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Representative view of Hanoi, Vietnam
City
🇻🇳 Vietnam · Southeast Asia

Hanoi

The northern capital: Old Quarter lanes, lake walks, coffee culture and street food.

Budget level
Very affordable
Best months
Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov
Ideal stay
2–4 days
Best for
Food, Culture, Backpacking

Overview

Vietnam's capital and northern gateway, built around lakes with a dense, walkable Old Quarter and the country's most distinctive coffee scene.

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Compare flights, stays, activities and transport for your trip to Hanoi.

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Why go to Hanoi

  • Street-food density that rewards several days
  • Old Quarter and lakeside walking
  • Base for Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa
  • Museums and colonial-era architecture

Budget

Hanoi is very affordable by Vietnam standards. Across Vietnam, mid-range travellers typically spend about $55–$90 per person per day.

Country-level planning estimate, excluding flights. See the full Vietnam budget breakdown.

Practical information

  • Crossing the road takes practice — walk steadily and predictably
  • December–February can be genuinely cold and damp

When to go to Hanoi

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Plan 2–4 days here. Highlighted months are the best fit for most travellers.

Getting around

  • Cheap domestic flights make the long north–south axis practical on a two-week trip
  • The north–south railway is slow but scenic, with sleeper services between the main cities

Suggested itineraries

  • North to south classic

    15 days

    Hanoi, karst country, the central coast and the delta.

    Route: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hội An & Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City

  • Northern Vietnam

    9 days

    Capital, karst valleys and the far-north mountains.

    Route: Hanoi → Ninh Bình → Sapa & Ha Giang

Vietnam guides