Hanoi blends tree-lined boulevards, lakes, and historic architecture with a lively modern energy. You experience a city where old-world charm and a fast-changing creative scene sit side by side.
Discover Hanoi
Discover Hanoi
Why visit Hanoi?
What to expect
You find narrow Old Quarter streets, French-era villas, broad avenues, and peaceful lakes scattered through the centre. Scooters weave past streetfront shops, while cafes, galleries, and small boutiques fill restored townhouses.
Plan your trip
Hanoi is a natural starting point for exploring northern Vietnam, from Ha Long Bay to mountain towns. Plan time both for the city itself and for day or overnight trips into the surrounding countryside.
Top sights in Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
Stroll around this central lake in the early morning or evening, then cross the red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple for views back towards the city skyline.
Hanoi Old Quarter
Wander through the Old Quarter lanes, where each street once specialised in a different trade and today is packed with shophouses, small cafes, and traditional townhouses.
Temple of Literature
Explore Vietnam’s first imperial academy, set in a series of tranquil courtyards and gardens that offer a quiet pause from the busy streets outside.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area
Walk around the broad ceremonial square and nearby presidential grounds, framed by wide lawns, grand buildings, and shaded avenues.
West Lake
Circle Hanoi’s largest lake to find leafy promenades, waterside cafes, and viewpoints that are especially atmospheric at sunset.
Train Street area
Visit the neighbourhood around the railway tracks, where trains pass close to homes and small cafes line the narrow corridor beside the line.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Discover indoor displays and full-scale traditional houses in the garden that highlight the diverse cultures and architecture of Vietnam’s many ethnic groups.
Experience Hanoi’s everyday rhythm
Getting around
In central Hanoi, you mainly move on foot or by taxi and ride-hailing services. For longer hops, use metered taxis or app-based cars, then switch to cyclos or simply walk for the last few blocks through the Old Quarter.
Local life & culture
You see daily life spill out onto pavements, with families, students, and office workers gathering in parks and narrow alleys. Around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter, you feel Hanoi’s artistic, entrepreneurial, and youthful side in galleries, cafes, and small cultural venues.
Where to unwind
Escape to Hoan Kiem Lake or West Lake for lakeside walks and benches under the trees, best enjoyed at sunrise or towards sunset. Many hotels and spas offer massages and rooftop pools, giving you another calm retreat above the city streets.
A taste of Hanoi
Street food & local specialties
Seek out steaming bowls of noodle soup, fresh herb-filled rolls, and grilled snacks in the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake, where small stools and open-front kitchens line the pavements.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Around Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, and the West Lake area you find contemporary bistros, cafes, and international eateries, often with menus designed for sharing so you can sample several flavours in one sitting.
Signature & scenic dining
Choose rooftop restaurants and terrace bars overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, or the Old Quarter skyline for memorable views, especially at dusk when the city lights begin to glow.
Retail therapy in Hanoi
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Modern shopping centres in central Hanoi and the western districts bring together international brands, cinemas, and casual dining, offering air-conditioned comfort and a convenient mix of fashion, beauty, and entertainment.
Markets & local crafts
In the Old Quarter and around Dong Xuan Market, you find silk, lacquerware, textiles, and contemporary local designers, while streets like Hang Gai and Hang Bong showcase crafts, art, and tailor shops.
Evening retail scene
Night markets and pedestrian streets near Hoan Kiem Lake come alive with lights, clothes stalls, and souvenirs on weekend evenings, and central streets remain easy to reach by taxi or ride-hailing services after dark.
Best time to visit Hanoi
Spring (March to April) is a shoulder season, with mild weather around 20–24°C (68–75°F) and light showers, ideal for city walks. Summer (May to September) is low season, with hot, humid days of 28–34°C (82–93°F) and heavier rain, especially in the afternoons. Autumn and early winter (October to February) are peak season, bringing drier conditions and temperatures around 15–24°C (59–75°F), plus cooler evenings.