Hanoi

Hanoi Travel Guide

Vietnam's thousand-year-old capital, where French colonial architecture and ancient tradition coexist in a uniquely charming city. The maze-like alleys of the Old Quarter's 36 Streets, the peaceful atmosphere of Hoan Kiem Lake, and the iconic Train Street where trains pass between houses all define Hanoi's character. The local culture of eating pho from dawn, plus egg coffee and bun cha, captivate every visitor. Recommended for travelers wanting to feel Southeast Asian charm and history at once.

Essential Hanoi Travel Info

Must-Visit Places in Hanoi

★ 4.6

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake sits at the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter and is steeped in the founding legend of the Le dynasty and the famous turtle myth. The bright red The Huc Bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple on a small island in the lake, and the shore comes alive in the morning with locals jogging and practicing tai chi. On weekends the surrounding streets become pedestrian zones, giving the area an even better atmosphere. Ngoc Son Temple admission VND 30,000. Walking around Hoan Kiem Lake is free.

HoursOpen 24 hours (Ngoc Son Temple: 08:00-17:00)

LocationHoan Kiem, Hanoi

TipsVisit on a weekend evening when the shore turns into a pedestrian zone with a night market and street performances. Combine with a walk through the Old Quarter's 36 Streets.

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★ 4.3

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum holds the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, the father of Vietnamese independence. Completed in 1975 and modeled on Lenin's Mausoleum, it is built of gray granite. The surrounding complex - including the Ho Chi Minh Museum, Presidential Palace, and One Pillar Pagoda - is essential for understanding modern Vietnamese history. The solemn atmosphere reveals the deep respect Vietnamese people hold for him. Free admission. About 10 minutes by taxi from Hoan Kiem Lake.

HoursTuesday-Thursday, Saturday-Sunday 08:00-11:00 (closed Monday/Friday and during October-November maintenance)

LocationBa Dinh, Hanoi

TipsShorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed. Cameras and bags must be checked, so bring minimal belongings.

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★ 4.5

Hanoi Old Quarter (36 Streets)

Hanoi's Old Quarter, or 36 Streets, has been a traditional commercial district since the 11th century, with each street historically specialising in a particular trade — silk on Hang Gai, silver on Hang Bac, herbal medicine on Lan Ong, and so on. Narrow lanes swirl with motorbikes, street food stalls, and locals slurping pho, creating Hanoi's most vibrant streetscape. Dong Xuan Market is Hanoi's largest traditional market, and pho, bun cha, and egg coffee are available on nearly every corner. Free (open streets). Starts immediately north of Hoan Kiem Lake.

HoursOpen 24 hours (Dong Xuan Market: 06:00-18:00)

LocationHoan Kiem, Hanoi

TipsWhen crossing the street, walk at a steady pace and motorbikes will flow around you. Try pho at a local shop around 06:00-07:00 for the most authentic experience.

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★ 4.5

Temple of Literature

Founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong of the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, the Temple of Literature is also home to Vietnam's first national university — Quoc Tu Giam, established here in 1076 and producing the country's elite mandarins for 700 years. A masterpiece of traditional Vietnamese architecture, the complex unfolds across five successive courtyards: the carp pond in the second, and the famous 82 stone stelae mounted on turtle backs in the third — each engraved with the names of 1,307 doctoral graduates. The complex appears on Vietnam's 100,000 VND banknote as a symbol of Vietnamese education and culture. Admission VND 30,000 (students 15,000). About 10 minutes by Grab from Hoan Kiem.

HoursDaily 08:00-17:00 (until 18:00 in summer)

LocationDong Da, Hanoi

TipsDuring graduation season (May-July), Vietnamese students come to touch the turtle stelae for good luck — a special atmosphere. Adding a guided tour gives deeper insight into Vietnamese Confucian culture.

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★ 4.4

Hanoi Train Street

Built during French colonial times in 1902, Hanoi's Train Street is a narrow alley where the active railway runs directly between houses — sometimes with less than a meter of space on either side. The thrill of trains thundering past at close range, combined with cafes lining both sides serving Vietnamese coffee while you wait, made this one of Hanoi's most viral travel experiences. Police occasionally restrict access for safety reasons, but visitors are usually allowed in as cafe customers. Cafe drinks VND 50,000-100,000. About a 15-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake, with the section near Le Duan Street being the most famous.

Hours24 hours (train passing times are the highlight)

LocationHoan Kiem, Hanoi

TipsCheck the train schedule in advance (usually 6-10 daily, with 19:30 and 20:15 being popular evening times). Step fully inside a cafe when a train approaches and always keep a safe distance.

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★ 4.5

West Lake (Ho Tay)

West Lake (Ho Tay) is Hanoi's largest lake, 17 km in circumference and 500 hectares in area, just northwest of Hoan Kiem Lake. At its southern edge sits Tran Quoc Pagoda — founded in the 6th century, Hanoi's oldest pagoda, with its 11-tier red tower reflected dramatically in the water. The lake is ringed by a cycling path, luxury hotels, and the Tay Ho expat district packed with cafes, restaurants, and bars, making it a favorite spot for sunset walks and evening outings. In summer, blooming pink lotus flowers on the lake become a popular photo destination. Free admission. About 15 minutes by Grab from Hoan Kiem.

Hours24 hours (Tran Quoc Pagoda: 07:30-11:30, 13:30-17:30)

LocationTay Ho, Hanoi

TipsThe southwest corner where you can see both Tran Quoc Pagoda and the lake is the most beautiful at sunset. June-July brings the pink lotus blossoms, drawing photography enthusiasts.

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★ 4.8

Halong Bay Day Trip

Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 170 km east of Hanoi in the Gulf of Tonkin, features around 1,600 limestone karst islands and jagged sea stacks rising from emerald waters — one of the most photographed seascapes in the world. The name means 'where the dragon descends to the sea,' and that mystical mood is the bay's greatest charm. The most popular way to visit is by junk-boat cruise — day trips and 1- or 2-night cruises let you sail among the islands, explore caves like Sung Sot and Thien Cung, visit floating fishing villages, and kayak among the karsts. Day tour about VND 1,200,000-1,800,000 (lunch and shuttle included); overnight cruises from about VND 2,500,000. About 2.5 hours by car from Hanoi via the new expressway.

HoursTours typically 08:00-17:00 (overnight cruises check in around 12:00)

LocationQuang Ninh Province

TipsOvernight cruises are vastly preferable to day trips — you get to enjoy night skies and sunrise. Typhoons in July-August may cancel cruises, so allow flexibility in your itinerary.

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Things to Do in Hanoi

Adventure

Hanoi Motorbike Tour

Hop on the back of a local riders motorbike to explore the Old Quarter, Train Street, Long Bien Bridge, and West Lake. Reach hidden alleys inaccessible on foot.

Price VND 600,000-900,000Duration About 3-4 hours

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Culture

Water Puppet Show

Watch the 1,000-year-old Vietnamese water puppet tradition at Thang Long Theatre. Wooden puppets perform folk tales on water accompanied by live traditional music.

Price VND 100,000-200,000Duration About 50 minutes

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Nightlife

Bia Hoi Experience

Join locals on plastic chairs at Ta Hien Street in the Old Quarter for fresh draft bia hoi, one of the world cheapest beers at VND 5,000-10,000 per glass.

Price VND 5,000-10,000 per glassDuration About 1-2 hours

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Tour

Halong Bay Overnight Cruise

Two-day junk-boat cruise from Hanoi exploring UNESCO Halong Bay. Sail among karst islands with cave exploration, kayaking, floating-village visits, sunset cocktails on deck, and a cabin overnight included.

Price VND 2,500,000-5,000,000Duration 1 night 2 days (about 30 hours)

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Tour

Ninh Binh Day Tour

Day trip to Ninh Binh — 'Halong Bay on land' — where you ride small rowboats through Trang An's limestone karst rivers and caves. Includes Hang Mua viewpoint hike, Hoa Lu ancient capital, and lunch.

Price VND 800,000-1,500,000Duration About 10-12 hours including transport

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Culture

Vietnamese Cooking Class

Shop at a local market, then cook Hanoi classics like pho, bun cha, and cha gio with a Vietnamese chef. Includes market tour and lunch.

Price VND 600,000-900,000Duration About 4-5 hours

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Must-Try Food in Hanoi

Pho (Rice Noodle Soup)

🍱 Traditional

Vietnam's beloved national dish - rice noodles with bean sprouts and herbs in a clear beef broth. About VND 30,000-60,000 per bowl. Street stalls on Ly Quoc Su and Hang Dieu streets in the Old Quarter are famous.

Bun Cha

🍱 Traditional

A Hanoi specialty of charcoal-grilled pork and rice noodles dipped in a sweet-savory sauce. About VND 40,000-70,000 per serving. Bun Cha Huong Lien, visited by President Obama, is the most famous.

Egg Coffee (Ca Phe Trung)

🍵 Drink

Egg Coffee: a uniquely Hanoi drink with whipped egg yolk and condensed milk layered over coffee. About VND 25,000-45,000 per cup. Cafe Giang near Hoan Kiem Lake is the original.

Bun Bo Nam Bo

🍱 Traditional

Southern-style 'dry' rice noodles topped with seasoned beef, bean sprouts, peanuts, and tangy fish-sauce dressing, mixed before eating. About VND 50,000-70,000 per bowl. Bun Bo Nam Bo Bach Phuong on Hang Dien Street is the famous spot.

Banh Cuon

🍱 Traditional

Steamed thin rice-flour rolls filled with minced pork and wood-ear mushrooms, dipped in nuoc cham — a beloved Hanoi breakfast. About VND 30,000-50,000 per serving. Banh Cuon Gia Truyen on Hang Bo Street is famous.

Cha Ca La Vong

🍱 Traditional

Turmeric-and-dill marinated fish cooked at the table and eaten with rice noodles, peanuts, and shrimp paste — a 200-year-old Hanoi classic. About VND 150,000-200,000 per serving. The original Cha Ca La Vong restaurant is the namesake.

Bia Hoi (Fresh Draft Beer)

🍵 Drink

Hanoi's fresh draft beer, brewed each morning and consumed the same day. About VND 5,000-10,000 per glass — one of the world's cheapest beers. Grab a plastic stool at the Ta Hien Street intersection in the Old Quarter.

Hanoi Travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Hanoi?

Spring (March-April) and autumn (September-November) are ideal. Summers are very hot and the rainy season (May-September) brings frequent showers.

How much does it cost to travel in Hanoi?

Daily budget approx. $30-70 (lodging $15-35, food $7-15, transport and sightseeing $7-15)

How do I get around in Hanoi?

About 1 hour by bus or 40 minutes by taxi from Noi Bai International Airport to the city. Grab is the easiest way to get around town. SIM cards available at the airport (about VND 100,000-200,000/week). Street food and local shops mainly use cash; Grab can be linked to a card. Tipping is not expected but small tips are appreciated.

Do I need a visa to visit Hanoi?

Korean passport holders may enter visa-free for up to 45 days.

Is Hanoi safe for tourists?

Generally safe, but scooter traffic is chaotic - be careful crossing the road. Watch out for pickpockets and overcharging taxis.

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