Vietnam · Region
Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam's capital, a city where centuries-old temples, French colonial boulevards, and the tangled lanes of the Old Quarter sit alongside a fast-modernizing skyline. Motorbike traffic, sidewalk street-food stalls, and shaded lakes give it an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Southeast Asia.
Day Trips from Hanoi (Ninh Binh · Ha Long Bay)
Top attractions
attraction Hanoi Old Quarter: Travel Guide
Hanoi Old Quarter is the tangle of 36 ancient guild streets just north of Hoan Kiem Lake — come to walk the "Hang" streets (each once named for the trade it sold), eat at street-level food stalls, and browse the weekend night market.
attraction Temple Of Literature: Hanoi Travel Guide (4.6★)
The Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university, is open daily 8am–5pm at 58 Quốc Tử Giám, Đống Đa district. 4.6★ (25,128 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Thong Nhat Park: Hanoi Travel Guide (4.3★)
Thong Nhat Park (also called Lenin Park) is Hanoi's biggest green space, built around Bay Mau Lake with shaded paths, paddle boats, and fitness areas. 4.3★ (16,244 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Vietnam Military History Museum: Hanoi Travel Guide (4.5★)
The Vietnam Military History Museum sits on the new Km6+500 site out toward Xuân Phương, west of the Old Quarter, and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4:30pm — closed Monday and Friday. 4.5★ (12,712 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Where to eat
restaurant Banh Mi 25: Where to Eat in Hanoi
Banh Mi 25, at 25 Hàng Cá in Hanoi's Old Quarter, is one of the city's most popular banh mi stalls — a cheap, fast, no-frills sandwich stop with a huge menu and simple seating across the street. 4.5★ (17,284 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
restaurant Hong Hoai's Restaurant: Where to Eat in Hanoi
Hong Hoai's Restaurant sits in the Old Quarter near the corner of Bát Đàn and Hàng Bồ streets in Hoàn Kiếm district, a few minutes' walk from Hoàn Kiếm Lake.
restaurant The Hanoi Cafe: Where to Eat (4.8★)
The Hanoi Cafe, tucked down a narrow lane on P. Yên Thái in Hoan Kiem's Old Quarter, is a well-known spot for egg coffee and Vietnamese home cooking, open daily 7:45am–10pm. 4.8★ (2,115 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Festivals & events
Ended GITEX Vietnam: Dates, Tickets & Venue (Hanoi)
GITEX AI Vietnam was set for October 1-2, 2026 in Hanoi, organised with the Dubai World Trade Centre and Vietnam's National Innovation Center.
Ended Hanoi Jazztival 2026: Dates, Tickets & Venue (Hanoi)
Hanoi Jazztival 2026 was set for September 17-19, 2026 in central Hanoi, with performances announced across four venues near Hoan Kiem Lake.
event BigBang 2026-2027 World Tour in Hanoi: Dates, Tickets & Venue (Hanoi)
BigBang 2026-2027 World Tour in Hanoi in Hanoi, Vietnam — October 24-25, 2026. What it is, when and where, and how to plan around it.
Ended Miss World 2026: Dates, Host Cities & Tickets (Vietnam)
Miss World 2026, the pageant's 75th anniversary edition, was set for August 9 to September 5, 2026, with the grand finale in Ho Chi Minh City.
event Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon – Heritage Race: Dates, Tickets & Venue (Hanoi)
The Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon – Heritage Race is held in Hanoi on November 8, 2026, and its race expo runs November 6-8.
Ended Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon: Dates, Tickets & Venue (Hanoi)
Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon in Hanoi, Vietnam — October 4, 2026, with 5K, 10K, half and full marathon distances through the Old Quarter.
Ended Vietnamese Super Cup 2026: What to Know (Hanoi)
The 2026 Vietnamese Super Cup — pitting the V.League 1 champions against the Vietnamese Cup winners — was set for August 30, 2026 at Hàng Đẫy Stadium in central Hanoi.
Ended VPBank Hanoi International Marathon: Dates, Tickets & Venue (Hanoi)
The VPBank Hanoi International Marathon takes place in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
event WDSF Asian Dancesport Championship Hanoi: Dates, Tickets & Venue (Hanoi)
The WDSF Asian Dancesport Championship Hanoi takes place on December 19-20, 2026, a Saturday and Sunday, in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Top-rated things to do in Hanoi
Booking links are affiliate links — booking through them supports our free guides at no extra cost to you.
Where to stay in Hanoi
Compare Hanoi hotels and stays at the lowest price — deals, ratings, and real traveler reviews.
Search hotels in Hanoi →Booking links are affiliate links — booking through them supports our free guides at no extra cost to you.
Plan your trip to Hanoi
Vietnam eSIM & staying connected →
Some links above are affiliate links — if you book through them, Wander Atlas earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's how we keep every guide free.
When to visit Vietnam: month-by-month weather, crowds and holidays →
Frequently asked questions about Hanoi
How do I get to Hanoi?
Most travellers arrive via Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), located roughly 25–30 km north of the city centre. From there, the reliable options into town are metered taxis/ride-hailing apps or public and shuttle buses, with the journey typically taking ~45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic.
How many days should I spend in Hanoi?
Plan on ~2-3 days to cover the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the main historic and cultural sites at a comfortable pace.
What is Hanoi known for?
Hanoi is Vietnam's capital, a city where centuries-old temples, French colonial boulevards, and the tangled lanes of the Old Quarter sit alongside a fast-modernizing skyline. Motorbike traffic, sidewalk street-food stalls, and shaded lakes give it an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Southeast Asia.