🇻🇳 Vietnam · Travel Guide
Hanoi Travel Guide
Old-quarter chaos, incredible street food, and gateway to Ha Long Bay.
Hanoi is gloriously sensory — a tangle of old-quarter lanes, lakeside calm, French-colonial boulevards and some of the best street food on earth. Cheap, atmospheric and endlessly photogenic, it is a thrilling introduction to Vietnam and the gateway to Ha Long Bay.
Plan my free Hanoi itinerary📅 Best time
October–April is cooler and drier; spring and autumn are the sweet spots. May–September is hot and humid with heavy rain.
💷 Daily budget
$25–50 mid-range; street food and local beer make it superb value.
🗓️ Ideal length
2–3 days, plus an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise.
💱 Currency
Vietnamese Dong (₫)
🗣️ Language
Vietnamese; English is found in tourist areas but limited elsewhere.
Is Hanoi safe?
General safety
Safe for visitors, with violent crime rare. The real challenges are crossing the relentless scooter traffic (walk slowly and predictably), petty scams and taxi overcharging — use ride-hailing apps and agree prices up front.
Solo female travellers
A popular and manageable solo-female destination. Keep your bag secured against drive-by snatching, use Grab rather than street taxis at night, and stick to busy, lit areas after dark.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Same-sex relations are legal and Vietnam is relatively tolerant for the region, with a small but growing scene, though same-sex marriage is not recognised. Discretion is common but everyday travel is comfortable.
Safety guidance is general and can change — always check your government’s latest travel advice before you go.
Top things to do in Hanoi
- Old Quarter street-food crawl
- Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
- Temple of Literature
- Train Street coffee stop
- Overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay
Book experiences in Hanoi
Getting around & essentials
The old quarter is walkable; use the Grab app for cars and bikes to avoid taxi scams. From Noi Bai airport, a pre-booked transfer or Grab is far simpler than haggling at the rank.
Flight to Hanoi delayed or cancelled? You could be owed up to €600 — check free →
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Plan my trip — freeHanoi FAQs
Is Hanoi safe for solo female travellers?
Yes, with street smarts — it is a well-trodden solo route. Secure your bag against snatch-theft, use the Grab app at night, and take normal care crossing the busy scooter traffic.
How do I cross the road in Hanoi?
Walk slowly and steadily at a constant pace — the scooters flow around you. Don’t stop suddenly or run; predictability is what keeps you safe.
How many days do you need in Hanoi?
Two to three days for the city, plus a one or two-night cruise in nearby Ha Long Bay.
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