Vietnam destination guide

Hanoi Travel Guide

Plan your trip with practical local information, detailed travel guides and tours for Hanoi.

Why Visit Hanoi?

Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital and one of Southeast Asia’s most atmospheric cities. With over a thousand years of history, the city blends ancient temples, French colonial architecture, and a fast-growing modern skyline. For international visitors, Hanoi serves as the natural gateway to northern Vietnam — including Sapa, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, and Ha Giang.

Best Time to Visit Hanoi

The best months to visit Hanoi are October to December and March to April. These periods offer mild temperatures (18–25°C), low humidity, and minimal rainfall. Summers (June–August) are hot and humid with heavy afternoon rain. Winter (January–February) can be surprisingly cold (10–15°C), especially at night. If you plan to combine Hanoi with Sapa, bring warm layers for the mountains.

Top Things to Do in Hanoi

1. Explore the Old Quarter

Hanoi’s 36 streets date back to the 13th century. Each street was named after the goods originally traded there — Silk Street, Silver Street, Paper Street. Today it’s a dense maze of shops, street food stalls, and motorbike traffic that captures the essence of Vietnamese daily life.

2. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake

The spiritual heart of Hanoi. Walk around the lake at sunrise to see locals practicing tai chi, or visit Ngoc Son Temple on the small island connected by the iconic red bridge. On weekends, the surrounding streets become a pedestrian zone with live music and street performances.

3. Temple of Literature (Van Mieu)

Vietnam’s first national university, founded in 1070. A peaceful complex of courtyards, gardens, and traditional architecture — one of the best-preserved examples of Vietnamese imperial design.

4. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

The resting place of Vietnam’s founding leader. The complex includes the mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, the Presidential Palace, and One Pillar Pagoda. Open most mornings except Monday and Friday.

5. Street Food Tour

Hanoi is widely considered the street food capital of Vietnam. Must-try dishes include phở (beef noodle soup), bún chả (grilled pork with noodles — Obama’s famous meal), bánh mì, and egg coffee (cà phê trứng). The best food is found at small sidewalk stalls in the Old Quarter.

6. Train Street

A narrow residential street where a train passes just meters from houses twice daily. A unique photo opportunity, though access has been restricted in recent years. Check locally for current status.

Where to Stay in Hanoi

The Old Quarter is ideal for first-time visitors — walking distance to major sights, restaurants, and nightlife. For a quieter stay, the French Quarter near Hoan Kiem Lake offers upscale hotels. Budget travelers find excellent hostels along Ma May and Hang Bac streets. Expect to pay $8–15 for hostels, $25–50 for mid-range hotels, and $80–200+ for luxury properties.

How to Get to Hanoi

By air: Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) receives direct flights from most Asian capitals and several European cities. The airport is 25km from the city center — about 45 minutes by car.

Airport transfer: Options include airport bus (86 Express, ~$1), Grab taxi (~$12–15), or private transfer by Heera Travel with meet-and-greet service. For VIP arrival, consider airport fast track service to skip immigration queues.

Getting Around Hanoi

The Old Quarter is best explored on foot. For longer distances, use Grab (Vietnam’s Uber) for affordable motorbike or car rides. City buses are cheap but confusing for tourists. Renting a motorbike is only recommended for experienced riders — Hanoi traffic is intense. Many hotels offer bicycle rentals for exploring around Hoan Kiem Lake.

Hanoi Food Guide

Phở — Vietnam’s iconic beef noodle soup. Try Phở Thìn (13 Lo Duc) or Phở Gia Truyen (49 Bat Dan).

Bún chả — Grilled pork patties with rice noodles and dipping sauce. The dish Obama ate with Anthony Bourdain. Best at Bún Chả Hương Liên (24 Le Van Huu).

Egg coffee — Whipped egg yolk with condensed milk over Vietnamese coffee. Try Giang Cafe (39 Nguyen Huu Huan) — the original inventor.

Bánh mì — Vietnamese baguette sandwich. Bánh Mì 25 (25 Hang Ca) is a reliable favorite.

Hanoi Tours by Heera Travel

Explore Hanoi with a local guide and skip the hassle of planning. All tours include pickup, English-speaking guide, and listed meals.

Need help planning? WhatsApp us or send a quick enquiry.

Practical Tips for Hanoi

  • Carry cash — many street food stalls and small shops don’t accept cards
  • Cross the street slowly and steadily — motorbikes will flow around you
  • Download Grab app before arrival for easy transport
  • Get a Vietnam eSIM for data — essential for maps and translation
  • Bargain at markets but not at restaurants

Plan in more detail

Hanoi travel guides

Use these focused guides for the parts of your trip that need more detail.