Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam's capital, known for Old Quarter streets that still sell traditional goods, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, and French colonial architecture. Food is also a main reason people come.
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Hanoi is Vietnam's capital, in the north of the country on the Red River Delta. It is the country's second most populous centrally governed city, with about 8.7 million people. Nicknamed the Paris of the East, it keeps French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and villas. Hoàn Kiếm Lake is the historic heart of the city, with the Old Quarter and the French Quarter lying around it.
The Old Quarter keeps much of its old street layout, with 36 streets named for trades such as silk, jewelry and bamboo, and many still sell those goods. Hàng Bạc is still the most crowded silver and jewelry street there. Ba Đình holds most of the imperial-era sites, including the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Food is one of the main reasons people come. Autumn, roughly September to mid-November, is usually the most pleasant time to visit.
Hanoi in five
- Airport to the Old QuarterNoi Bai is 45–60 minutes by car. City bus 86 serves the Old Quarter area and the main railway station for a fraction of the fare.
- Walk the lake on weekend eveningsThe streets around Hoan Kiem Lake close to traffic on weekend evenings, so the lake turns into a walking area.
- Give Ninh Binh a nightAbout 2 hours by road. Staying over means the river boats before the tour buses.
- Pack a layer for winterDecember to February is damp and cool, with nights around 14 °C.
Things to do in Hanoi
See all attractions in Hanoi
Need to know
- Airport
- Noi Bai (HAN), 45–60 min by car
- Getting around
- Walking, Grab, taxis
- Best base
- The Old Quarter or around Hoan Kiem Lake
- Day trips
- Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh, about 2–3 hours by road
- Time needed
- 2–3 days, plus 1–2 for day trips
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Festival
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCloudy10 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Cool, dampJanuaryCloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, damp
- FebruaryCloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Tet, drizzleFebruaryCloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Tet, drizzle
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Mild, humidMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, humid
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Warm, clearAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- MayRain19 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°HotMayRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 253 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JuneRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low27°Hot, stormsJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 286 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, storms
- JulyRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low27°RainyJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 349 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy
- AugustRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low26°RainyAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 471 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy
- SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Storm riskSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 373 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Dry, clearOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 221 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Dry, mildNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, mild
- DecemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Cool, dryDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
Average daily high and low in Hanoi, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Apr Giong Festival · May Giong Festival
Right now in Hanoi
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 62%
Northern Vietnam
03:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°24°62%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 62%.
- Wed32°24°42%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 42%.
- Thu31°24°76%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Fri30°23°94%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Sat30°24°84%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Sun29°21°97%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 97%.
Updated 03:25 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,787 VND
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Apr–MayGiong FestivalHanoi
Before you go to Hanoi
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Rules for Hanoi, checked
- Many nationalities need a visa or e-visa for Vietnam, and some need none. Check your status on the immigration portal before you book.Source
- Declare cash and gold above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival. Check the current limit with Vietnam Customs before you travel.
- Dial 113 for police, 114 for fire and 115 for an ambulance anywhere in Vietnam.
- Riding a motorbike needs a valid license for that class in Vietnam. Wear a helmet, which is required by law.
- Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and photography inside is banned. Follow the guards' instructions on bags and photos.
Plan around Hanoi
Entry, seasons, regions and money
Read the guideHa Long BayOvernight cruises, Lan Ha and Cat Ba
Read the guideDa NangBeaches and the Hai Van Pass, by air
Read the guideHoi AnLantern-lit old town, via Da Nang
Read the guideBest time to visit VietnamWeather in the north, center and south
Read the guideVietnam e-visa and exemptionWho needs an eVisa and who is visa-free
Read the guideNorthern VietnamCoast, karst and mountain loops from Hanoi
Read the guideeSIM and dataStaying online for Grab on arrival
Read the guideHanoi FAQ
How many days do you need in Hanoi?
Two to three days covers the Old Quarter, the lake, a museum or two and the mausoleum area. Add one or two for Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh.
Where should I stay in Hanoi?
The Old Quarter if food and walking matter most, or the French Quarter for wider streets and quieter nights. Tay Ho suits longer stays.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
October to November and March to April are the most comfortable. December to February is cool and damp, and June to August is hot and rainy.
How do you cross the street in Hanoi?
Walk at a steady pace and let the motorbikes flow around you. Do not stop or step back suddenly, and use crossings where you can.
Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Hanoi is older, cooler in winter and closer to Ha Long Bay. Ho Chi Minh City is bigger, warmer and busier, with the Mekong Delta nearby. Many trips fly between them.