The local take
From there, the city opens up in layers: imperial ruins and the state monuments of Ba Đình, museums that tell the story of the war years from the Vietnamese side, and colonial boulevards in the French Quarter. Mornings belong to the parks and botanical gardens, where locals jog, dance and play badminton before the heat builds. Evenings bring weekend night markets, water puppet shows and, in season, lantern-lit festivals.
Day trips reach farther, to limestone bays, pagodas set into karst hills and rice valleys among the mountains. Each place comes with a note from the local guide who recommends it, and the chips let you filter for museums, day trips, markets or time on the water.
MuseumsAir Force and Air Defense Museum
You'll find the Vietnam Air Defense and Air Force Museum at 177 Trường Chinh Street, Phương Mai, in Hanoi's Thanh Xuân District.
Hanoi, Đống ĐaRecommended by Junie B.
MuseumsB52 Victory Museum
Hanoi's B52 Victory Museum isn't large, but it's full of history.
Hanoi, Ba ĐìnhRecommended by Nhung N.
Religious LandmarksDay TripsBai Dinh Pagoda
This religious complex is about a two-hour drive south of Hanoi.
HanoiRecommended by Junie B.
HikesDay TripsBa Vi National Park
If your perfect day includes a few hours in the mountains, add Ba Vi National Park to your Hanoi vacation itinerary.
HanoiRecommended by Ruby N.
ParksCông Viên Nghĩa Đô (Nghia Do Park)
You'll find Nghia Do Park in Hanoi's Nghia Tan neighborhood.
Hanoi, Cầu GiấyRecommended by Ruby N.
MarketsĐồng Xuân Market
Đồng Xuân Market is Hanoi's first wholesale market.
Hanoi, Old QuarterRecommended by Nhung N.
ParksFlower Valley
If you’re near West Lake, stop by Flower Valley, a beautiful flower garden that includes all kinds of colorful blooms.
Hanoi, Old QuarterRecommended by Junie B.
On the WaterDay TripsHa Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s 150 kilometers east of Hanoi.
HanoiRecommended by Ruby N.
Seasonal Events/FestivalsHanoi Beer Festival (Ngày hội Bia Hà Nội)
The Hanoi Beer Festival takes place every winter at the Quần Ngựa Sport Palace in the Ba Dinh district in either November or December.
Hanoi, Ba ĐìnhRecommended by Junie B.
ParksHanoi Botanical Garden
Nestled in Hanoi's Ba Dinh District and near the heart of the capital city is the Hanoi Botanical Garden.
Hanoi, Ba ĐìnhRecommended by Ruby N.
MuseumsHanoi Museum
If your trip to Hanoi needs an extra dose of history and culture, stop at the Hanoi Museum in the Nam Tu Liem District.
Hanoi, Nam Từ LiêmRecommended by Ruby N.
MarketsHanoi Old Quarter Night Market
Some say the Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market should be at the top of your Hanoi travel itinerary.
Hanoi, Old QuarterRecommended by Nhung N.
Custom tour
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Tell us how you travel. We'll plan a private day from places our local guides recommend, like the ones above, and match you with the guide best suited to lead it.
