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Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hanoi

No. 72 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Hanoi

Vietnam

Vietnam's capital of lakes, temples, a buzzing Old Quarter and some of Asia's best street food.

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Photo: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Hanoi is No. 72 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. Vietnam's capital lies on the Red River in the north of the country and is more than 1,000 years old.

Its tree-lined streets, lakes and temples sit beside the busy lanes of the Old Quarter, and its food, from phở to bún chả, is famous. Hạ Long Bay and Ninh Bình are popular trips from the city.

The main gate of the Temple of Literature, Hanoi
The main gate of the Temple of Literature, Hanoi. Photo: Daderot, CC0, source

Best time to go

October to December and March to April are the most pleasant months, with mild temperatures and less rain.

Summer (May to September) is hot, humid and rainy; winter (December to February) can be cool and grey.

Top sights

  • 1

    Hoàn Kiếm Lake

    The lake at the heart of the city, with the Ngọc Sơn Temple reached by a red bridge. Nearby streets are pedestrianised on weekend evenings.

  • 2

    Old Quarter

    A maze of busy streets, many traditionally named after the goods once sold there, packed with shops and food stalls.

  • 3

    Temple of Literature

    A temple to Confucius founded in 1070, later home to Vietnam's first university, with courtyards and stone steles.

  • 4

    Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long

    The archaeological remains of the old royal citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • 5

    Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

    The cultures of Vietnam's many ethnic groups, with traditional houses in the garden.

  • 6

    Water puppet theatre

    A traditional art performed on water, with live music, at the Thăng Long theatre by Hoàn Kiếm Lake.

  • 7

    Hạ Long Bay

    Limestone islands rising from emerald water, a UNESCO site about 2.5 to 3 hours away by road; many visitors take an overnight cruise.

Getting there

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is about 30 km north of the centre; the 86 airport express bus runs to the Old Quarter.

Flights to Ho Chi Minh City take about 2 hours. Trains and sleeper buses also link Hanoi with the rest of the country.

Getting around

Ride-hailing apps such as Grab are cheap and widely used, for cars and motorbike taxis. City buses are cheap but can be confusing.

Traffic is heavy with motorbikes; cross roads at a slow, steady pace. The Old Quarter is best explored on foot.

Practical tips

Currency
Vietnamese dong (VND). Cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants; carry cash for markets and street food.
Language
Vietnamese. English is spoken in hotels and tourist areas.
Safety
Hold bags and phones away from the road, as snatch theft from motorbikes happens. Drink bottled water. Dial 113 for the police and 115 for an ambulance.
Visa & entry
Citizens of some countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Nordic countries, Japan and South Korea, can visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days. Most others, including US, Canadian and Australian citizens, need an e-visa (valid for up to 90 days); apply only on the official site evisa.gov.vn.
Power
220 V, 50 Hz; plug types A, C and F.

Official information: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (official tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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