Destinations > Hanoi
HANOI
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and a city filled with history and culture. The city has been an important political and economic hub in the country for many years and is home to some of Vietnam’s most iconic landmarks.
One of the most famous attractions in Hanoi is the Old Quarter, also known as Old Quarter Hanoi, which is a large complex of narrow streets filled with shops, markets, and restaurants. Here, you can experience the authentic Vietnamese lifestyle and taste some of the country’s most popular dishes.
Another popular sight in Hanoi is Hoan Kiem Lake, located in the heart of the city. The lake is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, and around the lake, you can find some of the city’s most impressive buildings and temples.
Hanoi also has a rich cultural history, and there are several museums and galleries that can give you insight into the country’s history and art scene. One of the most well-known museums is the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which showcases a comprehensive collection of cultural artifacts from various ethnic groups in Vietnam.
Food in Hanoi is known for its authentic flavors and local ingredients. Some of the most popular dishes include Pho, a traditional noodle soup, Banh Mi, a Vietnamese sandwich, and Bun Cha, grilled pork served with noodles and herbs. Street food stalls are a significant part of Hanoi’s food culture and are a must-experience!
The weather in Hanoi varies greatly throughout the year, but the best time to visit the city is during the period from February to April or late October. During this time, you can expect temperatures between 20-25 degrees Celsius and limited rainfall. In the summer season, you will typically experience heavy rainfall and temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius. You can read more about the weather in Vietnam here.
Hanoi is undoubtedly a must-see destination on your trip to Vietnam. Let us help you tailor the perfect journey to Hanoi.
Experiences in and around Hanoi
Hanoi is full of culture and authentic experiences. Many people’s first impressions will typically be of honking horns and scooters, but the city also offers small traditional street kitchens, fascinating history, and cultural landmarks. If you need more inspiration for your trip, you can read our Hanoi guide with 10 exciting experiences in Hanoi.
Culture & history
Get an insight into Vietnamese culture and Hanoi’s long history. Take a walking city tour and explore the small alleys and streets of Hanoi on foot, or hop on a Vespa and ride around the nightlife with the locals. You also have the opportunity to experience rural life in Hanoi’s surrounding areas or have dinner with a local family, where your taste buds will be delighted with authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
Med overnatning:
Cycling
Trænger du til en pause fra scooter og storbylivet i Hanoi, kan vi anbefale en cykeltur ved Ninh Binh. Mens du cykler rundt i den smukke natur, får du samtidig mulighed for at opleve buddhistiske templer og Vietnams tidligere hovedstad, Hoa Lu. Dagen sluttes af med en rolig robådstur gennem flotte huler og grotter.
Hotels in Hanoi
If you are looking for a hotel in Hanoi, there are many options depending on your preferences. There is everything from modern luxury hotels with spa and fitness facilities to more intimate homestays with cultural charm. At Vietnam by Topas, we can recommend these hotels in Hanoi, where there is something for every taste.
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Højdepunkter i Vietnam
Denne aktive rejse fra nord til syd i Vietnam, præsenterer dig for alt det bedste i landet – uanset om du vil dykke ned landets historie, kultur eller natur.
17 dage fra 26.500 DKK /person
Smagen af Vietnam
Se det smukke Nordvietnam og afslut rejsen med afslapning ved Hoi Ans hvide sandstrande.
12 dage fra 22.500 DKK /person
Familieferie i Vietnam
I denne komplette familierejse kommer I både til hovedstaden Hanoi, bjergene i Sapa, på minicruise i Lan Ha Bay og strandferie i Hoi An.
15 dage fra 22.000 DKK /person
Den store Vietnam-rundrejse
Denne aktive rejse går i dybden med fantastiske Vietnam – landets historie, kultur og natur.
20 dage fra 29.500 DKK /person
Det bedste af Vietnam
Kom med på eventyr og oplev det bedste af Vietnam, når Topas viser vejen, fra det frodige Mekong delta og til de højeste bjerge i sydøst Asien.
17 dage fra 22.500 DKK /person
Bjerge og strande i det nordlige og centrale Vietnam
13 dage fra 19.500 DKK /person
More about Hanoi
The captivating capital, Hanoi, has been Vietnam’s historical and political center for 1000 years. Fortunately, modern Hanoi has preserved many aspects of the city’s ancient heritage.
Old Quarter in Hanoi
The bustling Old Quarter, which has been a commercial hub for over 800 years, continues to be the best place to experience the authentic charm of Hanoi. Here, temples, markets, and street vendors coexist with characteristic architecture, while serene lakes surrounded by runners, tai chi practitioners, and strolling people provide a peaceful respite from the city’s hectic life.
There are few places in the world better to enjoy food and drinks. Hanoi boasts a café culture that rivals European capitals and offers street food experiences that resonate worldwide. For gastronomes, a tour around Hanoi’s street food spots is a must.
Hanoi Insight Tours
The Red River’s delta surrounds the bustling cityscape with many small handicraft villages, creating a perfect backdrop for a day trip when visiting Hanoi.
Topas Travel offers guided Hanoi tours and Hanoi sightseeing. Join Topas Travel on day trips around Hanoi, and we will introduce you to the many aspects of the city that make it such an intoxicating place to live and visit.
Flag Lowering Ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Did you know that every evening at 8:50 PM, soldiers will ask hundreds of people in front of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to stop their activities and move to the back of the square to make way for the solemn flag lowering ceremony?
Once everyone is in place, the speakers will play Vietnam’s anthem – ‘Uncle Ho is Still with Us When We March in War’, followed by 33 soldiers in immaculate white uniforms marching towards the massive flagpole at the center of Ba Dinh Square. Three soldiers will then approach the flagpole and lower the flag.
The Vietnamese people still attend this ceremony to remember important victories, forgotten battles, and lost friends. The red color of the flag symbolizes the bloodshed and efforts of their revolution and the struggle against external forces. The five golden stars represent the strength of the almighty Communist Party, with each star representing crucial building blocks in the nation’s construction: the farmer, the worker, the artist, the doctor, and the soldier.
Regardless of one’s stance on the Vietnamese system, one thing is certain – the flag lowering ceremony is a beautiful and proud tradition for the Vietnamese people. It stands as another example of the importance of their efforts in establishing Vietnam as an independent state.
Hanoi is located in the lowlands of Northern Vietnam and is worth visiting all year round. This region of the country experiences four seasons, with daytime temperatures in Hanoi ranging from around 20 to 35 degrees Celsius.
The best time to visit Hanoi is in March-April when temperatures are moderate, and there is usually not much rainfall.
On our weather page, you can read more about the weather in Vietnam.
Hanoi’s history dates back over 1000 years. When visiting Vietnam’s capital city, there is much to see and experience. We have also compiled a short list of some Hanoi Highlights, but below is a brief guide to four of the most important periods in the city’s history:
Foundation of Hanoi
Take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake – early in the morning to participate in the locals’ active morning routines or in the evening when heading to one of the numerous street food restaurants. A tour through the 36 streets of the Old Quarter is a must, and afterward, you can continue to the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.
The French period
An icon of Hanoi is the Long Bien Bridge – formerly known as Paul Doumer Bridge – one of the greatest engineering achievements of the French colonial era and a showcase of colonial infrastructure. During the Vietnam War, it became a symbol of Hanoi’s resistance to the relentless American bombing. Take an evening stroll on the bridge to capture fantastic sunset pictures. And continue your tour through the French Quarter.
Vietnam War (known as the American War in Vietnam)
Hoa Lo Prison (nicknamed the Hanoi Hilton by American prisoners during the American War) focuses on both the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France and exhibits relics from the American War, including the flight suit of American senator John McCain.
The Vietnam Military History Museum is also a place to visit for history enthusiasts traveling to Hanoi.
Hanoi in the present day
More contemporary history can be seen at the National Assembly Building and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which are located side by side. Khue Van Cac (inside the Temple of Literature) is a symbol of present-day Hanoi, even though it was built more than 200 years ago. When visiting the Temple of Literature, you will likely walk alongside schoolchildren as teachers nowadays take their classes to this historic place to remind the children of the importance of education.
Vietnam by Topas
