City guide — Vietnam
Hanoi travel guide · Asia
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a captivating blend of Chinese heritage, French colonial architecture, and vibrant street life. The Old Quarter's labyrinthine streets and Hoan Kiem Lake offer an atmospheric window into a city that has endured centuries of history. Rapidly modernizing yet deeply rooted in tradition, Hanoi is a rising star in Southeast Asia and an ideal base for exploring northern Vietnam.
Autumn brings the most pleasant weather with lower humidity, cooler temperatures, and less rainfall. The city's milkwood trees bloom with a distinctive fragrance, making it the most comfortable and atmospheric time to visit.
A scenic lake at the heart of Hanoi surrounded by a pleasant park, beloved by locals for morning tai chi and weekend strolls. On weekends the surrounding roads are pedestrianized, creating a lively public space. The lake is steeped in legend about King Lê Lợi and a magical sword returned by a giant turtle.
The solemn resting place of Ho Chi Minh, preserved in Lenin-esque fashion in Ba Dinh Square. Visitors must dress respectfully and observe strict silence. The mausoleum is closed for several months at year's end when the body is taken abroad for maintenance.
Vietnam's first university, founded in 1070, dedicated to Confucius and celebrated scholars. A beautifully preserved complex of courtyards, pavilions, and stone steles listing the names of doctoral graduates. One of Hanoi's most iconic historical landmarks.
Relocated in 2024 to a vast 39-hectare compound, this is now the largest and most modern museum in Vietnam. It covers two millennia of military history with 150,000 artifacts, captured French and American military vehicles, aircraft, and artillery displayed in an enormous courtyard.
An outstanding museum covering the culture and ritual practices of Vietnam's diverse ethnic groups. Features an open-air exhibition with reconstructed traditional houses and costumed inhabitants. Exhibits are explained in Vietnamese, French, and English.
A dense warren of narrow, atmospheric streets north of Hoan Kiem Lake, featuring some of the best-preserved colonial and pre-colonial architecture in Southeast Asia. Each street was historically named after the trade practiced there, and the area remains a vibrant hub of commerce, street food, and local life.
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A traditional Vietnamese water puppet performance staged on a pool of water, depicting legends including the story of King Lê Lợi and the magical sword of Hoan Kiem Lake. One of Hanoi's most iconic cultural experiences.
The former imperial capital of Vietnam, home to a UNESCO-listed citadel, royal tombs, and pagodas. A key stop on the open-tour bus route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
A mountain town in the northwest famous for dramatic rice terraces, trekking through ethnic minority villages, and views of Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak.
A scenic province south of Hanoi known as 'Ha Long Bay on land', featuring limestone karsts, ancient temples, and boat rides through flooded rice paddies.
Vietnam's largest and most dynamic city, offering a stark contrast to Hanoi with its frenetic energy, war history museums, and vibrant food scene. Reachable by the Reunification Express train.
A coastal city in central Vietnam with beautiful beaches, the Marble Mountains, and easy access to the ancient town of Hoi An and the Hai Van Pass.
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