Ultimate Hanoi Travel Guide, Vietnam: Transport, Things to do, and Top Attractions
Is Hanoi worth visiting for tourists in 2025? Heck yes—but don’t just take my word for it. Let’s discover together this Hanoi Travel Guide have everything one shoud know to explore the buzzing Vietnamese capital.
Top 9 Vietnamese Food Spots in Hanoi: Culinary Secrets Revealed
CONTENTS
Welcome to our Hanoi Travel Guide, Vietnam
I think the first thing that strikes you when you first step into Hanoi is that you have to be careful where you put them! Hanoi is somewhat like Ho Chi Minh in terms of the joyful mess of scooters but with narrower streets. This city that never sleeps left me a bit repelled: too much noise, too many horns, too many people. But it still has some nice surprises!
Getting to Vietnam
There are not 10,000 of ways to get to Hanoi, but 3 ways: plane, train, or bus!
By plane
Whether you arrive by domestic or international flight, you will arrive at the city’s only airport, Noi Bai International Airport, located just north of Hanoi. It is about 30kms away from the city centre. It should be noted that from India, flights into Hanoi are on average reasonably inexpensive from India.
A Delhi-Hanoi ticket costs between 200 US dollars on average. To pay less for your tickets, it is best to book them well in advance.
Find a flight to Hanoi.
Noi Bai Airport is located 30 km from the center of Hanoi. To reach Hoan Kiem (city center or old town), you have any of the following options:
Take a taxi: count on 400,000-500,000 dongs for a ride to Hoan Kiem. Beware of the scams mentioned below!
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Take a bus: Bus line 86 leaves every 20 minutes to take you to the center. Its terminus is Hanoi Train Station, on the edge of Hoan Kiem. If you have any doubts about your stop, ask the driver, he speaks English! Count on 35,000 dongs per person.
Take a shuttle from the airlines: Vietjet Air and Vietnam Airlines have set up shuttle systems to the center for 40,000 dongs, even if you haven’t traveled with them. You can’t miss them at the exit of the terminal, they are so colorful.
As you can see, taking a taxi from the airport to the center of Hanoi is not the best solution economically. Buses and shuttles are well-equipped and cheap too!
Warning: If you have booked a hotel in Hanoi, the hotel may offer to pick you up at the airport, often for around 20 dollars, or 500 000 dongs. You can even say that the price is a bit high and there is an alternative .
By Train and Bus
Train to Hanoi
If you are already in Vietnam, you can come by train or bus from Sapa, Ninh Binh, Dong Hoi, or Hue.
The good news: the train station (Ga Ha Noi) is located in the center of Hanoi, on the edge of the Hoan Kiem district! From there, you can take a taxi or walk, depending on the location of your hotel.
If you are coming from the south of Vietnam, there is a good chance that you will arrive at Giap Bat Bus Station, located in the south of Hanoi. The My Dinh Bus Station, located west of the Vietnamese capital, mainly serves northern cities (Mai Chau, Lai Cao, Cao Bang).
Finally, the bus station of Gia Lam, located northeast of Hanoi, is home to eastbound buses that go to Halong Bay. Since they are quite far away, you will have to take a taxi or a bus to reach downtown Hanoi.
Getting around in Hanoi
Getting around Hanoi is not an easy task, especially because we couldn’t find a detailed map of the city… By the way, you will find a complete map with all our good addresses at the bottom of the article.
Getting around Hanoi by road can sometimes be a bit chaotic! To get from point A to point B, you have about 6 options:
Scooters in Hanoi
Well, I put this option because it is possible to rent a scooter in Hanoi. But honestly, unless you have a good dose of Vietnamese blood and courage and a bit of faintness, I don’t see why you would want to do that! For your information, Hanoi (or Ha Noi) has more than 6 million people and almost as many scooters! But once you arrive in Vietnam, you get used to it quickly and you learn to cross the street! There is no miracle for this, you just have to get started! The first time you feel like doing a kamikaze operation, but in the end, you realize that it (almost always) happens automatically!
Bonus Tip:
The golden rule for crossing the street in Vietnam. First, put one foot on the street, then move forward taking small steps! Don’t panic when scooters start crossing you from all sides! Second rule: never back up! Keep moving forward trying to find gaps in the traffic!
Taxi
This is probably the most convenient option, but not the fastest, and especially a trapdoor for scams! We often hear that if a cab agrees to have a meter, we are all fine. Well… this is valid for many Asian cities, but not really in Hanoi.
You should know that many cabs have fake meters! Those who count 800 meters as 1 km, those who apply an ambiguous price list, those who operate normally, and those who dramatically increase the fare by 1 km from the destination… not to mention those dishonest drivers who will make you circle the city 18 times before taking you where you want to go, the scams are numerous!
To avoid being cheated, activate the GPS on your phone to see which route you have chosen. If you think the meter is going faster than you would like, change cabs! Some big companies like Mai Linh (Green Cab) are considered more accurate. Yes, to be proven!
Motorcycle Taxi
You will notice that you will not be 3 meters away from your hotel when someone has already approached you: “Sir! Motorcycle?”. If you refuse, do not be surprised by the offer of other services (marijuana, girls).
But let’s leave aside the many aspects of this profession and get back to the initial idea: getting around Hanoi! The motorcycle is probably the fastest way to get around.
However, it is also an opportunity for Westerners to test their heart’s capacity! Slaloms between cars, red lights, driving in the wrong direction, and even walking on the sidewalk if the road is too busy are all part of the ride! In short, give it a try but honestly, I’m not a fan of it!
Public bus
If you want to travel by bus in Hanoi it is not very easy, because there are so many lines. It is also not easy due to the lack of signs at the stops and especially maps. But if I had to mention just one useful line, it would be bus line 34. It connects the bus stations of Gia Lam and My Dinh, passing through the old district.
Be prepared, though: the bus is probably the slowest way to get around in Hanoi due to the heavy traffic! But it is the cheapest: a ticket costs between 3000 and 5000 dong, depending on the line!
Rickshaw or Cyclo
Rickshaw
We admit that we preferred walking instead of taking this emblematic means of transport in Hanoi. For 150 000 dong, you will take a 1-hour cyclo tour through Hoan Kiem. Be careful: scams in cycle rickshaws are just as frequent as in cabs, so don’t hesitate to agree on a price before the ride!
On foot!
During our short stop in Hanoi, we did everything on foot, more than 20 kilometers in some days! Besides training to cross streets in kamikaze mode, this way of walking also gives you the chance to fully understand the pulse of the city by crossing several districts. In short, we love it!
Badminton on the sidewalks in Hanoi
However, this is not the most comfortable option: sidewalks in Hanoi are a vague concept, when there are not 30 scooters parked on them blocking your way, it could be an improvised café, a street food stand, a fruit vendor, or even Vietnamese people who have organized a badminton game in the heart of the city.
Finally, in Hanoi, we move mainly on the street. Plus, since the scooters also travel on the sidewalks, it doesn’t change much!
Things to do in Hanoi
Take a walking tour
If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that we are fans of walking tours! The concept? A guide takes you on a walking tour to share all the secrets of the city. It is a free tour but based on tips. Because of this, the guides are often very motivated and extremely knowledgeable about the city!
Most of the time, we do it at the very beginning of the trip, as we usually leave with a good historical background and lots of ideas for places to visit. Book a walking tour through Hanoi.
Take a walk in a park or lake.
As you can see, traffic in Hanoi is like a jungle, and you may feel disturbed by all the roaring engines, constant horns, and motorcycle cabs. So, exploring one of Hanoi’s many parks and lakes is a great way to relax a bit!
Hoan Kiem Lake or the Lake of the Restored Sword
Hoan Kiem Lake is probably the lake you will see the most if you stay in the Old Quarter and I think it is also the lake with the most character. It is big enough to get away from the traffic congestion. Also, it is small enough that you can walk around it in less than an hour while stopping for a Vietnamese coffee on a terrace by the lake. It also has the Ngoc Son Temple, a nice little Confucian temple (entrance fee is 30,000 dong).
Ho Tay Lake or West Lake
The West Lake is an ancient dead branch of the Red River and the largest lake in Hanoi. Impressive by its size (5 km2), we liked the slightly retro, almost abandoned, aspect at the water’s edge. We had lunch on one of the boats. Well, the food was bad and the waitress tried to charge us double. So, we don’t recommend it very much, but for a coffee or a Coke in a 100% retro atmosphere, why not?
Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi
On the other hand, the famous Tran Quoc Pagoda is located on Ho Tay Lake. It is not possible to see it, but it is an opportunity to take good photos during the day and at night.
Bay Mau Lake
Bay Mau Lake is not worth seeing, but what is worth seeing is Thong Nhat Park (or Reunification Park) that surrounds it! After crossing the garden door, we find ourselves immersed in an atmosphere that reminds us of a lot of Chinese parks: everyone dances, runs, does fitness, rollerblades, plays badminton, and enjoys a few rays of sunshine that pierce the smoke.
On the other hand, to enter Thong Nhat Park you have to pay an entrance fee of 4000 dong. It’s not expensive, we agree, but we didn’t see any Vietnamese paying. Let’s just assume that it’s a small price to help maintain the park and that it’s not another tourist scam… even if it is a small scam, it’s worth it!
Visit a museum
Like any big city, Hanoi has many museums. To be honest, their quality varies a lot! Here’s a small overview of the museums we visited and what we thought of them.
Vietnam Ethnology Museum in Hanoi
If you are interested in the culture and history of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities, don’t miss this museum under any circumstances! In fact, it’s not only a museum exhibiting many objects coming from different ethnic groups, but it’s also a huge park with houses reproduced exactly!
The explanations given in English throughout the tour are detailed and interesting! Some advice: go there alone to avoid any organized tour and without time restrictions! We spent more than 3 hours there and didn’t read everything! Some guides allowed their groups to stay 40 minutes in the museum and 20 minutes in the park. we were a bit worried for them!
Practical information for Ethnology Museum
The Ethnology Museum of Vietnam is open every day from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, except Mondays. Tickets cost 40 000 dong per person. To get there from the city center (Hoan Kiem):
Bus line 14 which runs north of Hoan Kiem Lake stops nearby (Nghia Tan stop). The bus ticket costs 5000 dong.
By taxi, a trip from Hoan Kiem will cost around 130,000 dongs.
Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi, Vietnam
This is probably the museum in Hanoi where we spent the most time! The Vietnam Women’s Museum is spread over 5 floors and traces the lives of Vietnamese women over time, but also according to different ethnic minorities. We found the museum very well maintained and well documented, with many explanations available in English.
Bonus Tip: The Vietnam Women’s Museum is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm. The entrance ticket costs 40 000 dongs and you can rent an audio guide for 40,000 dongs. In our opinion, it is best to get there on foot, as it is close to the city center, Hoan Kiem.
We also learn about the important role of women during the Vietnam War, as well as the different rites and cultures of minorities, from birth to death and marriage.
At the exhibition, a short 15-minute documentary particularly impressed us. This explains a little better the everyday life of the street vendors who carry huge baskets on their shoulders everywhere in the city.
Most of these women come from the countryside. They leave their husbands and children and come to the capital to earn a few dozen dollars for their daily expenses at the end of the month.
Women’s Life in Vietnam
Very often, Vietnamese farmers manage to feed themselves thanks to their crops, but there are very few farmers who can earn even 1 dollar a day. Sometimes, a farmer manages to sell one of these pigs, but his meager income is not enough to cover current expenses.
As a result, women come to Hanoi for a month and live in a completely unhealthy common room for $0.35/night. Then, they wake up at 2 am to go to the market located outside the city to buy fruits and vegetables.
Street vendors in Hanoi, Vietnam
Around 6 am, they start selling their daily stock and usually go back to bed once they’ve sold everything! So, working 15-17 hours a day, 7 days a week, they can go home with a profit of around $20 at the end of the month. You could even say they make less than $1 a day between paying for their accommodation, buying stock, and bus expenses.
Hoa Lo Prison
Hoa Lo Prison was built by the French in the late 19th century. During the Vietnam War, the prison was used as a detention center for U.S soldiers and generals, including Senator John McCain. At that time, the prison got the nickname “Hanoi Hilton” from the hotel chain, which is completely ironic, since Hoa Lo was a place where American soldiers were interrogated to extract confessions.
But during our visit, we realized that the Vietnamese people had another meaning for the nickname… In the exhibition, we can see photos of American soldiers walking freely around the prison, playing football and cards, and enjoying bottles of red wine. In all the photos, the soldiers are smiling, playing with children, and almost seem to be at summer camp.
Hoa Lo Prison is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm. The entrance fee is 30 000 dongs and you can rent an audioguide for 100 000 dongs. We went there on foot, it’s about a 10-minute walk from Hoan Kiem.
Also read: Hoa Lo Prison Museum: History & Travel Tips
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
By the way, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is probably a must-see on a trip to Hanoi, but this little tour in the park made us a little hungry. During the walk, we didn’t find a single explanatory sign, except perhaps one that said: “Here is a car that Ho Chi Minh used “, thanks, guys! In short, there was nothing very outstanding.
Our visit to the Ho Chi Minh Museum was probably our most amazing experience in Hanoi. One room after another is filled with “artifacts”, each one more bizarre than the other. They are supposed to abstractly present the history of Ho Chi Minh without any indication.
Sometimes, there was an explanation, but it only confirmed our idea that the creators of the museum must have been on acid when they set up the museum! In the end, we spent more than an hour there and learned nothing about Ho Chi Minh’s life. At least we had fun!
Practical information
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is theoretically open from 8 am to 11 pm, the times often vary! Admission is 25,000 dong, which is about $1, for foreign visitors while Vietnamese citizens entrance is free.
One Pillar Pagoda or Mot Cot Pagoda
Not ugly, but not very pretty either, the One Pillar Pagoda disappoints a bit because of its small size… The same goes for explanations: nothing is described or indicated on the spot…
Fortunately, my friend Wikipedia told me that it is an 11th-century construction! According to legend, it was built by the emperor who must have dreamed of the birth of his son, who was brought to him by a goddess on a lotus flower. When his son was born, he had the pagoda built with a single pillar, symbolizing the blooming of the lotus emerging from the ocean of worries.
Well, the little Chua Dinh Hu temple in front of it also had a few surprises for us.
Attend a water puppet show.
It’s always nice to enjoy a bit of kitsch and a classic tourist attraction, so we let ourselves be tempted by the Thang Long water puppet show that is played near Hoan Kiem Lake. After paying for our tickets, we arrived at the performance hall, which was surprisingly full of tourists who had come to experience this art.
The art of water puppetry has its origins in northern Vietnam. The concept is very simple: puppets are mounted on bamboo rods and animated on the water from behind the stage. We would love to tell you more about the mechanism, but apparently, it’s 100% top-secret art!
This show aims to perform various fables and myths from Vietnamese history through puppets, and all this will be accompanied by traditional music.
We enjoyed the show a lot, especially because during the show live music is played by musicians and the story is told by a singer. By the way, in Vietnamese, so we didn’t understand much, but that’s not the point! In the end, it was such a gift for the eyes and ears that lasts for an hour and it would be a shame to miss it!
Practical information for Water Puppet Show
Tickets for the water puppet show cost up to 100 000 dong per person for the cheapest seats and 200 000 dong for the first 5 rows. Be careful, there is a sign at the entrance that you have to pay for pictures, but nobody pays.
Just ignore that sign and keep the 50,000 dong charged to buy yourself a beer on your way out. Performances take place at 4.10 pm, 5.20 pm, 6.30 pm and 8 pm. Tickets are available at the venue, but it is possible to buy tickets online through GetYourGuide. The price is a little higher, but it guarantees you a seat. In high season, this water puppet show is quite popular!
Other Activities
Hanoi is full of museums, temples, and other cultural activities that you could visit for several days… Here are some other ideas for exploring the Vietnamese capital:
The Literature Temple of Hanoi: We promised ourselves we would go there and in the end, it was a little forgotten… This temple, divided into 5 courtyards, was the seat of a Confucian academy aimed at training future scholars. Today, it is one of the most important monuments in the capital, it is even found on the back of the 100 000 dong banknote. In short, the Temple of Literature is a must-see if you visit Hanoi! It is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm and the entrance ticket costs 30 000 dong per person.
Opera Hanoi
Hanoi Opera House: You can only enter if you attend a concert, but its exterior inspired by the Garnier Opera House is worth a visit!
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient Imperial Citadel reveals its secrets through history and wars. If you are passionate about the history of Vietnam, a visit is a must! The entrance fee is 30 000 dong and the Citadel is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Otherwise, you can admire the northern gate of the site and the flag tower to the south.
Thang Long Imperial Citadel
The Thang Long Imperial Citadel is a cool place to check out! It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it spills the tea on history and wars. If you’re into Vietnamese history, you gotta go! It’s 30,000 dong to get in, and they’re open every day from 8 am to 5 pm. Or you can just stroll around and peep the northern gate and the flag tower in the south.
Hotels in Hanoi
It’s very easy to find accommodation in Hanoi because hotels are sprouting like mushrooms and there’s something for every budget! However, the most popular area for travelers is the old Hoan Kiem district, and, of course, you’ll have no trouble finding a hotel or youth hostel there!
We stayed at the Golden Lotus 3 star Hotel. In our opinion, it was a good choice, because, for $15 per night, we got a great room with great WiFi (the best since the beginning of the trip!). But other than that, most hotels in the area are between $12 and $25 per night for a standard double room with bathroom and hot water. To get the best price, it’s best to book directly on the spot. The prices offered on booking websites are often higher.
conclusion
Is Hanoi worth visiting for tourists?
Hanoi is definitely a great travel destination for tourists. Its rich historical and cultural heritage, charming old streets will give you a unique experience. If you want to see the blend of history, culture, and modernity, then Hanoi is an ideal place for you.
Hanoi is definitely a great travel destination for tourists. Its rich historical and cultural heritage, charming old streets will give you a unique experience. If you want to see the blend of history, culture, and modernity, then Hanoi is an ideal place for you.
Read more: Hanoi Food Guide
FAQ Section: Hanoi Travel Guide
What does this Hanoi travel guide cover?
Info on Transport (scooters, cyclos), landmarks (museums, lakes), and lodging.
What are Hanoi’s top landmarks?
Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and Thang Long Imperial Citadel.
How do I explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter?
Walk or take a cyclo tour to see markets like Dong Xuan or food spots like Ta Hien.
What food should I try in Hanoi?
Taste phở at Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su or bún chả on Hàng Mành in the Old Quarter.
How do I get around Hanoi?
Use scooters, cyclos, taxis, or Bus 86; avoid taxi scams by choosing Grab App.
How do I reach Hanoi?
Fly to Noi Bai Airport (30 km from center) or take a train/bus to Ga Ha Noi or Giap Bat.
What activities are in Hanoi?
Enjoy water puppet shows, visit Ethnology or Women’s Museums, or walk around West Lake.
Where should I stay in Hanoi?
Book hotels in Hoan Kiem district specifically in the Old Quarter for easy access to landmarks.
