10 relaxing spots in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to find nostalgic charm

What is the difference between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City? The charms of Vietnam's two biggest cities in the north and south

Hanoi, full of the atmosphere of an ancient capital

Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam, located in the north of the country. Known as the "City of 1000 Years," Hanoi was once the seat of a dynasty, and as a result is still the center of politics and academia, with a tranquil atmosphere throughout the city. The World Heritage Site of Thang Long Ruins and the old town, which is full of traditional charm, are popular tourist spots. The city is also characterized by its abundance of greenery, and by the presence of lakes such as Hoan Kiem Lake and Lake West. If Ho Chi Minh City is like the energetic Tokyo, then Hanoi has the charm of an ancient capital like Nara or Kamakura. The nearest airport is Noi Bai Airport, which is about 40 minutes by car from the center of Hanoi. We recommend taking a taxi or bus number 86 to get there.

Ho Chi Minh City has all kinds of entertainment

Located in the south of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is the economic center of Vietnam, which has been developing remarkably in recent years. Until the 1970s, it was called "Saigon", and under French rule, many magnificent buildings were built, and its beautiful streetscape was called "Little Paris of the East". Even today, there are many buildings in the city that remind us of the splendor of the past. You can enjoy all kinds of entertainment such as shopping, cafe hopping, massages, and gourmet food, mainly on the main street, Dong Khoi Street. The nearest airport to Ho Chi Minh City is Tan Son Nhat Airport. It is about 40 minutes by car to the city center. We recommend traveling by taxi or bus number 152.

Hanoi's retro spots where you can immerse yourself in a nostalgic atmosphere

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hanoi

Located in the center of Hanoi, on the west side of Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi's oldest church, the Hanoi Cathedral, was built in 1886, shortly after the start of French rule, as the largest Catholic church in the city, and after several renovations, it reached its current form in 1900. The large windows, stained glass, and pointed arches are characteristic of the neo-Gothic style. The beauty of the stained glass, which is said to have been imported from Venice, Italy, is particularly worth seeing. Nha Tho Street in front of the church is a tourist spot lined with cafes, restaurants, and general stores, and we recommend taking a stroll around the church.

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hanoi

Train Street

Located in the center of Hanoi's Old Quarter, Train Street is a tourist spot where you can see the trains of the Unified Railway, which connects Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, from the side of the tracks. Cafes and shops are crammed into this narrow alley, only about 3m wide, and trains pass right in front of them. Previously, people were free to enter the tracks, but now, for safety reasons, it is only permitted to use cafes and other establishments.

There are two spots where you can enter, one on the north side and one on the south side of Hanoi Station, but the north side has more colorful and cute shops and is also easily accessible from other tourist spots. Be sure to check out the cute retro train cars as well.

Train Street

Bat Trang Village

Bat Trang pottery, known as a traditional Vietnamese craft, is pottery with simple designs based on natural motifs such as dragonflies and lotus flowers. Its retro cuteness makes it a popular souvenir. You can get to Bat Trang Village, the production area of Bat Trang pottery, by taxi from Hanoi city in 30 to 40 minutes, or by bus number 47 from Long Bien Bus Terminal.

In the village, there are studios where you can experience pottery making, the Bat Trang Ceramic Museum where you can learn about the history of Bat Trang pottery, the only surviving traditional climbing kiln, the Lo Bau, as well as a specialized market and shops directly operated by the factory. The whole village has a nostalgic atmosphere, making it a relaxing place to spend time.

Recently, the "New Bat Trang" with modern and colorful paintings has become popular, but you can also find the traditional "Old Bat Trang" at Bat Trang Village. Be sure to find your favorite.

Bat Trang Village

Chanthien Road

Trang Tien Street stretches east from Hoan Kiem Lake, with Trang Tien Plaza, one of Hanoi's leading luxury department stores, as its landmark. It has long been the cultural center of Hanoi, and was once lined with large bookstores, French cultural centers, galleries, and five-star hotels. The streets, which still retain their vestiges, are dotted with historic art galleries, including BLUE Gallery.

In addition, there is a corner with a collection of bookstores at the back of the alley, making it a place you will want to explore from end to end. Among the many stylish cafes, the long-established ice cream shop "KEM TRANG TIEN" is loved by Hanoi people. It is also fun to stroll through the atmospheric streets with an ice cream in hand.

BLUE Gallery

KEM TRANG TIEN

NOLA Cafe & Bar

If you feel like taking a break while sightseeing in the old town, head to NOLA Cafe & Bar on Mamai Street, which runs north and south through the eastern part of the old town. This cafe and bar is a renovated old house found at the end of a maze of narrow alleys, and is popular for its hideaway-like atmosphere and retro feel.

Inside the shop, the interior is mysteriously in harmony with various tastes, making it picturesque no matter where you look. In addition to the cafe menu, you can also enjoy alcoholic drinks such as beer, so it is recommended for a relaxing time after dinner. The dim lighting creates a relaxing atmosphere, allowing you to spend some time relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of the old town.

NOLA Cafe & Bar

Feel the energy in this retro spot in Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon Central Post Office

This historic building, constructed in 1891 under French rule, is said to have been modeled by Gustave Eiffel, the builder of the Eiffel Tower, on the Musee D'orsay in Paris, France.

Once you pass through the impressive pastel yellow façade and proceed inside, you'll find yourself in a spacious space with a beautiful arched ceiling, making you feel as if you've traveled back in time. The old maps hanging on the walls and retro telephone booths give you a sense of the atmosphere of the past, when the place was known as the "Little Paris of the East." There are souvenir shops near the entrance and in the center of the building, where postcards can be purchased for 20,000 VND (approximately 120 yen) and postcards for around 30,000 to 40,000 VND (approximately 180 to 250 yen), so why not write down your thoughts for your precious family, friends, and partner?

Saigon Central Post Office

Tan Dinh Church

The most famous church in Ho Chi Minh City is the Church of the Virgin Mary, also known as the Saigon Cathedral, but Tan Dinh Church has been gaining popularity due to its cute pink exterior that has been attracting attention on social media. It was built in 1876 under French rule. It is the second largest church in Ho Chi Minh City after the Saigon Cathedral, and inside the Gothic-style building you can see stained glass, holy statues, and detailed decorative carvings. However, please note that you cannot visit the inside except during mass hours. Also, you can only visit and take photos from the gate to the area where there is a sign that says "No Entry Area".

Tan Dinh Church

Green Palm Gallery

Vietnam is experiencing rapid growth not only economically, but also in the field of contemporary art. If you want to experience contemporary art that evokes this energy, we recommend Green Palm Gallery in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Founded in 1996 by an art critic owner, the four-story gallery displays many works by contemporary Vietnamese artists, including oil paintings, lacquer art, and unique artworks. You can get a sense of Vietnamese culture and the present from the motifs of the paintings, and it is a spot that is frequently visited by artists and collectors from both Japan and abroad. The staff are also well-versed in art and can speak English, so even if you are not an art expert, it is not a problem. There are also works at reasonable prices, so why not take your time and look around to find your favorite piece?

Green Palm Gallery

Hoa Túc

This modern Vietnamese restaurant is located near Hai Ba Trung Street. It has a unique history as it was renovated from an opium factory built in the 1880s, and while keeping the classical atmosphere of the building, it has been updated with a stylish exterior. The colors and cute details of the interior are so beautiful that they will take your breath away.

Run by a Vietnamese owner, you can enjoy a variety of original dishes based on traditional Vietnamese cuisine, from appetizers to main courses. There is also terrace seating overlooking the beautiful garden, allowing you to dine in an open and airy atmosphere.

Hoa Túc

Cafe Linh - Saigon 1975

"Tiệm cà phê Linh 1975" is a traditional Japanese cafe based on the concept of the good old days when this city was once called "Saigon". As its name suggests, it features a rustic exterior reminiscent of Vietnamese coffee shops from the 1970s. The interior is also carefully designed, with wooden chairs, a CRT TV, a vintage TV cabinet, and a rusty electric fan, recreating the living room of a Vietnamese person from a long time ago.

Besides coffee, the menu also offers lotus tea, peach tea, yogurt drinks, etc., but the recommended drink is the "Vietnamese Coffee" (50,000 VND, about 300 JPY), which is made by extracting bitter Robusta coffee beans through a unique metal filter and mixing it with condensed milk. You can spend a time full of Vietnamese atmosphere while looking down on the passing cars and motorbikes from the balcony on the second floor.

Cafe Linh - Saigon 1975

The charm of Vietnam is the energy of the city that exists in the midst of change, and the streets where traces of the past coexist. Even in the midst of a changing landscape, you can feel the excitement of stumbling upon a bargain as you walk through the city, and a nostalgic atmosphere that will warm your heart. Enjoy a retro trip that is unique to Vietnam.

Interview and photos: Sayaka Nagashima

Vietnam Travel & Tours

Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant city in Asia that still retains strong influences of French culture, while Hanoi is an ancient capital with a history of approximately 1,000 years.
We will introduce you to tours of Vietnam that will allow you to enjoy your stay in the way that suits you.

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