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Best time: Oct - Dec
Hanoi
Vietnam’s capital: Old Quarter street food, Hoan Kiem Lake, museums and easy day trips to Ninh Binh and Ha Long. Two metro lines now run.
Last updated: September 2026
Ideal Stay
3 days 2 nights
Average Cost
$45 - $90/day
Distance
1,700km from Ho Chi Minh City
An overview
Reading time: 1 min
Hanoi is a dense, walkable capital of tree-lined lakes, temples and street food, with a busy Old Quarter of trade streets. It suits first-time visitors, food lovers and history fans.
Highlights of Hanoi:
- Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake: Walk the lake at dawn, then explore the trade streets on foot. Streets around the lake close to traffic on weekend evenings.
- Street food: Try pho, bun cha and egg coffee. Eat where locals queue.
- Temple of Literature and museums: Allow half a day. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closes for annual maintenance, so check dates.
- Water puppet show: Book tickets a day ahead. It suits families and first-timers.
Best Time to Visit: Oct – Dec is cool, dry and clear. Jun – Aug is hot, humid and stormy; Jan – Mar can be gray and drizzly. Tet week is quiet as many shops close.
Book water puppet tickets and day tours a day ahead; weekends fill.
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When to go
Best season for your trip
January
17.3°C
~ 63°F
10 days of rain
February
18.3°C
~ 65°F
9 days of rain
March
21.7°C
~ 71°F
12 days of rain
April
24.8°C
~ 77°F
12 days of rain
May
27.7°C
~ 82°F
18 days of rain
June
29.6°C
~ 85°F
19 days of rain
July
29.1°C
~ 84°F
20 days of rain
August
28.4°C
~ 83°F
24 days of rain
September
27.4°C
~ 81°F
21 days of rain
October
24.8°C
~ 77°F
13 days of rain
November
22.1°C
~ 72°F
9 days of rain
December
17.9°C
~ 64°F
7 days of rain
Advice: Pick the perfect time
Where to stay
Select a location that fits your travel style.
1
Old Quarter
Most popular
Best for first-timers: food, markets and Hoan Kiem within walking distance. Noisy, with heavy motorbike traffic.
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2
French Quarter
Wider streets, museums and the Opera House. Calmer and more upmarket, with fewer food stalls.
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3
Tay Ho (West Lake)
Lakeside cafes and quieter streets, 20 - 30 min from the Old Quarter. You need Grab.
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What to do
Discover Hanoi for every travel style.
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How to get there
Step off the plane and straight into your adventure
1
Step 1: Fly to Hanoi (HAN)
Land, then take a 40 - 90 min ride into the city
1.5 - 2.5 hrs ·
$30 – $120
Noi Bai is Hanoi’s main airport, with international and domestic flights. It is about 35km north of the center.
- Visa: Many nationalities get a 45-day visa-free stay, and others can apply for an e-visa (up to 90 days) at evisa.gov.vn. Rules change, so check the official portal before you fly.
- SIM/eSIM: Buy a tourist SIM or eSIM at your first Vietnam airport (Saigon, Hanoi or Da Nang) before you fly on.
- Cash: Get dong from an ATM at your first airport. Small shops, local eateries and scooter rentals often prefer cash.
- Flights: Fares from Saigon and Da Nang vary widely. Book early for Tet and summer.
- Onward transport: GrabCar or Xanh SM costs about 200,000 – 350,000 VND ($8 – $14) to the Old Quarter; metered taxis about 300,000 – 400,000 VND. Express bus 86 costs about 45,000 VND ($1.80) and takes 45 – 60 min. There is no metro to the airport yet.
Step 2: Bus to Hanoi
Vans, buses and trains from nearby cities
1.5 - 7 hrs ·
$3 – $23
Hanoi is the hub for the north. Buses and trains connect it with nearby destinations.
- From Ninh Binh: 1.5 – 2.5 hrs by train ($4 – $7) or limousine van ($7 – $14).
- From Ha Long: 2.5 – 3.5 hrs by bus or van, roughly $5 – $18.
- From Sapa: About 6 hrs by sleeper bus or limousine, roughly $8 – $23.
- Booking tip: Book early for Fridays and holidays.
Step 3: Explore by Grab
Cheap bikes, two metro lines and buses
Daily ·
$1 – $18
Hanoi is dense. Grab bikes and taxis are cheap; the metro helps on the west side.
- Grab: A GrabBike ride across the center costs about 25,000 VND ($1).
- Metro: Two lines now run and carried 20.68 million riders in 2025. Line 2A links Cat Linh and Ha Dong.
- Sightseeing bus: A hop-on bus costs about $12 for 4 hours or $18 for a full day.
- Walking: The Old Quarter is best on foot. Watch for motorbikes on sidewalks.
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