Hanoi
Vietnam’s heart and soul
When it comes to uncovering the hidden gems of Southeast Asia, the bustling city of Hanoi should be at the top of your list. Hanoi, the heart and soul of Vietnam, was founded more than a millennium ago and boasts a rich history. The Old Quarter, with its 14th-century streets, is a testament to its past. Strolling through the area’s tree-lined lanes and colonial facades will take you back in time. Nevertheless, modern cafes, world-class restaurants, and art galleries are giving the ancient city new life. When the sun sets, Hanoi’s watering holes offer a variety of options, from sophisticated rooftop bars to bustling “bia hoi” spots.
Hanoi weather
Hanoi’s weather is most pleasant between April and June. May is particularly beautiful because the trees suddenly burst into bloom. September and October are also excellent months to visit because the temperatures are cooler, and the sky is clearer.
How to get to Hanoi from India
The most convenient way to get to Hanoi from India is by air. There are several airlines that operate flights from major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport. Some of the airlines that offer this route include Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Indigo…
Getting around Hanoi
There are many options for getting around Hanoi, including taxis, buses, and motorbikes. Grab and other ride-hailing apps offer on-demand services for getting around. Hanoi’s bus network has an extensive network around the city with low-cost fares. Lastly, you can hire a classic cyclo for a sightseeing tour of the Old Quarter.
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Accommodation
Hanoi offers a variety of accommodation options for Indian tourists, including budget guesthouses, homestays, hotels, and resorts that cater to different budgets and preferences. If you’re exploring the Old Quarter, you can rent a “backpacker-style” dorm room bed for around 200,000 VND per night, or splurge on a high-end hotel for 3,000,000 – 5,000,000 VND per night.
Some notable hotels include the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, which boasts French colonial architecture and is located just a few steps from the Hanoi Opera House. The Hilton Hanoi Opera, Apricot Hotel on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake, Sheraton Hanoi with its renowned West Lake view, and InterContinental Hanoi Westlake are also worth considering. The Lotte Hotel Hanoi, situated on the top floors of the 65-storey Lotte Center, is another upscale option.
Top things to do in Hanoi
- Sample the street food: To get a taste of Hanoi’s authenticity, sample the street food. The street kitchens of the Old Quarter offer a range of delicacies. Phở broth, infused with star anise, steams on every corner, while the scent of bún chả fills the air as barbecued pork sizzles over hot coals.
- Stroll the Old Quarter: Hanoi is a sensory overload. Ancient temples emit wisps of incense into the streets, and the clang of blacksmiths’ hammers mixes with the calls of mobile fruit sellers. Hop on a cyclo and tour this fascinating maze.
- Explore Hanoi’s cafe culture: Hanoi’s cafe culture is a must-experience. Though fast-paced on the surface, the true rhythm of Hanoi life is far from hurried and is reflected well in its leisurely coffee hours. Alongside traditional coffee houses, a growing number of unique cafes serve new brews in cool caffeine dens.
- Check out the art scene: The elegant Fine Arts Museum houses the country’s most important collection, including ancient Cham artifacts and impressionist pieces. For something more contemporary, head to Manzi or the Vietnam Art Gallery.
- Join the locals at Hoan Kiem Lake: Hanoi is Vietnam’s art capital. The elegant Fine Arts Museum houses the country’s most important collection, including ancient Cham artifacts and impressionist pieces. For something more contemporary, head to Manzi or the Vietnam Art Gallery.
In brief, the Old Quarter of Hanoi is a sensory overload. Ancient temples emit wisps of incense into the streets, and the clang of blacksmiths’ hammers mixes with the calls of mobile fruit sellers. Hop on a cyclo and tour this fascinating maze.
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What dish to try
Food in Hanoi showcases a perfect blend of sour, spicy, salty, sweet flavors, reflecting the city’s vibrant, contemplative, captivating and appealing image. You can easily find Hanoi’s specialties at street food stalls and restaurant in every corners of Hanoi:
- Pho ga (Chicken rice noodle soup): can be perfect for Indian eaters who don’t consume beef or pork. Some recommended places are Quan Nguyet on Phu Doan Street, Cham on Yen Ninh Street, Lan Ong’s mixed chicken pho or rolled pho in Ngu Xa.
- Bun (vermicelli): Hanoi has many types of bun dishes, including bun cha, bun thang, bun oc, bun moc, and bun doc mung. Among them, bun thang, a colorful, elegant and mouth-watering noodle soup with chicken, egg, and herbs, is a must-try. For bun oc (snail vermicelli soup), you can try it at restaurants on Hai Ba Trung, Dang Dung, and Hoe Nhai streets.
- Cha ca La Vong (La Vong grilled fish): made from the finest fish, especially snakehead fish, and is cooked with a variety of herbs and spices, often served with grilled rice paper, noodles, and shrimp paste. Popular restaurants that serve chả cá Lã Vọng include Chả cá Lã Vọng on 14 Cha Ca street, Chả cá Thăng Long on 21 Duong Thanh street, and Chả cá Lão Ngư on 171 Thai Ha street.
- Coffee: is a characteristic feature of Hanoi with many long-standing cafes in the Old Quarter. Egg coffee is a specialty of Hanoi made by whipping egg into Vietnamese coffee, served in a small cup with a spoon to enjoy the frothy layer on top before sipping the coffee underneath. Famous egg coffee shops include Quán Đinh, Giảng, Cà phê Phố Cổ, Loading T, and All Day Coffee, with a price ranging from 25,000 – 50,000 VND per cup.
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Gift ideas for visitors to Hanoi
- O mai (dried fruits): a popular snack in Hanoi, with a unique blend of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. Hang Duong Street is the go-to place to buy this treat, with options including apricot, plum, ginger, tamarind, peach, lime, kumquat, rose, peach, frog, and tamarind. Tamarind O mai is recommended for those in southern Vietnam. Prices range from 100,000 – 150,000 VND per kilogram.
- Banh com Hang Than: a great substitute for Vong village’s cốm, a young green rice with a unique aroma that is only available in the fall. Bánh cốm has a soft outer layer made from sticky rice flour and a mung bean and coconut filling with a natural pomelo scent.
- Tra sen (West Lake lotus tea): a precious gift made through a meticulous process of soaking dried tea leaves with lotus grains to absorb the fragrance and flavor. The lotus used for tea must be grown in ponds around West Lake. Although it is only available in May and June, the lotus fragrance is preserved year-round and enjoyed by tourists.
- Van Phuc silk: thin, soft, breathable, and durable, making it a popular choice for scarves, clothes, dresses, bags, and more. You can find silk products in Van Phuc village or at stands along Hang Gai or Dinh Liet Street.
Bat Trang pottery: known for its enamel colors and exquisite handcrafted techniques. You can find pottery bowls, plates, and other products in this village.
Hanoi Travel Guide & Recommendations
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FAQs about Hanoi
What is the best way to travel from India to Hanoi?
The most convenient way to travel from India to Hanoi is by air. There are direct flights from major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore to Hanoi. The flight duration is approximately 5-6 hours.
Do I need a visa to travel from India to Hanoi?
Yes, Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Vietnam, including Hanoi. You can apply for a visa online or through the Vietnamese embassy in India.
What is the best time to visit Hanoi?
The best time to visit Hanoi is during the autumn season, which falls between September and November. The weather is pleasant with temperatures ranging from 18-27°C, and the skies are usually clear.
What are some popular tourist attractions in Hanoi?
Hanoi is a beautiful city with plenty of attractions to explore. Some popular tourist attractions include the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, the Hanoi Opera House, and the Hoan Kiem Lake.
Vegan/ Vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Hanoi?
- Tung’s Kitchen – 32/2 Ngo Huyen, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Hoang Cuisine – 33/69 To Ngoc Van Street, Quang An, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
- Veggie Castle – 59 Xuan Dieu, Quang An, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
- Uu Dam Chay – 34 Hang Bai Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Hoang’s Restaurant & Cooking Class – 07 Hang Tre Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Vegan Banh Mi – 14 Hang Chinh, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Loving Hut – 192/4 Quan Thanh Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
- Quan Chay Bo De – 164 Au Co Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
Must-try Hanoi Vegan/ Vegetarian food?
Here are some vegetarian foods you cannot leave Hanoi without trying!
- Banh mi Chay | a baguette split lengthwise and filled with fresh vegetables
- Banh It Tran | soft, puffy rice dumplings stuffed with savory mung beans
- Banh Khoai Tay Chien | fried potato cakes with vegetables
- Pho Chay | vegetarian pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup dish consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and (traditionally) meat
- Goi Cuon/Nem Cuon | a summer roll/fresh spring roll made with fresh vegetables wrapped in thin rice paper and served with a peanut dipping sauce
- Nom Du Du | green papaya salad that is equal parts sweet, spicy, and sour
- Xoi Chay | sticky rice with vegetables
- Bun Cha | a dish that originated in Hanoi and is traditionally made with noodles and grilled pork, there are alternatives throughout the city that substitute the pork for a soy product
- Banh Xeo | a crispy, stuffed rice pancake popular in Vietnam made of rice flour, water, and turmeric powder
Indian restaurants in Hanoi with original flavor?
- Namaste Hanoi: Located at 46 Tho Nhuom Street, Hoan Kiem District, Namaste Hanoi is a popular Indian restaurant in Hanoi known for its delicious food and warm hospitality.
- Taj Mahal: Situated at 6 Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem District, Taj Mahal offers a wide range of Indian dishes with a focus on North Indian cuisine.
Baba’s Kitchen: With two locations in Hanoi (at 34 Hang Tre Street and 256 Au Co Street), Baba’s Kitchen is known for serving authentic Indian food with a modern twist. - Indian Palace: Located at 58 Hang Dao Street, Hoan Kiem District, Indian Palace offers a cozy atmosphere and a menu of classic Indian dishes, including vegetarian options.
- Ganesha Authentic Indian Cuisine: Situated at 28 Xuan Dieu Street, Tay Ho District, Ganesha Authentic Indian Cuisine offers a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian dishes with authentic flavors.