About Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, home to around 8,053,663 people.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in Hanoi
1
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
2
Old Quarter street food walk
3
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex
4
Temple of Literature
5
Train Street (Hanoi Train Street)
6
West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda
7
Vietnamese Women's Museum
8
Halong Bay overnight cruise (day trip)
Budget travel
Free things to do in Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
Old Quarter street food walk
Temple of Literature
West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Suggested itinerary
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Fine Arts Museum
- Visit Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum
- Visit Hồ Chí Minh Museum
- Eat at Snake Restaurants
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Hồ Chí Minh's Vestige in the Presidential Palace Area
- Visit National Museum of Vietnamese History
- Visit Vietnamese Women's Museum
- Eat at Bánh Mì Dân Tổ
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit Vietnam Military History Museum
- Visit Museum of Ethnology
- Eat at Bun Cha Ta Hanoi
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $
Phở Thìn
Pho · Legendary charred-beef pho since 1979
- $
Bún Chả Hương Liên
Bun cha · Where Obama ate — locals still queue
- $$
Chả Cá Lã Vọng
Cha ca · The original turmeric fish dish (1871)
- $
Giang Café
Egg coffee · Birthplace of Hanoi egg coffee
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $$$$
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Hoan Kiem · Historic French colonial landmark
- $$$$
Capella Hanoi
Opera House · Intimate theatrical luxury
- $$
La Siesta Premium Hang Be
Old Quarter · Top-rated boutique in the Old Quarter
Shopping
- Chợ Hôm
- Chợ Đồng Xuân
- Chợ Hàng Da
- Night Market
- Bookworm Hanoi
Nightlife
- Hoa Vien
- Goldmalt
- Legend Beer
- Furbrew
- Green Lake (Ho Guom Xanh)
- Mao's Red Lounge
Museums & culture
- Fine Arts Museum
- Hồ Chí Minh Museum
- Hồ Chí Minh's Vestige in the Presidential Palace Area
- National Museum of Vietnamese History
- Vietnamese Women's Museum
- Vietnam Military History Museum
In pictures
Hanoi gallery
Keep exploring
