A Bowl of Authentic Pho

I’m a food lover, and the greatest reward of my trip to Vietnam was finally tasting an authentic bowl of local pho. Overall, the flavor was delightful—rich yet balanced, inexpensive yet satisfying. Every city and every small shop offered its own unique interpretation of the dish, each carrying a slightly different taste and style that made the experience endlessly fascinating.

Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, once had a more poetic name—Saigon. Like many modern cities, Hanoi is divided into a new and an old quarter. The new district feels similar to many other cities in Southeast Asia—modern, tidy, but somewhat lacking in personality. The Old Quarter, however, is where the true charm of Hanoi lies.

In the old quarter, you’ll find countless foreign tourists wandering through the narrow streets, drawn by its distinctive atmosphere and cultural heritage. If I were to describe it with one phrase, it would be “a mix of hustle and tranquility.”

Most of the buildings here are only two or three stories tall, the streets are narrow, and the attractions are densely packed, making the area feel lively and bustling. Yet at the same time, the abundance of cafés, bars, massage parlors, and small restaurants creates an easygoing, leisurely vibe—as if time itself slows down. Overall, Hanoi offers plenty to see and do, and with its unhurried rhythm, it’s the kind of city that invites you to stay a little longer each time you visit.

Da Nang

The moment you step out of Da Nang International Airport, you can immediately sense the youth and energy of the city. The streets are clean and wide, the greenery is well maintained, and new buildings line both sides of the road. If it weren’t for the Vietnamese characters on the signs, you might easily mistake it for a modern coastal city in China. Da Nang isn’t large, but its comfortable pace of life makes it an ideal place for long-term living.

Ho Chi Minh

Unfortunately, the city that is said to be Vietnam’s most modern—Ho Chi Minh City—turned out to be the least inspiring stop on my trip. On one hand, its level of modernization still falls short of true international metropolises like New York, Tokyo, or Shanghai. While the central districts feature some skyscrapers, much of the city remains underdeveloped and somewhat chaotic.

On the other hand, it lacks the kind of deep historical or cultural essence that gives a city its soul. As a result, Ho Chi Minh City feels conflicted—trying to appear modern, yet missing depth and character. To me, it came across as a city that is both restless and bland, impressive at first glance but forgettable in spirit.