If you want to visit Southeast Asia, Hanoi, Vietnam, should be at the top of your list. A city where old and new come together, motorbikes zip along streets that have been there for hundreds of years, and steamy bowls of pho are always close by.
Hanoi, Vietnam is more than simply a place to go; it’s a full-on sensory experience. Let’s look at all you need to know to get the most out of your vacation to this interesting capital. 🏮🌍
📍 Hanoi, Vietnam, is where?
Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam and situated in the north of the nation. It is the political, cultural, and historical centre of Vietnam. It is recognised for its old buildings, lively street food scene, and calm lakes.
- Region: Northern Vietnam
- Vietnam is the country.
- 🏞️ In the Red River Delta,
- 🛬 Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is the main airport.
🗓️ The Best Time to Go to Hanoi, Vietnam
- Hanoi, Vietnam has four seasons, and the weather changes a lot from one to the next.
- March to April: Spring flowers blossom, the weather is nice, and it’s a perfect time to view the attractions.
- September to November: The air is dry and the sky are blue, which is excellent for taking pictures and going on walking excursions.
- December to February: Cold yet fun because of Tet (Vietnamese New Year)
- May to August: Hot and humid, with monsoon showers (bring a poncho!).
Pro Tip: In the autumn, walking around Hoan Kiem Lake in the early morning is lovely.
✈️ How to Get to Hanoi, Vietnam
You may go to Hanoi, Vietnam by:
- Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is 45 minutes away from the Old Quarter.
- Flights inside Vietnam from Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City
- Trains that go a long way from Sapa or Hue
- Sleeper buses that go all around Vietnam at night
In the city, you may use Grab (the Uber of Southeast Asia), cabs, cyclos, or walk the beautiful way!
🏠 Where to Stay in Hanoi, Vietnam
- Area Perfect for Old Quarter First-timers, culture, bustle, and charm
- French Quarter: Colonial-style buildings and fancy hotels
- Tay Ho (West Lake) Digital nomads, quiet coffee shops, and those who live abroad
- Ba Dinh District: Near museums and government buildings
- Lake Hoan Kiem A good position, easy to stroll to, and romantic views
- Hanoi, Vietnam offers it everything, from $10 backpacker hostels to $300+ boutique hotels.
🏛️ Things to See and Do in Hanoi, Vietnam Hoan Kiem Lake 🐢
Mornings are peaceful, and there is tai chi at sunrise. The famous red bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple.
Old Quarter 🚲
Streets are packed with motorbikes, street sellers, colonial houses, and lively local life.
Temple of Literature 🎓 The first university in Vietnam, it’s beautiful, peaceful, and a great place to take pictures.
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum 🕊️
Visit the body of Vietnam’s famous leader, which has been kept in good condition.
Train Street 🚂
A tight lane where trains pass only a few inches from residences. It’s incredibly Instagrammable (but be sure to follow safety guidelines).
Tran Quoc Pagoda and West Lake 🌅
Beautiful and spiritual, perfect for sunsets and quiet walks.
Hanoi Opera House : A beautiful building with a lot of history.
🍽️ What and Where to Eat in Hanoi, Vietnam
- If you enjoy cuisine, Hanoi, Vietnam is the place for you. The street cuisine here is affordable, clean, and full of flavour.
- Pho 🍜 is a must-try dish. Bun Cha is Hanoi’s famous noodle soup. Pork and vermicelli grilled with herbs
- Cha Ca La Vong 🐟 Fish with turmeric, noodles, and greens
- Banh Cuon 🫔 Rice rolls with ground pork
- Egg Coffee (Ca Phe Trung) ☕ Sweet, creamy, and memorable Nem Ran (Spring Rolls) 🥟 Crispy and hard to stop eating
Ta Hien, Dong Xuan Market, Hang Buom, and Ngo Gach Street are the best streets for food.
📸 Instagrammable Corners in Hanoi, Vietnam
Sunrise over Hoan Kiem Lake Train Street (timing is everything!) Old Quarter’s yellow walls Inside Cafe Giang for that egg coffee look Lantern stores open at night Balconies and boulevards in the French Quarter Long Bien Bridge at dusk
🚶 Getting Around Hanoi Vietnam Walking 👟: The best way to see the Old Quarter
- Grab: A ride-hailing app that is easy to use and affordable
- Renting a motorbike is exciting yet chaotic; only for experienced riders!
- Cyclo tours 🚲 are a great way to view things without walking.
⚠️ Warning: Pedestrian crossings are only ideas, not laws. Stroll and be brave; vehicles will stay away from you.
🎒 What to Bring to Hanoi, Vietnam:
Clothes that breathe, a light rain jacket or poncho, a scarf or modest clothing for temples, comfortable shoes for walking, mosquito repellent, and a travel adaptor (Vietnam uses Type A, C, or F plugs).
💰 Tips for saving money in Hanoi, Vietnam: Street food dinners cost $1 to $3.
- Cheap hotels cost between $10 and $30 a night.
- Getting into museums costs less than $2.
- Buses for the public: around $0.30
- There are free walking tours (with tips!).
- Pack light, bring cash (many tiny shops don’t take cards), and constantly haggle at marketplaces!
🗣️ What People Who Live Here Say
People in Hanoi, Vietnam are kind and want to know more. When you say hello with a smile and try to use simple Vietnamese words like
“Hello” – Hi
“Cảm ơn” means “thank you.”
“Không cay” means “no spice,” which is helpful if you can’t handle heat.
👨👩👧👦 Family, cuisine, and tradition are very important here. If you respect them, you’ll be welcomed with open arms.
⚠️ Mistakes that tourists often make Going too rapidly across the street
—walk gently and in a straight line instead. Not going to local restaurants—skip the tourist cafés Not booking train street trips anymore; it’s now against the law. In temples, you shouldn’t wear clothes that show too much skin. Cover your shoulders and knees. Don’t prepare too much—let Hanoi, Vietnam’s charm surprise you!
💻 Working from home and feeling like a creator in Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam, is becoming a popular place for digital nomads.
✅ Cafes with good Wi-Fi in Tay Ho and the French Quarter ✅ Co-working spaces like Toong and UPGen Longer stays since the cost of living is low Street life and marketplaces give YouTubers and vloggers an endless supply of topics for videos.
🏕️ With portable Wi-Fi, you can even work from home in mountain communities like Mai Chau!
✅ Respect Checklist (for people and the environment)
Take off your shoes when you go inside a home or shrine. When giving or receiving gifts, use both hands. Don’t be noisy in pagodas Don’t point your feet at holy things Choose handmade gifts over mass-produced ones. Don’t use plastic; use bottles that can be refilled ♻️
👀 Nearby Add-On Experiences
- Ninh Binh: “Halong Bay on land” is about two hours away.
- Sapa has terraced rice fields and mountain walks (you can take a train overnight).
- Beautiful tours in Halong Bay; a three-hour bus ride
- You can walk or take a boat to get to the Perfume Pagoda. It is a mysterious temple in a cave.
⏳ No changes made to Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam has changed from a quiet French imperial town to a busy centre for business and culture, but it still feels like the same place. There are still women selling bánh mì from bikes and kids playing by the lake, even though buildings are going up and tech cafés are opening up. Hanoi, Vietnam is amazing because it has just the right amount of everything.
💭 What I Thought About Last: What I Went Through
In the past, I drank coffee with eggs in it and watched the fog move across Hoan Kiem Lake. When I think of the Old Quarter, I remember the smell of a pig cooking and how I had to watch out for motorcycles. I remember getting lost in words, beauty, and back alleys. In the end, though, I remember how Hanoi, Vietnam, taught me to be fully present.
Hanoi, Vietnam is a wild, beautiful, tasty, and fun place to visit. This city will surprise you in the best way if you like history, food, travel, or working from home.
Are you ready for Hanoi, Vietnam to make you feel everything? 🌿︇
