quite quiet and relaxing, people often focus on handicrafts, traditional occupations, and tourism. It seems that everything in Hoi An happens more slowly, creating a pleasant pace of life for residents and tourists.

Meanwhile, Hanoi has the vibrant and bustling life of a big city. Business, traffic, and work activities take place continuously, without stopping. However, Hanoi also has quiet spaces such as parks, cafes, or deserted streets at night. Although life in Hanoi is very hustle and bustle, people still retain traditional cultural values, helping to create balance in the rhythm of life.

Cuisine

Cuisine is one of the factors that clearly distinguish between Hoi An or Ha Noi. Hoi An stands out with simple but flavorful specialties, such as cao lau, Quang noodles, dumplings, cauldron cakes, and especially Hoi An bread. Dishes in Hoi An often use fresh ingredients, harmoniously combining spices and regional characteristics, bringing a unique flavor that cannot be found elsewhere.

Read more: Food in Hoi An: A Journey through tradition and flavor

Meanwhile, Hanoi has a diverse and rich cuisine, especially dishes with strong Northern flavors. Hanoi pho, bun cha, bun thang, La Vong fish cake or fried spring rolls are all famous dishes that tourists cannot miss when coming to the capital. Hanoi also has special snacks such as banh cuon, lemon tea, or Trang Tien ice cream, bringing richness and diversity to the culinary experience of tourists. If Hoi An stands out with light and delicate dishes, Hanoi is attractive with the richness and diversity of dishes. 

In general, despite the obvious differences in factors such as architecture, culture, lifestyle and cuisine, Hoi An or Ha Noi are both great destinations for tourists to explore and experience the unique features of Vietnam.

Should you visit Hoi An or Ha Noi?

When faced with the choice between Hoi An or Ha Noi, visitors can consider based on personal preferences and trip purpose. Both cities have their own distinct highlights, but will offer different experiences. Here are some factors that can help you make the right decision:

Space and pace of life 

If you love tranquility and ancient atmosphere, Hoi An is the ideal destination. With its picturesque old town, small alleys, ancient tile-roofed houses and gentle Hoai River, Hoi An gives visitors a relaxing, pleasant feeling. 

On the contrary, Hanoi has a more vibrant atmosphere with a mix of ancient and modern. Crowded streets, fast pace of life, and neighborhoods like Hoan Kiem and Old Quarter create a rich and diverse cultural picture.

Signature dish 

Hoi An or Ha Noi: Which city should you visit?

In terms of cuisine, if you love light, sophisticated dishes, Hoi An will satisfy you with dishes such as Cao Lau, Quang noodles, or Banh Bao, Banh Vac. In particular, you cannot ignore the typical flavors of the old town. As for Hanoi, with dishes such as Pho, Bun Cha, or Banh Cuon, always attract tourists because of its richness, variety and skillful combination of spices. Hanoi will satisfy you if you are a fan of the unique cuisine of the North.

Depending on your preferences and purpose of the trip, you can choose Hoi An for a relaxing vacation in a peaceful space, or choose Hanoi to immerse yourself in the dynamic life and explore the typical cuisine of the capital.

Whether you choose Hoi An or Hanoi, each place offers wonderful, unique experiences. If you love antiquity, peaceful atmosphere and light dishes, Hoi An will be the ideal choice. If you want to explore a vibrant city that combines tradition and modernity, Hanoi will not disappoint you. Consider factors such as culture, cuisine, and space to decide the right destination for your trip, and experience “Hoi An or Hanoi” in your own way!