Hanoi City Travel Guide

General Information

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is located in the Red River Delta. Situated on the right bank of the Red River, Hanoi City gathers all political, economic, cultural, scientific and technological aspects of our country.  With a population of 7.8 million people in 2017, Hanoi is among the densest of and most populated cities of Vietnam. Its architecture is the combination of traditional styles and French-colonial aspects which various ancient house, public buildings, and religious sites. Compared to dynamic Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City with bustling streets, luxury metropolitan buildings and sumptuous night entertainment, Hanoi is just a small and quaint capital. However, Hanoi is an interesting historical and cultural center that tourists cannot miss on any tour to Vietnam.

Hanoi is one of the must-visit tourist destinations in Vietnam with a splendor history, a rich culture and a peaceful and laid-back local life. You can see Hanoian people practicing taichi, playing chess and taking their dogs for a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake in the early morning. Especially, local delicacies here will feast your senses and tantalize your taste buds. When traveling to Hanoi, you will come across many sidewalk vendors which sell delicious street foods such as Pho, banh cuon and banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches).

Hanoi Weather

There are four seasons in Hanoi: springs from February to April, summers from May to August, autumns from September to October and winters from November to January. In the spring, the weather in Hanoi is really pleasant, neither too cold nor too hot. Summer is the hottest time of the year; the temperature can reach 39 degrees some days. It is also the rainy season in Northern Vietnam, you can experience heavy rains, especially in the afternoon and evening and your trip may be affected if you take sightseeing tours.

The best time to arrive travel to Hanoi is autumns when it is cool and windy. The average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius, which is suitable for a street food walking tour around Hanoi or a biking tour to Bat Trang Village. Winter in Hanoi is a bit colder when the temperature can drop below 10 degrees Celsius.

Getting to Hanoi

By plane

There are daily flights between Hanoi and major cities in Vietnam, such as Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Da Lat, and Ho Chi Minh City. There are also direct flights between Hanoi and major destinations around the world in the United States, Europe, Australia, Japan and other Southeast Asian cities.

Noi Bai International Airport is 30 km from the Old Quarter. You can take a taxi or a public bus at the airport to get to the city center.

By train

You can take a train from other cities in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, etc.) to Hanoi. Trains are of good quality and there are different options for you to choose when buying train tickets in Vietnam: hard seats, soft seats with or without air conditioning, hard beds and soft berths, with or without air conditioners. The train ride between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City takes between 30 hours and 42 hours. There is also a tourist train for travelers who want to travel between Beijing and Hanoi.

Hanoi Train Station is located at 120 Le Duan Streets, Hoan Kiem District. It has 2 main doors, either on Le Duan Street or Tran Quy Cap Street. The most frequent routes for foreign tourists from Hanoi Station are Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi and Hanoi – Hue – Hanoi.

Getting around Hanoi

By road

The road infrastructure in Vietnam has improved considerably since 2000. There are buses every day between Hanoi and major cities in Vietnam. You can also travel between Hanoi and Vientiane (Laos) by road.

On foot

Hanoi is a small capital and can be explored on foot in 1 or 2 days in a relaxed pace. The Old Quarter, the French Quarter and West Lake are good places for walking.

However, it is easy for tourists to get panic when crossing our busy streets. There are three things for you to remember when walking across the roads: don’t stop, don’t rush, and don’t step backward. For many travelers, the traffic in Vietnam is one of the most thrilling yet impressive things on their trip.

Xe Om (motorcycle taxi)

There are many xe om at every street corner in Hanoi. You must always remember that it is fun and a bit adventurous to travel by motorcycle and most importantly, the price must be negotiated before you step on the vehicle.

Taxi and Grab

In Hanoi, you can easily find a taxi for your visit, but because there are many different companies, the quality and price are poorly controlled. Taxis in Hanoi are mostly 4 – 7 seats, so if you are traveling in large groups, it is better to use Vietnam car rental service.

Uber no longer operates in our country, but Grab taxis and motorbikes are easily booked via a mobile app.

By bus

Compared to other Western countries, the bus system in Vietnam is not really developed. The bus to Hanoi is very crowded, especially during rush hour; thus, it is less convenient for you to travel by bus around the city.

Recently, there is a brand new way to explore Hanoi: Hop On – Hop Off Hanoi City Tour bus. This bus will stop at 15 places so that you can visit Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, Hoa Lo Prison, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Quan Thanh Temple, West Lake, Temple of Literature, Thang Long Royal Citadel and Hanoi Opera House. The ticket costs VND 160,000 dong and you can select any destination for your city tour.

Private car

One of the most popular means of transportation for international tourists is private cars. You just need to contact us and provide us with information about your trip; price and quality are set before departure to accommodate your requests.

Where to Stay in Hanoi

Standard (3 stars)

• Noble Boutique Hotel: 98 Hang Gai Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Church Boutique Hotel: 95 Hang Gai Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Golden Lotus Boutique Hotel: 39 Hang Trong Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Silk Path Hotel: 195-199 Hang Bong Street, Hoan Kiem District

Deluxe (4 stars)

• Quoc Hoa Premier Hotel: 10 Bat Dan Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa: 94 Ma May Street, Hoan Kiem District

Luxury (5 stars)

• Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi: 15 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Apricot Hotel: 136 Hang Trong Street, Hoan Kiem District
• InterContinental Hanoi Westlake: 5 Tu Hoa Cong Chua Street, Tay Ho District

What to See in Hanoi

Inside the City

Hoan Kiem Lake

Located in the center of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is considered as a heart of Hanoi and a symbol of this city. This lake is surrounded by many beautiful streets of the Old Quarter. Hoan Kiem means ‘returned sword’ and this lake is associated with a legend in which King Le Loi was given a magical sword by the God and he used it to defeat the Chinese invaders. After the victory, Le Loi was boating out the lake and suddenly the Golden Turtle God surfaced and asked the king to return the precious sword. You can find different paces of local life during different times around the lake: During daytime, there are young people running while the elders practice taichi. On the contrary, Hoan Kiem Lake is brilliantly lid after sunset and this area turns out to be exciting and lively. You can see many people walking with their lovely dogs and cats, children playing around and enjoy live singing performances.

Old Quarter

This is a unique place in Hanoi where houses and streets in traditional architecture are still well preserved and you can, at the same time, appreciate traditional arts and crafts. Some streets of the Old Quarter you should know are Silver Street (Hang Bac), Silk Street (Hang Dao), Sugar Street (Hang Duong) and Leather Street (Hang Da).

All vehicles are banned around Hoan Kiem Lake and some parts of the Old Quarter from Friday 6 pm until Sunday 12 pm. Take your time to go shopping at a night market and have your portrait drawn by street artists.

West Lake

Formerly known as Xac Cao, Kim Nguu, or Dam Dam, West Lake is the largest natural lake in the city. The lake covers an area of more than 500 hectares with a perimeter of 18 km. This lake is located in northwestern central Hanoi. You can rent a bicycle, ride around the lake and take stunning photos of breathtaking sunrises and sunsets here. There are many cultural and historical tourist sites around the lake such as Tran Quoc Pagoda, Nhat Tan Peach Garden or Quan Thanh Temple.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the last resting place of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese revolutionary leader. This mausoleum was built with the most valuable materials from all parts of our country to show the gratitude of Vietnamese people to Uncle Ho. Upon entering the mausoleum, you can visit the Presidential Palace, fish pond and Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house. Rules regarding dress and attitudes are strictly applied and visitors have to remain silent in this place. Bear in mind that this place closes on Monday and Friday.

Location: Hung Vuong Street, Ba Dinh District

One Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot)

The One Pillar Pagoda is a unique ancient Buddhist pagoda in Hanoi. It was built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong in 1049 and then renovated by Emperor Ly Nhan Tong in 1105. One Pillar Pagoda was built on a single stone pillar which resembles a lotus blossom, a Buddhist symbol of purity.

Location: near Ba Dinh Square at Ong Ich Kiem Street in Ba Dinh District

Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature consists of Van Mieu and Quoc Tu Giam (Imperial Academy). Van Mieu is the place to worship Confucius and Chu Van An. Quoc Tu Giam was considered the first university in Vietnam, at first for offspring from loyal families and then for talents around the country. Today, Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam has become a popular tourist destination in Hanoi and it is the place to deliver certificates of merit to students with outstanding achievements.

Location: 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Ba Dinh District

Tran Quoc Pagoda

Built in the 6^th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De (544-548), this pagoda is the oldest temple in Hanoi which resembles a blooming lotus flower. The pagoda is located on the western peninsula of the West Lake.

Location: Thanh Nien Street, Yen Phu Ward, Ba Dinh District

Ngoc Son Temple

Ngoc Son Temple is dedicated to the 13-century military leader Tran Hung Dao, scholar Van Xuong and Confucian master Nguyen Van Sieu. To get to the pagoda, you have to pass across the red lacquered bridge The Huc.

Location: on Jade Island of Hoan Kiem Lake

Dong Xuan Market

This is one of the biggest markets in Hanoi where you can find any souvenir. You can also taste a lot of delicious street foods at Dong Xuan Market.

Location: Dong Xuan Ward, Hoan Kiem District

Long Bien Bridge

Designed by a French architect called Gustave Eiffel with the famous Eiffel Tower, Long Bien Bridge is a ‘historical witness’ under the period of the Second World War. It was built by the French during the colonial period to accelerate the delivery of products to France.

Location: across Red River which connects Hoan Kiem and Long Bien districts

Hoa Lo Prison

Hoa Lo prison was built by the French for political prisoners. For those who want to discover the history of Vietnam War, this prison is a cannot-miss site in Hanoi.

Location: 1 Hoa Lo Street, Tran Hung Dao Ward, Hoan Kiem District

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

This citadel is a complex of architectural buildings constructed by many feudal dynasties: from Ly Dynasty (1010) until Nguyen Dynasty. Among this site’s structure, Hanoi Flag Tower which was constructed in 1812 is a must-see place you can get a magnificent view of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Location: 19C Hoang Dieu Street, Quan Thanh Ward, Ba Dinh District

St. Joseph’s Cathedral

Located in the heart of the Old Quarter, west of Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph’s Cathedral (Nha Tho Lon) is one of the oldest colonial buildings in Hanoi.

Location: 40 Nha Chung Street, Hoan Kiem District

Hanoi Opera House

The Hanoi Opera House is a large monument built in the center of Hanoi, designed by two French architects Harley and Broyer. Its construction started on June 7, 1901 and completed in 1911.

Location: 1 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

The Ethnology Museum of Vietnam is a cultural museum in Hanoi that focuses on exhibitions of 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam. The Ethnology Museum contains 3 main areas: Bronze Drum Building, Kite Building and Garden of Architecture. The most interesting part is the outdoor exhibition area which shows you majestic ancient houses, stilt houses and communal houses of many ethnic groups in Vietnam. This is the best place to discover our colorful culture and listen to legends of minority groups in Vietnam.

Location: Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District

Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts

Inaugurated in 1966 in a vast colonial house, the Museum of Fine Arts (Vien Bao Tang My Thuat Viet Nam) presents Vietnamese artworks from the 6th century BC to the present day.

Location: 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ba Dinh District

Vietnam National Museum of History

It is located in Hoan Kiem District. This museum presents more than 200,000 antiques ranging from prehistory to the August 1945 Revolution and the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Location: 214 Tran Quang Khai Street, Trang Tien Ward, Hoan Kiem District

Nearby Attractions

Duong Lam Ancient Village

Duong Lam Ancient Village is located in Son Tay town which is 50km west of Hanoi city center. With unique architectural features of an ancient village in the Red River Delta Duong Lam Ancient Village is ranked among Vietnam’s most beautiful ancient villages, just after Hoi An Old Town and the Old Quarter in Hanoi in terms of size and value.

Bat Trang Ceramic Village

Bat Trang Ceramic Village is about 16 km southeast of Hanoi city center. With a long history of more than 1000 years old, Bat Trang is one of the most famous traditional handicraft villages in Vietnam. The ceramic products of Bat Trang are invaluable because of their beauty, shape and craftsmanship. In a half day Hanoi and Bat Trang village tour, you can participate in the process of manufacturing ceramic products.

Perfume Pagoda (Chua Thay)

Perfume Pagoda is a vast complex of Buddhist temples and shrines built in the limestone mountains of Huong Tich. It hosts a religious festival in the third lunar month that attracts a large number of pilgrims from Vietnam. Arriving at the Perfume Pagoda, you have the chance to not only visit Vietnam’s most beautiful pagodas but also to contemplate the natural beauty of breathtaking mountains and take a boat ride along the romantic Yen River.

Tay Phuong Pagoda

Perched on a hill, the scenic Tay Phuong Pagoda is 45 km west of Hanoi. Taking a few hundred steps to the pagoda, you can see its subtle pagoda sculptures that were carved from jackfruit wood.

Thay pagoda

Thay Pagoda (Master Pagoda) is located in Sai Son Township, Quoc Oai District, Ha Tay Province, 30km southwest of Hanoi. You can admire a tranquil ambiance with fresh water and numerous flowers in the pagodas.

Things to Do in Hanoi

Take a cycle rickshaw ride (xich lo)

A cycle rickshaw ride around Hoan Kiem Lake is an interesting activity during your trip to the city. This is the time to rest and contemplate local life and the beautiful landscapes of bustling streets in the Old Quarter.

Walk around the Old Quarter

If you do not visit the Old Quarter, you do not travel to Vietnam. It is the combination between the bustling and ancient aspects of our city. Walking around this place, you can discover numerous local merchants which sell souvenirs, enjoy appetizing street foods and interact with the friendly locals.

Watch water puppet shows

Water puppet is a colorful and interesting art. This art originates from the 11^th century in some villages in the Red River Delta region of northern Vietnam. Vietnamese water puppets are made from lacquered wood. The shows are performed in a pool or lake. Puppets are led by puppeteers, who are normally hidden behind a screen. Two most popular places to watch a water puppet show in Hanoi are Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and Thang Long Water Puppet Theater at 57 Dinh Tien Hoang Street.

Visit a local market

In Hanoi, the largest and most famous market for tourists is Dong Xuan Market. You can find many items such as souvenirs, foods, and clothes here with a wide variety of design, color and material. Another type of market to discover is the night market of Hanoi. If you want to buy any item, it is advisable to bargain a bit because the price offered is often higher than the actual price. These markets are very crowded so pay attention to your belongings.

Make craft products

It is quite interesting if you can participate in the process of traditional craft making, for example, pottery in Bat Trang. A visit to the traditional villages takes you half a day to one day.

Massage

Getting a foot or body massage is a good way to recover after your long flights. Influence by Chinese massage methods, Vietnamese message uses natural herbs and focuses on kneading. Some spas with professional services for your trip:

• Orient Spa Hanoi: 72 Hang Trong Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Spas Hanoi: 18 Hang Manh Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Le Spa du Metropole: 1 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District

Enjoy street foods

Street food is considered a culture of Hanoi. You can easily find street foods in every street corner and they are diverse in flavor and price. Here are the most famous places for street food:

• Hang Buom Street: Variety of choice
• Hang Bong Street: Nem chua ran (fried sour roll) and grilled foods
• Ta Hien Street: Beer
• Dong Xuan Market: Vermicelli
• Ly Quoc Su Street: Pho
• Nha Tho Street: Variety of choice
• Phung Hung Street: hot pot

Special activities for children

If you travel with your children, don’t worry, Hanoi offers you various options. Your children will have a chance to make traditional To He toys. To He is a traditional Vietnamese toy that is made from glutinous rice powder to create colorful little toys such as famous cartoon characters or objects like car, bird or flowers, etc. Your children can also take part in a cooking class in Hanoi and learn some local recipe to practice when returning home.

What to Eat in Hanoi

1. Pho

Pho is a top-choice dish when traveling to Hanoi. It is the most famous Vietnamese dish to international tourists and the specialty of many Vietnamese restaurants around the world. Hanoi is the best place for Pho in Vietnam with rich broth, juicy sliced beef or chicken and thick rice noodles.

2. Cha ca (Fried fish)

Cha Ca is a mixture of fish and flour. Cha Ca is eaten with baked bread, noodles, coriander, basil, fresh onion and shrimp sauce. The shrimp sauce is prepared with fresh lemon, pepper, a little bit of oil, a few drops of white wine, water and sugar.

3. Bun cha (vermicelli with grilled pork)

Bun Cha is a famous Hanoi dish that is loved by tourists. The spicy grilled pork are eaten with rice vermicelli, sweet and sour fish sauce, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, a little pepper and pepper mixed with green papaya cut into small pieces.

4. Com (young sticky rice)

Com is a traditional dessert of Hanoi, especially in autumn. It is made from glutinous rice, which are picked when it is still young, finely chopped and sun-dried, then wrapped in a green lotus leaf. Eating Com is also an art, it requires a lot of time to eat com. Each time we eat a small handful and chew carefully to feel the full flavor of the grain.

5. Banh cuon (steamed rice pancake)

Banh Cuon are thin steamed rice flour pancakes, mixed with minced pork and mushrooms, and served with a dip, fried shallots and fresh herbs. Banh cuon is often eaten at breakfast or in the evening.

Souvenirs of Hanoi

1. Silk

Van Phuc Silk Village is located 10km from the center of Hanoi. This village is famous for silk weaving. Silk here is soft, thin, airy and light, different from ordinary silk. You can also go to the shops along Hang Gai, Hang Trong, and Ly Quoc Su Street to buy ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress), hat, clothes, and towels made from silk.

Some recommended places to buy silk:

• Van Phuc Silk Village: Ha Dong District
• Le Minh, 79-111 Hang Gai Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Bambou Silk Tailors: 6 Nha Chung Street, Hoan Kiem District

2. Ceramic

If you have the opportunity to visit Hanoi, do not miss to visit of Bat Trang Ceramic Village. Visitors can not only buy pottery souvenirs at very low prices, but also learn to make ceramic products themselves. However, it is a bit difficult to take home because these items are quite fragile.

3. O Mai (a type of jam)

Containing sour, spicy, salty and sweet flavor, O Mai is the essence of Hanoi cuisine. O Mai is diverse in taste and price. It is dried so it is easy to maintain them for a long time. Hang Duong Street is a great place to sell O Mai. You can stop here and enjoy all kinds of O Mai to choose the kind you like the most.

Here are some places to buy o mai:

• Hong Lam: 11 Hang Duong Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Van Loi : 24 Hang Da Street, Hoan Kiem District

4. Lotus tea

During the hot summer, the lotuses begin to bloom. This is the best time to enjoy a cup of lotus tea to dispel the heat of summer. Hanoi lotus tea is subtly sophisticated and you must try some when visiting the city.

Some places to buy lotus tea:

• Huong Mai Café: 58 Ma May Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Ninh Huong Shop: 22 Hang Dieu, Hoan Kiem District