Hanoi

Vietnam

Vietnam Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book

Getty Images

Old City. Hanoi. Vietnam.

Why visit 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.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Hanoi? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

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

The Best of Vibrant Vietnam: City, Coastal, and Countryside Traditions

12 days / 11 nights

highlights

  1. 1 Hopping on a vintage vespa to taste the best bites of Saigon on a bustling street food tour
  2. 2 Cruising — and sleeping! — aboard a luxury boat on the magnificent Halong Bay
  3. 3 Island-hopping along the Mekong Delta to visit an artisan workshop and dine with a farming family
from $2,731

per person

book this trip see trip details

Explore more trips

  • The Mighty Mekong Delta: Vietnam’s Floating Markets and Historic River Villages
    Vietnam

    9 days / 8 nights

    The Mighty Mekong Delta: Vietnam’s Floating Markets and Historic River Villages

    FROM $2,853

    per person

    See Trip Details
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.

Explore all

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.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Hanoi