Hanoi

Why visit Hanoi?

It’s worth going to Hanoi for its food alone: home to Vietnam’s signature phở (noodle soup) and other specialities like bún chả and bún riêu, to name but a few. Hanoians take their food very seriously – and whether it’s a lavish vegetarian buffet, grilled meat skewers on the street or one of the many international eateries near West Lake, you won’t be disappointed.

The city is a cultural hub: and some of our favourite spots in Hanoi are the Temple of Literature and the Vietnamese Women’s Museum. The former, for taking a book and, once you’ve wandered around, enjoying some peaceful time in the leafy shade, away from the bustle of the streets outside. And the latter, for learning the hugely important role that women have played in Vietnamese history, during the war, and how they continue to shape the country today.

The sprawling metropolis of this northern hub is home to fantastic shopping opportunities – whether you’re after high-quality outdoor gear (coats, backpacks, hiking shoes and more) from an outlet shop, woven blankets competitive to Sapa prices, thrifty shopping in its markets or high-end retail in its shopping malls, you’ll need to cool down with a cà phê sữa đá after your spending frenzy!

One of the best things to do in Hanoi, however, is simply to sit and watch:

• Watch bicycles overflowing with colourful flowers trundle past, the old lady transporting them barely visible among the swaying petals. 
• Watch tourists getting caricatures around the lakes, and the crowds of people that watch them, too. 
• Watch parents and their kids take over an entire side of the lake as they zoom around in motorised trucks, tanks and cars. 
• Watch how the city can take hold of you, captivate you, in any moment.

Top things to do in Hanoi

As you can see, Hanoi travel holds plenty of opportunities. So with so much on offer, we’ve highlighted a few of the tops spots best areas in Hanoi. Hopefully, that’ll make planning your Hanoi holiday nice ‘n’ simple – although of course, you can get in touch with our local travel team for any further tips.

• Hoan Kiem Lake for people watching (and a breath of fresh air!)
• Old Quarter for shopping, street food and Hanoi’s signature egg coffee
• French Quarter for bakeries, colonial buildings and galleries
• West Lake for the best international restaurants and expat bars
• Truc Bach for chilled-out vibes and its signature dish, phở cuốn
• St Joseph’s Cathedral: for sheer prettiness, especially around Christmas
  

What’s the best time to visit Hanoi?

Hanoi weather is more predictable than many other areas in Vietnam. It’s coolest in January and February, and hottest between May and August. You’ll get the most rainfall during the summer months, however, and the humidity can be near intolerable. 

So the best time to visit Hanoi is from October – April (further into spring for warmer temperatures!) Rainfall is low, the days will be clear and crisp and you’ll find yourself with more energy to explore Hanoi’s top attractions.

Now you have an idea of when to travel – but where to stay in Hanoi, that’s the next question! Well, as Hanoi is where the majority of the Wide Eyed Tours & Travel team are based, we’ve stayed in almost every boutique homestay and five star hotel in Hanoi (it’s a tough life in the name of research!)

We have a deep, on-the-ground knowledge of the best accommodation in Hanoi – and after getting to know you personally, we can recommend somewhere to stay based on your tastes, needs and budget.

Because when you book a custom made tour to Hanoi, it’s not just about the activities you do around the city: it’s feeling at home in the city too, and getting the most comfort you can from wherever you choose to lay your head.

Ready to book your Hanoi holiday?

With our head office centrally located in the capital, Hanoi is home to most of the team at Wide Eyed Tours & Travel. Our team can greet you on your arrival to Noi Bai International Airport, assist you with every part of your stopover, and wave you goodbye at the departure gate when it’s time to go.

Our travel packages to Hanoi are built with love, care and the understanding that a package should be flexible, customisable and tailor-made to each traveller’s needs. We’re here to make sure you savour every crumb of this fantastic city – and that you don’t miss a thing.