THE BEAUTIFUL WEST LAKE LANDSCAPE WITH SUNSET OVER HANOI CITY

Hanoi Travel Guide

January - DecemberVietnamVND

Street Markets

Temples & Pagodas

Military & Communist History

At times it can seem as if the 21st-century development that has transformed cities such as Bangkok and Saigon has simply bypassed Hanoi. Situated along the Red River, Hanoi is one of the oldest capital cities in the world, and that much becomes clear as you roam the streets dotted with buildings reminiscent of the many empires that once ruled this region. Much of the city remains as it did under French rule — leafy boulevards, crumbling shophouses, grandiose colonial mansions, charming little pagodas — which makes it arguably the most beautiful capital city in Southeast Asia, a place where a disorientingly European ambiance hosts a distinctly Asian way of life.

With a rich culture of European, Chinese, and other Southeast Asian influences, the diversity and unique atmosphere will astound you as you explore the bigger markets and the little alleyways and everything in between. Hanoi is noisy, bustling, in-your-face, and chaotic, yet at the same time it’s a friendly place and, once you become attuned to its rhythms, a strangely relaxing one, as you lounge at a streetside cafe with a strong Vietnamese coffee and watch the chaos unfold around you.

Hanoi boasts numerous, impeccably preserved historical monuments to visit, as well as Vietnam’s finest art museum, and its old streets and lakes make it perfect for walkers. For those looking for a spiritual journey, you can visit the Temple of Literature or sit under the same tree where Buddha was said to be enlightened. Foodies will love diving into the city’s street food culture, and beer connoisseurs will enjoy the city’s lively craft beer scene. With Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, and the mountains of Northern Vietnam on its doorstep and just a short drive out of the city, there’s plenty to excite visitors outside Hanoi too.

Must See Attractions in Hanoi

Highlights of Hanoi

Discover this amazing city and learn about its complex history in this full-day Hanoi Highlights guided tour. Your guide will bring to life historical monuments, including the One Pillar Pagoda & Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, while you'll learn more about Vietnam's rich ethnic patchwork at the Museum of Ethnography. After lunch at a traditional Vietnamese restaurant, you'll visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, and then finish off with a rickshaw tour around the bustling Old Quarter.

WOMAN SELLING VEGETABLES AT A MARKET IN HANOI

Street Food

Street food has always been an essential part of Hanoi's daily life and culture. With the hustle and bustle of city life, the street food here is among the best in the world, and stalls are frequented by locals and visitors alike, so it's no doubt that you'll have to try some of the local delicacies during your trip. Take a private tour led by a local guide for the chance to experience the rich diversity of traditional Vietnamese cuisine and absorb the sights, the smells, and the sounds of Hanoi. Or, wander and let your nose and stomach guide you towards your next meal.

FLOWERS SITTING ON A BICYCLE IN A HANOI STREET

Temple of Literature & Fine Arts Museum

Learn more about the cultural history of Hanoi and Vietnam on this fascinating half-day tour. Begin at the ancient Temple of Literature, an 11th-century Confucian temple that also houses Vietnam's first university. A beautiful example of traditional Vietnamese-style architecture, you'll get to walk through gardens and passageways once used by royalty. Then, move onto the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, where you will discover Vietnamese art from prehistoric times to the present day. First opened in 1966, the museum is home to countless items of contemporary art as well as ceramics, folk painting, sculptures, and religious icons that date back through the centuries.

Optional Day Trips from Hanoi

Halong Bay Day Cruise

If there’s one destination in Vietnam that has the WOW! factor, it’s Halong Bay. Thousands of limestone karsts sitting picturesquely in tranquil waters, it’s one of the most spectacular landscapes in Asia. Attracting over 10 million visitors each year, it’s undoubtedly the most popular attraction in Vietnam. And there’s no better way to experience it than on a boat cruise - it’s less than 3 hours from Hanoi so you’ll be on your boat in time for lunch, before cruising through some utterly breathtaking scenery. Choose between a shared boat or, for the ultimate in romance and luxury, your own private vessel.

Ninh Binh

Often described as an inland Halong Bay, Ninh Binh offers equally spectacular scenery to its aquatic neighbor and was also the location for the 2017 film Kong: Skull Island. Less crowded with tourists than Halong Bay, Ninh Binh is the perfect getaway. Take a rowing boat along the river and gaze in awe at the huge limestone karsts surrounding you. Visit nature reserves and rice fields. Explore Vietnam’s ancient history in the town of Ninh Binh, a former Vietnamese imperial capital, which is also home to Vietnam’s biggest pagoda and the Trang An grottoes.