About Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital and second-most populous centrally-governed city of Vietnam. It covers an area of 3,358.6 km2 (1,296.8 mi2), and as of 2026 has a population of 8.7 million. Hanoi had the second-highest gross regional domestic product of all Vietnamese provinces and centrally-governed cities at US$48 billion in 2023, behind Ho Chi Minh City. It hosts 83 foreign embassies, the headquarters of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA), its Vietnam National University system, and other governmental organizations. Hanoi had 18.7 million domestic and international visitors in 2022. It hosts the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, West Lake, and Ba Vì National Park near the outskirts of the municipality.
Places to visit in Hanoi
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Hoan Kiem Lake
LandmarkA scenic lake in the heart of Hanoi with a small temple on an island reached by a red bridge. On weekend evenings, the surrounding streets become a pedestrian zone.
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Old Quarter
NeighborhoodA maze of narrow streets traditionally named after the goods once sold there. Explore on foot, and try street food from busy stalls where locals eat.
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Temple of Literature
HistoricA temple dedicated to Confucius that housed Vietnam's first national university. Visit early in the morning, before tour groups arrive, to enjoy its peaceful courtyards.
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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
LandmarkA large monument where the embalmed body of Vietnam's revolutionary leader lies in state. Dress modestly, stay silent inside, and note that it closes on some days and for annual maintenance.
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Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
HistoricA UNESCO-listed complex of ruins and buildings that served as the seat of Vietnamese rulers for centuries. Look for the underground bunkers used during the Vietnam War.
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Hoa Lo Prison
MuseumA former prison used by the French colonial government and later to hold American pilots. Use the audio guide to follow its history in detail.
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Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Museum · 3 mi from centreA museum showing the cultures of Vietnam's many ethnic groups, with traditional houses in the garden. Allow a few hours, as it is outside the center.
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Trang An
Nature · 53 mi from centreA landscape of limestone karsts, caves and rivers in Ninh Bình province. Take a rowboat tour through the caves, and go early to avoid crowds.
Top experiences in Hanoi
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 83 available.
Scouting The Old Quarter From Hanoi - Half-Day Tour
From $34 per adult
Bat Trang From Hotel Inside Hanoi City Only- Half-Day Tour
From $47 per adult
Hanoi Evening Tour With Cyclo and Water Puppet Show
From $53 per adult
Hanoi Street Food Tastes- Half-Day Walking Tour
From $35 per adult
Halong Bay by Road - Full-Day Tour from Hanoi City
From $92 per adult
City Sightseeing Hanoi Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $17 per adult
Hoa Lu Full-Day Tour - From Hanoi City only
From $66 per adult
Full-Day Hanoi City Tour - From Hanoi City
From $76 per adult
Highlights of Hanoi Half-Day Tour - From Hanoi City only
From $59 per adult
Hanoi Street Food Experience
From $35 per adult
Water Puppet Show - From Hanoi City only
From $28 per adult
Food and Sightseeing Tour by Scooter - Small Group Moped Tour
From $91 per adult
Best time to visit Hanoi
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Hanoi is November to January and March, when average daytime highs are around 72–79°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Hanoi weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 72° 60° 6%
- Thu 12 Nov 67° 63° 74%
- Fri 13 Nov 77° 64° 82%
- Sat 14 Nov 80° 68° 2%
- Sun 15 Nov 86° 71° 8%
- Mon 16 Nov 87° 74° 12%
- Tue 17 Nov 86° 76° 11%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Vietnamese đồng (VND)1 US dollar ≈ ₫25,608
- Language
- Vietnamese
- Calling code
- +84
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Asia/BangkokUTC+7
Upcoming public holidays in Vietnam
- New Year's DayTết dương lịch
- Reunification DayNgày Giải phóng miền Nam, thống nhất đất nước
- Labour DayNgày Quốc tế lao động
- National DayQuốc khánh
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Hanoi
These are the airports closest to central Hanoi. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- HAN Noi Bai International Airport14 mi (22 km) from the city centre
Getting around Hanoi
Getting around Hanoi can be a challenge: traffic slows to a crawl for most of the day, and the public transport system has not kept up with the city's explosive growth.
By train
Metro Line 2A connects Cát Linh (west of the Old Quarter) to Yên Nghĩa in the southwestern suburbs. Metro Line 3 connects Cầu Giấy to Nhổn in the northwestern suburbs. The lines are not connected but this will change when the underground stretch between Cầu Giấy and Hanoi Station opens around 2027. Metro Line 2A is useful for getting to Vincom Mega Mall Royal City, one of Hanoi's largest shopping malls, which is within walking distance of Thượng Đình station.
By bus
Scam-free, cheap but a bit difficult to comprehend at first, the buses in Hanoi are relatively fast, air-conditioned and surprisingly comfortable.
By taxi
The easiest way to get around is by using the Grab app (Android, iOS). The English user interface makes navigation a cinch, fares are fixed and typically cheaper, and you can pay by cash or credit card.
Hanoi travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Hanoi is November to January and March, when average daytime highs are around 72–79°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
What is the weather like in Hanoi?
June is usually the warmest month in Hanoi, with average highs of 91°F (33°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 60°F (16°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 489 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Hanoi?
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is the closest airport, about 14 miles (22 km) from the centre of Hanoi.
What currency is used in Hanoi?
Hanoi uses the Vietnamese đồng (VND). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ₫25,608.
What time zone is Hanoi in?
Hanoi uses the Asia/Bangkok time zone (currently UTC+7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Hanoi?
Getting around Hanoi can be a challenge: traffic slows to a crawl for most of the day, and the public transport system has not kept up with the city's explosive growth.
What are the best places to visit in Hanoi?
Top sights in Hanoi include Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter, Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. A scenic lake in the heart of Hanoi with a small temple on an island reached by a red bridge. On weekend evenings, the surrounding streets become a pedestrian zone.
What are the top things to do in Hanoi?
Popular experiences you can book in Hanoi include Scouting The Old Quarter From Hanoi - Half-Day Tour, Bat Trang From Hotel Inside Hanoi City Only- Half-Day Tour and Hanoi Evening Tour With Cyclo and Water Puppet Show. Destina Holidays offers 83 tours and activities here.
