The US equivalent is to go to LA instead of NY. Hanoi is the capital, the second largest city and very touristy. Picking Hanoi over HCM isn't off the beaten pat

The US equivalent is to go to LA instead of NY. Hanoi is the capital, the second largest city and very touristy. Picking Hanoi over HCM isn't off the beaten path at all. Try Đà Lạt if you want to travel like a local.