HANOI, VIETNAM

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam definitely deserves a top spot on your list of must-visit destinations when planning your Vietnam trip. This vibrant city is considered the heart and soul of Vietnam and 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. At the same time, the modern cafes, world-class restaurants, and art galleries are giving the ancient city a new modern 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.

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 Lists in Hanoi

Attractions in Hanoi

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.

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:

• Phở gà (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.
• Bún (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.
• Chả cá Lã Vọng (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.

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.

Vietnam Itineraries with Hanoi

FAQs about Hanoi