Hanoi, Vietnam's ancient capital, harmoniously blends centuries of history with modern dynamism. Founded over a millennium ago, this city of lakes and temples serves as the country's political and cultural heart. The Old Quarter, a maze of 36 bustling streets, still preserves its medieval charm with narrow lanes and traditional shophouses, each historically dedicated to specific trades.
At the city's core lies Hoan Kiem Lake, where locals gather at dawn for exercise and elderly men play chess under banyan trees. French colonial architecture dots the landscape with elegant villas and broad boulevards, while ancient temples like the Temple of Literature stand as testaments to Vietnam's scholarly traditions.
Food Paradise: Savor world-famous street food like pho, bun cha, and egg coffee - all at incredibly affordable prices, with each alley hiding culinary treasures.
Cultural Heritage: Experience the atmospheric Old Quarter's 1000-year history, traditional tube houses, and the serene Temple of Literature - Vietnam's first university.
Local Life: Witness authentic daily scenes - from morning markets and lakeside exercise groups to street-side barbers and families gathering for sidewalk meals.
Artistic Soul: Explore traditional water puppet shows, contemporary art galleries, and bustling handicraft villages specializing in ceramics, silk, and lacquerware.
Natural Beauty: Enjoy the city's many lakes, particularly the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake, and use Hanoi as a gateway to nearby natural wonders like Ha Long Bay, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh.
If you want to experience all the best things to do in Hanoi, 3 to 4 days is recommended. But if you don’t have much time in Vietnam, 2 full days is also enough for Hanoi. Do not stay for too long, there are many other things to see and do in other places near Hanoi, such as stunning countryside, mountains and islands.
Money exchange shops and jewelry stores may be the best options to get the most favorable rates. You can quickly look for these shops in the Hanoi Old Quarter. Another more secure option for you is to exchange money at Bank branches or ATMs.
Events and holidays in Hanoi
Tet (Lunar New Year) - January/February: Vietnam's most significant celebration
Buddha's Birthday - April/May: Major Buddhist celebration
Ghost Festival (Vu Lan) - 7th Lunar Month: Important Buddhist celebration honoring ancestors
National Day - September 2nd: Celebrates Vietnam's independence
Mid-Autumn Festival - September/October: Magical celebration focused on children
Each celebration offers unique insights into Vietnamese culture and provides special experiences for visitors. Remember that lunar calendar dates vary each year.
Best time to visit Hanoi: September to November (Fall) and March to April (Spring) are the best options. The weather is warm but not too hot, and crowds are smaller than other months.
Winter: During December to February, it is quite cold in Hanoi when temperatures can drop below 10°C (50°F).
Summer: From May to August, it is very hot in Hanoi, with July as the hottest month. It rains a lot at this time of year.
Old Quarter's 36 Streets: Each street historically specialized in specific trades (Silver Street, Bamboo Street, etc.). Best explored early morning or late afternoon. Look up at the unique tube houses - narrow facades with long depths, some over 100 years old.
Temple of Literature: Vietnam's first university (1070) features stunning traditional architecture, peaceful courtyards, and ancient stone stelae recording graduate names. Most atmospheric in early morning. Wear respectful clothing.
Hoa Lo Prison Museum: Known as "Hanoi Hilton" during the Vietnam War. Preserved cells and exhibits tell stories from both French colonial and Vietnam War periods. Quite intense but historically significant.
Presidential Palace Area: includes the places: The mustard-yellow palace (exterior only), Ho Chi Minh's modest stilt house, One Pillar Pagoda nearby, best time to visit this area is early morning to avoid crowds and heat.
Water Puppet Shows: Traditional art form performed in waist-deep water. Shows tell Vietnamese folk tales with live traditional music. Thang Long Theater offers English translations.
Street Food Tours
Pho (beef noodle soup)
Bun cha (grilled pork with noodles)
Banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches)
Local fruits and desserts
Cooking Classes
Market visits to buy ingredients
Learning about Vietnamese spices
Hands-on cooking
Recipe booklets to take home
Egg Coffee: Invented in Hanoi during milk shortages. Made with egg yolk, sugar, and coffee. Cafe Giang is the original location but Cafe Dinh offers great views.
Bun Cha: Made famous by Obama and Bourdain's visit. Best enjoyed at local spots like Bun Cha Huong Lien. Served with fresh herbs and spring rolls.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Heart of the city
Home to Ngoc Son Temple on an island
Great for watching tai chi at sunrise
Lovely for evening walks when lit up
West Lake
Hanoi's largest lake
Home to many expats
Great sunset views
Famous for seafood restaurants
Tran Quoc Pagoda on peninsula
Morning Exercise Groups
Join locals from 5:30-7:00 AM
Free public exercises
Badminton, tai chi, aerobics
Very welcoming to foreigners
Tay Ho Galleries
Contemporary Vietnamese art
Often cheaper than Old Quarter
Artists frequently present
Can arrange shipping
Handicraft Villages
Bat Trang (ceramics)
Van Phuc (silk)
Dong Ky (wood carving)
Usually 30-45 minutes from center
Women's Museum
Excellent curation
Stories of women in war
Traditional costumes
Marriage customs exhibits
Weekend Night Market
Friday to Sunday nights
Street food vendors
Clothing and souvenirs
Local performances
Starts at Hang Dao Street
Bia Hoi Corners
Fresh beer made daily
About 50 cents per glass
Great people watching
Simple snacks available
Best around Ta Hien Street
Rooftop Bars
Mix authentic atmosphere with comfort
Great city views
More expensive than street spots
Popular for sunset drinks
Morning Photography
Best light 5:30-7:00 AM
Markets coming alive
Steam rising from food stalls
Less crowded streets
Cyclo Rides
Negotiate price beforehand
Best for short distances
Great photo opportunities
Most active in Old Quarter
About $5-10 per hour
Remember: Hanoi operates early - many activities are best experienced in the morning. Afternoons are good for museums and indoor activities, especially during summer heat.
Sofitel Legend Metropole
Historic 5-star French colonial property
Prime location near Opera House
Famous bomb shelter and history tours
From $300/night
Pan Pacific Hanoi
Modern luxury with lake views
Excellent rooftop bar
High-end spa facilities
From $150/night
La Siesta Classic Ma May
Heart of Old Quarter
Exceptional service
Traditional Vietnamese design
From $80/night
Pan Pacific Hanoi
Family-run boutique hotel
Great included breakfast
Helpful tour desk
From $70/night
Hanoi La Selva Hotel
Clean, modern rooms
Walking distance to lake
Friendly English-speaking staff
From $45/night
Hanoi Emerald Waters Hotel
Great value for money
Central Old Quarter location
Includes breakfast buffet
From $40/night
Vietnam Backpacker Hostels
Social atmosphere
Organized pub crawls
Clean dorms and private rooms
From $10/dorm, $30/private
Nexy Hostel
Modern pod-style beds
Female-only dorms available
Rooftop common area
From $12/night
Tay Ho Residence
Local family experience
Quiet West Lake area
Home-cooked breakfast
From $35/night
Hanoi Family Homestay
Traditional house in Old Quarter
Cultural exchange opportunities
Cooking classes available
From $30/night
Old Quarter
Best for first-time visitors
Walking distance to attractions
Lively atmosphere
Can be noisy
French Quarter
More upscale
Quieter than Old Quarter
Beautiful architecture
Better restaurants
Tay Ho (West Lake)
Expat area
Quieter, more spacious
Great cafes and restaurants
Need transport to attractions
Book in advance for high season (October-December)
Request quiet room if staying in Old Quarter
Check if breakfast is included
Confirm airport transfer rates
Ask about construction nearby
Consider air quality in ground floor rooms
Similar hotel names (verify exact address)
Hidden fees for services
Noise levels in Old Quarter
Water pressure in older buildings
Wi-Fi stability varies by area
For all accommodations, prices vary significantly by season and availability. Always read recent reviews and book through reliable platforms.
Pho (Noodle Soup)
Best at: Pho Gia Truyen (49 Bat Dan), Pho Thin (13 Lo Duc), Pho 10 (10 Ly Quoc Su)
Early morning is best time
Around $2-3 per bowl
Bun Cha (Grilled Pork & Noodles)
Famous spots: Bun Cha Huong Lien (Obama restaurant), Bun Cha Dac Kim (1 Hang Manh)
Served with herbs and spring rolls
Lunch-only dish, $3-4
Egg Coffee (Ca Phe Trung)
Best cafes: Cafe Giang (original creator), Cafe Dinh (13 Dinh Tien Hoang), Loading T Cafe
Rich, dessert-like drink
Around $2-3
Banh Mi
Recommended: Banh Mi 25 (25 Hang Ca), Banh Mi Pho Hue,
Crispy baguette with various fillings
$1-2 per sandwich
Cha Ca (Turmeric Fish)
Famous at: Cha Ca La Vong, Cha Ca Thang Long
Traditional Hanoi specialty
Around $10-15 per person
Bia Hoi (Fresh Beer)
Best areas: Ta Hien Street, Luong Ngoc Quyen
Very cheap ($0.50/glass)
Evening atmosphere
Vietnamese Coffee
Notable cafes: Cafe RuNam, The Note Coffee, Cong Caphe chain
Try both hot and iced versions
Quan An Ngon
Multiple locations
Wide variety of Vietnamese dishes
Mid-range prices
Good for first-timers
Home Restaurant
Authentic home-style cooking
Beautiful traditional setting
Reservation recommended
Mid to high-end
Green Tangerine
French-Vietnamese fusion
Colonial villa setting
Higher end
Great for special occasions
Duong's Restaurant
Modern take on classics
Cooking classes available
Beautiful presentation
Mid to high-end
Dong Xuan Market Area
Local food courts
Various street vendors
Very authentic
Budget-friendly
Old Quarter Walking Street
Weekend night market
Street food vendors
Local snacks
Budget-friendly
Street food is often best 6-9am and 11am-1pm
Look for places with lots of locals
Don't be afraid of plastic stools
Carry small bills
Learn basic food vocabulary
Most local places close early (8-9pm)
Choose busy stalls
Watch for fresh ingredients
Drink bottled water
Be careful with raw vegetables
Choose cooked-to-order items
Remember: Prices are approximate and may vary. Best to bring cash as many local places don't accept cards.
27km from city center
Major airlines:
- Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways
- AirAsia, Thai Airways, Vietjet Air
Direct flights from major Asian hubs
Limited direct flights from Europe
Busy routes from Bangkok, Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong
Public Bus (#86)
Cheapest option ($1.50)
60-minute journey
Runs 6:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Air-conditioned
Shuttle Bus
$3-4 per person
Regular service
Multiple drop-off points
More comfortable than public bus
Taxi
Fixed price: $15-20
45-minute journey
Use Mai Linh or Vinasun
Book at official counter
Private Transfer
Pre-book online
$25-30
Meet & greet service
Most comfortable option
From South Vietnam
Reunification Express from HCMC
32-36 hour journey
Different class options
Book through official website
From China
Trains from Nanning
Twice weekly service
Need Chinese visa
Book in advance
Domestic Routes
Connections to all major cities
Sleeper buses available
Book through reliable companies
Various price points
International Routes
Services from Laos
Connections from China
Limited comfort
Long journey times
Book flights early for best prices
Consider layovers in Bangkok/Singapore
Check visa requirements beforehand
Arrange airport transfer in advance
Keep small notes for local transport
Download Grab app for local rides
Unofficial taxis
Overcharging for transfers
Unlicensed bus operators
Peak season price hikes
Last-minute bookings
Best time to arrive: Early morning or late evening to avoid rush hour traffic.
Recommended Apps: Grab (most popular), Be
Benefits
Fixed prices
GPS tracking
English interface
Multiple payment options
Tips
Screenshot driver's info
Use saved locations
Check estimated price
Available 24/7
🏍️ Motorbike Taxis (Xe Om)
Use apps rather than street hails
Cheaper than cars
Faster in traffic
Helmets provided
Best for short trips
Around $1-2 per ride
🚲 Bicycle/E-bike Rental
Daily rates: $5-10
Good for West Lake area
Some hotels provide free bikes
Less suitable for Old Quarter
Lock securely when parking
🚌 Public Buses
Very cheap ($0.3-0.5 per ride)
Air-conditioned
Numbers displayed in English
Google Maps shows routes
Best routes:
#86: Airport to city
#09: Major tourist sites
#02: Old Quarter loop
🛺 Cyclos
Tourist experience
Negotiate price beforehand
Best for Old Quarter tours
Around $10/hour
Not for long distances
Good for photos
🚶♂️ Walking
Old Quarter
Around Hoan Kiem Lake
French Quarter
Early morning/evening best
Download offline maps
Safety
Cross roads slowly and steadily
Use pedestrian crossings
Wear masks during pollution
Keep belongings secure
Have hotel address in Vietnamese
Cost-Saving
Use public buses for long distances
Walk in central areas
Share Grab rides
Buy bus day passes
Negotiate cyclo rates
Navigation
Download offline Google Maps
Save important locations
Learn few landmarks' names
Take hotel business card
Use Maps.me app
Best Times
Early morning for sightseeing
Late evening for night markets
Mid-day for indoor activities
Weekend for walking streets
Avoid rush hours
Unlicensed taxis
Street-hailed xe om
Rush hour if possible (7-9am, 4-7pm)
Walking alone late night
Overloaded buses
Remember: Traffic can be overwhelming at first, but it follows a natural flow. Stay calm and steady when crossing streets.
Day 1: Old Quarter & Historical Sites
🌅 Morning (6:00-11:00)
Start early at Hoan Kiem Lake
- Watch locals doing tai chi
- Visit Ngoc Son Temple on the island
- Take photos at The Huc Bridge
Explore Old Quarter streets
- Try Pho for breakfast ($2-3)
- Visit Bach Ma Temple
- Shop at traditional stores
☀️ Afternoon (11:00-17:00)
Visit Temple of Literature
- Vietnam's first university
- Beautiful architecture
- Traditional gardens
Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien (Obama restaurant)
Visit Hoa Lo Prison Museum
- Historical exhibits
- Vietnam War history
🌙 Evening (17:00-22:00)
Street food tour in Old Quarter
- Try local delicacies
- Visit night market (weekends)
- Experience bia hoi corner
Watch Water Puppet Show
Evening walk around Hoan Kiem Lake
Day 2: Culture & Modern Hanoi
🌅 Morning (7:00-11:00)
Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex
- Ba Dinh Square
- Presidential Palace
- Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House
- One Pillar Pagoda
Try egg coffee at Cafe Giang
☀️ Afternoon (11:00-17:00)
Visit Women's Museum or Fine Arts Museum
Lunch at Quan An Ngon
Explore French Quarter
- Opera House
- Metropole Hotel
- St. Joseph's Cathedral
🌙 Evening (17:00-22:00)
Visit Train Street
Dinner at West Lake area
Rooftop bar for city views
💡 Tips for 2 Days
Book museums/shows in advance
Start early to avoid crowds
Use Grab for transportation
Carry water and umbrella
Wear comfortable shoes
Keep small bills for street food
🎯 Must-Try Foods
Pho (noodle soup)
Bun cha (grilled pork)
Egg coffee
Banh mi (sandwich)
Fresh spring rolls
💰 Estimated Budget
Attractions: $20-30
Food: $20-25/day
Transport: $10-15/day
Shopping: varies
Total: ~$100-150 for 2 days
Remember: This is a packed schedule - feel free to adjust based on your interests and energy levels. Old Quarter can be overwhelming, so take breaks when needed.
Hanoi is a great base to explore the whole north of Vietnam. Wherever you want to go, there is always a bus from Hanoi. The top destinations that travelers go to are Sapa - for trekking through the terraced rice fields, Halong Bay - for a cruise through the beautiful bay and Ninh Binh - for boat and bicycle rides through the rice fields. The destinations you can go to are Mai Chau - for rice paddies and ethnic minority villages, and Ha Giang - with Southeast Asia’s most impressive mountains.
Hanoi is not really child-friendly city in Vietnam, with heavy traffic and narrow sidewalks used as parking spaces for scooters and motorcycles. It is certainly a place that will leave a huge impression and that children will never forget.
If you are in Hanoi with kids, it is recommended visiting some of the museums, water puppet, go around the lake by cyclo and defitnly do a street food tour.
Hanoi is used to tourists and not that conservative when it comes to clothing. If you plan to visit temples in the city, make sure you are properly dressed. This means that you do not wear a short skirt or shirt.
In the summer it gets very hot and there is regular rainfall. In winter it is dry, but it can get quite cold. Keep this in mind with what kind of clothing you are bringing.
Last updated: November 2024
Keywords: Hanoi travel guide, things to do in Hanoi, Hanoi attractions, Hanoi food guide, where to stay in Hanoi, Hanoi transportation, day trips from Hanoi, best time to visit Hanoi, Hanoi travel tips
