HANOI, VIETNAM: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE CHAOTIC CAPITAL CITY
Hanoi is the chaotic capital city of Vietnam. It operates on a frenzied energy where pedestrians play frogger with motorbikes, and the busy streets are lined with food stalls where people sit on plastic stools eating pho. The big city chaos isn’t for everyone, but if Hanoi is your gateway into Vietnam, it’s worth stopping for a night or two to acclimate and rest up before heading off to Halong Bay, Ninh Binh or Sapa. Below is my complete travel guide to Hanoi including the best places to visit, cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels, Hanoi photo locations, travel tips and more.
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The iconic Train Street of Hanoi is a wild experience.
HANOI TRAVEL TIPS
- CURRENCY – The official currency of Vietnam is the Dong. While most hotels and established restaurants take credit card, cash is a must for smaller purchases, food stalls, admission tickets and guides.
- TIPPING – There is no tipping culture in Vietnam, although a 10%-15% tip is appreciated by guides who offer good service.
- E-VISA – If you’re traveling from the USA, you’ll need an e-visa to enter Vietnam. The approval process takes five to 10 days, and the cost is $25 for a single entry visa. The official site to apply is here.
- VIETNAM AIRPORT FAST TRACK – I highly recommend paying the extra money to use the Airport Fast Track option if you’re flying into Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang. Someone will meet you in arrivals upon landing, and take you to an expedited immigration lane. This usually saves 30-90 minutes in lines. There are several websites to apply for this, I used Fast Track Vietnam.
- STAYING CONNECTED – Most hotels offer wi-fi, but for 24/7 connection it’s best to purchase an e-SIM for your cell phone.
Bancong is a cute little cafe in the Old Quarter.
WHEN TO VISIT HANOI
- MARCH-MAY – The best time of the year to explore north Vietnam is March through May when temperatures are generally cooler with low chance of rain.
- SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER – These months can be hit or miss with weather, as they fall between the hot rainy season and the cooler months of the year.
- JUNE-AUGUST – June through August is typically the hottest and wettest time of the year to visit north Vietnam.
- DECEMBER-FEBRUARY – Expect crisp mornings, chilly afternoons and the occasional mist during the region’s coldest months of the year.
Exploring the Old Quarter.
St. Joseph Cathedral. OUTFIT DETAILS: Sezane dress linked here and similar Sezane bag linked here.
HOW MANY DAYS IN HANOI
TWO DAYS. Hanoi is a large city with an endless number of restaurants, cafes, food stalls and shops. It would be easy enough to spend a week getting lost in the labyrinth of streets and alleyways, but honestly two days is plenty of time on a tight schedule. The city is busy, chaotic and polluted. It’s worth a visit, but also worth moving on to more scenic destinations like Ninh Binh, Sapa or Mai Chau.
We entered the southern section of Train Street through Hanoi 1990s Cafe.
PLACES TO VISIT IN HANOI
OLD QUARTER
The Old Quarter is my favorite neighborhood in Hanoi. The historic district is a maze of little streets lined with shophouses, tube houses, street food and a steady stream of motorbikes. It’s very atmospheric, and truly arresting to the senses. Must-visit destinations in the Old Quarter include Hang Ma Street, Ta Hien Street, St. Joseph Cathedral, the Chợ Đồng Xuân covered market and the Old Quarter Night Market that takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
HANOI TRAIN STREET
This might be my favorite location in all of Hanoi. Hanoi Train Street is a set of railway tracks that cut through a narrow corridor lined with cafes and homes in the Old Quarter. Several cafes set up tables along the tracks, and when a train passes, it’s mere inches away from people drinking their Vietnamese coffee. Trains pass only a few times a day, check with the cafes for the most current schedule (we used Hanoi 1990s Cafe). Hanoi Train Street is vibrant, colorful and completely unique. And as of this writing, the southern section is still open.
HOAN KIEM LAKE
In a city that thrives on chaos, Hoan Kiem Lake serves up a serene escape in the heart of Hanoi. Both the Old Quarter and French Quarter border the 30-acre lake, home to the historic Turtle Tower, Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple. It’s a popular setting for a morning walk, jog or to join the locals for Tai Chi.
LY TRIEU QUOC SU PAGODA
This historic pagoda sits in the middle of the Old Quarter. It dates back to the 12th century and serves as a peaceful little sanctuary from the chaotic streets of Hanoi. The pagoda features red and yellow walls, wood carvings, statues and a three-gate entrance.
NGOC SON TEMPLE
Ngoc Son Temple might be the most iconic landmark in Hanoi. It sits on Jade Island, reachable via the bright red Huc Bridge over Hoan Kiem Lake. Visitors can tour the 19th century temple that honors General Tran Hung Dao to see the Moon Gazing Pavilion, the traditional three chambers, a stone tower, the gardens and an ink slab.
O QUAN CHUONG CITY GATE
This 18th century gate is located at the busy intersetion of Hang Chieu Street and Dao Guy Tu Street, but worth a look if you’re in the area. It’s the last remaining of the original 21 gates from the Thang Long Citadel. Today, it is known as the Old East Gate.
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE
The Temple of Literature was constructed by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, and today it’s home to the Imperial Academy, one of the premier national universities in Vietnam. The temple’s design follows the principles of Confucius with five courtyards. I suggest visiting right when it opens because hundreds of students descend on the temple within 20 minutes of opening.
The Fairmont Hanoi is a brand-new hotel walking distance from Hoan Kiem Lake. I absolutely loved it here!
WHERE TO STAY IN HANOI
In a city completely lacking of luxury hotel options, Capella Hanoi stands as the only true five-star hotel in Hanoi. The hotel isn’t huge – boasting a mere 47 rooms that pay an ode to the 1920s Golden Age of Opera. Each room is named after a famous opera singer, composer or artist. The property is beautiful with Art Deco design cues, opera memorabilia, costumes and vintage portraits in rooms designed with a black, white and yellow palette.
The first Fairmont property in Vietnam just opened their doors in February 2026, in Hanoi. Fairmont Hanoi is a sophisticated design that is home to more than 240 rooms and suites. The spaces are lovely – high ceilings, neutral color palette, floor to ceiling windows and very modern feels. It sits right at the edge of the Old Quarter, walking distance to sights and restaurants. The design of the space is truly gorgeous. I highly recommend staying here.
If you’re in Hanoi to sightsee, the location of the JW Marriott isn’t ideal. It sits in the new Central Business District of the city, but if you’re willing to make the 30-minute drive to the Old Quarter, the hotel is beautiful. It holds a sprawling 450 rooms that are spacious, modern and clean. Loved staying here – just wish it was closer to Hoan Kiem Lake.
SOFITEL LEGEND METROPOLE HANOI
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi dates back to 1901, known as the Grand Dame of Southeast Asia. There are two wings to the property – the Heritage Wing’s 1920’s French colonial style and the neoclassical Opera Wing that was added in 1996. There is an authentic underground bunker from the Vietnam War where the property’s Bamboo Bar is located. This is one of the most historic hotels in the city – walking distance from Hoan Kiem Lake.
At Note Coffee visitors are encouraged to write a note on a Post-It and stick it on the wall.
BEST HANOI BAKERIES & CAFES
- Bancong Cafe
- Cong Caphe
- De Beurre Bakery
- Giao Mua Coffee
- Gau Coffee and Bakery
- Loading T Cafe
- Note Coffee
- Pame Cafe
Matcha croissant and double chocolate croissant from De Beurre Bakery.
Lunch feast at MET Hanoi.
BEST HANOI RESTAURANTS
- Banh Mi 26 (sandwiches)
- French Grill (French)
- Ha Thanh Mansion (Vietnamese)
- Hoang’s Restaurant (Vietnamese)
- Met Hanoi (Vietnamese)
- November Restaurant & Sky Bar (Western)
- Pho Ga Nguyet (Vietnamese)
- Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan (Vietnamese)
- Tung’s Restaurant (Vietnamese)
Found a street lined with gorgeous murals. OUTFIT DETAILS: Sezane dress linked here and Sezane bag linked here.
BEST BARS
- The Alchemist
- Breeznees 1920s Speakeasy Bar
- Cloud Sky Bar
- Haflington Hanoi
- Ne Cocktail Bar
- Reno Bar
- Solar Sky Bar
Beer Street is a vibe in the evenings.
GET AROUND HANOI
It’s easiest to get around Hanoi on foot. Several of the sights, restaurants and hotels are walking distance within the Old Quarter and French Quarter. For longer distances, it’s easiest to use the Grab ride share app to book a taxi.
GET TO HANOI
- FLIGHT – Hanoi is home to the Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) that connects the city to destinations around the world including Hong Kong, London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore and more.
- TRAIN – It’s also possible to reach Hanoi by railway. The trains arrive and depart from the Hanoi Train Station (Ga Hà Nội).
Temple of Literature.
