Vietnam's thousand-year-old capital — chaotic, charming, unforgettable.
Hanoi is Vietnam's capital and its soul — a city where 1,000 years of history meets chaotic, caffeinated daily life. Tree-lined boulevards from the French colonial era run past ancient pagodas and narrow tube houses. The Old Quarter's 36 streets each once specialised in a single trade — silk, paper, tin, bamboo — and the echoes of that heritage survive in every corner shop and workshop. Street food vendors set up at the same spots their grandmothers did, and the air smells alternately of jasmine, pho broth, and two-stroke engines.
For Indian travelers, Hanoi is often the first stop on a Vietnam itinerary — and frequently the most memorable. The pace is slower than Ho Chi Minh City, the food is subtler and more refined, and the day-trip options are extraordinary: Ha Long Bay is just 3.5 hours away, Ninh Binh's boat-laced valleys even closer. Indian food is available when you need a break, vegetarian Buddhist restaurants (chay) are scattered throughout the city, and the general population is welcoming and curious about Indian visitors.
Most travelers spend two to three nights here, but Hanoi rewards a longer stay. The longer you walk, the more you discover — a hidden courtyard temple, a jazz bar in a French colonial building, an egg coffee so rich it feels like dessert. This guide covers everything you need: what to see, when to go, how to get there, what to eat, where to stay, and how to make the most of every rupee you spend.
Hanoi has four genuine seasons — a rarity in Southeast Asia — and the difference between them matters enormously for comfort. Summers are hot and rainy, winters are cool and misty, and the shoulder months of spring and autumn offer the most pleasant travel conditions.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rainfall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19° | 14° | Low | Cool, dry, misty. Pack a light jacket. |
| Feb | 20° | 15° | Low | Tet season — many shops close. Avoid if possible. |
| Mar Ideal | 23° | 18° | Low | Spring warmth, some drizzle, blooming flowers. |
| Apr Ideal | 27° | 21° | Medium | Best month overall. Warm, manageable humidity. |
| May | 32° | 25° | Medium | Getting warm. Occasional heavy showers. |
| Jun | 34° | 27° | High | Hot and humid. Afternoon thunderstorms. |
| Jul | 34° | 27° | High | Peak rainy season. Flooding possible. |
| Aug | 33° | 26° | High | Still very hot and rainy. Not recommended. |
| Sep | 31° | 25° | Medium | Rain easing. Manageable but humid. |
| Oct Ideal | 28° | 22° | Low | Excellent. Clear skies, pleasant warmth. |
| Nov Ideal | 24° | 18° | Low | Best month. Cool, dry, perfect for sightseeing. |
| Dec | 21° | 15° | Low | Cool and dry. Layer up for evenings. |
Fly into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN). No direct flights yet from most Indian cities (as of 2026), but connections are smooth via Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur. Flying time including layover is typically 8–12 hours total. Book 6–8 weeks ahead for best fares, especially for October–November travel.
| Mode | Cost (approx.) | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private car / hotel pickup | ₹900–₹1,200 | 45–60 min | We arrange for all guests. Most comfortable option. |
| Grab taxi (app) | ₹600–₹900 | 45–60 min | Download Grab before landing. Very reliable. |
| Bus 86 (public) | ₹100 | 50 min | Goes to Hanoi Old Quarter. Basic but functional. |
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Hanoi → Da Nang → Ba Na Hills
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Hanoi → Halong Bay → Ho Chi Minh City
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Hanoi → Halong Bay → Nha Trang
Hanoi's sights span a thousand years of history — ancient temples, colonial prisons, communist monuments, and lively streets that need no admission ticket. Here are the 15 essential experiences.
The emerald Hoan Kiem Lake sits at the heart of Hanoi and is the emotional centre of the city. Ngoc Son Temple, reached via the iconic red Huc Bridge, houses a preserved giant turtle — a sacred symbol in Vietnamese legend. Locals circle the lake before dawn for tai chi, and the surrounding promenade is always alive.
The Old Quarter is a dense maze of 36 ancient streets, each historically dedicated to a single craft or trade. Walking here is Hanoi at its most authentic — tube houses four stories tall and two metres wide, street food cooks crouching over charcoal, fabric shops spilling onto pavements, the constant soundtrack of motorbikes and vendors. Hang Buom and Ta Hien streets come alive after dark.
A narrow residential lane where an active railway line runs within arm's reach of café tables and doorsteps. Twice an evening, a full train squeezes through with centimetres to spare on each side. The atmosphere before the train arrives — vendors clearing the track, locals leaning from windows — is as memorable as the train itself.
Vietnam's first national university, founded in 1070, dedicated to Confucius. Five walled courtyards lead to a tranquil interior of stone-carved turtles bearing doctoral steles — 82 of them, listing the names of graduates from 1484 onwards. The architecture is a beautiful blend of Vietnamese and Chinese influences, and the gardens are exceptionally well-kept.
The imposing grey granite mausoleum holds the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh — "Uncle Ho" — the founding father of modern Vietnam. The complex also includes his modest wooden stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace (exterior only), the One Pillar Pagoda (an iconic 11th-century structure rising from a lotus pond), and an excellent museum.
Built by French colonists in 1896 to imprison Vietnamese political activists, later used to hold American POWs during the Vietnam War — famously nicknamed "Hanoi Hilton" by American pilots. The museum presents both stories with original cells, guillotines, and personal artefacts. A sobering and important historical experience.
One of the best museums in Southeast Asia, documenting the cultures of Vietnam's 54 recognised ethnic groups. The indoor galleries are meticulous and well-labelled in English. The outdoor section features full-scale traditional houses — longhouses, stilt houses, burial poles — reconstructed by master craftspeople from their original communities. Excellent gift shop with authentic ethnic crafts.
The political centre of Vietnam for over 13 centuries, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010. Excavations since 2002 have revealed layers of artefacts spanning multiple dynasties. The Flag Tower is one of Hanoi's most recognisable landmarks. The underground military command bunker used during the Vietnam War is also open to visitors.
Hanoi's largest lake, 17 km in circumference, with the 6th-century Tran Quoc Pagoda — Vietnam's oldest Buddhist pagoda — on a tiny island connected to the shore. The western shore has the best sunset cafés, and the lake is ringed with excellent seafood restaurants, boutique coffee shops, and a quiet, leafy residential feel far removed from the Old Quarter's chaos.
Built in 1886 and modelled on Notre-Dame de Paris, St. Joseph's Cathedral is a beautiful neo-Gothic structure with twin bell towers, stained glass, and an atmospheric stone interior. It sits in the heart of the French Quarter, surrounded by boutique cafés and art galleries. Most striking at night when lit up against the dark sky.
Designed by Gustave Eiffel's engineering firm and completed in 1902, the Long Bien Bridge is a striking 1.7 km steel cantilever structure spanning the Red River. It was repeatedly bombed during the Vietnam War and rebuilt with deliberately mismatched replacement spans — its patchwork appearance is itself part of the story. Motorcycles and pedestrians still cross it daily. At dawn, fishermen line the sides and the city skyline glows behind you.
The oldest temple in the Old Quarter, Bach Ma (White Horse Temple) was originally built in the 11th century by King Ly Thai To, who legend says was guided to this spot by a white horse. The temple is compact but atmospheric, with beautiful lacquerwork, carved wooden panels, and a golden white-horse statue. Hidden in plain sight on Hang Buom Street.
Known as the "Ambassador's Pagoda", Quan Su serves as the official headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. Built in the 15th century, it remains a deeply active place of worship — always busy with monks, nuns, and devotees. The courtyard is beautiful and the interior rich with incense smoke, bronze bells, and carved statues. Located in the French Quarter, easy to walk to.
A comprehensive chronicle of Vietnam's military history from the resistance against French colonialism through the American War and beyond. The outdoor courtyard displays captured American jets, tanks, artillery pieces, and the wreckage of a B-52 bomber. The Vietnamese narrative differs sharply from Western accounts — provocative and essential context for understanding the country you're visiting.
Water puppetry is a uniquely Vietnamese art form, originating in the Red River Delta over 1,000 years ago. Lacquered wooden puppets are manipulated by hidden puppeteers standing waist-deep behind a curtain, performing mythological scenes, folk tales, and daily rural life on a pool-stage. Live traditional music accompanies every scene. Thang Long is the best venue in Hanoi — professional, atmospheric, and genuinely impressive.
Hanoi is the food capital of Vietnam — arguably the food capital of Southeast Asia for street cuisine. The flavours here are subtler and more nuanced than in Ho Chi Minh City: less sweet, more umami, with fresh herbs and fermented condiments elevating every bowl. Eating in Hanoi is not just sustenance — it is the primary cultural experience.
The national dish — a clear, slow-simmered bone broth with rice noodles, thinly sliced beef, and a perfumed garnish of spring onion, herbs, and lime. Hanoi pho is famously cleaner and less sweet than its southern cousin.
Best at: Pho Gia Truyen (49 Bat Dan) or Pho Thin (13 Lo Duc)
Charcoal-grilled pork patties and belly, served alongside vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and a sweet-savoury dipping broth. A Hanoi signature. Famous as the dish Anthony Bourdain ate with Barack Obama in 2016.
Best at: Bun Cha Huong Lien (24 Le Van Huu) — the Obama restaurant
A Hanoi invention: strong Vietnamese drip coffee topped with a thick, silky foam of whipped egg yolks, condensed milk, and sugar. The result is impossibly rich — like a liquid tiramisu. A life-changing cup.
Best at: Giang Cafe (39 Nguyen Huu Huan) or Cafe Dinh (13 Dinh Tien Hoang)
A French colonial legacy reborn — a crispy baguette crammed with pâté, cold cuts, pickled daikon, cucumber, coriander, chilli, and mayonnaise. Each stall has its own combination. A breakfast staple and an all-day snack.
Best at: Banh Mi 25 (25 Hang Ca, Old Quarter)
A Hanoi specialty of marinated white fish (snakehead or catfish), sizzled at the table in butter and turmeric, tossed with fresh dill and spring onions, served with vermicelli, roasted peanuts, and shrimp paste. An entire street — Cha Ca Street — is named after this single dish.
Best at: Cha Ca Thang Long (19-21 Duong Thanh)
A tangy, tomato-red broth loaded with freshwater crab paste, tofu, blood cake, and rice noodles. Bold, umami-rich, and deeply satisfying. Less famous than pho but beloved by locals.
Best at: Street stalls near Dong Xuan Market
Hanoi-style fried spring rolls: thinner and crispier than their southern counterpart, filled with minced pork, glass noodles, mushroom, and egg. Dipped in nuoc cham fish sauce. One of the most universally loved snacks in the city.
Best at: Any reputable com binh dan (local rice restaurant) or street cart
Hanoi's signature breakfast: sticky rice in dozens of combinations — with peanuts, fried shallots, mung beans, Chinese sausage, or fried egg. Served wrapped in banana leaf or on a plate. The best xoi stalls run out by 9 AM.
Best at: Xoi Yen (35B Nguyen Huu Huan) or any early-morning street stall
Hanoi's great social tradition: ultra-light, freshly brewed draft beer served in plastic cups at plastic stools on the pavement. Brewed that morning, drunk by evening. At ₹40 a glass, it's one of the cheapest beers in the world and one of the most enjoyable social rituals in Asia.
Best at: Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen intersection, Old Quarter
Hanoi's cuisine is heavy on fish sauce and pork broth — virtually all traditional dishes contain animal products in some form, often invisibly. Vegetarians and vegans need to be specific. The Vietnamese word for vegetarian food is "chay" (pronounced "chai"). Many menus have a chay section. Indian restaurants in Hanoi offer reliable pure-vegetarian options.
Hanoi's largest covered market: four floors of clothing, fabrics, household goods, toys, souvenirs, and a wet market on the ground floor. A wholesale and retail hub since 1889. The food court upstairs is excellent for cheap local breakfast.
Hanoi's most famous shopping street for silk: áo dài fabric, silk scarves, embroidered art, and custom tailoring. Many shops offer 24-hour turnaround on custom-made items. Quality varies — examine seams carefully.
The traditional silver-working street of the Old Quarter, lined with century-old workshops producing rings, bracelets, pendants, and decorative pieces. Some workshops still use traditional tools. Good place to buy unique handmade jewellery.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings the stretch from Hang Dao to Dong Xuan Market is closed to traffic and becomes a 3-kilometre-long market of clothing, handicrafts, souvenirs, street food, and live music. The city's most atmospheric weekend event.
A quieter, more local daily night market away from the main tourist drag. Good for everyday Vietnamese goods at fair prices without the tourist markup.
Hanoi's premium shopping mall near Hoan Kiem Lake, with international luxury brands, Vietnamese designer labels, electronics, and a supermarket. Air-conditioned respite on hot days.
Start at 40% of the asking price and settle at 60–70%. Keep the energy friendly, not confrontational — smile, joke, and walk away if needed. Vendors will often call you back. Never buy from the very first stall; compare prices across three to four shops first.
Silk scarves and áo dài fabric, lacquerware boxes and trays, Vietnamese propaganda posters (official reproductions), conical non la hats, wooden handicrafts and carvings, freshly roasted Vietnamese coffee (weasel or egg coffee blends), hand-embroidered wall art, and silver jewellery from Hang Bac.
Hanoi's nightlife is more refined than Ho Chi Minh City — wine bars, jazz clubs, and rooftop terraces outnumber nightclubs. The energy is social rather than hedonistic. Most venues close by midnight, though dedicated bars run until 1–2 AM on weekends. The Old Quarter is the primary hub.
The beating heart of Hanoi's backpacker and local social scene — a short street packed with bia hoi stalls, local bars, and street food. Plastic stools, cold beer, grilled skewers, and conversation in a dozen languages.
A long-standing favourite on Bao Khanh Street — comfortable seating, craft beers, reliable cocktails, and a consistently good atmosphere without being overwhelming. Great for a post-dinner wind-down.
Live jazz performed by Quyen Van Minh and his ensemble every night from around 9 PM. A Hanoi institution — intimate, atmospheric, and utterly authentic. Vietnamese jazz musicians of national reputation play here.
Rooftop bar with panoramic views over the Old Quarter and city skyline. One of the best elevated views in Hanoi — especially beautiful at twilight when the city lights come on.
The 20th-floor rooftop bar of the Pan Pacific Hotel on West Lake. Sophisticated setting, premium cocktails, and extraordinary 360-degree views over West Lake and the city beyond.
Hanoi's premier live music venue — local and regional bands performing rock, indie, and metal several nights a week. Great sound system, outdoor courtyard, unpretentious crowd, and a genuine music-first ethos.
A literary bar and cultural gathering place run by a prominent Vietnamese writer. Bookshelves, eclectic décor, rotating art exhibitions, and a thoughtful cocktail list. The kind of bar that attracts Hanoi's creative and intellectual crowd.
An award-winning craft cocktail bar using uniquely Vietnamese ingredients — lotus flowers, Vietnamese herbs, pandan, tamarind, and local spirits. One of the most creative cocktail programmes in Southeast Asia.
Hanoi's greatest strength as a base is its extraordinary day-trip range. Within a few hours you can be on a UNESCO bay, in a misty mountain village, or gliding through limestone canyons by rowing boat.
UNESCO World Heritage Site with 1,600+ limestone karst islands rising from emerald waters. Overnight cruises include kayaking, cave exploration, squid fishing, and spectacular sunrises. The single most popular side trip from Hanoi.
Full guide →Dramatic landscape of limestone cliffs and rice paddies, navigated by traditional rowing boats through caves and along canals. Trang An (UNESCO), Tam Coc, Mua Cave viewpoint, and Hoa Lu Ancient Capital all within the same area.
Full guide →Mountain town in the northwest, famous for spectacular rice terraces, indigenous H'mong and Dao villages, and the peak of Fansipan — Indochina's highest mountain. Cooler climate year-round. Best September–November for golden terraces.
Full guide →A lush valley of emerald rice fields, inhabited by the White Thai ethnic minority. Quieter than Sapa, with excellent stilt-house homestays, cycling through the valley floor, and genuine local village life without heavy tourist infrastructure.
A complex of Buddhist temples and shrines built into limestone karst cliffs, reached by a 4 km river boat journey through scenic waterways. The most revered pilgrimage site in northern Vietnam. An extraordinary combination of natural landscape and spiritual architecture.
Forested national park with three peaks, French colonial villas (now ruins), hot springs at the base, and cool temperatures at altitude. Good for hiking and a peaceful contrast to the city. Easy and underrated half-day trip.
A village on the Red River bank specialising in hand-painted ceramics for over 500 years. Dozens of workshops let you try throwing your own pot, and the market sells everything from ₹100 teacups to elaborate vases. Excellent souvenir shopping.
A 400-year-old village with laterite stone walls, communal houses, pagodas, and the birthplace of two Vietnamese kings. One of the best-preserved traditional villages in the north. Fascinating for architecture and rural life enthusiasts.
Hanoi's neighborhoods each have a distinct personality. Choosing the right base changes the texture of your entire trip.
Best for first-time visitors. Walking distance to all major attractions. Widest range of guesthouses, hostels, boutique hotels, and budget options. Atmospheric, loud, and full of life 18 hours a day.
Wider tree-lined boulevards, upscale hotels including the legendary Sofitel Metropole, embassies, and government buildings. Quieter than the Old Quarter with a more refined feel. Close to Hoan Kiem Lake.
Quieter, leafier, and more residential. Home to expats, embassies, and the best café culture in Hanoi. Excellent lakeside restaurants and a relaxed pace. Best for stays of five or more nights, or for families. 15-minute taxi to Old Quarter.
The political district — home to government ministries, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, and the Presidential Palace. Few good hotels, no real dining scene. Fine to visit for sightseeing, not recommended for basing.
Local residential area east of the Red River. Very cheap, very local, and absolutely no tourist infrastructure. Not recommended for first-time visitors.
| Mode | Cost | Best For | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | Best in Old Quarter — most attractions within 1 km of each other | The most authentic way to experience Hanoi. Most of the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem, and the French Quarter is comfortably walkable. |
| Grab (ride-hailing app) | ₹80–₹200 per ride | Reliable, English-language, metered. Vietnam's equivalent of Uber. | Download the Grab app before arriving. Accept only Grab-confirmed rides — not street touts. Works seamlessly across Hanoi. |
| Metered taxi | ₹100–₹300 per ride | Longer journeys, airport runs, when Grab is unavailable | Use ONLY Mai Linh (green) or Vinasun (white) taxis — both have tamper-proof meters. Avoid unmarked or unofficial cabs. |
| Cyclo (rickshaw) | ₹500–₹800 per hour | Touristy but fun for an Old Quarter loop | Negotiate the price firmly before you sit down. A pleasant hour-long tour of the Old Quarter is a quintessential Hanoi experience. |
| Scooter rental | ₹600 per day | Experienced motorbike riders only | Not recommended unless you have real experience with chaotic Asian traffic. Hanoi traffic is dense and unpredictable. |
| Public bus | ₹30 per journey | Airport Bus 86 only (useful for budget travelers) | Signage not in English, routes hard to navigate for first-timers. Only practically useful for the airport bus. |
| Bicycle | ₹200 per day | West Lake perimeter, quiet morning rides | Rentable near West Lake and from most guesthouses. Ideal for the lakeside circuit on a quiet morning. |
Whether you have a weekend or a week, here are tried-and-tested day-by-day plans for Hanoi and the surrounding region.
2-Day Hanoi Highlights
3-Day Hanoi + Ninh Binh
4-Day Hanoi + Ha Long Bay
Tell us your travel dates and we'll build a personalised itinerary with hotels, transfers, and experiences — at no extra cost.
E-visa is straightforward. Apply at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn at least one week before travel. Valid for 90 days, single or multiple entry. We assist all our travelers with the application process.
US dollars are the easiest foreign currency to exchange in Vietnam. Best rates from gold shops (tiệm vàng) on Ha Trung Street, Old Quarter — significantly better than airport or hotel rates. Bring USD 100 bills for the best rates.
Buy a Viettel or Vinaphone SIM at the airport arrivals hall — approximately ₹700 for a 4G card with 20 GB data valid for 2 weeks. Alternatively, activate an eSIM before departure via Airalo or Holafly. International roaming from India is extremely expensive.
Vietnam uses Type A, C, and F plugs. Indian Type D plugs (round 3-pin) do NOT fit Vietnamese sockets. Bring a universal travel adapter. Most hotels provide adapters on request but don't count on it.
Do not drink tap water under any circumstances. Buy bottled water — typically ₹15–₹25 per 500 ml bottle from any convenience store. All reputable restaurants use filtered water for cooking and ice.
The Vietnamese word for vegetarian is "chay" (sounds like "chai"). Look for "đồ chay" sections on menus or restaurants with "chay" in their name. Buddhist vegetarian restaurants are common. Indian restaurants are your backup for completely familiar food.
For when you need a taste of home: Tandoor Restaurant (24 Hang Be), Khazaana Indian Restaurant (22 Hang Bai), and Foodshop 45 (45 Dinh Tien Hoang) all serve reliable north Indian and south Indian food near the Old Quarter.
Not customary in Vietnam but appreciated. For tour guides and drivers: ₹100–₹200 per day is generous and warmly received. At restaurants: rounding up the bill is fine. Skip tips at street food stalls.
Hanoi traffic is intense but predictable. The golden rule: walk slowly and steadily into the traffic flow — do not stop suddenly and do not run. Motorbikes will read your trajectory and go around you. Hesitation causes accidents.
Hanoi is one of Asia's safest cities for tourists. Violent crime against travelers is extremely rare. Main risk is bag-snatching by motorbike on tourist streets — keep bags on the inside of the pavement (away from the road) and phone in a front pocket.
Cover shoulders and knees at temples and pagodas. Remove shoes before entering any religious space (look for shoes outside the door). Do not point your feet toward a Buddha statue. Do not touch anyone's head — it is considered sacred. Pointing with one finger is considered rude; use an open hand.
We work with hotels that understand Indian dietary requirements. All our packages include hotels that can arrange vegetarian breakfasts, provide Indian pickles and condiments on request, and have staff familiar with Indian guests' needs.
Common questions from Indian travelers planning a Hanoi trip.
Customizable
Hanoi → Da Nang → Ba Na Hills
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Hanoi → Halong Bay → Ho Chi Minh City
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Hanoi → Halong Bay → Nha Trang
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Ho Chi Minh City → Hanoi → Ha Long Bay
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Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay → Ho Chi Minh City
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Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay → Da Nang → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta
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Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay → Da Nang → Hoi An
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Hanoi → Ha Long Bay
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Ho Chi Minh City → Da Nang → Hanoi → Ha Long Bay
North + South + Island
Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Ho Chi Minh City → Phu Quoc
Comfort Pace
Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta → Da Nang → Hanoi → Ha Long Bay
Premium Pace
Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta → Da Nang → Hoi An → Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay
Heritage Focus
Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay → Da Nang → Hue → Hoi An
Beach + Culture
Ho Chi Minh City → Nha Trang → Hanoi → Ha Long Bay
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Hanoi → Halong Bay → Da Nang
Hanoi pairs perfectly with these nearby destinations — most can be added to your itinerary with no extra flights.
Our Vietnam travel specialists have first-hand knowledge of Hanoi and all of northern Vietnam. Let us build you an itinerary that fits your group, budget, and interests — no generic packages.
