Flights from Singapore (SIN) to Hanoi (HAN)

About Hanoi

Discover Hanoi

Why visit Hanoi?
Hanoi blends tree-lined boulevards, shimmering lakes, and narrow lanes into a city that feels both historic and energetic. You will find graceful architecture beside lively streets, and a mix of traditional life and contemporary creativity at almost every corner.

What to expect
At the heart of the city, the Old Quarter offers a maze of alleys filled with cafés, shops, and family-run businesses, while French-inspired buildings surround broad avenues and leafy parks. Around the lakes, pavements fill with walkers, cyclists, and street vendors, creating a relaxed but vibrant atmosphere.

Plan your trip
Hanoi works well as both a short city break and the starting point for exploring northern Vietnam. From here you can connect easily to Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, and the mountains around Sapa, making the city a practical and engaging base for a wider journey.

Top sights in Hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake

Stroll around this central lake, a calm space framed by trees, bridges, and lively pavements where locals gather throughout the day.

Old Quarter

Wander through a maze of narrow streets lined with traditional shophouses, cafés, and boutiques that showcase the city’s everyday life.

Temple of Literature

Explore this historic complex with peaceful courtyards and pavilions that highlight Hanoi’s long-standing scholarly traditions.

West Lake

Circle the city’s largest lake, where lakeside paths, cafés, and viewpoints offer fresh air and wide-open views of Hanoi’s skyline.

Train Street area

Visit the neighbourhood around the railway tracks to see trains pass close to homes and enjoy small cafés tucked along the line.

French Quarter

Walk wide boulevards lined with grand buildings, leafy trees, and cultural venues that reflect Hanoi’s architectural heritage.

Long Bien Bridge

Take in city and river views from this historic bridge, which is especially atmospheric at sunrise or in the soft evening light.

Hanoi Opera House

Admire the elegant facade and surrounding square, a popular spot for photos and a glimpse of the city’s cultural scene.

Experience Hanoi’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Hanoi is compact, and many central sights can be reached on foot, especially around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. For longer journeys, metered taxis and app-based ride services are widely available, while cyclos and bicycles offer a slower, more scenic way to explore smaller streets.

Local life & culture
You will notice early-morning exercise around the lakes, pavement cafés filled with low stools, and small shops trading late into the night. Distinct neighbourhoods each have their own character, from traditional trading streets to creative districts with galleries and small performance spaces.

Where to unwind
When you need a pause from busy roads, the city’s lakeside paths and parks offer shaded places to walk and sit. Hoan Kiem Lake is ideal for an evening stroll, while West Lake provides breezier promenades and waterside spots where you can watch the sky change colour at sunset.

A taste of Hanoi

Street food & local specialties
Hanoi is known for its steaming bowls, grilled dishes, and fresh herbs, often prepared at tiny pavement stalls. The Old Quarter and surrounding streets are full of small eateries where you can sit on low stools and enjoy simple dishes served quickly and freshly.

Casual & modern dining hubs
For air-conditioned comfort and variety, you will find cafés, bakeries, and contemporary restaurants across central districts and modern shopping centres. Many menus blend local and international flavours, with smaller portions that make it easy to sample several dishes with friends or family.

Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable meal, look for restaurants and rooftop venues with views over Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, or the Old Quarter’s rooftops. These spots often pair carefully presented food with city panoramas, turning a lunch or dinner into a relaxed way to take in Hanoi’s skyline.

Retail therapy in Hanoi

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Central Hanoi offers several modern shopping centres where you can find international brands, local labels, and entertainment in one place. These spaces often include supermarkets, cinemas, and a wide range of eateries, making them convenient stops between sightseeing.

Markets & local crafts
Smaller streets and market areas around the Old Quarter are known for textiles, accessories, and homeware, often grouped by trade. You can browse for handicrafts, artwork, and design pieces in neighbourhoods close to Hoan Kiem Lake, the French Quarter, and around West Lake.

Evening retail scene
As evening falls, shopfronts and street stalls light up, especially around the Old Quarter and central lakes. Pedestrian streets and weekend walking zones become lively with vendors, music, and walkers, and central districts remain easy to reach thanks to plentiful taxis and app-based ride services.

Best time to visit Hanoi

Spring season (Mua Xuan, March to April, and late February)
Temperatures usually range from 18°C to 24°C (64°F to 75°F), with mild days and cool evenings. Light drizzle is common, lending the city a soft atmosphere, and this shoulder season is ideal for walking tours among blooming trees and busy pavements.

Summer season (Mua He, May to August)
Hanoi’s summer is warm and humid, with typical temperatures from 28°C to 34°C (82°F to 93°F). Short, intense showers can appear in the afternoon, refreshing the air. This peak season suits travellers who enjoy long daylight hours, vibrant street life, and combining city time with coastal or bay excursions.

Autumn and winter season (Mua Thu and Mua Dong, September to February)
From about 15°C to 23°C (59°F to 73°F), days are generally cooler, with some misty mornings and crisp evenings, especially in December and January. This low season offers comfortable conditions for exploring on foot, café-hopping, and combining Hanoi with trips to the highlands.

Frequently Asked Questions