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Hanoi Travel Guide

Vietnam's thousand-year-old capital. Narrow Old Quarter lanes buzzing with motorbikes, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the home of bun cha and pho, with Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh as easy trips from the city.

Hoan Kiem Lake in central Hanoi — Hoan Kiem Lake · Photo: Christophe95 / CC BY-SA 4.0

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At a glance

Currency: VND (₫)
Power & plugs: 220V · Type A/C/F
Driving side: Right
Tipping: Optional (small, for good service)
Local language: Tiếng Việt
How long to stay: 4 to 5 days (including Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh)

Emergency numbers

Police113
Ambulance115
Fire114

When to go

October-November and March-April are mild and pleasant. Winter from December to February is cooler and damper than many expect, with some days around 10°C, so bring a jacket. May to September is hot with frequent rain, and from summer into autumn storms can cancel Ha Long Bay cruises.

Airport to the city

Grab car

Book in the app at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) for a fixed fare with no haggling. Follow airport signs to the pick-up area.

Time about 40-60 min to the Old QuarterCost about 250,000-400,000 VND

Metered taxi

Take a well-known company's taxi from the official rank and make sure the meter is on. Ignore touts.

Time about 40-60 min to the Old QuarterCost about 300,000-450,000 VND

Airport bus (route 86 and others)

A cheap bus linking the airport with the Old Quarter and Hanoi Station. Routes and timetables can change, so check at the airport.

Time about 60-80 minCost about 30,000-50,000 VND

Getting around

Grab cars and motorbikes

The default way to get around. GrabBike is fast and cheap for short Old Quarter hops; book a car with family or luggage.

Xanh SM electric taxis

Green electric taxis you can book in the app or hail on the street, with transparent fares.

Walking

The Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake are best on foot, but parked motorbikes often block the pavement, so you'll walk in the road at times. Stay alert.

Crossing the street

Many streets have no lights. Walk slowly at a steady pace even as motorbikes keep coming, and they will flow around you. Running, stopping suddenly or stepping back is more dangerous.

Cyclo (bicycle rickshaw)

Fun for an Old Quarter tour, but agree on the price and duration first, ideally booking through your hotel.

Where to stay

Old Quarter (north of Hoan Kiem)

Good for: First visit, food, evening walks

Lanes packed with eateries, cafes and guesthouses. Lively, but it can stay noisy late at night.

French Quarter (south of Hoan Kiem)

Good for: Quieter hotels, strolling

Wide tree-lined streets and colonial buildings, within walking distance of the Old Quarter but calmer.

West Lake (Tay Ho)

Good for: Relaxed stays, cafes, longer visits

A neighborhood around a large lake with many cafes and restaurants. You'll need a ride to the main sights.

Ba Dinh

Good for: Historic sights

Close to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, and quieter at night than the Old Quarter.

My Dinh (western new town)

Good for: Korean food, business trips

High-rises with many Korean restaurants and marts. It can take 30+ minutes by car to the Old Quarter.

Map of stays in Hanoi

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Top sights

Hoan Kiem Lake
Hanoi's central lake, with Ngoc Son Temple across a red bridge. On weekend evenings the surrounding roads often become a pedestrian zone.
Old Quarter lanes
Historic merchant streets once dedicated to a single trade each. Wander in the early morning or evening for street food and cafes.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square
The resting place of Vietnam's founding leader. Officially it opens only in the morning and is closed on Mondays and Fridays (except some national days), and it also closes for maintenance periods. Shorts or sleeveless tops aren't allowed, so check official information.
Temple of Literature
A Confucian temple that housed Vietnam's first university, with lovely courtyards and old buildings.
Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) · Photo: Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia / CC BY 2.0
Water puppet show
Traditional Vietnamese puppetry performed on water. Theaters near Hoan Kiem Lake are well known; book seats ahead.
Ha Long Bay cruise
A World Heritage seascape of limestone islands. About 2.5-3 hours by road from Hanoi, visited as a day trip or an overnight cruise. Boats may be held in port by the authorities in bad weather, so check refund terms and choose a reputable operator with life jackets.
Ninh Binh (Trang An, Tam Coc)
Small boats glide between rice fields and limestone peaks, earning it the nickname 'Ha Long Bay on land'. About 2 hours by car, and a popular day tour.
St. Joseph's Cathedral
A Gothic-style church next to the Old Quarter surrounded by cafes. Visits may be limited during Mass.
St. Joseph's Cathedral · Photo: LMP 2001 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Tours & tickets →

What to eat

Bun Cha

Char-grilled pork in a sweet-and-sour broth, eaten with rice noodles and herbs. Hanoi's signature dish, about 40,000-70,000 VND at local spots.

Pho

Hanoi is famous for pho with a clear, deep beef broth. It's a breakfast dish, so many shops open early. About 40,000-70,000 VND.

Cha Ca

Turmeric-marinated fish fried with dill and spring onions, served with rice noodles. Prices vary a lot between restaurants, so check before ordering.

Banh Cuon

Thin steamed rice sheets rolled around minced pork and mushrooms. A light breakfast or snack.

Egg coffee

Coffee topped with egg yolk whipped with condensed milk, a Hanoi classic. About 30,000-60,000 VND.

Daily budget (per person)

Budgetabout 600,000 VND per day: guesthouse, local food, GrabBike

Mid-rangeabout 1,800,000-2,300,000 VND per day: Old Quarter hotel, restaurants, water puppets

Comfortabout 4,500,000 VND+ per day: upscale hotel, overnight Ha Long cruise, private car

Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.

Sample itinerary

Day 1
Check in to the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, then bun cha and an evening walk through the lanes.
Day 2
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square in the morning (closed Mondays and Fridays, so check the day), the Temple of Literature, egg coffee near St. Joseph's Cathedral, and a water puppet show at night.
Day 3
Ha Long Bay day cruise (early start, back in the evening). If it's cancelled for weather, switch to a Ninh Binh tour.
Day 4
Pho for breakfast, a West Lake cafe, souvenir shopping in the Old Quarter, then the airport.

Local tips

Grab is the easiest way around; the app sets the fare, so there's no haggling with street drivers.
Cross streets slowly at a steady pace and don't run or stop suddenly. Riders read your movement and steer around you.
December to February is often cool and grey. Don't pack only T-shirts; bring a light down jacket or warm layer.
Ha Long Bay cruises can be cancelled for weather, so book early or mid-trip rather than the day before you fly home, and check the refund terms.
Markets, stalls and local eateries need cash. Some vendors put a fruit basket on your shoulder for a photo and then ask for money; politely decline if you don't want it.
Entry and visa rules can change, so check official sources before you travel.