A practical guide to Hanoi: when to visit, how to get around, where to stay, what to see and do, must-try dishes, and classic local gifts.
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French-era architecture, sidewalk stalls selling local specialties, and motorbikes threading through crowded streets—these are often a visitor’s first impressions of Hanoi. For many travelers, Hanoi offers endless things to explore, each person discovering the city in their own way.
When is Hanoi at its best?
The ideal time to visit Hanoi is autumn, from August to November, and spring, from March to April. Many people consider autumn the most beautiful season of the year in Hanoi, with clear blue skies, a light chill in the air, falling yellow leaves, and the faint fragrance of milk flowers. In spring, the weather turns warmer, and the city feels refreshed as trees sprout new buds and flowers bloom throughout the streets.
Loc vung trees changing leaves by Hoan Kiem Lake in spring.
Getting around
Hanoi is often described as the heart of Vietnam, so it is easy to reach the capital by plane, train, coach, private car, or motorbike from other provinces and cities.
Within the city, you can get around by car, motorbike, or bicycle. For a more memorable experience, consider taking a cyclo ride through the “36 streets,” joining a three-wheeled motorbike tour, or riding a vintage Vespa. Another option worth considering is the double-decker bus tour, with tickets ranging from 130,000 to 599,000 VND.
Where to stay
Hanoi offers a wide range of accommodations, including budget guesthouses, homestays, hotels, and resorts, to match different budgets and travel styles. In the Old Quarter, you can choose anything from a “backpacker-style” dorm bed for around 100,000 VND per night to high-end hotels priced at 3,000,000–5,000,000 VND per night.
Notable hotels include Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, known for its French colonial-era architecture; Hilton Hanoi Opera, just steps from the Opera House; Apricot Hotel by Hoan Kiem Lake; Sheraton Hanoi and InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, both famous for West Lake views; and Lotte Hotel Hanoi, located high up in the 65-floor Lotte Center.
Explore Hanoi
Key attractions
Thang Long Imperial Citadel
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Hanoi, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel has a history spanning more than 1,300 years. It contains unique relics and archaeological remains that reflect the history of Thang Long–Hanoi and Vietnam across multiple eras.
Address: 19C Hoang Dieu, Dien Ban Ward, Ba Dinh District.
The Thang Long Imperial Citadel was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2010.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem is a natural freshwater lake in Hanoi. It connects streets such as Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Cau Go, Luong Van Can, and Lo Su with the “French Quarter,” planned by the French more than a century ago, including areas like Bao Khanh, Nha Tho, Trang Thi, Hang Bai, Dinh Tien Hoang, and Trang Tien. Walking around the lake is a pleasant way to enjoy fresh air in the city center, and you can also visit Ngoc Son Temple and the Old Quarter nearby.
Long Bien Bridge
More than a crossing over the Red River, Long Bien Bridge is a symbol that links today’s Hanoi with the city’s memories of the past. Built in 1898, it is also known locally as Song Cai Bridge or Bo De Bridge because it spans the Bo De ferry area in Gia Lam, Hanoi. The bridge is 1,682 meters long, with an additional 896 meters of approach bridge. It is divided into nine spans, each 61 meters long. In the original design, the bridge had 19 steel girders supported by 20 piers more than 40 meters high.
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Located on an island on the eastern side of West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda has been listed among the world’s most beautiful pagodas. With a 1,500-year history, it was once an important Buddhist center of the Thang Long capital during the Ly and Tran dynasties. It was recognized as a national historical and cultural monument in 1962. In 2003, the pagoda inaugurated the Luc Do Dai Sen Stupa, 15 meters tall with 11 levels.
Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam
This is Vietnam’s first university. Today, visitors can see stone steles and explore a solemn complex featuring lotus ponds and a rare sense of calm in the middle of a lively city. The site offers a striking balance between old and new, especially through its thousand-year-old walls.
Khue Van Cac (meaning “Pavilion of the Splendor of the Khue Star”) is an iconic symbol of Hanoi. The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 under King Ly Thanh Tong. In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong established the Quoc Tu Giam academy. The site preserves valuable artifacts and documents, most notably 82 doctoral steles recognized by UNESCO as “Memory of the World” documentary heritage.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
For Vietnamese people, this is one of the country’s most important sites. Visitors come to pay their respects to President Ho Chi Minh. Guests are expected to remain quiet, dress appropriately, and avoid taking photos in restricted areas.
Attending the morning flag-raising ceremony is a special experience at the mausoleum. If you miss it, you can return for the flag-lowering ceremony held daily at 9:00 p.m. A solemn atmosphere fills Ba Dinh Square as announcements mark the start of the ceremony. People line up neatly to watch the honor guard lower the national flag to the music of “Bac Van Cung Chung Chau Hanh Quan.”
One Pillar Pagoda
One of Hanoi’s oldest pagodas, it was built on a wooden pillar more than 1,000 years ago. In the 1950s, the original wooden pillar deteriorated and was replaced with a concrete pillar. Foreign visitors are encouraged to walk around the surrounding area as well, which features some of Hanoi’s most impressive residential architecture.
The Old Quarter
Let your feet lead the way—this is often the best way to discover Hanoi’s most colorful and nostalgic streets. No set destination, no fixed route: turn right, turn left, or go straight. One street may be filled with toys, another with shoes, clothing, antiques, or even gravestones and motorbike parts.
If you come during rush hour, the experience becomes even more vivid. You must stay alert to streams of people and vehicles moving quickly through the streets. In that constant motion, Hanoi’s 1,000-year history feels like it flows through the city like lifeblood, carrying both past and present into everyday life.
Museums and historical sites
No matter where you travel, museums and historical sites are always worth visiting. In Hanoi, one of the most popular check-in spots is the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which preserves and displays 15,000 artifacts, 42,000 documentary films, photographs, and thousands of other materials related to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.
Other museums frequently visited by travelers include the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, Hanoi Museum, Vietnam National Museum of History, and sites such as Hoa Lo Prison, the Hanoi Flag Tower, and additional historical landmarks for those wanting to learn more about the city’s culture and history.
The museum’s outdoor exhibition area features 10 unique examples of vernacular architecture, including a Bana communal house, a Dao half-stilt house, and a collective tomb structure of the Gia Rai people.
What to watch
Beyond sightseeing, visitors may want to experience traditional performances that reflect Vietnam’s cultural identity.
Water puppetry
Water puppetry is a classic form of stage art and a must-see in Hanoi. It has existed in Vietnam for more than 1,000 years. Two well-known venues are Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre at 57B Dinh Tien Hoang and Vietnam Puppet Theatre at 361 Truong Chinh.
Ca tru
Ca tru dates back to the 11th century and is sometimes compared in style to Japanese geisha rituals and opera performances. Originally, it was entertainment for aristocrats within the royal court, and later it became part of Hanoi’s broader cultural life. Ca tru is performed in five main settings: ca tru cua dinh (at communal houses for deity worship), ca tru cua quyen (for officials and elites), ca tru tai gia (in private homes), ca tru hat thi (competition singing), and ca tru ca quan (in singing houses). Visitors can listen at Hanoi Ca Tru Club at 42 Hang Bac or Ca Tru Thang Long at 146 Tu Hoa.
Outdoor “real-scene” show
Tinh Hoa Bac Bo is a real-scene performance staged at Thay Pagoda, at the foot of Thay Mountain in Sai Son Commune, Quoc Oai District, Hanoi. The show takes place on a 4,300-square-meter water stage and guides audiences through the lives of farmers in northern Vietnam using sound-and-light effects. Most performers are local farmers from Quoc Oai District.
Outside the stage area, visitors can also experience traditional northern culture through food stalls selling banh gio, banh te, banh nep, sticky rice wrapped in lotus or banana leaves, peanut brittle, and sweet rice “sausage” candy. Travelers can buy snacks and sit on small stools in the garden while listening to quan ho music.
What to do
Stand-up paddleboarding on West Lake
Wake up before sunrise, ride out to West Lake, and try water activities like SUP or kayaking. The best time is usually 5:00–7:00 a.m. or in the late afternoon when it is cooler. You can rent boards and boats from shops on Lac Long Quan, Au Co, and Trich Sai streets, starting from 250,000 VND per day.
See Hanoi from above
Don’t miss the Lotte Observation Deck on Lieu Giai Street, where you can take in panoramic views of the capital from the 65th floor. The deck is made of transparent glass, making it easy to take creative check-in photos from almost any angle. It is open from 9:00 a.m. until the end of the day.
Weekend walking streets
Every week, the Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian zone opens from 6:00 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. It draws both locals and foreign visitors and features a wide range of activities, entertainment, and street performances. Don’t forget to do a food tour around the walking area.
Beer streets
In the Old Quarter—especially around Ta Hien, Bao Khanh, and Luong Ngoc Quyen—there are always plenty of places to drink beer or try mixed beverages. This is also one of Hanoi’s busiest nightlife areas.
Visit markets
Rather than Dong Xuan Market, foreign travelers often recommend two places in particular: Quang Ba Flower Market and Long Bien wholesale market. These markets mainly sell flowers and fruit, and they require late nights and early mornings to fully experience the lively atmosphere of a very different Hanoi after dark.
Located at the foot of Long Bien Bridge, Long Bien wholesale market is busy year-round and is especially famous for its open-air fruit section. The market starts coming alive around 8:00 p.m., and it gets more crowded as the night goes on. Quang Ba Flower Market is open all night, but it is most vibrant around 3:00–4:00 a.m., when trucks and motorbikes move in and out carrying bundles of flowers.
Eating out
Hanoi cuisine balances sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, reflecting the city itself—dynamic, reflective, and deeply appealing. You can easily enjoy Hanoi specialties at sidewalk stalls, including pho bo, bun cha, and banh mi.
What to eat
Pho
You can’t visit Hanoi without trying pho, especially pho bo. It usually comes in two main styles: chin (well-done beef) and tai (rare beef). For chin, the beef is fully cooked in the broth. For tai, thin slices of beef are quickly blanched in hot water. The vendor then arranges the beef over the rice noodles, pours over the broth, and serves the bowl.
Suggested places include Pho Thin, Bat Dan, Tu Lun, Pho Lam on Hang Vai Street, and Pho Tram on Yen Ninh Street. If you want different versions, try Nguyet at 5 Phu Doan, Cham at 63 Yen Ninh, pho ga tron on Lan Ong, or pho cuon in Ngu Xa.
Bun dishes
Hanoi is known for many bun (rice vermicelli) dishes, including bun cha, bun thang, bun oc, bun moc, and bun doc mung.
Among Hanoi’s long-standing specialties, bun thang stands out. Hanoians traditionally turned leftover foods after Tet into a refined, carefully assembled dish. A bowl typically costs 30,000–50,000 VND. Today, only a few places still serve it, such as Ba Duc (Cau Go), Ngoc Tuyen (Dao Tan), and Thuan Ly (Hang Hom).
Bun cha is commonly eaten at lunch. It is similar to grilled pork vermicelli found in southern and central Vietnam, but Hanoi-style seasoning is more elaborate. Those who prefer traditional flavors can try places on Hang Ma and Hang Dong streets. If you want bun cha with bamboo skewers, look around Buoi Market or Dong Xuan Market. Other well-known bun cha spots are found in Ngoc Khanh, Giang Vo, Le Van Huu, and Hang Manh.
Bun moc in Hanoi is usually priced at 20,000–40,000 VND and is often sold at stalls that also serve bun suon, bun doc mung, or bun bung. Well-known addresses include Chi Loan (at the start of Dien Bien Phu Street), Hang Luoc, Hang Trong, Cau Go, and Alley 18 Ham Long.
Finding bun oc in Hanoi is not difficult. You can go to stalls on Hai Ba Trung, Dang Dung, and Hoe Nhai streets for hot bun oc. A bowl typically includes about 6–7 pieces of snail in a broth with crab paste, topped with items like brisket and pork roll, sometimes with a duck egg.
Another variation is bun oc nguoi (cold snail noodles) or bun oc cham. Popular places include Bun Oc Co Xuan at O Quan Chuong, the bun oc stall at the Bui Thi Xuan intersection, and Bun Oc Co Giang on Luong Ngoc Quyen Street. Prices are usually 30,000–40,000 VND per bowl.
Bun bung is a casual everyday dish in Hanoi. No one knows exactly when it first appeared, but in the 1990s it was widely sold on the city’s sidewalks. “Bung” refers to dishes that simmer for a long time with plenty of liquid. Bun bung costs from 30,000 VND per bowl and is often sold at stalls that also serve bun suon or bun moc. Local favorites include stalls on Cau Go Street and Ba Minh in Dong Da.
Cha ca La Vong
Cha ca La Vong dates back to 1871 and was created by the Doan family. From a humble dish, it gradually became a signature highlight of Hanoi cuisine. The fish—especially ca lang—is carefully deboned, mildly sweet, golden, fragrant, and well-seasoned. Dill and scallions are stirred in a sizzling pan of fish. It is eaten with grilled rice crackers, rice vermicelli, and mam tom, an essential condiment that gives the dish its bold flavor.
Suggested addresses include Cha Ca La Vong at 14 Cha Ca Street; Cha Ca Thang Long at 21 Duong Thanh; and Cha Ca Lao Ngu at 171 Thai Ha.
Banh cuon
These thin steamed rice sheets are filled with minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and chopped onions, then dipped in sweet-and-sour fish sauce. It is a great choice in hot summer weather. As you walk around the city in the morning, you will often see banh cuon shops where skilled hands work quickly at the steaming batter. Suggested places include Banh Cuon Ba Hanh at 26B Tho Xuong, Banh Cuon Ba Xuan at 16 Doc Hoe Nhai, and the food area at Long Bien Market.
Fried snacks (banh ran, banh goi)
Beyond internationally famous dishes, Hanoi also has a wide range of savory pastries and fried snacks. Banh goi, for example, is filled with pork, mushrooms, minced glass noodles, and quail egg. Rich fried pastries are often paired with a dipping sauce of garlic and chili and served with herbs. On Ly Quoc Su Street, the Goc Da shop is known for savory banh ran and banh goi and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
In colder months, snacks like corn fritters, sweet potato fritters, and banana fritters are especially popular.
Coffee
Coffee is a defining part of Hanoi, with many long-established cafés in the Old Quarter. Egg coffee is one of Hanoi’s iconic specialties, made by whipping egg into a creamy foam that blends with Vietnamese coffee. It has a light yellow color and is served in a small cup. A small spoon is often included so you can taste the creamy foam on top—almost like an “appetizer”—before sipping the coffee underneath.
Well-known places for egg coffee include Dinh, Giang, Ca Phe Pho Co, Loading T, and All Day Coffee. Prices start from about 25,000 VND per cup.
What to buy as souvenirs
Beyond o mai, banh com, and lotus tea, visitors to Hanoi can also shop for silk from Van Phuc Village or ceramics from Bat Trang to bring home as gifts.
O mai (dried preserved fruits)
With flavors that range from sour and spicy to salty and sweet—often described as capturing the spirit of Hanoi cuisine—o mai is a popular gift to buy before leaving the city. The best-known place for o mai is Hang Duong Street, where you can find many varieties such as apricot, plum, ginger, dracontomelon, starfruit, lime, kumquat, persimmon, peach, ambarella, tamarind, and more.
If you are buying gifts for people in southern Vietnam, you are advised to choose o mai made from dracontomelon, which has a mild sweetness made from a fruit that is especially associated with Hanoi. Depending on the type, prices are around 100,000–150,000 VND per kilogram.
Com and banh com
The fragrance of Vong Village green rice has long been part of Hanoi’s culinary charm. Since it is only available in autumn, many travelers choose banh com on Hang Than Street as a convenient alternative. The cake has a chewy outer layer and a rich filling of mung bean and coconut, with a gentle natural scent of pomelo.
West Lake lotus tea
Tay Ho lotus tea is considered a precious gift after a trip to Hanoi. Scenting tea with lotus is an art that requires significant time and effort. Carefully selected dried tea leaves are scented 5–7 times with lotus “rice” (the small white grains at the tip of the lotus stamens) until the aroma and flavor fully absorb. The lotus used must come from ponds in West Lake areas such as Nhat Tan and Quang Ba, known for their fragrance and abundant lotus “rice.”
Although lotus season is mainly in early summer—May and June—the meticulous scenting process preserves the lotus fragrance year-round, allowing visitors to bring it wherever they go.
Van Phuc silk
Because it is thin, soft, breathable, durable in color, and resistant to wrinkling, silk is a favorite among visitors. Whether in winter or summer, you can find suitable gifts such as scarves, shirts, dresses, and bags. Besides visiting Van Phuc Silk Village (about 10 km from central Hanoi), you can also shop for silk at stalls on Hang Gai or Dinh Liet streets.
Bat Trang ceramics
If you visit Bat Trang, don’t forget to buy ceramics from this traditional craft village. With its distinctive glaze colors and skilled handcraft techniques, Bat Trang pottery has a beauty that stands out. In addition to everyday items like bowls, plates, cups, and teapots, you can also find gift items such as wind chimes and small figurines. Visitors can even try making their own bowls, vases, jars, cups, or pots as a meaningful souvenir and a memorable hands-on experience.