# Things to do in Hanoi: top sights and where to go

> Hanoi keeps its sights in two clusters: Hoan Kiem Lake with the Old Quarter, St Joseph's Cathedral, Hoa Lo Prison and the water puppet theatre on one walking loop, and two kilometres west the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Thang Long Citadel and the Temple of Literature. Walk the centre on day one and finish at Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake at sunset; keep a full second day for a Ha Long Bay cruise.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi

## Ready itineraries

- [One day in Hanoi: an itinerary in the best order](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/in-1-day.md): Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake, the Temple of Literature, Thang Long Citadel, St Joseph's Cathedral, Hoan Kiem Lake and the water puppets — in order, with lunch.
- [2 days in Hanoi: an itinerary day by day](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/in-2-days.md): Tran Quoc, the Temple of Literature, the citadel, Hoan Kiem Lake and water puppets first; then a cruise among the limestone islands — with timings and fees.

## All 10 places with the YesGo score

- [Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/ho-chi-minh-mausoleum.md): YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Free. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the grey granite hall on Hanoi's Ba Dinh Square where the embalmed body of Vietnam's first president lies in…
- [Hoa Lo Prison](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoa-lo-prison.md): YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · 50,000 VND, under-16s free. Hoa Lo Prison is a museum in the preserved part of a historic prison built in the late 19th century in central Hanoi, a 10–15-minute walk…
- [Hanoi Train Street](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-train-street.md): YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Free; drink at a café is paid. Hanoi Train Street is a set of residential lanes where trains pass within a metre of front doors and café stools, a 15–20 minute walk from…
- [St Joseph's Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-cathedral.md): YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free. St Joseph’s Cathedral is Hanoi’s main Catholic church, a neo-Gothic landmark from 1886 with twin towers modelled on Notre-Dame de Paris, a…
- [Hoan Kiem Lake](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoan-kiem-lake.md): YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; Ngoc Son Temple 50,000 VND. Hoan Kiem Lake, the Lake of the Returned Sword, is the heart of Hanoi at the southern edge of the Old Quarter. A 1.7 km lakeside loop…
- [Temple of Literature](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/temple-of-literature.md): YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 70,000 VND, under-16s free. The Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) is Hanoi’s Confucian temple, founded in 1070, and home to Vietnam’s first university. Five courtyards…
- [Tran Quoc Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/tran-quoc-pagoda.md): YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free. Tran Quoc Pagoda is Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple, founded in the 6th century and set on a tiny island in West Lake, about 3 km northwest…
- [Imperial Citadel of Thang Long](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/thang-long-citadel.md): YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 100,000 VND. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is the old royal heart of Hanoi and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ba Dinh: Doan Mon gate, the Kinh…
- [Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-water-puppet-theatre.md): YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 100,000–200,000 VND. The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is Hanoi’s best-known stage for múa rối nước, the northern Vietnamese art of puppets dancing on water…
- [Ha Long Bay](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/ha-long-bay.md): YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Fee 250,000 VND; tours cost more. Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO-listed bay in northern Vietnam with nearly 2,000 limestone islands. It’s 2.5–3 hours from Hanoi by expressway, and…

## Hanoi travel guide

Before you go: the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, Train Street, Ha Long Bay, the airport, money and weather.

## Trip essentials

- How many days: 3–4 days: the city and Ha Long
- When to go: October–December and March–April
- Visa: Depends on your passport — visa-free or e-visa
- Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND); cash for street food
- Airport: Noi Bai (HAN) ≈ 30 km — bus 86 and Grab
- Taxis: Grab — cash or a linked card
- Ha Long Bay: ≈ 2.5–3 h away; day cruise or overnight
- Winter: Cool and damp, ≈ 17–20° by day
- Crossing streets: Walk slowly and steadily through the scooters
- Time zone: UTC+7 all year

## Key facts

- **1010** — Hanoi became the capital — then called Thang Long (source: Wikipedia, “Hanoi”)
- **1070** — the Temple of Literature was founded — Vietnam’s first university (source: Wikipedia, “Temple of Literature, Hanoi”)
- **1994** — Ha Long Bay joined the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 672)
- **2010** — the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long joined the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 1328)

## Things to do in Hanoi

The top things to do in Hanoi are Hoan Kiem Lake and the lanes of the Old Quarter, St Joseph’s Cathedral, the Temple of Literature, the Thang Long citadel, Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake (Ho Tay), Train Street and the water puppet theatre. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Ba Dinh Square opens in the mornings. Ha Long Bay makes a day trip or overnight cruise. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.

| Where | What to see | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Old Quarter** | [Hoan Kiem](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoan-kiem-lake), [cathedral](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-cathedral), [puppets](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-water-puppet-theatre) | ½ day |
| **West of centre** | [Temple of Literature](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/temple-of-literature), [Train Street](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-train-street) | 2–3 h |
| **Ba Dinh** | [Mausoleum](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/ho-chi-minh-mausoleum), [citadel](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/thang-long-citadel) | ½ day |
| **West Lake** | [Tran Quoc Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/tran-quoc-pagoda) | sunset |
| **From Hanoi** | [Ha Long Bay](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/ha-long-bay) | 1–2 days |

Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–3 days, with places in a sensible order.

## Ha Long Bay from Hanoi

Ha Long Bay from Hanoi is ≈ 2.5–3 hours by expressway. Most people go on a tour: a bus or limousine van picks up from Old Quarter hotels around 8 am, followed by a cruise among the karst islands for a day or overnight on board.

| Option | What’s included | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Day tour** | Transfer, boat, cave, lunch | ≈ 12 h |
| **Overnight cruise** | Cabin, kayaks, sunrise | 2 days |
| **Limousine van** | To Tuan Chau or Bai Chay port | ≈ 2.5–3 h |

The bay entry fee is either paid separately or included — check when you book.

## Where to stay in Hanoi

For a first time in Hanoi, stay in the Old Quarter or near Hoan Kiem Lake — the sights, cafés and street food are on your doorstep, and Ha Long tours pick up there. The French Quarter south of the lake is quieter; West Lake (Tay Ho) suits longer stays.

| Area | Best for | Keep in mind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Old Quarter** | First visit, food, tours | Noisy, scooters |
| **French Quarter** | Quieter, grand hotels | Pricier |
| **West Lake (Tay Ho)** | Cafés, calm, longer stays | ≈ 15 min to the centre |

## Hanoi airport to the Old Quarter

Noi Bai International (HAN) is ≈ 30 km north of the centre. City bus 86 runs to the Old Quarter in about an hour, and a Grab takes 45–60 minutes.

| How | To | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Bus 86** | Old Quarter, station | ≈ 1 h |
| **Grab** | Centre | ≈ 45–60 min |
| **Transfer** | Your hotel | ≈ 45–60 min |

Bus 86 takes cash in dong — change a little money at the airport.

## Hanoi weather by month

Hanoi is not tropical: winters are cool and damp at ≈ 17–20 °C by day, summers hot and rainy at ≈ 32–33 °C. The best time to visit is October–December and March–April. Ha Long Bay can see typhoons in summer.

- **January in Hanoi**: day ≈ 20°C, night ≈ 14°C, rainy days: 9. About 20°, damp and grey.
- **February in Hanoi**: day ≈ 21°C, night ≈ 16°C, rainy days: 11. About 21°, Tet — Lunar New Year.
- **March in Hanoi** (best time): day ≈ 23°C, night ≈ 18°C, rainy days: 15. About 23°, drizzle.
- **April in Hanoi** (best time): day ≈ 28°C, night ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 13. About 28° — a good time.
- **May in Hanoi**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 14. Hot, ≈ 32°.
- **June in Hanoi**: day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 15. Heat and downpours.
- **July in Hanoi**: day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 16. Hot, rainy season.
- **August in Hanoi**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 17. Downpours; typhoons at Ha Long.
- **September in Hanoi**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 14. About 31°, easing.
- **October in Hanoi** (best time): day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 23°C, rainy days: 9. About 29° — the best month.
- **November in Hanoi** (best time): day ≈ 26°C, night ≈ 19°C, rainy days: 7. About 26°, dry.
- **December in Hanoi** (best time): day ≈ 22°C, night ≈ 16°C, rainy days: 6. About 22°, cool evenings.

Hanoi has no beach: for the sea head south to [Nha Trang](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/nha-trang), [Da Nang](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/da-nang) or [Phu Quoc](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/phu-quoc).

## What to eat in Hanoi

Hanoi is the home of pho and street food on tiny plastic stools. Try pho bo, bun cha with grilled pork, banh cuon rice rolls and egg coffee in an Old Quarter café.

- **Pho bo** — beef noodle soup, a breakfast dish.
- **Bun cha** — rice noodles with grilled pork and herbs.
- **Banh cuon** — steamed rice rolls with pork and mushroom.
- **Egg coffee** — whipped yolk over strong coffee.

## Hanoi ticket prices

Hoan Kiem Lake, the cathedral, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Train Street and the mausoleum are free. You pay for the Temple of Literature, the Thang Long citadel, the water puppets and the Ha Long Bay fee. Prices are in dong, and ticket desks usually take cash.

- [Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/ho-chi-minh-mausoleum) — Free
- [Hoa Lo Prison](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoa-lo-prison) — 50,000 VND, under-16s free
- [Hanoi Train Street](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-train-street) — Free; drink at a café is paid
- [St Joseph's Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-cathedral) — Free
- [Hoan Kiem Lake](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoan-kiem-lake) — Free; Ngoc Son Temple 50,000 VND
- [Temple of Literature](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/temple-of-literature) — 70,000 VND, under-16s free
- [Tran Quoc Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/tran-quoc-pagoda) — Free
- [Imperial Citadel of Thang Long](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/thang-long-citadel) — 100,000 VND
- [Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-water-puppet-theatre) — 100,000–200,000 VND
- [Ha Long Bay](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/ha-long-bay) — Fee 250,000 VND; tours cost more

## Tips

- The streets around Hoan Kiem become a walking zone from Friday evening to Sunday — the best time to stroll.
- Cross streets slowly and steadily; scooters flow around you if you don’t stop suddenly.
- Cover shoulders and knees and remove hats in temples.

## Questions

### Is Hanoi worth visiting?

Yes, for the Old Quarter’s street life, centuries-old temples, superb food and Ha Long Bay a few hours away.

### Do I need a visa for Vietnam?

It depends on your passport: some nationalities are visa-free for a set number of days, others apply for a 90-day e-visa online. Check the official rules for your passport.

### What to do in Hanoi in one day?

The Temple of Literature and Ba Dinh in the morning, Hoan Kiem Lake, the cathedral and the Old Quarter in the afternoon, and the water puppets in the evening.

### How do I get from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay?

On a tour by bus or limousine van, about 2.5–3 hours to the port, then a cruise among the islands.

### What is the weather like in Hanoi in December?

About 22 °C by day and 16 °C at night, dry — bring a light jacket.

### Where should I stay in Hanoi?

The Old Quarter or around Hoan Kiem Lake for a first visit; the French Quarter for something quieter.

### How do I get from Hanoi airport to the Old Quarter?

By bus 86 in about an hour, or by Grab in 45–60 minutes.

### Can you still visit Hanoi Train Street?

Yes, by the lanes near Hanoi station, though access to the tracks is sometimes restricted — follow local rules.

### What to eat in Hanoi?

Pho, bun cha, banh cuon, banh mi and egg coffee.

### Is Hanoi safe for tourists?

Generally yes; watch for scooter traffic and bag snatching, and use Grab rather than street taxis.

## Sources

- UNESCO World Heritage List, Nos. 672 and 1328
- Wikipedia, “Hanoi”; “Temple of Literature, Hanoi”; Hanoi climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Hanoi People’s Council Resolution 16/2023 — monument prices
- Noi Bai International Airport — official website

Facts checked: 09.11.2026

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