Hanoi blends leafy boulevards, lakes, and historic architecture with a lively street scene. You experience a city that feels both timeless and energetic.
Discover Hanoi
Discover Hanoi
Why visit Hanoi?
What to expect
You find a compact Old Quarter of narrow lanes, elegant French-era buildings, and tree-lined streets around tranquil lakes. Scooters weave past cafés, galleries, and family-run shops.
Plan your trip
Hanoi works as a long-weekend city break and as a base for exploring northern Vietnam, including Ha Long Bay and the mountains around Sapa. Allow extra days for side trips beyond the city.
Top sights in Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn or dusk, then cross the red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple for views back over Hanoi's historic centre.
Hanoi Old Quarter
Wander the Old Quarter's maze-like streets, where traditional guild lanes, small shophouses, and buzzing cafés reveal Hanoi's daily life at close range.
Temple of Literature
Explore the Temple of Literature, a series of courtyards, gateways, and gardens that once formed Vietnam's first national university.
Train Street area
Visit the neighbourhood along the railway tracks where cafés, homes, and daily life sit remarkably close to the passing trains.
West Lake
Circle West Lake for calmer views of the city, stopping at lakeside cafés, leafy promenades, and historic pagodas along the water's edge.
French Quarter
Walk the broad boulevards of the French Quarter to see grand colonial-era buildings, shaded pavements, and some of Hanoi's most elegant architecture.
Museums of Hanoi
Spend a few hours in Hanoi's museums, from fine arts collections to exhibits on the city and country's complex history.
Experience Hanoi's everyday rhythm
Getting around
In central Hanoi, most sights cluster around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter, so walking is often the easiest way to explore. For longer hops, use taxis or ride-hailing cars, and consider a cyclo ride in quieter streets for a slower look at the city, especially in the evening.
Local life & culture
You see morning exercise around the lakes, busy pavements where people chat on low stools, and narrow alleyways leading to shared courtyards. Small theatres, galleries, and performance spaces add another layer to Hanoi's creative and cultural life.
Where to unwind
Relax beside Hoan Kiem Lake or West Lake in the early morning or at sunset, when the light softens and the air is cooler. Many hotels and spas offer traditional massages and modern treatments, giving you a quiet break from the city's lively streets.
A taste of Hanoi
Street food & local specialties
You can try noodle soups, grilled dishes, and fresh herb-filled snacks at simple stalls and family-run shops across the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake, where many places focus on just one or two beloved recipes.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Around Hoan Kiem, the French Quarter, and West Lake you find relaxed bistros, cafés, and modern restaurants serving Vietnamese favourites alongside international flavours, with small plates and sharing portions that make it easy to sample several dishes in one meal.
Signature & scenic dining
For something special, choose a restaurant set in a restored villa, a rooftop overlooking the Old Quarter, or a lakeside spot by West Lake, where you can pair refined local cooking with views of Hanoi's skyline and waterways.
Retail therapy in Hanoi
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Modern shopping centres in central Hanoi bring together international labels, local designers, cinemas, and family-friendly dining, making them easy places to combine errands, entertainment, and a meal in one stop.
Markets & local crafts
In and around the Old Quarter you find streets focused on silk, paper, homeware, and art, along with markets where you can look for handicrafts, clothing, and everyday goods in a lively, neighbourhood setting.
Evening retail scene
On weekends, streets around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter often fill with night-time stalls, illuminated shopfronts, and performers, and short taxi or ride-hailing journeys make these areas straightforward to reach after dark.
Best time to visit Hanoi
Hanoi has distinct seasons that shape how the city feels. From March to April and October to November (shoulder season), days are generally mild, around 20–25°C (68–77°F), with lower humidity and comfortable conditions for walking. From May to September (peak season), temperatures often rise to 28–34°C (82–93°F), with high humidity and occasional heavy showers, so indoor breaks and early starts help. From December to February (low season), it can be cool and overcast, with temperatures around 14–20°C (57–68°F), so you may want an extra layer, especially in the evenings.