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Hanoi

Hanoi travel guide

Capital and centrally-governed city of Vietnam

Flights from$767 round trip
Things to do83 experiences
Best time to visitNovember to January and March
Nearest airportHAN · 14 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+7
Population7,587,800

About Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital and second-most populous centrally-governed city of Vietnam. It covers an area of 3,358.6 km2 (1,296.8 mi2), and as of 2026 has a population of 8.7 million. Hanoi had the second-highest gross regional domestic product of all Vietnamese provinces and centrally-governed cities at US$48 billion in 2023, behind Ho Chi Minh City. It hosts 78 foreign embassies, the headquarters of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA), its Vietnam National University system, and other governmental organizations. Hanoi had 18.7 million domestic and international visitors in 2022. It hosts the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, West Lake, and Ba Vì National Park near the outskirts of the municipality.

Cheap flights to Hanoi

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $767 from Vancouver, travelling 18 Nov – 5 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Cheapest month to fly

$767 Nov $1,249 Dec $1,592 May $868 Jul

Airlines travellers compared most often: Q213147, Austrian Airlines.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

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Things to do in Hanoi by type

83 tours, tickets and experiences across 10 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • 3-6 hours 13
  • Over 6 hours 11
  • Flexible 3
  • 1-3 hours 1
Good for
  • Couples 7
  • Youth 7
  • Families 7
  • Senior 6
Ways to go
  • Small group 33
  • Private 4
Browse all things to do in Hanoi

Top experiences in Hanoi

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 83 available.

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Where to stay in Hanoi

Popular hotels in Hanoi, out of 1,663 properties you can book.

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Best time to visit Hanoi

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Hanoi is November to January and March, when average daytime highs are around 72–79°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 58° – 72° 9
Feb 60° – 72° 13
Mar 64° – 78° 9
Apr 73° – 89° 9
May 76° – 88° 22
Jun 79° – 91° 22
Jul 79° – 91° 24
Aug 78° – 90° 25
Sep 77° – 88° 21
Oct 72° – 84° 13
Nov 65° – 79° 7
Dec 61° – 73° 7

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Know before you go

Currency
Vietnamese đồng (VND)1 US dollar ≈ ₫25,858
Language
Vietnamese
Calling code
+84
Driving
On the right
Time zone
Asia/BangkokUTC+7

Upcoming public holidays in Vietnam

  • New Year's DayTết dương lịch
  • Reunification DayNgày Giải phóng miền Nam, thống nhất đất nước
  • Labour DayNgày Quốc tế lao động
  • National DayQuốc khánh

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Hanoi

These are the airports closest to central Hanoi. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • HAN Noi Bai International Airport14 mi (22 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Hanoi

Getting around Hanoi can be a challenge: traffic slows to a crawl for most of the day, and the public transport system has not kept up with the city's explosive growth.

By train

Metro Line 2A connects Cát Linh (west of the Old Quarter) to Yên Nghĩa in the southwestern suburbs. Metro Line 3 connects Cầu Giấy to Nhổn in the northwestern suburbs. The lines are not connected but this will change when the underground stretch between Cầu Giấy and Hanoi Station opens around 2027. Metro Line 2A is useful for getting to Vincom Mega Mall Royal City, one of Hanoi's largest shopping malls, which is within walking distance of Thượng Đình station.

By bus

Scam-free, cheap but a bit difficult to comprehend at first, the buses in Hanoi are relatively fast, air-conditioned and surprisingly comfortable.

By taxi

The easiest way to get around is by using the Grab app (Android, iOS). The English user interface makes navigation a cinch, fares are fixed and typically cheaper, and you can pay by cash or credit card.

Hanoi travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Hanoi?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Hanoi is November to January and March, when average daytime highs are around 72–79°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.

What is the weather like in Hanoi?

June is usually the warmest month in Hanoi, with average highs of 91°F (33°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 60°F (16°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 489 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Hanoi?

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is the closest airport, about 14 miles (22 km) from the centre of Hanoi.

How much are flights to Hanoi?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Hanoi in the last 30 days was $767 from Vancouver, travelling 18 Nov – 5 Dec. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $767.

What currency is used in Hanoi?

Hanoi uses the Vietnamese đồng (VND). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ₫25,858.

What time zone is Hanoi in?

Hanoi uses the Asia/Bangkok time zone (currently UTC+7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Hanoi?

Getting around Hanoi can be a challenge: traffic slows to a crawl for most of the day, and the public transport system has not kept up with the city's explosive growth.

What are the top things to do in Hanoi?

Popular experiences you can book in Hanoi include Scouting The Old Quarter From Hanoi - Half-Day Tour, Bat Trang From Hotel Inside Hanoi City Only- Half-Day Tour and Hanoi Evening Tour With Cyclo and Water Puppet Show. Destina Holidays offers 83 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Hanoi?

The most popular types of experiences in Hanoi are city tours (27), art & culture (18), day trips & excursions (12) and gastronomy & nightlife (10). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Hanoi?

Popular areas for hotels in Hanoi include Hanoi. Well-reviewed options include Golden Silk Boutique and Imperial Hotel & Spa.

How many hotels can I book in Hanoi?

Destina Holidays currently lists 1,663 properties in and around Hanoi, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.