Things to do in Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam's capital; Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the largest city and sits about 1,700 km further south, a two-hour flight away, never a day trip.
The centre rewards walking: the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, the French Quarter around the Opera House, Ba Dinh with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (UNESCO, 2010), the Temple of Literature (founded 1070) and West Lake. Train Street is restricted and periodically closed by the authorities, so do not plan around it.
Allow two to three days for the essentials. Noi Bai airport is 25-35 km north of the centre, 45-70 minutes by road. Entry to the main sites typically costs well under 5 EUR; Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa are separate excursions or stops covered on their own pages.
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Browse activitiesTours and activities in Hanoi
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GetYourGuide Hanoi: Water Puppet Show Tour with Hop on Hop Off Bus
Viator Hanoi Motorbike Tour: Hanoi HIGHTLIGHTS & HIDDEN GEMS
GetYourGuide Hanoi: Bac Giang Kham Lang Pagoda Guided Tour
Viator VIETNAM BACKSTREET TOURS: Explore Bat Trang Ceramic Village By Minsk Motorcycle
GetYourGuide Hanoi: Tho Ha Rice Paper Village Co Loa Ancient Citadel
Viator Noi Bai Airport transfer to Hanoi Hotel & Vice versa
GetYourGuide Bac Ninh: Craft Villages Ancient Heritage
Viator Hanoi Coffee Class learning 5 famous coffee in Hanoi
GetYourGuide From Hanoi Tho Ha Village Photography Tour
Viator Six Cups of Vietnam Coffee Workshop in Hanoi with Local Barista
GetYourGuide Hanoi: 5 Gates Train Journey with Live Folk Music Snacks
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