Hanoi Travel Guide
Vietnam's thousand-year-old capital — a maze of an Old Quarter, lake-side cafés, deep history, and the gateway to Ha Long Bay and the northern mountains.
Hanoi is the cultural and political capital of Vietnam — older, slower, and more atmospheric than Saigon. Its tangled Old Quarter, French-colonial avenues, and lake-side coffee culture make it many travellers’ favourite city, and it’s the launch point for the country’s best northern trips. It’s also a established hub for affordable, high-quality dental care.
Top things to do
- Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple — the green heart of the city.
- Old Quarter — 36 ancient trade streets; get lost on foot.
- Temple of Literature — Vietnam’s first university (1070).
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Complex — the founding leader’s resting place.
- Train Street — trains squeeze past café tables (access varies; check current rules).
- Egg coffee — the city’s signature invention; try it at an Old Quarter café.
Day trips & onward journeys
- Ha Long Bay — UNESCO limestone seascape, ~2.5 hrs; day cruise or overnight boat.
- Ninh Binh (“Halong on land”) — Tam Coc, Trang An, ~2 hrs.
- Sapa — terraced rice mountains and hill-tribe trekking, overnight train or ~5 hr bus.
Where to stay
The Old Quarter puts you in the middle of the action and street food. Hoan Kiem / French Quarter is more upscale and walkable. Tay Ho (West Lake) is calmer, leafy, and popular with longer-stay visitors.
Best time to visit
Northern Vietnam has four seasons. October–April is the prime window — autumn is crisp and clear, winter (Dec–Feb) can be cool and grey. Summer (Jun–Aug) is hot and humid with downpours. See the best time to visit Vietnam guide.
Getting there & around
Fly into Noi Bai International (HAN), ~27 km north of the centre. Use Grab for taxis and motorbikes. Hanoi is the northern rail hub, with sleeper trains to Sapa (Lao Cai) and the central coast.
Combine your trip with dental care
Hanoi has long-established, internationally trained dentists and modern clinics, with the same 50–70% savings as the south — and the capital makes an ideal base while you also explore Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh between appointments. Full details: dental tourism in Hanoi.
Planning treatment in the capital? Get a free assessment and quote.