Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a vibrant metropolis of 8.8 million people, blending French colonial architecture with dense 20th-century urban sprawl. As a diplomatic hub hosting 78 embassies, it offers deep historical roots, from the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long to the serene Hoan Kiem Lake. With 18.7 million visitors in 2022, the city is a bustling gateway to Vietnamese culture, featuring diverse neighborhoods, brutalist apartments, and tube houses. Its strong economic standing and rich heritage make it a prime destination for travelers seeking both history and modern urban energy.
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The Old Quarter near Hoan Kiem Lake is ideal for travelers who enjoy vibrant street life and walking access to major sites. The West Lake area offers a quieter, more upscale environment for those seeking tranquility. The city center, with its French colonial architecture, provides convenient access to government buildings and cultural landmarks, making it a strategic base for exploration.
While Hanoi covers a vast area of 3,358.6 km2, key attractions like the Imperial Citadel and West Lake are concentrated in the central urban area. The Old Quarter's narrow alleys are best explored on foot or by motorbike. For trips to outskirts like Ba Vi National Park, allow extra travel time. The city's disorganized alleys and tube houses require careful navigation, so plan routes in advance to avoid congestion.
Hanoi experiences distinct seasons, with spring and autumn offering mild weather ideal for outdoor exploration. Summers are hot and rainy, while winters can be damp and chilly. As a top destination with 18.7 million visitors in 2022, popular sites can be crowded during peak times. Travelers should consider visiting during shoulder seasons to enjoy comfortable weather and fewer crowds, enhancing the overall hotel stay experience.
old imperial citadel in Hanoi, Vietnam
national mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam
complex of monuments in Hanoi, temple of literature
stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam
Guanyin temple in Hanoi, Vietnam
square in Hanoi, Vietnam
museum in Hanoi, Vietnam, showcasing Vietnam's fine arts from every historical period
museum in Hanoi, Vietnam
prison in Hanoi used for political prisoners in colonial times and for prisoners of war during the Vietnam war
Water area in Hoàn Kiếm Ward
church in Hanoi, Vietnam
Buddhist temple in Hanoi
Gia đình, meaning "family", is a reference to chef Sam Tran and partner Long Tran's longing for their homeland during their years working abroad. The restaurant decor draws inspiration from the Temple of Literature just across the road. A single tasting menu is offered, showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients and drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Deceptively complex, the beautifully crafted dishes showcase well-judged combinations of subtle flavours, with acidity and texture playing prominent roles.
WebsiteNow with a two-storey expansion and lush courtyard, English-speaking staff and a photo menu, this vintage tea house is more tourist-friendly. It retains its North Vietnamese charm with antique decor, artwork and a rustic elegance, and continues to impart the essence of Vietnamese cuisine. Highlights include chả ốc (ham with periwinkle snails) served with herbs, vegetables, vermicelli and fish sauce, and the subtle crab soup with malabar spinach in a clear broth.
Guests are cosseted from start to finish during this theatrical dining experience at the 14-seat counter in the Capella Hanoi hotel basement. Affable Chef Hiroshi Yamaguchi skilfully cooks teppanyaki dishes that are rich and complex in flavour. The menu's distinct decadence is epitomised by the premium ingredients flown in fortnightly from Japan (abalone, spiny lobster, sea urchin and Hokkaido hairy crab). The certified Kyori beef arrives from Yaeyama monthly.
WebsiteOpened over 30 years, this restaurant has three branches on one street. Head to the most popular, at 6B: a pale-yellow, century-old townhouse accessible via a quaint courtyard. The menu stars chả cá, deboned Hemibagrus catfish (cá lăng), seasoned with turmeric, wrapped in banana leaves and grilled. Served in a hot pot, it is lightly stir-fried with spring onions and herbs – best enjoyed with rice noodles and fish sauce.
WebsiteOne of Hanoi's most iconic eateries, Phở Gia Truyền exemplifies the Northern approach to phở with three options: rare flank, medium rare round or well-done brisket. Each delicious bowl is made to order at the counter, and diners can add crispy quẩy or a golden egg yolk for richness.
Many restaurants in Vietnam focus on a concise menu starring one key ingredient. In this 40-plus-year-old shop, the menu revolves around eel as in eel noodles, eel congee and eel soup. For the noodles, they use rice vermicelli which is made into noodle soup, or tossed with deep-fried shredded eel, herbs, toasted peanuts and shallots. Shredded pork sausage and shiitake mushrooms are added to the soup and congee to further boost the umami.
Khôi Hói means bald head, referring to the owner’s hairstyle. Come here for phở – beef noodle soup. There are many cuts to choose from, including rare cuts like beef heel muscle. You can also specify how you like your beef cooked.
For over a decade, this small shop has been known for its crispy bánh xèo pancake with various fillings. For first-timers, English-speaking servers helpfully explain how the pancake is wrapped in rice paper with veggies and herbs, and dunked in the tangy fish sauce before being consumed. In addition to the signature pancake, hot pot, spring roll, rice noodles and barbecues are their strong suits.
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