Flights from Penang (PEN) to Hanoi (HAN)

About Hanoi

Discover Hanoi

Why visit Hanoi?
Hanoi blends tree-lined boulevards, lakeside calm, and lively old streets into a city that feels both historic and energetic. You will find French-era architecture alongside modern cafes, and a compact centre that is easy to explore on foot.

What to expect
The heart of Hanoi is around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter, where narrow streets specialise in everything from textiles to coffee. Around them, wider districts such as Ba Dinh and West Lake offer museums, leafy avenues, and quieter residential pockets with relaxed dining spots.

Plan your trip
Hanoi works well for a short city break or as the starting point for journeys to Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, and the northern highlands. With a growing network of regional connections, it is an ideal base for exploring more of northern Vietnam and neighbouring countries.

Top sights in Hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake

Stroll the shaded paths around this central lake, a favourite place for locals to walk, exercise, and enjoy the city’s green heart.

Old Quarter

Wander through a maze of narrow streets lined with shophouses, small cafes, and stalls selling everything from silk to street snacks.

West Lake (Tay Ho)

Head to Hanoi’s largest lake for breezy promenades, waterside cafes, and sunset views over the city skyline.

French Quarter

Take in grand boulevards and colonial-era buildings, with cultural venues, leafy squares, and elegant hotels close together.

Train Street (viewing spots)

Visit designated viewing areas near the railway tracks to experience trains passing remarkably close to homes and cafes.

Hanoi Opera House

Admire this impressive landmark and, if time allows, attend a performance to experience Hanoi’s cultural scene indoors.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Explore engaging exhibits and full-scale traditional houses that showcase the country’s diverse cultures and ways of life.

Long Bien Bridge

Walk along parts of this historic bridge for views over the Red River and a different perspective on the city’s daily rhythm.

Experience Hanoi’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
In central Hanoi, you can walk between many key sights, especially around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. For longer journeys, taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely used, while buses link major districts. Narrow alleys are often easiest explored on foot for your final stretch.

Local life & culture
Much of Hanoi’s character plays out at street level, with people gathering on low stools outside cafes and around lakeside promenades. Traditional shophouses sit beside modern boutiques, and mornings often feel busy yet unhurried as residents shop, commute, and socialise in the same spaces.

Where to unwind
Lakes and parks offer calm pockets throughout the city, from the tree-shaded shores of West Lake to smaller neighbourhood parks. Early mornings and late afternoons are pleasant times for walking or jogging, when temperatures ease and the city’s outdoor spaces feel especially relaxed.

A taste of Hanoi

Street food & local specialties
Hanoi is known for steaming bowls of noodles, fresh herbs, and grilled dishes served from simple streetfront kitchens. Around the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, you will find countless family-run spots where recipes are passed down through generations.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Modern cafes, bistros, and casual restaurants cluster around Tay Ho, the French Quarter, and newer high-rise districts. Menus often mix local flavours with international favourites, and smaller portions or shared plates make it easy to sample several dishes in one meal.

Signature & scenic dining
For a special evening, rooftop venues around Hoan Kiem and the French Quarter offer city views with refined menus and attentive service. Around West Lake, waterside restaurants provide a more relaxed setting, where you can dine while watching the light change over the water.

Retail therapy in Hanoi

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Hanoi’s modern shopping centres combine international brands, cinemas, and casual dining under one roof. Large malls in central and western districts provide comfortable, air-conditioned spaces where you can shop, eat, and relax between sightseeing.

Markets & local crafts
For smaller boutiques and crafts, the streets of the Old Quarter are a natural starting point, with textiles, accessories, and artwork on display. Neighbourhoods around the French Quarter and Tay Ho also feature independent shops showcasing local designers and contemporary homeware.

Evening retail scene
As evening falls, many streets become livelier, with illuminated shopfronts and late-opening stores in the Old Quarter and near Hoan Kiem Lake. Weekend pedestrian zones often host additional stalls and performances, and you can reach these areas easily by taxi or ride-hailing services.

Best time to visit Hanoi

Spring (Mùa xuân, March to April, shoulder season)
Spring in Hanoi is mild, with temperatures around 20–25°C (68–77°F) and light, changeable skies. Flowering trees brighten parks and lakes, and the comfortable weather makes it easy to explore the Old Quarter and riverside paths on foot.

Summer (Mùa hè, May to September, peak season)
Summer brings warm, humid days, with typical temperatures of 28–33°C (82–91°F) and occasional showers. It is a vibrant time to experience the city’s energetic street life, then retreat to shaded lakesides, air-conditioned cafes, or indoor attractions during the hottest hours.

Autumn and winter (Mùa thu và mùa đông, October to February, low season)
Autumn and winter are cooler, with averages of 15–22°C (59–72°F), and some days feeling misty or overcast. The softer light and calmer atmosphere suit slow walks around Hoan Kiem Lake, cosy coffee stops, and easy day trips into the surrounding countryside.

Frequently Asked Questions