In this guide
The Short Version: Hanoi works on foot, with early booking for the excursions. Reserve overnight Ha Long Bay cruises and Sapa train cabins several weeks in advance, while buying Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre tickets a day or two before. UK passports and most EU passports enter visa-free for up to 45 days, while American, Canadian, Australian and Irish travellers need an e-visa (US$25) before flying. Transit from Noi Bai International Airport is straightforward: Express Bus 86 costs 45,000 VND into the Old Quarter, while a GrabCar ride costs between 250,000 VND and 350,000 VND. Historic highlights like the Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison Memorial cost 70,000 VND and 50,000 VND, payable at the door. If you would rather not plan the excursions yourself, book a day tour: it covers transport, the entry fees and a guide.
What to book before you go
Hanoi acts as both a dense historic city break and the launchpad for northern Vietnam’s dramatic karst landscapes and mountain valleys. Sights inside the city rarely sell out weeks ahead, but multi-day excursions, overnight boats and high-demand evening theatre tickets require forward planning.
| Experience | Advance window | Adult price | Booking method | Essential details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise | 2 to 6 weeks ahead | Varies by ship | Cruise operator or GetYourGuide | Luxury and boutique cabins on Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay book out fast during peak autumn and spring |
| Sapa Sleeper Train | 1 to 3 weeks ahead | Varies by operator | Vietnam Railways or private carriage operators | High-demand four-berth soft-sleeper compartments (such as Chapa Express or VicSapa) fill quickly on Friday nights |
| Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre | A day or two ahead for a specific evening | Box office price | Box office at 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, or an online reseller with hotel delivery | The show runs about 50 minutes on a water stage beside Hoan Kiem Lake |
| Ninh Binh Day Tour | 2 to 5 days ahead | Varies by operator | GetYourGuide or a local operator | Full-day tours covering Trang An boat grottoes, Hang Mua viewpoint and Hoa Lu ancient capital include limousine transfers |
| Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour | 1 to 3 days ahead | Varies by operator | Online tour platform or Old Quarter agency | Guided evening walks for bun cha, banh cuon, nem ran and egg coffee; places to eat on your own are in where to eat |
| Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum | No booking required | Free | Walk up in person | Mornings only, 08:00 to 11:00 in winter, to 11:30 at weekends (07:30 to 10:30 from April to October); closed Mondays and Fridays; reopened 3 November 2026 after the yearly restoration; strict dress code |
| Temple of Literature | Buy on arrival | 70,000 VND | Main ticket kiosk at gate | Open daily from 08:00 to 17:00; night visits Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 18:00 to 22:00 |
| Hoa Lo Prison Memorial | Buy on arrival | 50,000 VND | Ticket window on Hoa Lo Street | Open daily; see the guide for hours |
Vietnam visa and entry rules
Vietnam maintains clear entry regulations that depend directly on the passport you hold. Understanding these requirements prevents boarding denials at your departure airport:
- 45-day visa exemption: passports from the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Russia, Japan and South Korea enter without a visa for up to 45 days. Vietnam’s two exemption resolutions run to 14 March 2028 and 14 August 2028. The UK government says to check that the departure date stamped in your passport is 45 days from arrival, because immigration will not change it after you leave the airport.
- E-visa: US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Irish passports, and EU passports not on the list above (Austria, Greece and Portugal among them), need an e-visa from evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn before flying. It costs US$25 for a single entry or US$50 for multiple entries and is valid for up to 90 days. You choose your entry and exit points when you apply, and the Government of Canada warns that an e-visa is not available on a temporary passport.
- Passport validity: at least six months from the day you arrive (Canada’s government says six months beyond your departure), with two blank pages. You must leave on the passport you entered with.
- Border: Vietnam is outside the Schengen area and does not use the EES or ETIAS.
Arriving in Hanoi
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) sits approximately 30 kilometres north of the city centre. Arriving passengers can choose between inexpensive municipal transit, mobile ride-hailing and pre-booked transfers. Read our comprehensive Hanoi airport to city guide for terminal maps and baggage collection details.
- Express Bus 86: the public airport bus. It leaves from outside the terminals, runs to the Old Quarter and the Opera House, and ends at Hanoi Railway Station. The fare is 45,000 VND a person, paid in cash to the attendant once you are seated.
- Grab ride-hailing: The Grab application connects you directly to registered private drivers (GrabCar). A trip from Noi Bai Airport to an Old Quarter hotel generally costs between 250,000 VND and 350,000 VND, depending on traffic and vehicle size. Drivers pass through an airport barrier toll of 10,000 VND to 15,000 VND, which is added to your digital fare or settled in cash.
- Official airport metered taxis: Distinctive green Mai Linh taxis and white Taxi Group vehicles wait at marked ranks outside terminal doors. Insist on the taximeter or confirm an all-inclusive fixed airport rate before setting off. Avoid unaffiliated individuals touting rides inside the arrivals terminal hall.
District orientation: where to stay
Hanoi is divided into distinct administrative and historic precincts, each providing a unique atmosphere. For detailed hotel recommendations and quarter comparisons, consult our guide to where to stay in Hanoi alongside our review of the best hotels in the Old Quarter and French Quarter.
- Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem North): The beating sensory core of the capital. Thirty-six guild streets originally dedicated to specific trades (such as tin, silver, silk and bamboo) house boutique hotels, family-run street stalls and busy night markets. Staying here places you within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake, but central streets can remain lively well into the night.
- French Quarter (Hoan Kiem South): Spreading south and east of the lake, this area features wide tree-shaded boulevards, colonial villas, embassies and upscale dining. Home to heritage hotels like the Sofitel Legend Metropole, it is quieter than the Old Quarter.
- Ba Dinh: Located west of the Old Quarter, Ba Dinh serves as Vietnam’s political heart. It contains wide ceremonial avenues, government ministries, embassies, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh complex, and the historic Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. It is peaceful, residential and leafy.
- West Lake (Tay Ho): A massive freshwater lake north of the centre lined with expat apartments, boutique cafes, lakeside cycling paths and historic pagodas such as Tran Quoc Pagoda. It offers a relaxed, slower pace about 15 minutes by taxi from the Old Quarter.
Getting around the city
Navigating Hanoi blends modern transit developments with classic street life:
- Hanoi Metro: The city’s elevated rail system currently operates Line 2A (Cat Linh to Ha Dong) and the elevated section of Line 3 (Nhon to Cau Giay). Single fares range from 8,000 VND to 15,000 VND. While primarily serving suburban residential corridors, Line 2A provides rapid access to south-western districts. Detailed network tips are covered in our Hanoi public transport guide.
- Grab application: The dominant transport tool for visitors. Use GrabCar for air-conditioned cars or GrabBike for quick solo trips on the back of a scooter. Fares are locked into the application before you confirm your booking, eliminating fare negotiations.
- Traditional cyclos: Three-wheeled pedicabs cruise the Old Quarter and lake shore. While enjoyable for a scenic, open-air photography circuit, always negotiate the total price in advance (typically 100,000 VND to 150,000 VND for a 45-minute loop) and confirm whether the quote covers one passenger or the whole carriage.
- Pedestrian navigation and crossing streets: Hanoi’s traffic flow appears chaotic to newcomers, with thousands of motorbikes moving continuously through intersections. The golden rule for pedestrians is simple: step into the road with confidence, walk at an even, predictable speed, and maintain eye contact with approaching drivers. Motorcyclists calculate your trajectory and steer behind or around you. Never stop dead or take sudden backward steps while in the flow of traffic.
Top sights and cultural landmarks
Hanoi’s thousand-year history as a capital leaves a rich concentration of temples, colonial architecture and wartime monuments:
St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Photo: Christophe95, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple: The tranquil heart of the city, centred around the island Turtle Tower. On weekends, the streets surrounding the lake transform into a pedestrian zone full of street buskers, folk games and families.
- Temple of Literature (Van Mieu): Founded in 1070 and home to Vietnam’s first national university. Five peaceful courtyards preserve ancient stone turtle stelae inscribed with the names of imperial scholars.
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Complex: Pay respects at the monumental granite tomb containing the preserved body of President Ho Chi Minh, then explore the surrounding Presidential Palace grounds and rustic Stilt House.
- Hoa Lo Prison Memorial: Known under French colonial rule as Maison Centrale and nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton” by American prisoners of war. Exhibits document political incarceration and wartime aviation history.
- Hanoi Train Street: the railway line between Hanoi Station and Long Bien Bridge with houses a metre from the rails. The cafes lost their licences in 2022, tours are banned and walking the tracks is prohibited.
- Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre: An ancient folk art originating in the flooded rice paddies of the Red River Delta, performed with wooden puppets splashing across a water stage accompanied by live traditional musicians.
Hanoi food and cafe culture
Meals in Hanoi are eaten on low plastic stools along the pavement as readily as in dining rooms. Five dishes to know, with places to eat them in where to eat in Hanoi:
Bun cha. Photo: Kiraface, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Pho Bo (Beef noodle soup): A delicate, fragrant bone broth simmered for hours with star anise, cinnamon, ginger, charred shallots, tender beef cuts and fresh flat rice noodles, served with fresh lime, bird’s eye chilies and garlic vinegar.
- Bun Cha: Charcoal-grilled pork patties and belly slices served submerged in a bowl of warm, sweet-and-sour dipping fish sauce, accompanied by cold rice vermicelli noodles and baskets of fresh herbs.
- Egg Coffee (Ca Phe Trung): Created during wartime milk shortages in the 1940s, this decadent drink tops robust dark robusta drip coffee with an intensely whipped, custardy cream of egg yolk and condensed milk.
- Banh Mi: Crisp French-influenced baguettes stuffed with pate, pork roll, pickled daikon and carrot, fresh coriander and chili sauce.
- Cha Ca La Vong: Turmeric-marinated fish chunks sizzling in oil on a tabletop burner, tossed with mountains of fresh dill and spring onions, spooned over rice noodles with roasted peanuts and fermented shrimp paste.
Staying safe and avoiding common scams
Violent crime in Hanoi is exceptionally rare, and the city remains welcoming for solo and family travellers. However, petty nuisances and street touting require awareness:
- Cyclo rate disputes: Agree on the complete price, duration and currency before climbing aboard a cyclo. Clarify whether the agreed sum is per person or total.
- Shoe cleaning scam around Hoan Kiem Lake: Wandering men with glue and brushes may point at your trainers, claim your sole is detaching, squirt liquid on your footwear, and begin unrequested repairs before demanding 300,000 VND to 500,000 VND. Politely and firmly decline anyone who bends down toward your feet.
- Train Street “tours”: Hanoi’s tourism department told tour operators in 2023 not to bring visitors to Train Street, and the cafes lost their licences in 2022. Anyone offering to walk you past the barriers for a drink or a fee is selling something the city has banned.
- Fake metered taxis: Never enter unmarked saloon cars whose drivers solicit passengers near tourist sights or train stations. Always hail established brands like Mai Linh or Taxi Group, or order your rides through the Grab mobile application.
Complete Hanoi city guide directory
Explore all 39 companion guides to plan every detail of your Hanoi journey:
Self-guided walking tours
- Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Heritage Walk: Step-by-step route past ancient merchant guild streets, Bach Ma Temple, and O Quan Chuong city gate.
- French Quarter and Ba Dinh Walk: Neoclassical boulevards, the Hanoi Opera House, the Metropole, and imperial monuments.
Historic sights and cultural monuments
- Temple of Literature Guide: 1070 Confucian university, doctor stelae, and night visits (70,000 VND).
- Hoa Lo Prison Memorial Guide: Maison Centrale colonial relic and American POW history (50,000 VND).
- Imperial Citadel of Thang Long Tickets: UNESCO royal citadel and underground war bunker (100,000 VND).
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Complex: Monumental granite tomb and Presidential Palace grounds (free/40,000 VND).
- Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre Tickets: Folk water puppetry by Hoan Kiem Lake (100,000–200,000 VND).
- Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake: Jade Island shrine and scarlet The Huc Bridge (50,000 VND).
- Tran Quoc Pagoda and West Lake: 6th-century Buddhist stupa and sunset causeway (free).
- St. Joseph’s Cathedral and Parish Guide: 1886 neo-Gothic facade and Nha Tho cafe plaza (free).
- Hanoi Opera House and French Quarter: 1911 Palais Garnier-inspired architecture and Kem Trang Tien (free/ticketed).
- Dong Xuan Market and Weekend Night Market: Wholesale trading halls, Ngo Dong Xuan food alley, and walking streets (free).
- Hanoi Train Street in 2026: Safety regulations, police barricades, French railway history, and safe viewing spots.
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: 54 ethnic minority groups, tribal stilt houses, and cultural artefacts (40,000 VND).
- Vietnamese Women’s Museum: Wartime heroines, ethnic textiles, and Mother Goddess worship (40,000 VND).
Day trips and regional excursions
- Day Trips from Hanoi Comparison: Complete overview comparing Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Perfume Pagoda, and craft villages.
- Ha Long Bay Day Trip from Hanoi: Expressway transit, Sung Sot Cave, and Ti Top Island cruise logistics.
- Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruises Guide: Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay luxury cabin selection and anchorages.
- Ninh Binh Day Trip from Hanoi: Trang An river grottoes, Hang Mua dragon peak, and Hoa Lu ancient temples.
- Sapa Train, Bus and Trekking Guide: Muong Hoa terraced rice fields, tribal homestays, and Fansipan cable car.
- Perfume Pagoda Day Trip: Sacred Huong Son pilgrimage, Yen Stream rowboats, and Huong Tich Cave.
- Bat Trang Ceramic Village Day Trip: 700-year pottery traditions, foot-wheel workshops, and ceramic museum.
- Duong Lam Ancient Village Day Trip: Honeycomb laterite stone architecture and 400-year-old courtyard homes.
Dining, cafes, and food guides
- Where to Eat in Hanoi: Comprehensive culinary directory covering pho, bun cha, cha ca, banh mi, and rooftop bars.
- Best Pho and Bun Cha in Hanoi: Michelin Bib Gourmand noodle broth shops, addresses, and ordering customs.
- Hanoi Egg Coffee and Cafe Culture: 1946 Metropole origins, phin drip mechanics, and legendary coffeehouses.
Itineraries, practicalities, and travel planning
- 3 Days in Hanoi Itinerary: Step-by-step master plan balancing central sights, food tours, and a northern day trip.
- Top Things to Do in Hanoi: Curated bucket list of essential cultural experiences.
- Free Things to Do in Hanoi: High-reward temples, lakes, museums, and promenades that cost nothing.
- Hanoi with Kids: Family-friendly sights, puppet shows, craft villages, and safety advice.
- Where to Stay in Hanoi: District comparisons covering Old Quarter, French Quarter, Ba Dinh, and West Lake.
- Hotels in the Old Quarter and French Quarter: Hand-reviewed boutique and luxury accommodation.
- Noi Bai Airport to City Centre: Express Bus 86, Grab ride-hailing, metered taxis, and private transfers.
- Hanoi Public Transport Guide: Metro Line 2A, municipal buses, cyclos, and traffic navigation.
- Money in Hanoi: Currency exchange, ATM withdrawal limits, counterfeit prevention, and tipping.
- eSIM for Vietnam: Digital eSIM setup, airport SIM counters, Viettel, and Vinaphone packages.
- Is Hanoi Safe?: Traffic crossing guidance, petty scam avoidance, emergency numbers, and health tips.
- Hanoi Etiquette: Temple dress codes, respectful body language, pagoda rituals, and table manners.
- Best Time to Visit Hanoi & Tet Guide: Seasonal weather patterns, humidity, and Lunar New Year shutdown planning.
Planning pages
- Money in Hanoi: dong notes, ATMs, cards and tipping.
- eSIM for Vietnam: travel eSIM or a local SIM.
- Is Hanoi safe?: traffic, scams and emergency numbers.
- Hanoi etiquette: temples, the Mausoleum, tipping and eating.
- Best time to visit Hanoi and Hanoi with kids.
Plan your full itinerary using our dedicated guides to 3 days in Hanoi, top things to do in Hanoi, and our day trip guides to Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh.
For a first trip to Asia, best cities in Asia for a first trip sets Hanoi against the other Asian cities we cover, with the entry rules, how easy each is to get around and what catches newcomers out.
Itineraries
Day-by-day plans for a first visit.
Itinerary
3 Days in Hanoi: 72-Hour Itinerary for First Visits
A balanced 72-hour Hanoi itinerary covering Old Quarter street food, French Quarter architecture, Ba Dinh monuments, and a day trip to Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh.
Itinerary
Free Things to Do in Hanoi: Budget Sightseeing Guide
Discover the best free things to do in Hanoi, from the Hoan Kiem weekend pedestrian zone and Ba Dinh flag-raising to Long Bien Bridge and West Lake pagodas.
Itinerary
Hanoi with Kids: Family Guide, Sights & Practical Tips
A complete guide to visiting Hanoi with children: water puppet shows, Museum of Ethnology outdoor stilt houses, West Lake swan pedalos, pushchair advice, and kid-friendly dining.
Which ticket to buy
The official ticket, the tours that include entry, and which sells out first.
Tickets
Temple of Literature Hanoi: Tickets & Visiting
Complete visitor guide to Van Mieu, Vietnam's first national university: 70,000 VND entry ticket, five historic courtyards, turtle Doctor stelae and etiquette.
Tickets
Hoa Lo Prison Memorial Hanoi: Tickets & History
Visitor guide to Hoa Lo Prison: French colonial Maison Centrale, guillotine, sewer escapes, American POW wing, 50,000 VND tickets and opening hours.
Tickets
Thang Long Water Puppet Tickets: Where to Buy
Where to buy tickets for Hanoi's Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre on Hoan Kiem Lake, how long the show runs, and what the acts and music are.
Tickets
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: Tickets & Architecture
Visitor guide to Hanoi's Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: 54 ethnic minority groups, Dong Son drums, Bahnar communal house, ticket prices, and Cau Giay transit.
Tickets
Vietnamese Women's Museum Hanoi: Tickets & Exhibits
Visitor guide to the Vietnamese Women's Museum in Hanoi: tickets (40,000 VND), audio guides, exhibits on wartime heroines, wedding rituals, and tribal costumes.
Tickets
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long Tickets & Bunker Guide
Ticket guide to Hanoi's UNESCO World Heritage Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: 100,000 VND entry, open daily, Doan Mon Gate, Kinh Thien dragon steps, and the D67 war bunker.
Day trips from Hanoi
Out and back in a day, with the tours compared against going on your own.
Day trip
7 Best Day Trips from Hanoi: Travel Times & Costs
Compare travel times, costs, transit methods, and highlights for day trips from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Perfume Pagoda, Bat Trang, and Duong Lam.
Day trip
Ha Long Bay Day Trip from Hanoi: Complete Guide
How to visit Ha Long Bay on a day trip from Hanoi: expressway transit, departure harbours, 6-hour cruise routes, Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, and costs.
Day trip
Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruises: Routes & Ships
Compare 2-day vs 3-day overnight cruises in Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay. Luxury steel ships, cabin suites, activities, and transfers.
Day trip
Ninh Binh Day Trip from Hanoi: Boats & Temples
Plan a Ninh Binh day trip from Hanoi: Trang An vs Tam Coc sampan boat rides, climbing Hang Mua dragon peak, Hoa Lu ancient capital, and limousine transit.
Day trip
Sapa from Hanoi: Trains, Buses, Trekking & Fansipan
How to travel from Hanoi to Sapa by overnight sleeper train or express bus. Muong Hoa Valley trekking routes, Fansipan cable car, homestays, and costs.
Day trip
Perfume Pagoda Day Trip: Yen Stream & Cave Guide
How to visit the Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong) from Hanoi: Yen Stream rowboat rides, Thien Tru Pagoda, Huong Tich Cave dragon mouth, cable cars, and costs.
Day trip
Bat Trang Ceramic Village: Pottery & Museum Guide
How to visit Bat Trang Pottery Village from Hanoi: hands-on pottery workshops, the striking Ceramic Museum, market stalls, and transport via Bus 47A or Grab.
Day trip
Duong Lam Ancient Village: Laterite Houses & Cycling
Plan a day trip to Duong Lam Ancient Village from Hanoi: historic laterite stone houses, Mong Phu gate, soy sauce jars, cycling routes, and local lunch.
Where to stay
Areas and hotels, chosen for a visitor rather than a resident.
Where to stay
Where to Stay in Hanoi: Old Quarter & Districts
Four Hanoi neighbourhoods compared, with hotels for each: the Old Quarter, the French Quarter, Ba Dinh and West Lake.
Where to stay
Hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter & French Quarter
Hanoi hotels between the Old Quarter and the French Quarter: the 1901 Metropole, Capella's opera suites, rooftop pools, lake-view bars and a hostel.
Airport transfers
From the airport to the centre, every option priced and timed.
's Terminal 2 lit up at night](/_astro/noi-bai-international-airport-terminal-hanoi.DQwUIPPc_WqW2l.webp)
Getting around
Tickets, passes and the transport a visitor actually uses.
What's on, month by month
Festivals, holidays and closures that change a visit.
Food and drink
Where to eat, what to order and when to book.
Food and drink
Where to Eat in Hanoi: Street Food & Restaurants
Where to eat in Hanoi: pho, bun cha, cha ca, banh cuon, banh mi, bia hoi, vegetarian food, sit-down restaurants and rooftop bars, with addresses and hours.
Food and drink
Best Pho & Bun Cha in Hanoi: Where to Eat Both
Where to eat pho and bun cha in Hanoi: Pho Gia Truyen, Pho 10, Pho Ga Nguyet, Bun Cha Huong Lien, Bun Cha Dac Kim and Tuyet Bun Cha 34, with addresses, hours and what to order.
Food and drink
Hanoi Egg Coffee: Where to Drink It & Its Origins
Hanoi egg coffee (ca phe trung) complete guide: 1946 Metropole origin, robusta chemistry, phin brewing, how to drink it, and legendary cafes with prices.
Walks
Self-guided routes, stop by stop.
Walk
Old Quarter & Hoan Kiem Walk: Hanoi Heritage Route
A self-guided walking route through Hanoi's Old Quarter: Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hang Gai Silk Street, Ancient House, Bach Ma Temple, Dong Xuan Market, and O Quan Chuong.
Walk
French Quarter & Ba Dinh Walk: Hanoi History Route
A self-guided walking route through Hanoi's French Quarter and Ba Dinh: Opera House, Metropole, History Museum, Hoa Lo Prison, Ba Dinh Square, and Temple of Literature.
More guides
Guide
Hanoi Train Street in 2026: Rules, History & Safe Spots
Hanoi Train Street in 2026: cafe bans, police barricades, French railway history, timetable realities, and safe alternatives like Hoa Xa Cafe and Long Bien Bridge.
Guide
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Hanoi: Hours & Rules
Visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, Presidential Palace and Stilt House: morning opening hours, strict dress code, entry rules and queues.
Guide
Tran Quoc Pagoda & West Lake Hanoi: Visitor Guide
Visitor guide to Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake in Hanoi: 6th-century history, 15m red stupa, sacred Bodhi tree, sunset views, and temple etiquette.
Guide
Hanoi Opera House & French Quarter: Architecture Guide
Visitor guide to Hanoi Opera House and the French Quarter: 1911 neoclassical architecture, Kem Trang Tien ice cream, colonial villas, and performance tickets.
Guide
Dong Xuan Market & Night Market Hanoi: Shopping Guide
Guide to Hanoi's Dong Xuan wholesale market and the weekend night market: Ngo Dong Xuan food alley, bargaining etiquette, prices, and opening hours.
Guide
Ngoc Son Temple & Hoan Kiem Lake: Tickets & History
Complete guide to Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi: The Huc Bridge, 50,000 VND tickets, the sacred giant turtle, and weekend pedestrian zone.
Guide
St. Joseph's Cathedral Hanoi: Mass Times & Cafes
Complete guide to St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi: 1886 neo-Gothic architecture, mass schedule, church entry, and the Nha Tho cafe culture.
Guide
15 Best Things to Do in Hanoi: Sights & Food
Things to do in Hanoi: Old Quarter alleys, Hoan Kiem Lake, water puppets, temples, egg coffee, bia hoi, and day trips.
Guide
Money in Hanoi: Dong Notes, Cards, ATMs & Tipping
Hanoi pays in Vietnamese dong. Which notes look alike, where cards work and where cash is the only option, ATM rules, VAT on restaurant bills, tipping and overcharging.
Guide
eSIM for Vietnam: Plans, Noi Bai SIMs & Passport Rules
Travel eSIM or a Viettel, Vinaphone or MobiFone tourist SIM? Plans and prices, the Noi Bai airport counters, passport and face registration, and MobiFone's free eSIM.
Guide
Is Hanoi Safe? Traffic, Scams, Taxis & Emergencies
Violent crime against visitors in Hanoi is rare. The real risks: motorbike traffic, bag snatching, unlicensed taxis, overcharging, methanol in drinks and winter air quality.
Guide
Hanoi Etiquette: Pagodas, Mausoleum, Eating & Tipping
The Hanoi etiquette rules a visitor meets: cover shoulders and knees at pagodas, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum rules, chopsticks and shared dishes, tipping, photos and greetings.
Plan your trip
The rules and costs that apply to every city on the site.
Common questions
What should I book before travelling to Hanoi?
Overnight Ha Long Bay cruises and sleeper train berths to Sapa should be booked at least two to four weeks in advance, especially during peak autumn and spring travel months. Weekend evening performances at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre should be reserved one to three days ahead. Central daytime sights like the Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison can be paid on arrival.
Do I need a visa to enter Vietnam for Hanoi?
Passports from the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the other countries on the list below enter without a visa for up to 45 days. US, Canadian, Australian and Irish passport holders apply for an e-visa at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn before flying: US$25 for a single entry or US$50 for multiple entries, valid for up to 90 days. Your passport needs at least six months' validity from the day you arrive.
How do I get from Noi Bai Airport to the Old Quarter?
Express Bus 86 leaves from outside the terminals and runs to the Old Quarter and Hanoi Railway Station for 45,000 VND a person. A Grab car costs roughly 250,000 VND to 350,000 VND, plus the airport toll of 10,000 VND to 15,000 VND.
Is Hanoi walkable for visitors?
The Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem lake loop are intensely walkable, though pavements are frequently occupied by parked motorbikes and miniature plastic street-food stools. Pedestrians often walk along the road shoulder. Crossing busy streets requires stepping out into traffic at a steady, predictable pace so motorcycle riders can judge your path and steer smoothly around you.
What currency is used in Hanoi and do vendors take cards?
All transactions in Hanoi use Vietnamese Dong (VND). Cash is essential for street food stalls, night markets, local coffee shops, cyclos and small pagodas. Mid-range to upscale hotels, sit-down restaurants and the Grab application accept Visa and Mastercard without difficulty.