Back to ExplorePlan a trip
Hanoi, Vietnam

Destination Guide

Hanoi

Vietnam

Best things to do in Hanoi

48 curated attractions in Hanoi, Vietnam. Handpicked for every kind of traveler.

Best time

September - November

Average temp

25°C/77°F

Budget

Budget-friendly

Safety

Generally safe

About Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a large city shaped by a history of colonialism and conflict, with the historic Old Quarter as its beating heart. Streets are a patchwork of French colonial architecture, street vendors, ancient temples, and noisy motorbikes weaving through. The city has a café culture, and food options abound, but it’s most famous for its street food scene, with fragrant dishes like pho and banh mi enticing visitors at every corner. The Hoan Kiem Lake offers a serene contrast to the chaos, while the monumental Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum serves as a solemn reminder of its past. People come for the authentic street food experience that leaves both their taste buds and their Instagram feeds satisfied.

Who it's for

Food lovers and culture enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy. If you dislike crowds, humidity or the unpredictability of traffic, you might want to stay away. History buffs can dig into the city’s rich past, but be prepared for a lot of noise along the way.

Getting around

Public transport: Good

  • The Old Quarter is compact and walkable, making it easy to explore on foot
  • Taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely available and generally reliable
  • Public transport is good, but be ready to navigate the crowd during peak hours
  • The airport is about an hour from downtown, depending on traffic
Nghi Tam Village

Nghi Tam Village

Traditional villages
Vietnam Fine Arts Museum

Vietnam Fine Arts Museum

Art museums & galleries
Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi Old Quarter

Old towns & historic quarters
Ba Vi National Park

Ba Vi National Park

National parks & nature reserves
Tay Lake Market

Tay Lake Market

Local & craft markets
Tay Ho Temple

Tay Ho Temple

Buddhist temples & pagodas
Vietnamese Women's Museum

Vietnamese Women's Museum

History museums
Dong Xuan Market

Dong Xuan Market

Local & craft markets
Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural

Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural

Fountains, statues & public art
P. Hàng Mã

P. Hàng Mã

Shopping and Markets
Perfume Pagoda

Perfume Pagoda

Buddhist temples & pagodas
Train Street

Train Street

Streets & neighbourhoods
Hoa Lo Prison

Hoa Lo Prison

History museums
Ho Chi Minh Museum

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Historical
St. Joseph Cathedral

St. Joseph Cathedral

Religious
Quan Thanh Temple

Quan Thanh Temple

Monasteries
Hanoi

Hanoi

Urban Attractions
Hanoi Botanical Garden

Hanoi Botanical Garden

Botanical gardens
Bat Trang Ceramic Village

Bat Trang Ceramic Village

Traditional villages
Long Bien Bridge

Long Bien Bridge

Bridges
P. Bà Triệu

P. Bà Triệu

Shopping and Markets
Better Shoes - Cửa hàng giày dép và phụ kiện

Better Shoes - Cửa hàng giày dép và phụ kiện

Shopping
P. Phan Đình Phùng

P. Phan Đình Phùng

Historical
The Raw Compound

The Raw Compound

Food
Phu Tay Ho Village

Phu Tay Ho Village

Cultural & Heritage Sites
West Lake

West Lake

Natural Wonders
Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake

Lakes
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Specialty & quirky museums
Hanoi Opera House

Hanoi Opera House

Theatres & opera houses
Temple of Literature

Temple of Literature

Historic libraries & universities
Truc Bach Lake

Truc Bach Lake

Lakes
Red River Sunset Boat Cruise

Red River Sunset Boat Cruise

Scenic trains, cable cars & ferries
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Monuments & memorials
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

Forts & citadels
Ngoc Son Temple

Ngoc Son Temple

Buddhist temples & pagodas
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Theatres & opera houses
Ly Quoc Su Ancient Temple

Ly Quoc Su Ancient Temple

Buddhist temples & pagodas
Tran Quoc Pagoda

Tran Quoc Pagoda

Buddhist temples & pagodas
Lotte Observation Deck

Lotte Observation Deck

Observation decks & city views
Museum of the Revolution

Museum of the Revolution

History museums
One Pillar Pagoda

One Pillar Pagoda

Buddhist temples & pagodas
Nghia Tan Fish Market

Nghia Tan Fish Market

Food markets & food halls
Thien Quang Lake

Thien Quang Lake

Lakes
National Museum of Vietnamese History

National Museum of Vietnamese History

History museums
Tay Ho Night Market

Tay Ho Night Market

Street food & night markets
Nha Sach Mau

Nha Sach Mau

Shopping and Markets
Long Bien Railway Station

Long Bien Railway Station

Historical Attractions
Ho Tay Water Park

Ho Tay Water Park

Water parks

Where to eat in Hanoi

The places worth planning a meal around.

MẸT Vietnamese restaurant

MẸT Vietnamese restaurant

Vietnamese · $5–$15

★ 4.9 · 32,317 reviews

Banh Mi 25

Banh Mi 25

Vietnamese

★ 4.5 · 17,434 reviews

Cafe Giang

Cafe Giang

Vietnamese · $$

★ 4.4 · 17,008 reviews

Bun Cha Hương Liên

Bun Cha Hương Liên

Vietnamese

★ 4.1 · 12,392 reviews

Bun Cha Hoang Le An

Bun Cha Hoang Le An

Vietnamese · $$

★ 4.4 · 5,271 reviews

Cafe Dinh

Cafe Dinh

Vietnamese · $1–$5

★ 4.6 · 4,796 reviews

Travel Tools

Check visa for VietnamEstimate costs for HanoiCompare Hanoi with another cityPacking list for Hanoi

AI Travel Planner

Planning a trip to Hanoi?

Get a personalized itinerary built around your travel personality — with optimized routes, hidden gems, and insider tips.

Take the quiz — it's free →