Visit Hanoi: The Ultimate Travel Guide for 2025

Welcome to Hanoi, the heart of Northern Vietnam and one of Southeast Asia’s most charming cities. With its rich history, vibrant street life, and fusion of traditional and colonial architecture, Hanoi is a must-visit for anyone planning a Vietnam travel itinerary. This Hanoi travel guide covers everything you need to know—from when to go and what to see, to where to stay and shop.

1. Essential Info

Save

• Location: In the heart of Northern Vietnam, approximately 2 hours from Ha Long Bay
• Airport: Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), 30–45 minutes from the city center (Looking for airport pickup? Contact us on WhatsApp)
• Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND). Cash is king here. Tips: Most banks support foreign cards to withdraw VND from ATMs.
• Transport: Taxis, ride-hailing apps (Grab, Xanh SM), buses, metros, and rental motorbikes are widely available
• Trip Length: Hanoi may be a sprawling city, but most of its key attractions are clustered within a few central districts. I’d confidently recommend setting aside at least 3 full days to experience Hanoi’s highlights

2. Best Time to Visit

Save

The best time to visit Hanoi is during the autumn (September to November) and spring (March to April). These months offer pleasant temperatures (18–28°C) and less rainfall, beautiful nature on the streets of Hanoi—ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

• Winter (December–February): Cool and misty, average 15–20°C. Light layers recommended.
• Summer (May–August): Hot and humid, with occasional heavy rains and thunderstorms.

Tip: If you’re visiting in late January or February, you may experience Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year—an exciting but busy travel time.

Hanoi can be visited all year round, and each month brings different scenery. Check our monthly guides for details:
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August |September |October |November |December

3. Things to See and Do

Top 10 things to do in Hanoi:

• Watch the train pass on train street. (Read our latest Train street Guide here)
• Cafe Giang’s Egg Coffee – The birthplace of the iconic coffee! ☕️
• Tran Quoc Pagoda – The oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, located on West Lake ????
• Water Puppet Show – Thang Long is such a great way to learn a bit of history and tradition while watching such amazing talents! – Optional audio guide for 50k! ????
• Exploring the Old Quarter – So many things to keep you busy here! From shopping to cafe hopping to sightseeing, Old Quarter has it all ????️
• Ngoc Son Temple – A stunning temple located on the Hoan Kiem Lake, featuring the legend of the Sword Lake ????
• Note Coffee – An iconic Hanoi cafe, a must visit for a drink and to leave your mark on Hanoi ????
• Temple of Literature – Dedicated to educational success, this temple offers a tranquil stop and motivation for local students ????
• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda – Located in the same complex with free entry, the resting place for Ho Chi Minh and a pagoda representing the Lotus bloom
• Ho Chi Minh Museum – Located again in the same complex as above, a truly interesting stop for Vietnamese history

Save

Also don’t miss these museums:

• Museums: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, Vietnam Military History Museum.

Save

Optional excursions: Day trips to Ninh Binh or overnight cruises in Ha Long Bay are perfect extensions of your Hanoi stay.

4. Where to Stay

Budget hotels & hostels

• Central Backpackers Hostel – Old Quarter
• Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel:
• Cocoon Inn
• Luxury Backpackers

Mid range hotel

• Hanoi Inner Hotel
• Hanoi Golden Moment Hotel
• New Vision Palace hotel
• The Hanoian Hotel
• Hanoi Graceful Hotel

High end hotel & resort

• Hanoi La Siesta Hotel Trendy
• The Chi Boutique Hotel
• Hanoi Bonsella Hotel
• Tirant Hotel
• Sheraton
• InterContinental Hanoi Westlake

Tip: Book in advance if visiting during Tet or peak tourist months (October–March).

5. Food and Drinks

Hanoi is a street food paradise. Don’t miss:

• Pho Bo (beef noodle soup) – Try it at Pho Thin or Pho Ly Quoc Su.
• Bun Cha – Grilled pork with noodles, famously eaten by Obama.
• Egg Coffee – Rich, creamy coffee with whipped egg yolk, found at Cafe Giang.
• Banh Cuon, Cha Ca, Xoi – Local favorites you’ll find in food stalls.

Save

Save

Local restaurants and food stalls:

• Hong Hoai’s Restaurant
• Hoang’s Restaurant
• Green Farm Restaurant
• Bun Cha Hang Manh
• Banh Mi 25
• Xoi Bu
• New Day Restaurant

Fine dining:

• Madam Yen Restaurant
• The Gourmet Corner Restaurant
• Cau Go Vietnamese Cuisine Restaurant
• Essence Restaurant
• Ngon Villa Restaurant

Nightlife:

• Local Bia Hoi (fresh beer) joints
• Ta Hien beer street
• Rooftop bars with views over Hoan Kiem Lake or the Red River
• Hanoi Opera House
• Dragonfly
• Craft Beer Pub
• Weekend Night Market
• Hero Club Hanoi
• Savage

6. Shopping and Entertainment

Shopping:

• Dong Xuan Market: Great for local goods, fabrics, and souvenirs
• Weekend Night Market (Old Quarter): Food, crafts, and a lively street scene
• Silk Street (Hang Gai): High-quality silk scarves and tailored ao dai
• Local Boutiques: Look for handmade crafts, ceramics, and lacquerware
• Shopping Malls: Vincom Center, Aeon Malls

Save

Read more: How and where to shop in Hanoi

Entertainment:

• Water Puppet Show: A traditional art form performed at Thang Long Theater
• Live Music: Rooftop bars and lounges around Hoan Kiem Lake and Tay Ho
• Nightlife: Try Bia Hoi Junction for local beer culture or explore hidden speakeasies

Save

7. More Tips

• Dress modestly when visiting temples and historical sites
• Crossing the street: Be confident, walk slowly, and let motorbikes navigate around you
• Food safety: Stick to busy stalls and try local dishes like pho, bun cha, and banh mi
• Cultural etiquette: Smile, be polite, and learn a few Vietnamese phrases like “Xin chào” (hello) and “Cảm ơn” (thank you)

8. Frequent Asked Questions

Fast track service? No, Noi Bai international airport is much less busy compare to HCMC airport.

How arrange airport transfer? Avoid taxi scams? Use cab hailing apps (Grab, XanhSM), double check license plate before jumping in, ignore any driver that claim to be your Grab driver. You can also pre-arrange your transfer with our trusted partner on WhatsApp: Lucy’s transfer: +84967300799.

Train moves several time a day, but our recommendation is visiting the train street at 7:00pm, when all the lightning are lid up beatifully. You don’t need to reserve a table, but it’s advised to arrive 30 minutes before the train to have the best spot. Just show up, shop owners will approach and sneak you in.
Full guide on Visiting Hanoi Train street.