Flights from Manila (MNL) to Hanoi (HAN)

About Hanoi

Discover Hanoi

Why visit Hanoi?
Hanoi blends tree-lined boulevards, lakes, and French-era architecture with buzzing streets and modern cafés. You will find a city that feels both historic and youthful, where quiet courtyards sit just steps away from lively shopfronts and scooters.

What to expect
At the heart of the city, the Old Quarter offers narrow streets filled with small shops and traditional townhouses, while areas around Hoan Kiem Lake invite slower strolls. To the west, you will find broader avenues, green spaces, and cultural institutions that give you a different view of daily life.

Plan your trip
Hanoi works well as both a short city break and a starting point for journeys to northern Vietnam, including bays, mountains, and rice terraces. With an increasing choice of hotels and clear transport links, you can plan flexible side trips while keeping the city as your base.

Top sights in Hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake

Walk the lakeside paths, cross the red bridge, and enjoy the calm atmosphere right in the middle of the city.

Old Quarter

Explore a maze of narrow streets lined with shophouses, cafés, and small stores selling everything from textiles to souvenirs.

Long Bien Bridge

Take in views of the Red River from this historic steel bridge and watch trains and scooters share the same narrow span.

West Lake

Visit Hanoi’s largest lake for waterside cafés, long promenades, and a quieter, more spacious side of the city.

Hoa Lo Prison relic site

Step inside this former detention complex, now a museum that presents its layered history through exhibits and preserved cells.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Discover exhibits and full-scale traditional houses that introduce the diverse ethnic cultures found across the country.

Train Street viewpoint areas

From designated viewing spots nearby, watch trains pass close to buildings along a narrow stretch of railway in the city.

Night-time walking streets

On selected evenings, enjoy pedestrian-only streets near Hoan Kiem Lake filled with performances, stalls, and families out for a stroll.

Experience Hanoi’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Hanoi is compact enough that you can combine short taxi or ride-hailing journeys with longer walks between the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and nearby districts. For a different perspective, consider a short cyclo ride in central areas, then continue on foot down side streets and lanes.

Local life & culture
Early mornings bring locals to the lakes and parks for gentle exercise, while small cafés fill with people enjoying slow drinks and conversation throughout the day. Around the Old Quarter, you will see a mix of traditional trades, modern boutiques, and family-run shops that have been there for generations.

Where to unwind
Lakeside paths around Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake are ideal for quiet walks, especially at sunrise or just before sunset. You can also find small pocket parks and shaded courtyards near major streets, giving you a place to pause, sit, and take in the rhythm of the city.

A taste of Hanoi

Street food & local specialties
Hanoi’s pavements and alleys are lined with small eateries serving noodle soups, grilled dishes, and fresh herb-filled plates. Streets around the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake are known for densely packed stalls where you can sit on low stools and enjoy simple, flavourful meals.

Casual & modern dining hubs
You will find many casual restaurants and cafés in the Old Quarter, along with newer spots in districts around West Lake and modern boulevards. Menus often mix local dishes with regional and international influences, with portions that make it easy to share and sample a variety of flavours.

Signature & scenic dining
For a different setting, seek out venues that offer views across lakes or rooftops overlooking the city skyline. Around West Lake and central Hanoi, you can choose from restaurants in restored buildings, hotels, and contemporary spaces that turn a meal into a relaxed evening out.

Retail therapy in Hanoi

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Modern shopping centres in Hanoi bring together international fashion, local brands, and cafés under one roof, often with cinemas and family-friendly facilities. They are convenient places to combine shopping with a meal or a short break from the weather.

Markets & local crafts
Smaller markets and Old Quarter streets are where you can look for textiles, simple handicrafts, and everyday items side by side. Areas around Dong Xuan Market, Hang Gai Street, and nearby lanes are especially known for fabrics, souvenirs, and small design shops.

Evening retail scene
After dark, central streets around Hoan Kiem Lake and parts of the Old Quarter become livelier, with stalls, lit-up shopfronts, and busier pedestrian zones on selected evenings. Many of these areas are easy to reach by a short taxi ride or organised transport from your hotel.

Best time to visit Hanoi

Spring (mùa xuân) – February to April, shoulder season
Spring in Hanoi is mild, with temperatures around 18–24°C (64–75°F) and light breezes. Trees and lakeside areas feel fresh, and conditions are comfortable for walking city streets and visiting museums.

Summer (mùa hè) – May to August, peak season
Summer is warm and humid, with typical temperatures of 28–34°C (82–93°F). Short showers are common, often followed by bright skies, and long daylight hours give you more time for sightseeing and excursions.

Autumn and winter (mùa thu và mùa đông) – September to January, low season
Autumn starts with pleasant days around 22–28°C (72–82°F), gradually cooling to 15–20°C (59–68°F) in winter. Skies can be hazy, but the softer light and cooler air make slow walks around lakes and historic streets especially enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions