Old Quarter mornings
Follow individual craft streets before traffic and tour groups build.
Vietnam
Hanoi
#4 world destination · 2026
Hanoi layers lakes, temples, French-era architecture and intense street life into a compact capital with one of Asia’s most rewarding food cultures.
Build a Hanoi itineraryBest time
October–April for cooler, generally more comfortable exploring
Ideal first stay
3–4 days
Getting around
Walking by district, taxis or ride-hailing for longer crossings
Budget profile
Excellent value, especially for food and locally run stays
Make time for
Three defining experiences
Lake life
Hoàn Kiếm and West Lake offer two very different views of the city’s daily rhythm.
Food with context
A small guided tasting helps explain ordering, ingredients and regional variations.
What to taste
- Phở
- Bún chả
- Chả cá
- Egg coffee
Know before you go
- Cross roads slowly and predictably
- Carry small cash for stalls
- Dress respectfully at temples
- Keep a day flexible for weather
Your trip, your pace
Turn this guide into a day-by-day plan.
Choose your days, pace and interests, then edit or replace any suggestion.
Plan Hanoi