Top places to visit in Hanoi

• Hanoi Old Quarter — 36 Ancient Streets

  neighbourhood · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The medieval heart of Hanoi — 36 guild streets forming Asia's most atmospheric urban walking district. The weekend night market (Fri–Sun 19:00–23:00) closes Hang Dao to traffic. Walk after dark when pagodas glow with incense.

• Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

  temple · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The spiritual centre of Hanoi. A red wooden bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple on a tiny island — one of Vietnam's most photographed spots at sunrise. The lake promenade is popular with locals doing tai chi at dawn.

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

  mausoleum · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry

  The preserved body of Ho Chi Minh lies in state in this imposing granite mausoleum built 1973–1975. Closed Monday and Friday, and ~2 months Sep–Oct for preservation. Arrive before 10:00 to avoid queues.

• Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu)

  temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Built in 1070 and Vietnam's first national university — a perfectly preserved Confucian temple complex of five courtyards. The 82 stone steles bearing names of doctoral graduates (1442–1779) are UNESCO Memory of the World.

• One Pillar Pagoda (Chùa Một Cột)

  pagoda · 4.4 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  An iconic wooden pagoda on a single stone pillar rising from a lotus pond — built 1049 by Emperor Ly Thai Tong. Current structure is a 1955 reconstruction after French forces destroyed the original. Located next to the Ho Chi Minh…

• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

  ethnology museum · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The finest museum in Vietnam celebrating all 54 ethnic groups. Outdoor gallery has 10 full-scale traditional houses; indoor galleries hold 15,000+ objects with excellent English labels. Rated No. 1 museum in Vietnam on TripAdvisor. Allow…

• Tran Quoc Pagoda

  pagoda · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Hanoi's oldest pagoda (541 AD) on a peninsula in West Lake. The 15-storey pink-brick stupa reflected in the lake at sunrise is one of Vietnam's most photogenic shrines. A Bodhi tree cutting from Bodh Gaya (India), gifted by Nehru in 1959,…

• Hoa Lo Prison Museum (Hanoi Hilton)

  history museum · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Originally a French colonial prison (1896), later used to hold American POWs including John McCain. First section covers the colonial era; second shows the POW section. A sobering and important historical site.

• Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

  performance · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · entry 150,000 ₫ (≈ ₹550)

  The home of Vietnam's traditional water-puppetry, performing on a water stage beside Hoan Kiem Lake.

• St. Joseph's Cathedral

  landmark · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Neo-Gothic cathedral from 1886 modelled on Notre-Dame de Paris, the spiritual centre of the Catholic community in Hanoi.

• Hanoi Train Street

  street · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Narrow residential rail corridor where trains pass inches from cafes; an Instagram-famous Hanoi sight.

• Hoan Kiem Lake Weekend Walking Street

  pedestrian-zone · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Pedestrianised lake-side streets every weekend with street games, music and food around Hoan Kiem.

Things to do

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Ba Dinh Complex Visit Heritage · 2 h · from VND 40,000 per person
• Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) Self-Guided Visit Museum · 1.5 h · from VND 55,100 per person
• Hanoi Old Quarter Walking Tour Cultural · 3 h · from VND 165,000 per person
• Thang Long Water Puppet Show Cultural · 1 h · from VND 110,000 per person
• Hoa Lu & Tam Coc Day Trip from Hanoi Nature · 10 h · from VND 689,000 per person
• Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour Food · 3 h · from VND 413,000 per person
• Hanoi Vespa Food & Sights Tour Adventure · 4 h · from VND 965,000 per person
• West Lake Sunset Cycling Tour Outdoor · 2.5 h · from VND 221,000 per person

Day trips and tours

• Ninh Binh Day Trip: Trang An, Tam Coc & Hoa Lu 10 h · from VND 606,000
• Hanoi Highlights & Street Food Full Day Tour 9 h · from VND 496,000
• Perfume Pagoda Day Trip from Hanoi 10 h · from VND 551,000

Where to stay in Hanoi

• Hoan Kiem / Old Quarter about VND 1,200 per night

  The beating heart of Hanoi — 36 ancient guild streets packed with street food stalls, boutique hotels and rooftop bars. Walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph Cathedral and the weekend night market. Best for…

• Ba Dinh / West Lake about VND 2,800 per night

  Upscale residential area favoured by diplomats and long-stay expats. Ho Tay (West Lake) is the largest in Hanoi — lined with cafes, seafood restaurants and morning jogging paths. Quieter and more spacious than the Old…

• Tay Ho / Expat Village about VND 2,200 per night

  Tree-lined streets along the northern shore of West Lake. Hanoi's expat enclave with international schools, craft beer bars, yoga studios and excellent brunch cafes. Quieter, greener and more residential — ideal for…

Hotels

• Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi 5-star · VND 8,000,000 to VND 25,000,000 per night
• Hanoi La Siesta Premium Hang Be 4-star · VND 1,800,000 to VND 3,200,000 per night
• Capella Hanoi 5-star · VND 12,000,000 to VND 25,000,000 per night
• Hanoi La Siesta Classic Ma May 4-star · VND 1,800,000 to VND 4,500,000 per night
• JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi 5-star · VND 3,500,000 to VND 7,000,000 per night
• O'Gallery Premier Hotel & Spa 4-star · VND 1,500,000 to VND 2,700,000 per night

Where to eat

• Banh Mi 25 Vietnamese · about VND 40,000 per person
• Bun Cha Huong Lien (Obama's Bun Cha) Vietnamese · about VND 80,000 per person
• Pho Gia Truyen — Bat Dan Vietnamese · about VND 60,000 per person
• Cha Ca La Vong Vietnamese · about VND 200,000 per person
• Madame Hien Vietnamese · about VND 550,000 per person
• The Gourmet Corner Vietnamese, French, Fusion · about VND 450,000 per person
• Pho Thin Lo Duc Vietnamese, Pho · about VND 70,000 per person
• Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su Vietnamese, Pho · about VND 70,000 per person

Getting to Hanoi

Airport: Hanoi (HAN)

How visitors arrive in Hanoi

• Flight to Noi Bai International Airport By air from Asia, Europe, Middle East, Vietnamese cities · common

  Noi Bai is the main air gateway, north of the centre, with transfers by bus, taxi or ride-hailing. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train to Hanoi station By train from Ho Chi Minh City, Lao Cai · common

  The north-south Reunification line and northwest services reach Hanoi; some trains use Gia Lam station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Long-distance or open-tour bus By road from Hue, Ninh Binh, Laos, Nanning · common

  Coaches arrive mainly at My Dinh bus station; open-tour buses link Hue and other cities, and international buses come from Laos and China. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Express bus 86 from Noi Bai

  Express bus 86 runs on the expressway with limited stops, including near the Old Quarter, the Opera House and the main railway station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Metered taxi from the airport stands

  Use the taxi stands just outside arrivals, such as Mai Linh or Taxi Group, and ignore touts inside the hall. Insist on the meter and have your destination written in Vietnamese. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Grab

  The Grab app works in Hanoi as a ride-hail alternative to taxis. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Public bus 07 unconfirmed

  Public bus 07 goes to western Hanoi, well away from the Old Quarter, and may not stop outside the terminal. Better suited to light packers. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Ignore touts in the arrivals hall; their cabs are likely unlicensed and overcharge. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Motorbike Rental

  Motorbikes can be rented in Hanoi, and hotels can usually arrange one for you on request.

• Ride Hail main way to get around

  The Grab app is described as the easiest way to get around Hanoi, letting you book a ride from your phone instead of flagging a taxi.

  Get Grab Vietnam

• Taxi

  Metered taxis run in Hanoi, with Mai Linh among the companies named, and Grab is the app alternative to hailing one.

  Mai Linh taxi

• Walking

Paying

• Be wary of fixed-price offers from drivers; insist on the meter. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Taxi Meter Scam

  Noi Bai Airport & Old Quarter

  Unlicensed taxis quote fixed inflated fares or use tampered fast-spinning meters. Drivers claim the meter is "broken" and charge 3–5× the correct fare.

  How to avoid it: Only use Grab app or official Mai Linh (green) / Vinasun taxis. Agree on the price before entering any unmarked taxi.

• Shoe Shine Scam

  Hoan Kiem Lake area & Old Quarter

  A person starts shining your shoes without being asked, then demands an exorbitant fee (often $10–20 USD) and becomes aggressive if you refuse.

  How to avoid it: Politely decline any unsolicited service. If it starts, agree the price before letting them continue. Walk away firmly.

• Cyclo Overcharging

  Old Quarter

  Cyclo drivers offer a "city tour" for a reasonable price, then at the end claim the agreed price was "per person" or "per hour" rather than the total.

  How to avoid it: Agree on the total price, duration, and currency in writing (show on phone) before boarding. Use a rideshare app instead.

• Fake Tour Agency

  Travel agencies near Hoan Kiem

  Street vendors posing as reputable tour agencies sell cheap bus/boat tickets for popular tours that depart but are of poor quality or do not match descriptions.

  How to avoid it: Book tours only through hotel desks or well-reviewed agencies. Verify agency registration with Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

Best time to visit Hanoi

• Jan 21°C
• Feb 24°C
• Mar 28°C
• Apr 32°C
• May 32°C
• Jun 33°C
• Jul 33°C
• Aug 33°C
• Sep 32°C
• Oct 28°C
• Nov 25°C
• Dec 22°C

More in Vietnam

• Ho Chi Minh City
• Hoi An
• Phu Quoc
• Da Nang
• Ha Long City
• Nha Trang

Frequently asked questions about Hanoi

How many days do you need in Hanoi?

A typical trip to Hanoi is 3-4 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Hanoi?

The highest-rated places in our Hanoi guide are Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Hanoi Old Quarter — 36 Ancient Streets, Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu).

Where should I stay in Hanoi?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Hanoi: Hoan Kiem / Old Quarter, Ba Dinh / West Lake, Tay Ho / Expat Village.

How do I get around Hanoi?

Ways to get around Hanoi covered in our guide: Motorbike rental, Ride-hailing app, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Hanoi?

Scams reported to us for Hanoi include Taxi Meter Scam; Shoe Shine Scam; Cyclo Overcharging. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Hanoi?

Average daytime highs in Hanoi run from 21°C in Jan to 33°C in Jun.

Which airport is nearest to Hanoi?

The nearest airport to Hanoi has the code HAN.