Neighbourhoods to Know in Vietnam

Where Vietnam’s rural areas are lush, green, and peaceful, its cities are abuzz with energy, culture, history, and modern-day comforts. Set your sights on Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City’s most exciting enclaves.

The beat of Vietnam’s capital pulses through this rambunctious enclave, where the constant honking of horns, sea of motorbikes, and lively chatter at streetside eateries only enhances its frenetic appeal. This is where the real Vietnam lies. Take the time to wander the bustling streets in search of knickknacks, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and coffee shops to kick back in.
 

French Quarter, Hanoi

A far departure from the hurried pace of the Old Quarter is the French Quarter, a nod to the city’s colonial past. Wide tree-lined boulevards, elegant facades, and some of Hanoi’s most luxurious hotels and shopping can be found in this peaceful neighbourhood. Make a date in one of the elegant restaurants of the storied 5-star Sofitel Metropole for an oh-so-chic afternoon tea. You’d be forgiven for thinking you were in Paris.

Down south in Vietnam’s most frenzied city, District 1 is a sprawling area where city life plays out down beatnik alleyways, in jostling marketplaces, and around small plastic tables by the road at late-night locales. For cheap eats and a bohemian vibe, head to Pham Ngu Lao Street for budget-friendly eats and shopping. In stark contrast is Nguyen Hue Boulevard, where many of the city’s luxury shopping centres and hotels can be found.
 

District 7, Ho Chi Minh City

Also known as Phu My Hung, this peaceful lakefront hub is a 15-minute taxi ride from the CBD. Visit it to escape the sea of motorbikes among wide streets, free of any congestion. Here you will find a medley of dining and drinking options, as well as Crescent Mall, the city’s newest retail hub, which offers 45,000sqm of well-known stores.

Source Escapetravel