Quick Answer
- Best time to visit Hanoi: October to April. Winter can be chilly and grey; summer is hot and stormy.
- Entry: 45 days visa-free for the UK and many European passports; e-visa up to 90 days for everyone else.
- From the airport: Express Bus 86, 45,000 VND, around 55 minutes; or Grab door to door.
- Getting around: walk the Old Quarter; Grab cars and bikes for longer hops.
- Day trips: Ninh Binh (around 2 hours) as a day trip; Ha Long Bay best overnight.
At a glance
- Best time
- October to April
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days plus day trips
- Currency
- Vietnamese dong (VND)
- Language
- Vietnamese
- From the airport
- Bus 86, ~55 min, 45,000 VND
- Visa
- 45 days visa-free for some; e-visa others
- Getting around
- Walking, Grab cars and bikes
What should you know before your first trip to Hanoi?
Hanoi looks chaotic for about an hour. Then you learn the two skills that matter (crossing the road and choosing where to eat) and it becomes one of the most walkable, rewarding cities in Southeast Asia.
This Hanoi travel guide covers the season, the paperwork, the airport bus, the sights and where to stay. VoyageHacks checked the entry rules, fares and fees below on 3 October 2026.
What to pack for Hanoi
Four picks from our gear guides that suit this trip. Each card opens the live Amazon price; the links below lead to the full comparisons.
360-degree memory foam with asymmetrical sides, so you pick which side gets the most support instead of getting the same generic curve everywhere. It was the single most-purchased travel product among Travel + Leisure readers in 2025. The catch: even compressed to about 60% of its size in the included bag, it’s still bulkier than an inflatable.
Check price on Amazon Live price on Amazon61 x 122 cm, listed at 120 g in navy, snap loop and a ventilated carry bag. Rainleaf says it absorbs five times its own weight, and it comes in six sizes. The one most travelers should buy first.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonThe reliable all-rounder: one USB-C and four USB-A ports, plugs for 200+ countries, and a built-in fuse with a spare. The adapter most people should buy.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonModel A1259, 10,000mAh, about 37Wh, 215 g. Two phone charges in a jacket pocket, and small enough that the two-bank limit never becomes a question.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonDo you need a visa for Hanoi?
| Passport | Entry rule |
|---|---|
| UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Japan, South Korea | Visa-free up to 45 days |
| Several more European countries (including Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland) | Visa-free up to 45 days under a scheme Vietnam has extended in stages: check it is still in force for your dates |
| US, Canada, Australia, India and most others | E-visa, up to 90 days, single or multiple entry |
Apply for the e-visa only on the Vietnam Immigration Department’s official portal, evisa.gov.vn, ideally a week or more before you fly. Lookalike agency sites charge large markups for the same document. Our Vietnam visa guide covers fees, processing times and land borders.
How do you get from Noi Bai airport into Hanoi?
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Bus 86 (orange) | Around 55 min | 45,000 VND | To the Old Quarter and Hanoi station; early morning to late evening |
| Grab car | Around 30 to 45 min, traffic dependent | Set in the app | Easiest with luggage or a group |
| Official airport taxi | Similar to Grab | Metered | Use the official rank, not touts in the hall |
How do you get around Hanoi?
What should you see in Hanoi?
| Sight | What it is | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple | The city’s green heart; temple reached by the red Huc Bridge | Small temple fee | Loop the lake at dawn |
| The Old Quarter | Narrow streets named for historic trades | Free | Explore slowly, on foot |
| Temple of Literature | Vietnam’s first university, courtyards and pavilions | 70,000 VND | Open daily, about 8 am to 5 pm |
| Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum | The state mausoleum in Ba Dinh | Free | Mornings only, closed Mondays and Fridays and for an annual autumn maintenance period; dress modestly |
| Hoa Lo Prison | Colonial-era prison museum | Small fee | An hour is enough |
Day trips: Ha Long Bay is around 2.5 to 3 hours by road, so an overnight cruise makes more sense than a rushed day. Ninh Binh, the “inland Ha Long” of rivers and karst peaks, is about 2 hours away and works well as a day trip.
What should you eat in Hanoi?
- Pho: beef or chicken noodle soup, a breakfast ritual eaten on low plastic stools.
- Bun cha: grilled pork patties and noodles in a tangy broth, Hanoi’s signature lunch.
- Banh mi: a crisp baguette with pâté, herbs and pickles from a busy cart.
- Egg coffee: coffee topped with whipped egg yolk and sugar, a Hanoi invention.
Follow the queue and the full stools, not the menu in four languages.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
| Season | Weather | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn (Oct to Nov) | Cool, dry, clear | The all-round sweet spot |
| Winter (Dec to Feb) | Cool to chilly, often grey with fine drizzle | Quiet streets, café days; pack a layer |
| Spring (Mar to Apr) | Mild and fresh | Pleasant walking, blossom |
| Summer (May to Sep) | Hot, humid, heavy afternoon storms | Lower prices if you can take the heat |
Tet, the Lunar New Year (late January or February), is beautiful but slows the city right down: many small shops and street kitchens close for several days.
Where should you stay in Hanoi?
| Area | Vibe | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Old Quarter | Buzzing, walkable, street-food central | First-timers |
| French Quarter | Grand boulevards, calmer | Heritage hotels, quieter nights |
| Around Hoan Kiem Lake | Central and scenic | The weekend walking street |
| West Lake (Tay Ho) | Leafy, low-rise, cafés | Longer, slower stays |
Our where to stay in Hanoi guide compares the areas in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Hanoi?
October to April is the best time to visit Hanoi, with cooler, drier air and easier sightseeing; October, November, March and April are the most pleasant. December to February can be surprisingly chilly and grey with fine drizzle. May to September is hot, humid and stormy, with heavy afternoon downpours.
Do I need a visa for Hanoi?
It depends on your passport. Citizens of the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Nordic countries, Japan, South Korea and several other European countries can visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days. Everyone else, including US, Canadian and Australian travellers, can apply online for an e-visa valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry.
Where should I stay in Hanoi for the first time?
The Old Quarter keeps you walkable and in the thick of the street life, with the lake and most sights on your doorstep. The French Quarter is calmer and grander, around Hoan Kiem Lake is central and scenic, and West Lake (Tay Ho) trades a little distance for leafy, lower-rise calm. Pick one base and walk.
How do I get from Noi Bai airport into central Hanoi?
The orange Express Bus 86 runs from Noi Bai International Airport to the Old Quarter and Hanoi railway station for 45,000 VND, taking around 55 minutes in normal traffic, roughly every 30 to 45 minutes from early morning to late evening. A Grab car is door-to-door and still affordable, especially split between a few people.
What should I eat in Hanoi?
Hanoi is one of Asia’s great street-food cities. Track down a bowl of pho, the smoky grilled-pork bun cha the city is famous for, a banh mi from a busy cart, and an egg coffee whipped thick and sweet. Follow the local queue and the plastic stools, not the menu in four languages.
Is a Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh day trip worth it from Hanoi?
Yes. Ha Long Bay’s limestone islands, around 2.5 to 3 hours away by road, are best done as an overnight cruise. Ninh Binh, sometimes called the inland Ha Long, is roughly 2 hours away and an easy day trip of rivers, rice fields and karst peaks. If you only have one day, Ninh Binh is closer and less rushed.
Ready to plan your Hanoi trip?
Check your passport’s entry rule before anything else: an e-visa takes a few working days, and a hotel booking won’t help at check-in if it’s missing. Then pick the Old Quarter for a first visit and compare.
Find cheap flights to Hanoi | Compare Hanoi hotel prices
Planning the wider trip? See our best time to visit Vietnam guide, the Vietnam itinerary, getting around Vietnam, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, or browse more stays on the hotels hub.
