Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Hanoi for history and north Vietnam trips; HCMC for Mekong Delta and south — many do both.
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Hanoi Travel Guide
Things to do in Hanoi — Explore Hanoi
Photo: Quangnlnhe182394 · CC0
Why visit Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam's lake-studded capital — French-colonial Old Quarter lanes, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum solemnity, egg-coffee cafés and gateway status for Ha Long Bay cruises.
Hanoi is a stop in Vietnam, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, Old Quarter street food walk, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 45–90 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: October–April for cooler, drier weather. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
October–April for cooler, drier weather
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Getting around
Grab and taxis; walk Old Quarter; book tours for Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh
Experiences
Things to do in Hanoi
1
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
2
Old Quarter street food walk
3
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex
4
Temple of Literature
5
Train Street (Hanoi Train Street)
6
West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda
7
Vietnamese Women's Museum
8
Halong Bay overnight cruise (day trip)
Budget travel
Free things to do in Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
Old Quarter street food walk
Temple of Literature
West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Hanoi itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Old Quarter and lake
- Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
- Old Quarter walking tour
- Water puppet show at Thang Long Theatre
- Bia hơi corner beer
- 2
Day 2
History and culture
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex
- Temple of Literature
- Hoa Lo Prison museum
- Train Street (check access rules)
- 3
Day 3
Ha Long Bay
- Day or overnight cruise among karst islands
- Sung Sot Cave or kayaking
- Seafood lunch on board
Prefer a full 9-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Hanoi itinerary guide.
Budget
Hanoi trip cost
Budget
USD 20–40
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 45–90
per person / day
Luxury
USD 150+
per person / day
Among Asia's best value — Ha Long cruises are the main mid-range splurge. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Hanoi
Estimated total (USD)
$1,760
≈ $880 per person · $251 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $55/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Hanoi mid-range ground costs (budget 20–40 · mid 45–90 · luxury 150+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Neighbourhoods
Where to stay in Hanoi
Old Quarter
Best for: First-timers
Walkable chaos of street food and lake views
French Quarter
Best for: Quieter stays
Colonial boulevards near Hoan Kiem's south edge
Tay Ho (West Lake)
Best for: Expats and cafés
Leafier neighbourhood with lakeside dining
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $
Phở Thìn
Pho · Legendary charred-beef pho since 1979
- $
Bún Chả Hương Liên
Bun cha · Where Obama ate — locals still queue
- $$
Chả Cá Lã Vọng
Cha ca · The original turmeric fish dish (1871)
- $
Giang Café
Egg coffee · Birthplace of Hanoi egg coffee
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $$$$
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Hoan Kiem · Historic French colonial landmark
- $$$$
Capella Hanoi
Opera House · Intimate theatrical luxury
- $$
La Siesta Premium Hang Be
Old Quarter · Top-rated boutique in the Old Quarter
Shopping
- Chợ Hôm
- Chợ Đồng Xuân
- Chợ Hàng Da
- Night Market
- Bookworm Hanoi
Nightlife
- Hoa Vien
- Goldmalt
- Legend Beer
- Furbrew
- Green Lake (Ho Guom Xanh)
- Mao's Red Lounge
Museums & culture
- Fine Arts Museum
- Hồ Chí Minh Museum
- Hồ Chí Minh's Vestige in the Presidential Palace Area
- National Museum of Vietnamese History
- Vietnamese Women's Museum
- Vietnam Military History Museum
Travel tips
- Cross streets slowly and steadily — traffic weaves around pedestrians
- Dress modestly for mausoleum and temple visits
- Book Ha Long cruises with licensed operators only
In pictures
Hanoi gallery
Photos: Quangnlnhe182394, Radek Kucharski, The original uploader was Chuoibk at English Wikipedia., xiquinhosilva, Alex 69200 vx — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Hanoi travel FAQs
Is Hanoi walkable?
Old Quarter yes — use Grab for mausoleum and airport transfers.
What are the best things to do in Hanoi?
Top picks in Hanoi include Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, Old Quarter street food walk, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, Temple of Literature. See the full list and itinerary on this Hanoi travel guide.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
October–April for cooler, drier weather.
How many days do I need in Hanoi?
Plan at least 3 days in Hanoi for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Hanoi?
Base yourself in Old Quarter (First-timers), French Quarter (Quieter stays), Tay Ho (West Lake) (Expats and cafés). Pick the area that matches your trip style, then book within walking distance of transit or main sights.
Keep exploring
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