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Northern Vietnam · Must visit

Hà Nội

Capital, Old Quarter, street food — everything you need to know before you go.

CityFoodHistory
Best time
Oct – Apr
Stay from
$18
Articles
58
Coordinates
21.03°N
105.85°E
Vibrant Hanoi street festooned with Vietnamese flags and bustling local life.
↑ Vibrant Hanoi street festooned with Vietnamese flags and bustling local life.Photo · Thuan Pham · Pexels
01Overview02When to go03What to do04Where to eat05Getting there
01.

Overview — what Hà Nội is, in one screen.

Hà Nội is one of northern vietnam's most must visit destinations. Known for capital, old quarter, street food, it draws travelers looking for city and food experiences.

Best visited between Oct – Apr when the weather is most favorable and crowds are manageable. Accommodation starts from $18/night for guesthouses and homestays.

This guide collects 58 independent articles — destinations within Hà Nội, where locals eat, transport options, and tested itineraries you can follow.

Quick facts
Region
Northern Vietnam
Best time
Oct – Apr
Stay from
$18
Travel style
City, Food, History
Articles
58 guides
Coordinates
21.03°N · 105.85°E
02.

Best time to visit — month by month.

Jan
★★★★
Feb
★★★★
Mar
★★★★
Apr
★★★★
May
★★★
Jun
★★
Jul
★
Aug
★
Sep
★★
Oct
★★★★★
Nov
★★★★★
Dec
★★★★
PoorBest time
03.

What to do in Hà Nội — top experiences.

All Hà Nội guides →
Black and white image of traditional clay jars in an outdoor setting.
01 · Destinations

Bat Trang vs Phu Lang vs Chu Dau: Vietnam's Three Ceramic Villages Compared

5 minRead guide →
Bustling Tết festival market with lanterns and decorations in a vibrant Vietnamese street.
02 · Destinations

Tet Nguyen Dan: What Really Happens During Vietnam's Lunar New Year Week

5 minRead guide →
Two women in traditional attire playing string instruments outside a homestay.
03 · Destinations

Hat Xam: The Blind Beggar Music of Vietnam Making a Comeback

4 minRead guide →
A person practicing traditional Chinese calligraphy with a brush on a red mat.
04 · Destinations

Vietnamese Calligraphy: The Ong Do Tradition and Where to Commission a Piece

5 minRead guide →
A woman skillfully weaving textiles on a traditional loom indoors, showcasing cultural craftsmanship.
05 · Destinations

Van Phuc Silk Village: The 1000-Year Loom Town Just Outside Hanoi

4 minRead guide →
Two intricate Vietnamese art pieces with dragon motifs displayed in a Hanoi shop.
06 · Destinations

Son Mai: Vietnam's Lacquer Art, From Temple Walls to Hanoi Galleries

5 minRead guide →
04.

Where to eat in Hà Nội — dishes locals queue for.

All Hà Nội food →
Woman wearing conical hat smiling and harvesting lychees in a warehouse filled with fruit.
01 · Food

Vai Thieu Luc Ngan: Vietnam's Best Lychee and the 4-Week Window to Taste It

5 minRead guide →
A woman crafting traditional Vietnamese Chung cakes with banana leaves and sticky rice in Vietnam.
02 · Food

Com Vong: Hanoi's Green Sticky Rice and the Six Weeks You Can Actually Buy It

5 minRead guide →
Tantalizing pho bowl filled with fresh herbs, tender beef slices, and vibrant chilies on a bamboo mat.
03 · Food

Pho Cuon Hanoi: the Rolled Pho You Can Only Find at West Lake

5 minRead guide →
A vibrant bowl of Vietnamese Pho with fresh herbs and lime for a perfect meal.
04 · Food

Best Pho Ga in Hanoi: Where Locals Send You

4 minRead guide →
Close-up of a fresh and vibrant Vietnamese Bánh Mì sandwich served with a message saying 'Good Morning, Vietnam'.
05 · Food

Best Banh Cuon in Hanoi: Where Locals Send You

5 minRead guide →
Gourmet appetizer creatively styled on a black plate in a fine dining setting, emphasizing visual artistry.
06 · Food

Fine Dining in Hanoi for First-Timers: Where to Book

4 minRead guide →
05.

Getting to Hà Nội — your options.

Option 01

Bus / overnight sleeper

From
Hà Nội
Travel time
6–10 hr
Cost
200–400k VND
Option 02

Motorbike rental

From
Hà Nội
Travel time
8–12 hr
Cost
120k/day + fuel
Option 03

Private car + driver

From
Hà Nội
Travel time
6–8 hr
Cost
2.5–4M VND
→

Read more about Hà Nội — independent guides.

All 146 →
Black and white image of traditional clay jars in an outdoor setting.
01 · Destinations

Bat Trang vs Phu Lang vs Chu Dau: Vietnam's Three Ceramic Villages Compared

Three villages, three completely different traditions in clay. Here's how Bat Trang, Phu Lang, and Chu Dau compare — and how to visit each from Hanoi.

Bustling Tết festival market with lanterns and decorations in a vibrant Vietnamese street.
02 · Destinations

Tet Nguyen Dan: What Really Happens During Vietnam's Lunar New Year Week

Tet shuts Vietnam down and lights it back up simultaneously. Here's what actually unfolds day by day — and how to navigate it as a visitor.

Two women in traditional attire playing string instruments outside a homestay.
03 · Destinations

Hat Xam: The Blind Beggar Music of Vietnam Making a Comeback

Hat xam was sung by blind street performers for centuries — then nearly vanished. Here's where to hear it live in Hanoi today.

→

Or visit instead — other destinations in Northern.

All 12 →
Aerial view of a village surrounded by scenic rice terraces and a small pond, capturing rural beauty.
Trending
Northern
Hà Giang
Karst loops & ethnic markets
Sep – NovFrom $12
42 guides →
Picturesque scenery of green hills with wooden houses placed among rice plantations located in countryside in daytime
Popular
Northern
Sa Pa
Rice terraces, hill tribes
Apr – OctFrom $15
31 guides →
Stunning sunset over Halong Bay, Vietnam, with karst formations reflected in the tranquil waters.
Iconic
Northern
Hạ Long Bay
Karst islands, junk cruises
Mar – MayFrom $45
24 guides →
A tranquil riverside scene with traditional Asian boats and a person in a conical hat.
Underrated
Northern
Ninh Bình
Inland karsts, river temples
Feb – AprFrom $12
22 guides →
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