Flights from Medan (KNO) to Hanoi (HAN)

About Hanoi

Discover Hanoi

Why visit Hanoi?
Hanoi blends lakeside tranquillity with energetic streets, where tree-lined boulevards meet atmospheric alleys and buzzing cafés. You find a city that balances historic architecture, leafy public spaces, and a growing creative scene.

What to expect
In the Old Quarter, narrow shophouses, local markets, and street-side cafés set the pace, while around Hoan Kiem Lake the city feels more open and leisurely. French-era buildings, contemporary galleries, and thriving coffee culture create a setting that feels both classic and modern.

Plan your trip
Hanoi is an ideal starting point for exploring northern Vietnam, from misty highlands to dramatic bays. With good connections onwards to places such as Ha Long and Ninh Binh, you can pair time in the capital with journeys into karst landscapes, rice terraces, and river valleys.

Top sights in Hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake

Stroll around this central lake, a favourite local meeting place, and enjoy views of the small island temple and shaded promenade.

Old Quarter

Wander through narrow streets filled with shophouses, cafés, and markets, each lane traditionally linked to a specific trade.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel

Explore this historic complex with ancient gateways, excavated relics, and open courtyards that trace the city’s long past.

Hanoi Opera House

Admire the grand facade of this landmark theatre and, if time allows, attend a performance in its elegant interior.

West Lake

Visit Hanoi’s largest lake for a relaxed walk or cycle, and pause at cafés along the shoreline for wide-open water views.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Discover detailed exhibits and outdoor reconstructions that highlight the diverse cultures and traditional architecture of the country.

Train Street area

Watch trains pass close to homes and cafés along the tracks, and experience one of the city’s most distinctive urban scenes.

Long Bien Bridge

Take in river and city views from this historic bridge, which offers a different vantage point over Hanoi’s skyline.

Experience Hanoi’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Hanoi is best explored with a mix of walking and short rides by taxi or ride-hailing services, especially in the compact Old Quarter. For longer journeys, buses and app-based cars are useful, while cyclos offer a slower, more scenic way to move between central sights.

Local life & culture
City life starts early, with residents gathering in parks and around lakes for morning exercise before the streets get busy. Sidewalks double as social spaces, where people chat over coffee or tea. Distinct neighbourhoods reveal different faces of the city, from arts-focused areas to quieter residential streets.

Where to unwind
Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake are calm places to pause between sightseeing, especially at sunrise or in the cooler early evening. Green pockets and lakeside paths give you space to slow down right in the city. On warm days, shaded gardens and courtyards around key sights provide welcome breaks from the bustle.

A taste of Hanoi

Street food & local specialties
Hanoi is known for noodle dishes, grilled meats, and fresh herbs served at simple streetfront eateries and markets. Around the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, small stalls and family-run kitchens offer an easy introduction to local flavours at almost any time of day.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Across central districts you will find modern cafés and relaxed restaurants serving both Vietnamese favourites and international options. Shopping streets and contemporary blocks gather many choices in one place, making it easy to sample different dishes and share plates with friends or family.

Signature & scenic dining
For a special evening, choose a restaurant in a restored heritage building or one overlooking a lake or city rooftops. Many venues blend traditional recipes with modern presentation, turning dinner into a memorable part of your trip as you enjoy the lights and sounds of Hanoi at night.

Retail therapy in Hanoi

Malls & lifestyle hubs
In central Hanoi, modern shopping centres bring together international brands, local boutiques, and entertainment under one roof. These air-conditioned spaces are useful breaks from the heat, with cafés and dining areas that make them comfortable places to spend an afternoon.

Markets & local crafts
For more characterful browsing, explore street markets and small shops in the Old Quarter, around Hoan Kiem, and near West Lake. Here you can look for textiles, homeware, and design pieces created by local artisans and emerging labels, each neighbourhood offering its own style.

Evening retail scene
As the sun sets, certain streets become livelier with illuminated shopfronts and casual night-time stalls. Weekend pedestrian zones often feel like open-air promenades, where you can walk, browse, and enjoy the atmosphere. Central locations are easy to reach by short taxi or ride-hailing trips from most hotels.

Best time to visit Hanoi

Spring season (Mua Xuan, March to April, shoulder season)
Spring in Hanoi brings mild temperatures of around 20–26°C (68–79°F) with light breezes and occasional showers. Blossoming trees and comfortable weather make it pleasant for walking between sights and exploring lakeside areas.

Summer season (Mua He, May to August, peak season)
Summer is warm and humid, with temperatures typically between 27–33°C (81–91°F). Days are bright and energetic, ideal if you enjoy lively city streets, longer daylight hours, and pairing Hanoi with trips to the beaches and bays of northern Vietnam.

Autumn and winter season (Mua Thu and Mua Dong, September to February, low season)
Autumn starts comfortably at about 22–28°C (72–82°F) before cooling to 15–20°C (59–68°F) in winter. You may experience misty mornings and crisp evenings, creating a cosy atmosphere for café-hopping, museums, and relaxed walks around the lakes.

Frequently Asked Questions