Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem)
Dense heritage lanes, street food, bars
City hotel guide
Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital in northern Vietnam, a city with more than 1,000 years of history. Its Old Quarter has streets dating back to the 14th century, while colonial-era facades, lakeside public life, cafes, restaurants and galleries shape much of the visitor experience. For hotel choice, first compare Hoan Kiem: the northern half contains the Old Quarter’s compact lanes, and Hoan Kiem Lake is a central public focal point. South Hoan Kiem and nearby Ba Dinh suit travelers who prefer broader avenues, French-style architecture, embassies, government landmarks and access to sights such as the Hanoi Opera House. Tay Ho, around West Lake, offers a lakeside setting with hotels, villas, gardens, restaurants and a quieter base than the Old Quarter. Noi Bai International Airport serves the city and is about 45 km from the center; taxis, buses and ride-hailing apps such as Grab are cited transport options for getting into and around Hanoi.
2,229Hotels
18Brands
11Programs
🕐 Asia/Bangkok · 💱 VND
Christopher Crouzet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Best time to visit
☀️ Best months: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec
Jan21° / 14°💧37mm
Feb21° / 14°💧94mm
Mar27° / 19°💧80mm
Apr29° / 21°💧54mm
May31° / 24°💧235mm
Jun33° / 26°💧276mm
Jul34° / 26°💧221mm
Aug32° / 26°💧461mm
Sep31° / 25°💧357mm
Oct29° / 22°💧108mm
Nov28° / 20°💧53mm
Dec21° / 14°💧16mm
High/low are monthly means, 💧 is mean monthly precipitation (2022–23, Open-Meteo); green = comfortable & drier.
Where to stay
French Quarter / Opera House
Leafy boulevards, museums, polished hotels
Tay Ho / West Lake
Lakeside, expat cafes, slower pace
Ba Dinh
Monuments, embassies, broad quieter streets
Truc Bach
Small lakeside enclave near the Old Quarter
Cau Giay
Modern west-side district near Line 3
Area guides are reference info (AI-assisted, web-grounded); never ranked by price or commission.
Getting there & around
From the airport
Hanoi’s main airport is Noi Bai (HAN), about 35 km northeast of the centre. There is no airport train or metro yet. Taxi, ride-hail or private transfer to Hoan Kiem/Old Quarter usually takes 35-60 min; use official ranks or app pickup. Airport Bus 86 links T1/T2 with the Hoan Kiem edge and Hanoi Railway Station in about 45-70 min. Public buses 90, 07, 17 and 109 serve areas such as Cat Linh/Cau Giay, Long Bien and My Dinh, often 60-90 min depending on traffic.
HAN airport guide (official info · terminals · lounges) →
Around the city
For short central trips, walking plus taxi/ride-hail is easiest. Hanoi Metro is useful if your hotel is near a station: Line 2A runs Cat Linh-Yen Nghia, and Line 3 currently runs Nhon-Cau Giay on the elevated section; neither reaches the Old Quarter or airport yet. Tourists can buy QR single tickets or a day ticket at metro stations or in the Hanoi Metro app; contactless Visa is accepted at some gates. For buses, use BusMap, Tìm Buýt or Google Maps, and expect traffic delays.
Ⓜ️ Cát Linh Station🚆 Hanoi railway stationⓂ️ La Thành StationⓂ️ Cầu Giấy StationⓂ️ Thái Hà Station🚆 Long Biên railway stationⓂ️ Chùa Hà railway stationⓂ️ Láng Station
As of 2026-06-20 — confirm current schedules/fares with the operator.
Loyalty program coverage
Before choosing where to stay
Hoan Kiem and the Old Quarter
Hoan Kiem contains many of Hanoi’s tourist sights. Its northern Old Quarter has small blocks and alleys, making it practical for travelers who want street food, markets and Hoan Kiem Lake close at hand.
SourceFrench Quarter and Ba Dinh
South Hoan Kiem is noted for French-style villas, broad avenues and landmarks such as the Hanoi Opera House and museums. Ba Dinh is associated with government buildings and sights including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area.
SourceWest Lake and Tay Ho
West Lake is Hanoi’s largest freshwater lake, and its surroundings include gardens, hotels, villas and restaurants. Tay Ho is a useful base for travelers who prefer a lakeside setting and a less compressed district than the Old Quarter.
SourceAirport access
Noi Bai International Airport is about 45 km from Hanoi’s city center. Vietnam’s official tourism site lists taxis, buses, motorbikes and ride-hailing apps such as Grab among transport options in the city.
SourceNearby attractions
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
national mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
old imperial citadel in Hanoi, Vietnam
Van Mieu, Temple of Literature
complex of monuments in Hanoi, temple of literature
One Pillar Pagoda
Guanyin temple in Hanoi, Vietnam
Hàng Đẫy Stadium
stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam
Ba Ðình Square
square in Hanoi, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh Museum
museum in Hanoi, Vietnam
Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts
museum in Hanoi, Vietnam, showcasing Vietnam's fine arts from every historical period
Hỏa Lò Prison
prison in Hanoi used for political prisoners in colonial times and for prisoners of war during the Vietnam war
Trấn Quốc Pagoda
Buddhist temple in Hanoi
Hoàn Kiếm Lake
Water area in Hoàn Kiếm Ward
West Lake
lake in Hanoi, Vietnam
Dining
Gia
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.
WebsiteTầm Vị
Now 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.
1946 Cua Bac
Named after a significant year in Vietnamese history, this easy-to-find restaurant sits tucked away in a narrow alley, marked by its bright yellow-and-green townhouse. Nostalgic décor, old wooden tables and vintage photographs add to the charm. Start with the green banana blossom salad with beef, a refreshing combination of tender meat and sweet-sour dressing. The signature fried crab and rice porridge hot pot is the main draw, bringing together crab, pigeon, beef balls and vegetables in a naturally sweet, comforting broth. English menus are available, and booking ahead is recommended.
WebsiteXới Cơm
Experience authentic Northern Vietnamese home cooking in this cosy restaurant, whose vintage interior is reminiscent of Hanoi houses in the 1980s and 1990s. The menu options vary daily, with simple yet delicious dishes like stir-fried water spinach with garlic and deep-fried tofu with green onion. A comfortable venue at eater-friendly prices, while the helpful staff is on hand to explain the Vietnamese menu in simple English. The restaurant is often busy at mealtimes and seating is limited, so booking in advance is recommended.
WebsiteMammom
Built on devotion, this kitchen pays homage to the traditional home cooking of Vietnamese mothers. The chef brings a decade of experience to bear in a repertoire of nearly 100 dishes covering Southern, Central and Northern specialities, each gently cooked with authentic seasonings that preserves their rustic character. In the clam broth, brightened with tomato and pineapple, the clams are deliciously tender, and sweet and sour flavours are expertly balanced.
WebsitePhở Khôi Hói
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.
Phở Gia Truyền (Hoàn Kiếm)
One 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.
Chả Cá Thăng Long (6B Duong Thanh Street)
Opened 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.
WebsiteAttraction data from Wikidata (CC0) and open sources, ranked by notability and distance — for reference.
See all guide-listed restaurants in Hanoi (Michelin / Black Pearl) →
Airport lounges (HAN)
Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge
ACV Lounge
Asg Sky Lounge
Business Class Lounge of Vietnam Airlines
First Lounge
SH Premium Lounge Ha Noi
Sh Premium Lounge Ha Noi
Sh Premium Lounge Ha Noi
Sh Premium Lounge West Wing
Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge
Lounge access is reference info — confirm current terms with the operator; commission never ranks.
Flights to Hanoi
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