Top 5 Travel Tips for Visiting Hanoi

Pho: This is the first dish you should try when in Hanoi. Famous pho stalls such as the 'Pho Ganh' in Hang Trong serve pho on a small street cart with limited seating, typically open only in the afternoon. Despite the lack of comfortable seating, it’s always crowded, and you might need to wait in line. Other notable pho spots include Pho Ly Quoc Su, Pho on Quan Thanh Street, Pho Hanh in Lan Ong, or Pho Ap Chao in Bat Dan Street.

Some recommended pho locations in Hanoi:

• Pho Ly Quoc Su
• Pho Bat Dan
• Pho Thin Lo Duc

Bun Cha: A dish of grilled pork meatballs served with vermicelli noodles and fresh herbs. The pork is marinated with spices, formed into round patties, and grilled until golden brown. The dipping sauce for bun cha is a sweet and sour fish sauce mix, flavored with garlic, chili, and shredded green papaya. You can pair this with vermicelli noodles and herbs like perilla leaves.

Some great places to try Bun Cha:

• Bun Cha Huong Lien
• Bun Cha Dac Kim
• Bun Cha Kep Que Tre

Cha Ca La Vong: A must-try specialty of Hanoi, often served in small restaurants or high-end hotels. The dish features fish fried in a small pan, served with rice noodles, roasted peanuts, herbs, and shrimp paste. The dipping sauce is made with lime juice, chili, rice alcohol, and a few drops of crushed crab essence.

Bun Thang: A flavorful noodle soup made with shredded chicken, fried egg, and thin slices of Vietnamese sausage. The broth is simmered from bones and shrimp, offering a clear, aromatic taste with a hint of fermented shrimp paste.

For great Bun Thang, you can visit:

• Bun Thang Cau Go
• Bun Thang Hang Hom

Com Cake: This traditional Hanoi dessert is made with green rice flakes and a sweet mung bean filling, offering a rich coconut flavor. The best Com Cake can be found at Nguyên Ninh Bakery at 11 Hang Than, still using the traditional method.

And don't miss other delicious dishes in Hanoi such as Bún đậu mắm tôm, bánh tôm, pho cuốn, and Kem Tràng Tiền.

Your trip to Hanoi wouldn't be complete without packing a suitcase, and depending on whether your trip is short or long, you'll want to select a suitcase that suits your needs. A good travel suitcase will help you keep your belongings secure and organized. When preparing for your trip, make sure to bring the best quality suitcase you can find.

If you're traveling in the fall, pack light long-sleeve clothes or a thin jacket. In the summer, it's best to choose breathable fabrics to help with the heat, as Hanoi's summer weather can be quite hot and uncomfortable.

During winter, you'll need to pack warm clothes, thick jackets, scarves, and socks. Additionally, having a map of Hanoi is recommended as the streets can be quite winding. Before buying anything or dining out, it's wise to check prices to avoid overpaying.

For financial preparation, it's essential to carry both cash and a bank card. To avoid potential issues, it's a good idea to bring some cash with you, while keeping the majority of your funds on your bank card for convenience and security during your trip.

Hanoi experiences a distinctive climate divided into two main seasons: hot and cold. The hot season typically lasts from May to September, while the cold season spans from November to March. The best time to visit Hanoi is between September and November, when the weather is cool and pleasant, without harsh sun or heavy rain.

Many believe that fall is the most beautiful time of year in Hanoi, with clear blue skies, a refreshing breeze, falling yellow leaves, and the fragrance of lotus flowers in the air. Spring brings warmer weather, and the city comes alive with blooming flowers and trees sprouting new leaves.

If you enjoy cold weather, the last months of the year, like November and December, are a great time to visit. During this period, besides exploring famous attractions, visitors can also savor a variety of delicious winter delicacies unique to Hanoi.

When visiting Hanoi, you have several popular transportation options to explore the city:

Motorbike: You can easily explore the city by renting a motorbike or using Grab. Rental prices range from 50k – 200k VND per day depending on the type of bike.

Taxi: If you’re traveling with a group, taxis are a good option. Although the fare is higher, taxis are convenient, fast, and will take you directly to any location safely.

Cyclo: A cyclo ride is a unique way to tour the Old Quarter. Most tourists choose to travel by cyclo to visit Hanoi’s main attractions. You can easily find one by the Hoan Kiem Lake area, where they are in abundance.

Bus: The bus is a familiar and affordable public transport option for both locals and tourists in Hanoi. The fare is only 7,000 – 9,000 VND per trip. You can find route maps and schedules to plan your journey.

Electric Car: A new eco-friendly transportation option in Hanoi. Electric cars are a great way to explore the city’s mix of modernity and ancient charm while reducing your carbon footprint.

1.Hoan Kiem Lake: A legendary spot linked to the story of the "sword returned to the golden turtle." Previously called Luc Thuy Lake, the legend says that a golden turtle took the sword of King Le Loi and submerged in the lake. From then, the lake was renamed Hoan Kiem or Sword Lake. The Turtle Tower located in the middle of the lake marks the spot where the turtle took the sword. Nearby, you can visit the Ngoc Son Temple, the The Huc Bridge, and the Temple of King Le Thai To. Don’t miss trying the famous Trang Tien ice cream near the lake!

2. Temple of Literature (Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam): This is Vietnam’s first university, located in Dong Da District, amidst the streets of Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ton Duc Thang, Van Mieu, and Quoc Tu Giam. The main gate is at 58 Van Mieu Street. Despite being in the bustling city center, this place feels like a peaceful oasis due to its serene surroundings and beautifully landscaped gardens. Inside, you’ll find ancient stone steles commemorating the scholars who passed their doctoral exams.

3. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: The final resting place of President Ho Chi Minh, where he read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945. It is located in Ba Dinh Square on Hung Vuong Street, in the Ba Dinh district. Be sure to follow the respectful guidelines for visiting this solemn site.

4. The Old Quarter: Located in the Hoan Kiem District, this is one of Hanoi's oldest neighborhoods. As you explore the streets, you'll notice many start with "Hang", such as Hang Gai, Hang Dao, Hang Luoc... It’s famous for its charming old houses and delicious, affordable food.

5. Hanoi Opera House: A grand building constructed by the French, located on Trang Tien Street in Hoan Kiem District. It hosts major cultural events and is historically significant for its connection to the August Revolution and the early years of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

6. West Lake: Known also as the Lake of Mist or Golden Buffalo Lake, West Lake is vast and refreshing. You can take a boat tour around the lake, enjoying the sunrise and sunset. This area is not only a tourist hotspot but also holds great cultural value, with 21 temples, pagodas, and shrines around the lake, including Quan Thanh Temple, Tay Ho Shrine, and Tran Quoc Pagoda.

7. Tran Quoc Pagoda: Situated on a small peninsula on the eastern shore of West Lake, Tran Quoc is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, over 1,500 years old. It was recently listed as one of the 16 most beautiful pagodas in the world by Daily Mail (UK). The pagoda preserves many cultural and religious values, attracting both Buddhists and tourists.

8. St. Joseph's Cathedral: Located at 40 Nha Chung Street, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, this Gothic-style cathedral blends European architecture with local Vietnamese elements, such as the traditional clay-tile roof and intricate interior decorations. It stands as a symbol of East-West cultural exchange. St. Joseph's Cathedral is one of Hanoi’s most iconic landmarks and a must-see for tourists.

In addition, there are several other well-known tourist sites in the outskirts of Hanoi, such as Thien Duong Bao Son (An Khanh) and the ancient village of Duong Lam (Son Tay).