Hanoi Tours

Why visit Hanoi

Hanoi rewards people who walk. The Old Quarter's streets were traditionally named after the goods sold on them, and some still specialise in a single trade, from tin boxes to paper offerings. Within easy reach are Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Food is a big part of any visit: pho, bun cha and egg coffee all have deep roots in the city, and some of the best versions come from tiny street-side stalls.

Top things to do in Hanoi

• Walk the Old Quarter, with stops at Dong Xuan Market, narrow tube houses and Bach Ma Temple, one of the oldest temples in the city.
• Temple of Literature: founded in 1070 to honour Confucius, it later housed Vietnam's first national university, and stone stelae record the names of its graduates.
• Street food tour in the evening, tasting dishes like bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee at family-run stalls.
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda. The mausoleum opens only on certain mornings, so check ahead.
• Craft villages such as Bat Trang for ceramics or Van Phuc for silk, both within an hour of the centre.

Best time to visit

October to December is the most comfortable time in Hanoi, with dry, sunny days and cool evenings. March and April are also pleasant, though often humid and overcast. From May to September the city is hot and humid, with temperatures regularly above 30°C and heavy showers, especially from July to September. January and February are cool and damp with frequent drizzle. During Tet (Lunar New Year), many shops and restaurants close for several days.

Getting there

Noi Bai International Airport is about 30 km north of the city centre, and the drive to the Old Quarter takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. Hanoi has direct flights from several European and Asian cities, plus frequent domestic flights from Da Nang, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight trains also run from Hue and Da Nang.