Hanoi Travel Guide
Flights, places to stay, and the best things to do in Hanoi for travelers flying from Vietnam.
Overview
Hanoi is Vietnam's thousand-year-old capital, and the city where the country's history is easiest to read off the streets. The Old Quarter still follows its medieval guild layout — narrow tube houses barely three metres wide running forty or fifty metres deep, each lane once dedicated to a single trade. A few blocks southeast, the French Quarter opens into colonial mansions and the Opera House, while Ba Dinh holds the political heart of the nation. It is a compact, walkable, intensely social city: most of what visitors come for sits within a short walk of Hoan Kiem Lake, and the best of it happens on plastic stools at street level.
Where to stay
Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem)
The historic core of 36 guild streets, packed with hostels, family-run hotels, street food and night markets. Everything is walkable, and it is the loudest, most atmospheric place to stay.
View hotel optionsFrench Quarter
Colonial-era mansions, wide boulevards and the Hanoi Opera House, southeast of Hoan Kiem Lake. Quieter than the Old Quarter but still within walking distance of it.
View hotel optionsTay Ho (West Lake)
The expat and boutique-hotel district wrapped around West Lake, with lakeside restaurants and a noticeably calmer pace. Best for longer stays or travellers who want space.
View hotel optionsThings to do
Old Quarter walking and street food
The 36 guild streets are best explored on foot, ideally in the late afternoon when the food stalls set up. Bun cha, pho and egg coffee are the local anchors.
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
The city's central lake, crossed by the red Huc Bridge to a small temple island. The surrounding roads close to traffic on weekend evenings and fill with games and performances.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square
Vietnam's ceremonial heart, alongside the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. Modest dress is required and the mausoleum keeps limited morning hours.
Temple of Literature
Vietnam's first national university, founded in 1070, with courtyards and stelae honouring generations of scholars — the calmest historic site in the city centre.
Halong Bay day trip
The most popular excursion from Hanoi, usually a long single day or an overnight cruise. Book ahead in peak season and expect several hours of road travel each way.
Best time to visit
Autumn: the most comfortable stretch of the year, crisp and dry, and the classic season for visiting Hanoi.
Spring: mild and blossoming. Pleasant for walking, with occasional drizzle typical of northern Vietnam.
Cool and dry at roughly 15–22°C by day, dropping to 8–12°C at night in December and January. Peak tourist season, so rooms cost more.
Hot, humid and wet, with sudden heavy downpours and temperatures above 30°C. Cheapest time to visit, and the Old Quarter is at its liveliest after dark.
Travel tips
- 1
The Old Quarter is genuinely walkable — plan on covering it on foot rather than by taxi, which is slower in those lanes.
- 2
Use Grab for cars and bikes to avoid negotiating fares; it works throughout the city.
- 3
Crossing the road works by walking slowly and predictably so riders can flow around you. Do not stop suddenly mid-street.
- 4
Bring a light layer for December and January evenings; northern winters are colder than most visitors expect from Vietnam.
- 5
Street food stalls with high turnover are the safest bet, and the busiest hours are the best hours to eat.
Practical FAQ
Q:When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
Q:How long is the flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi?
Q:Where should I stay in Hanoi?
Q:What should I do on a first visit to Hanoi?
Q:Is Hanoi cold in winter?
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