Quick Answer
Hanoi is Vietnam's atmospheric northern capital with a 1,000-year-old Old Quarter, the Hoan Kiem Lake at its center, and Ha Long Bay (a 2.5-hour drive) for the country's most photographed coastline. Pho was invented here. Hotels start from $35/night. October through April is dry, May through September is hot and rainy.
Explore Hanoi in Detail
Find Hotels in Hanoi
Hotel listings for Hanoi are currently being updated.
Top Tours in Hanoi
Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise
Overnight cabin on a junk boat through Ha Long Bay's limestone karsts. Kayaking, swimming, fresh seafood meals, and a sunrise tai chi session.
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Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour
Local food guide walks you through the Old Quarter with 7 stops: pho, bun cha, banh mi, egg coffee, bia hoi (fresh draft beer), and traditional desserts.
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Hanoi City Highlights Half-Day Tour
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Stilt House, Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, and Hoan Kiem Lake with a local guide.
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The experiences travelers come back to Hanoi for, year after year.
Itineraries for Hanoi
Day-by-day plans built by travelers who actually went.
Hanoi in 3 Days
The essential first-time itinerary — the must-sees you came for, plus the local moments you came home talking about.
Hanoi for Couples
Quiet mornings, slow dinners, and the views the brochures don't show. Built for two.
Hanoi with Kids
Activities everyone enjoys, restaurants that welcome little ones, and downtime built into the plan.
Getting Around Hanoi
Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Hanoi at your own pace. Compare rates from all major suppliers in one search.
Best Time to Visit Hanoi
Best months to visit Hanoi: April–June and September–October offer mild weather and fewer crowds. July–August is peak season. December–February is coldest but cheapest.
Why Visit Hanoi?
Hanoi is the northern Vietnamese capital that feels distinct from Ho Chi Minh City in every way. The architecture mixes 11th-century imperial Vietnam with French colonial Belle Epoque and Soviet brutalism, the food is the country’s heart (pho, bun cha, banh mi all originate or perfected here), and the Old Quarter operates on its own logic.
The Old Quarter is 36 streets of narrow medieval lanes, each historically dedicated to a single trade (silk on Hang Gai, silver on Hang Bac, paper on Hang Ma). It’s still mostly that way and you should get lost in it for a few hours. Hoan Kiem Lake sits in the center with the red Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple on a small island. The Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university (founded 1070), is a calm Confucian retreat from the chaos. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum holds the embalmed body of the country’s founder, viewable on certain mornings. The Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) is sobering and essential. Hanoi’s food deserves its own paragraph. Bun cha (grilled pork over rice noodles) is the local lunch, made famous by Obama and Anthony Bourdain. Banh mi, pho bo (beef pho), egg coffee at Cafe Giang, and ca phe sua da (iced milk coffee) are all under $3. Beyond the city, the obvious play is Ha Long Bay (2.5 hours by road, often done as overnight cruise) and Sapa rice terraces (overnight train north).
Frequently Asked Questions — Hanoi
How much do hotels in Hanoi cost?
Hostels start at $6/night for private rooms. 3-star hotels run $35-$80. 4-star hotels are $80-$160. Luxury 5-star hotels like Sofitel Legend Metropole or InterContinental Westlake are $200-$500/night. Among the cheapest capitals in Asia.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
October through April is dry and cooler. March and April are mild and pleasant. May through September is hot (90F+) and rainy. December and January can be surprisingly cold (50F at night). Tet (Lunar New Year, late Jan or Feb) shuts the city down for 5+ days.
How many days do I need in Hanoi?
Two days for Hanoi itself, including the Old Quarter food tour and Temple of Literature. Add two days for Ha Long Bay overnight cruise. Five to six days for a full North Vietnam trip including Sapa or Ninh Binh.
Is Hanoi safe for tourists?
Hanoi is generally safe. Violent crime is rare. The main risks are traffic (crossing the street is an experience) and motorbike snatch theft for phones held loosely. Standard precautions and you'll be fine. Solo female travel is comfortable.
What area should I stay in?
Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem) for first-timers who want the chaos within walking distance. French Quarter for upscale colonial hotels and quieter streets. Tay Ho (West Lake) for expat restaurants and a calmer pace. Avoid hotels far from the Old Quarter unless you're staying longer.
How do I get around Hanoi?
Walking covers the Old Quarter. Grab (Southeast Asia's Uber) is the easiest way for longer trips, with rides usually $1-3. Grab Bike (motorbike taxi) is faster in traffic. Skip street taxis unless they're Mai Linh (green) or Vinasun (white) with meters.
What food should I try in Hanoi?
Pho bo at Pho Gia Truyen or Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su, bun cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien (the Obama spot), banh mi at Banh Mi 25, egg coffee at Cafe Giang (the originator), and bia hoi (fresh draft beer for $0.25) at any Old Quarter corner.