Hanoi

Vietnam's capital races to make up for time lost to the ravages of war and a government that as recently as the 1990s kept the outside world at bay. Its streets surge with scooters vying for right of way amid the din of constantly blaring horns, and all around, layers of history reveal periods of French and Chinese occupation – offering a glimpse into the resilience of ambitious, proud Hanoians.

Old City. Hanoi. Vietnam.

Getty Images

Latest Stories
Book
Vietnam Travel Guide
Book

Vietnam

Shop $28.99 USD
Trip
Vietnam: 12 Days in Quy Nhon, Hạ Long, Hội An, and the Mekong Delta
12 days / 11 nights

Vietnam: 12 Days in Quy Nhon, Hạ Long, Hội An, and the Mekong Delta

App
Lonely Planet App on a phone
Brand New!

Get the Lonely Planet App

World Nomads travel insurance
Trusted Partner

Dreaming of Hanoi? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your Vietnam trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Vietnam: 12 Days in Quy Nhon, Hạ Long, Hội An, and the Mekong Delta

12 days / 11 nights

highlights

  1. 1 Cruising — and sleeping! — on a luxury boat gliding through the magnificent Hạ Long Bay
  2. 2 Delicate hands-on cooking with a local Hội An family to master hand-pulled noodles
  3. 3 Swimming in Quy Nhon’s ethereal turquoise waters on a relaxing boat trip
from $2,224

per person

Explore more trips

Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Top places to visit in Hanoi

Discover the best attractions in Hanoi from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Travel Guides

Hanoi travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

Hanoi can be chaotic, messy and charming – and it’s never boring. A longtime resident gives 17 ways to get to know the exciting Vietnamese capital.


Read full article

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Hanoi