Hanoi vs. Ho Chi Minh City: Which Vietnam Trip Should Filipino Travelers Take First?

Natalie Tarin
Aug 7
3 min read

Vietnam has quietly become one of the hottest trips for Filipino travelers this year — bookings from the Philippines to Vietnam have reportedly surged as travelers realize how far the peso can stretch there compared to a Boracay high-season weekend. But Vietnam isn't one trip, it's two very different ones depending on whether you land in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. We've now done both, and here's the honest breakdown to help you pick your first.

Getting There from the Philippines

Flights: Cebu Pacific, Vietjet, and Philippine Airlines all fly direct from Manila to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes
Visa: Filipino passport holders get visa-free entry to Vietnam for up to 45 days — no visa run needed, just a valid passport with 6 months remaining
Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND). ₱1 is roughly 420–450 VND — bring a card for backup but cash is king for street food and markets

Hanoi — Old-World Charm and Mountain Access

Hanoi is Vietnam's capital, and it feels like it — French colonial architecture, a maze of an Old Quarter, and lakes right in the city center.

Source: https://vietnamreviewer.com/hanoi-opera-house/

Old Quarter: narrow streets historically named for the trade sold there (Silk Street, Silver Street), packed with cafés and street food stalls
Egg coffee (cà phê trứng): a Hanoi specialty — whipped egg yolk and condensed milk over coffee, roughly ₱60–90 (35,000–40,000 VND) at Café Giảng
Halong Bay day trips: Hanoi is the launch point for Halong Bay cruises, about 2.5 hours away, from ₱1,800–3,500 for a day cruise
Ninh Binh / Trang An: often called 'Halong Bay on land' — limestone karsts and boat rides through caves, doable as a day trip
Best for: travelers who want history, mountains, and easy access to nature day-trips

Ho Chi Minh City — Fast-Paced and Modern

Formerly Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's economic engine — busier, hotter, and more overtly modern than Hanoi.

Ben Thanh Market: the classic tourist market for souvenirs, street food, and bargaining practice, open daily
Cu Chi Tunnels: a half-day trip to the war-era tunnel network used by Viet Cong soldiers, ₱250–400 entrance plus tour cost
War Remnants Museum: a sobering but essential stop for understanding modern Vietnamese history, ₱150 entrance (40,000 VND)
Bui Vien Walking Street: the backpacker nightlife strip, if that's your scene
Best for: travelers who want city energy, nightlife, and a jumping-off point for the Mekong Delta

Cost Comparison

Both cities are affordable relative to the Philippines, but Hanoi runs slightly cheaper on average for food and lodging.

Daily budget (mid-range): Hanoi ₱1,800–2,500/day vs. Ho Chi Minh City ₱2,200–3,000/day, covering food, local transport, and a few paid activities
Street food meal: ₱60–150 in either city (pho, banh mi, bun cha)
Budget hotel/hostel: ₱600–1,200/night in Hanoi's Old Quarter vs. ₱800–1,500/night in HCMC's District 1

So, Which One First?

Choose Hanoi if you want walkable old streets, easy nature day-trips, and a slower pace
Choose Ho Chi Minh City if you want bigger city energy, easier onward access to the Mekong Delta or Phu Quoc island, and don't mind more heat and traffic
If you have 7+ days, do both — a domestic flight between Hanoi and HCMC is about ₱1,500–3,000 and takes 2 hours

Neither city disappointed us, but they scratch very different travel itches. Given how much cheaper Vietnam is turning out to be compared to some of our own islands in peak season, we don't think this is the last you'll hear about it from us. (Add your personal favorite moment from Vietnam here, and which city you'd return to first.)