Your complete guide to Hanoi
Verified itineraries, honest advice, and no-fluff tips on the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, the karst landscapes of Ninh Binh, and Ha Long Bay, plus trips further north to Sapa and the Ha Giang loop.
Top-rated activities in Hanoi
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Top destinations in and around Hanoi
From the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake to Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay, plus day trips to Bat Trang and the Perfume Pagoda.
Hanoi: Vietnam's Capital, in the North
Hanoi is Vietnam's capital in the north, not Ho Chi Minh City. A guide to its districts, pace of visit, transport and northern seasons.
Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is one of three linked karst bays near Hanoi. Here's how Ha Long, Bai Tu Long and Lan Ha differ, and which to plan.
Ninh Binh: Vietnam's Inland Karst Country
Ninh Binh's limestone karst south of Hanoi is often called the inland Halong Bay — a misleading name, since there's no sea here at all.
Sapa Travel Guide: Rice Terraces and Hill Tribe Villages
Sapa is northern Vietnam's mountain gateway: terraced rice fields, Hmong and Dao villages, and routes onward to Fansipan, Bac Ha and beyond.
Ha Giang: The Northeast Highlands Loop
Ha Giang is northern Vietnam's karst mountain loop, ridden pillion with a local driver, not self-driven. How it connects to Dong Van, Cao Bang and Ban.
Cat Ba Island: Gateway to Lan Ha Bay
Cat Ba Island, the largest in the Ha Long archipelago, is the base for exploring Lan Ha Bay, its national park, beaches and old harbour town.
Things to do in Hanoi
A boat ride through Trang An, an afternoon at the Temple of Literature, a wander through the Old Quarter, and more — the best activities in Hanoi.
Ha Long Bay Cruises
Day cruises and overnight boats through Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay's limestone islands, departing from Hai Phong or Cat Ba Island.
Street Food Tours
Guided tastings of bun cha, pho, banh mi, cha ca and egg coffee through the Old Quarter's 36 streets, usually on foot or by cyclo, timed for the busiest street-food hours.
Day Trips from Hanoi
The range of day trips out of the capital, from Ninh Binh's karst rivers to the craft villages of Bat Trang and Duong Lam and the Perfume Pagoda.
Motorbike Loops
Self-drive and guided motorbike routes, led by the Ha Giang Loop through the Dong Van karst plateau and Ma Pi Leng Pass, plus shorter loops around Mai Chau and Moc Chau.
Essential travel guides
Our most popular guides to help you prepare.
Halong Bay Cruise Guide: Choosing Your Bay, Boat and Route
How to choose between Ha Long, Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long bays, cruise lengths and departure points before booking a Halong Bay cruise.
Day Trips from Hanoi: Where to Go and How to Choose
A guide to day trips from Hanoi — Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Perfume Pagoda, craft villages and more — and how to pick the right one.
The Ha Giang Loop: What It Is and How to Plan It
What the Ha Giang loop actually is, how it differs from Dong Van and Cao Bang, and how to choose between riding and being driven.
Sapa Trekking Guide: The Hub for Walks in Vietnam's North
Sapa is the base for trekking in northern Vietnam's mountains, with valley walks, homestays and Fansipan reached on foot or by cable car.
Old Quarter Street Food Walking Tour: A Guide to Choosing One
How Hanoi's Old Quarter street food walking tours work, what makes a guided one different from wandering alone, and how to pick between the options.
How Many Days for Northern Vietnam? A Time-Budget Guide
How to split time between Hanoi, a bay cruise, Ninh Binh and the mountains without building a fixed itinerary or a rushed day trip.
Suggested itineraries
Tested routes to make the most of your time.
Three Days: Hanoi and Ha Long Bay
A three-day plan combining Hanoi's Old Quarter with a night on Ha Long, Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long Bay, plus a return day.
Five Days: Hanoi and Sapa
A 5-day route linking Hanoi's Old Quarter with Sapa's terraced valleys, an optional Fansipan climb and the Bac Ha market.
7 Days in North Vietnam: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay and Sapa
A 7-day route through Hanoi, Ninh Binh's karst, Ha Long Bay and Sapa's mountains, with each stop linked to its own planning guide.
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