Introduction
Located on the banks of the Red River, Hanoi is one of the most ancient capitals in the world, where travellers can find well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, and unique museums within the city centre. A great place to explore on foot, this French-colonial city is also known for its delectable cuisine, vibrant nightlife, silks and handicrafts, as well as a multi-cultural community that’s made up of Chinese, French and Russian influences. Since 2014, Hanoi has consistently been voted in the world's top ten destinations by TripAdvisor. The capital has an international airport and many highways connect to the others tourism area of Vietnam. Hanoi should be the first place which you should put in your itinerary of your Vietnam holiday
Weather
Hanoi is a year-round destination in Vietnam but fall is considered the most beautiful time for travelers to visit Hanoi. This season is typically from September to the end of November, the weather is cool with sunlight and breeze. Spring is from February to April with average temperature around 20 Celsius degree; it’s the best time to enjoy tropical nature with blossom flowers and beautiful plants. Summer in is hot with the average temperature of 32 Celsius degree and the heavy rain but it brings the unique experiences for travelers to enjoy dynamic typical life of Vietnam. Finally, the winter is from December to late February, the weather is cold but dry Hanoi will serve you many delicious Vietnam dishes to make your day up in winter time.
Best time to go
October to March — best time to visit
October to March is in the dry season. But it’s cold in Halong Bay and Sapa during this time. If you are planning to visit there, be sure to keep warm. December to January is in the peak tourist season. So the price will be quite high for both tour price and personal expense.
April to September — hot and rainy
If you don't mind the rain and humidity, April to September is also a good time to visit. The weather is hot and there is a great possibility of rain, but the rainfall is just showers over a very short period of time or at night. In this low season, tourist numbers are less and the cost is low.
During the New Year holiday (normally from later January to early February, about 1 – 2 week), Independence Day ( 30 April and 1 May), National Day (September 2nd to 3rd), the two-way migration from rural to urban areas will also result in heavy traffic jams. Especially¸ during Tet holiday most shops and scenery will shut down and all the expense will raise much.
Top Attractions
Ho Chi Minh Complex
Ho Chi Minh complex consists of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ba Dinh square, Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho’s House on stilt, one pillar pagoda and Ho Chi Minh Museum. This is the most popular attraction for both Vietnamese and foreigner tourists.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is called the heart of Hanoi. An interesting experience for tourists is walking around a lake, you will see the combination of modern and ancient in Hanoi. Also there are many famous ancient architecture such as Thap Rua, The Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple
>> Maybe you will like: Hanoi - Halong tour 5D with 326$/pax
Old Quarter
To explore more about the lifestyle, culture of Hanoi, you should not miss out the Old Quarter- one of the most popular attraction in Hanoi which has 36 streets originally. Each street in Old Quarter mainly focuses on selling a certain type of goods, you can buy many kinds of souvenir. Don’t forget Hanoi food tour in Old Quarter.
Temple of Literature (Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam)
Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam complex is leading cultural complex and the pride of the people in Hanoi. Temple of Literature is considered a symbol of knowledge, education in Vietnam.
St. Joseph's Cathedral
The cathedral is located west of Hoàn Kiếm Lake, in a small square within the Old Quarter. It is the favourite place of young Vietnamese with many restaurants and small apartment blocks nearby.
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest pagodas in Hanoi, located on south of the West Lake. This was the centre of Buddhism in the Ly and Tran dynasties. Nowadays, Tran Quoc pagoda is still an attractive destination for both Vietnamese and foreign because of its historical, architectural and spiritual values.
Hanoi Opera House
Located at No. 1 Trang Tien, Hanoi Opera House is one of the beautiful sites in Hanoi. This is the venue of the great art events of many famous singers and artists in Vietnam. You will admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House or buy ticket of the shows to see the magnificent interior of the theater.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
A must for museum fans and history lovers, Hanoi's Vietnam Museum of Ethnology houses the extensive national collection and tells the story of Vietnam's diverse cultures in a series of excellently well-curated exhibits. Here, the huge numbers of ethnic minorities who call Vietnam home are highlighted with beautiful displays of artifacts and art that showcase wooden carving, metalwork, and traditional costumes.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Located at the centre of Hanoi, the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is an outstanding place for both Vietnamese and foreign tourists. It is one of the ten special national heritage sites proclaimed by the Prime Minister in 2009 and was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in 2010. This is also the most important relic in the system of historical relics of Vietnam.
Dong Xuan Market
Dong Xuan Market is one of the largest markets in Hanoi, Vietnam. The market has existed for hundreds of years since the Nguyen dynasty and has been renovated several times. Nowadays the market is still the largest covered market of Hanoi where the wholesale traders sell many kinds of products.
Transportation
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam. The most common way to getting there is by air. Taking a train from Hue/ Danang/ Ho Chi Minh is also popular; you can enjoy the beautiful diversity scenery on the way.
Airport transfer
The airport- Noi Bai International Airport or HAN- is located some 45 kms outside of the downtown areas. The most popular way is by car.
Getting around
If you stay at the tourist areas (Hanoi Old Quarter/ French Quarter); some attractions can be reached within walking distance. The most common way to getting around Hanoi is by car. We also provide the private car for half day/ full day or for neighbor destinations, please click here for
Hanoi tour
Hanoi Day Tours
We have many interesting tour programs in Hanoi. We would like to highly recommend some outstanding tours as below:
Hanoi 7D tours
Hanoi 8D tours
Hanoi 9D tours
Hanoi 10D tours
