West Lake (Tay Ho)
Hanoi, Vietnam
Scenic neighborhood with local expat community
Explore Hanoi
Hanoi — current status
Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)
Hanoi — TL;DR
Hanoi is Vietnam at its most layered — a thousand-year-old capital where French shophouses lean over Old Quarter lanes still named for the guilds that once worked them (Silver Street, Silk Street, Tin Street).
Hanoi at a glance
- What are the best things to do in Hanoi? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Hanoi trip feel like more than a checklist.
- How many days do you need in Hanoi? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Hanoi — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby…
- When is the best time to visit Hanoi? October-April (cooler, less humid); avoid July-August heat.
- Where should I stay in Hanoi for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
- How do you get around Hanoi? Old Quarter walkable; chaotic traffic; motorbikes and taxis common; buses cover wider areas.
Hanoi overview
- October-April (cooler, less humid); avoid July-August heat
- Old Quarter walkable; chaotic traffic; motorbikes and taxis common; buses cover wider areas
- Vietnamese Dong (VND)
- Vietnamese
- ICT (UTC+7)
- Elevated street food fine dining emerging; contemporary Vietnamese cuisine gaining recognition; heritage preservation alongside modernity; boutique hotel growth
Where to eat, drink & do in Hanoi
Hanoi neighborhoods
- Old Quarter Historic area with narrow streets and lantern-lit atmosphere
- French Quarter Colonial neighborhood with government buildings and upscale venues
- West Lake (Tay Ho) Scenic neighborhood with local expat community
- Ba Dinh District Central area near museums and landmarks
Practical info for Hanoi
- Plastic Stool Protocol in Hanoi? The best food is served on tiny plastic stools. Sit confidently, point at what others are eating, say "một phần" (one portion).
- Crossing Streets in Hanoi? Walk slowly and steadily. The traffic will flow around you. Never stop suddenly or run—that's when accidents happen.
- Cash is King in Hanoi? Most street food and small shops are cash only. ATMs are everywhere but withdraw enough dong to last.
- Learn Numbers in Hanoi? Learn Vietnamese numbers 1-10 for ordering. "Một" (one), "hai" (two), "ba" (three)—it opens doors.
Frequently asked questions about Hanoi
- What are the best things to do in Hanoi? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Hanoi trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Hanoi tends to reward.
- How many days do you need in Hanoi? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Hanoi — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
- When is the best time to visit Hanoi? October-April (cooler, less humid); avoid July-August heat.
- Where should I stay in Hanoi for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
- How do you get around Hanoi? Old Quarter walkable; chaotic traffic; motorbikes and taxis common; buses cover wider areas.
Practical notes for Hanoi
- Best time to visit
- October-April (cooler, less humid); avoid July-August heat
- Getting around
- Old Quarter walkable; chaotic traffic; motorbikes and taxis common; buses cover wider areas
- Currency
- Vietnamese Dong (VND)
- Language
- Vietnamese
- Timezone
- ICT (UTC+7)
- Current trends
- Elevated street food fine dining emerging; contemporary Vietnamese cuisine gaining recognition; heritage preservation alongside modernity; boutique hotel growth
Other neighborhoods in Hanoi
- Old Quarter — Historic area with narrow streets and lantern-lit atmosphere
- French Quarter — Colonial neighborhood with government buildings and upscale venues
- Ba Dinh District — Central area near museums and landmarks
Read the full Hanoi guide