Twenty-Five Cities, One Vietnam: A Guide to Urban Vietnam

Vietnam’s urban tapestry is far more than the two megacities that dominate travel guides. In 'Cities of Vietnam,' James Tran invites readers to wander through twenty‑five distinct provincial hubs, each with its own story of heritage, industry, and everyday life. The result is a detailed portrait of a nation where ancient traditions sit beside rapid modernization.

What the book is about

The work is structured as a nonfiction guide divided into twenty‑five city‑focused chapters, preceded by an introduction and concluded with a chapter on urbanization challenges and Vietnam’s smart‑city future. Each city chapter follows a consistent pattern: a brief historical overview, a description of geography and climate, highlights of cultural and economic life, practical notes for visitors, and a look at contemporary pressures. This format makes the book useful for armchair travelers planning itineraries, prospective visitors seeking practical insight, urban studies readers interested in comparative development, and anyone curious about how Vietnam’s provincial centers contribute to the national identity.

Beyond the city profiles, the introduction frames Vietnam’s urban shift, noting that the share of city dwellers rose from under 20% in 1990 to over 37.5% by 2022. The final chapter expands on this trajectory, examining infrastructure strain, environmental risks, and the country’s ambition to build smart, resilient cities. Together, these sections give readers both a granular sense of place and a macro view of the forces reshaping Vietnam’s urban landscape.

Historical Layers and Civic Identity

Several chapters illustrate how deep historical roots continue to shape each city’s character. Hanoi is described as "Vietnam's enduring capital, is a city where history breathes through ancient temples and colonial boulevards," with its Old Quarter preserving centuries‑old craft guilds and tube houses that date back to dynastic tax policies. Hue’s imperial legacy is highlighted through its UNESCO‑listed citadel, royal tombs along the Perfume River, and the enduring tradition of Nha Nhac court music, which the text calls "a form of Vietnamese court music recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity." Hoi An’s Ancient Town, meanwhile, is presented as a "living museum" where over 800 of its 1,107 buildings are on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and the Japanese Covered Bridge remains a tangible reminder of the town’s 17th‑century international trade.

These portrayals show that the book does not treat history as a backdrop but as an active layer informing present‑day life. In Ninh Binh, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu is described as offering "a glimpse into Vietnam's foundational years," while the modern city leverages its karst landscape to attract ecotourists. By moving from north to south, the reader sees how different historical influences—Chinese, French, Cham, and indigenous—combine to give each urban center a distinctive flavor.

Economic Engines and Industrial Hubs

The book devotes considerable attention to cities whose identities are tied to production and trade. Bien Hoa is called "a major industrial hub, a bustling nerve center of manufacturing and production" that hosts large industrial parks producing textiles, electronics, and processed foods. Thai Nguyen earns its nickname "the Steel City" through the Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Company (TISCO), established with Soviet assistance in 1959, and is also noted for its renowned Tan Cuong tea plantations. Buon Ma Thuot, proclaimed Vietnam’s "Coffee Capital," is described as a place where "vast coffee plantations stretch across its undulating hills" and where the World Coffee Museum showcases over 10,000 coffee artifacts.

These chapters make clear that economic specialization is not merely a statistic but a lived experience. The text notes that Thai Nguyen’s economy is "further supported by a thriving education sector," with the local university contributing to skilled labor, while Buon Ma Thuot’s coffee culture includes both traditional charcoal roasting and modern stylish cafés. For readers interested in development economics, the book offers concrete examples of how provincial cities leverage natural resources, historical legacies, and foreign investment to drive growth.

Natural Beauty and Tourism Gateways

Many cities are portrayed as gateways to Vietnam’s renowned landscapes, blending urban amenities with access to natural wonders. Da Nang is lauded as "Vietnam’s Most Livable City," with its coastline featuring My Khe Beach, the Marble Mountains, and the Dragon Bridge that "breathes fire and spray water" on weekend evenings. Ha Long City serves as the "doorway to the karsts," providing access to the UNESCO World Heritage bay where "nearly 2,000 limestone islands and islets" rise from emerald waters. Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, is depicted as a "Southern Paradise" with beaches like Bai Sao (Starfish Beach) and interior attractions such as Phu Quoc National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve covering nearly two‑thirds of the island.

The book also highlights less‑expected destinations: Quy Nhon’s "hidden paradise" Ky Co Beach, the sand dunes and Cham towers of the area, and Ninh Binh’s Trang An Landscape Complex, described as "Ha Long Bay on Land" where tourists glide through caves and past limestone peaks in traditional sampan boats. By emphasizing both the recreational appeal and the environmental stewardship efforts—such as Da Nang’s smart water management or Ninh Binh’s conservation initiatives—the text presents tourism as a dynamic force that can both benefit and challenge urban areas.

Challenges of Rapid Urbanization and Smart‑City Responses

Chapter 25 provides a sobering overview of the pressures accompanying Vietnam’s urban boom. It notes that "the rapid influx of people into cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City creates an ever‑increasing demand for housing, commercial spaces, public services, and transportation networks," leading to traffic congestion, strained drainage, and pollution. The Mekong Delta’s low‑lying cities, including Can Tho and My Tho, are singled out as especially vulnerable to "rising sea levels, increased salinity intrusion into freshwater sources," and more intense storms.

In response, the book details smart‑city initiatives already underway. Hanoi has introduced smart cards for public transport and is pursuing e‑government models; Ho Chi Minh City aims to become a smart urban area by 2030 with "smart traffic management systems, integrated digital platforms for public services," and a Smart City Operation Centre. Da Nang is cited as a pioneer, with its "Danang Smart City app" offering residents a "pocket dashboard" to access services and report issues. Hue’s "Hue‑S" platform lets citizens report infrastructure problems directly to authorities. These examples show that the book does not merely list problems but also highlights concrete, locally tailored attempts to harness technology for better urban governance.

Cultural Mosaic and Everyday Life

Throughout the chapters, Tran underscores the vibrancy of daily urban life, from market rhythms to culinary traditions. The Mekong Delta’s floating markets are described in detail: at Cai Rang, "hundreds of boats converge on the river," with vendors hanging samples on "cây bẹo" poles to advertise goods. In Can Tho, the Ninh Kieu Wharf comes alive "with lights, street vendors, and locals enjoying the cool river breeze." The book also notes regional specialties such as *bún ca* in Rach Gia, *bánh pía* in Soc Trang, and *bún nước lèo*—a savory noodle soup with fermented fish paste—illustrating how cuisine reflects local geography and ethnic influences.

Festivals receive similar attention. Soc Trang’s Ooc Om Boc Festival features "traditional boat races (Ngo Boat Race) on the Maspéro River," colorful processions, and Khmer cultural performances. The lantern‑lit evenings of Hoi An, where electricity is reduced and "candle‑lit lanterns illuminate the town," are presented as a living expression of community spirit. These vignettes give readers a sense of the sensory texture that defines each city beyond its monuments or economic indicators.

Who should read this

Readers who enjoy place‑based nonfiction, urban studies, or travel planning will find the book’s detailed city profiles and thematic chapters valuable. It is especially suited for those who want to move beyond the usual Hanoi‑Ho Chi Minh City itinerary and understand how provincial centers contribute to Vietnam’s broader narrative of growth, resilience, and cultural diversity. Those seeking a light, photo‑heavy coffee table book or a deep theoretical treatise on smart‑city policy may find the focus on concrete city‑by‑city descriptions less aligned with their interests, but for anyone curious about the lived reality of Vietnam’s urban landscape, the book offers a rich, well‑sourced guide.

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