Situated along the Red River Delta, Hanoi is home to over 10 million people, making it Vietnam's second-largest city. This bustling city plays an integral role in Vietnam's politics, tradition, and culture.
Moreover, Hanoi is a popular tourist destination, receiving millions of international guests each year. Those that have visited The City Of Peace love its convenience, delicious cuisine, affordability, and overall hospitality. Travelers that have yet to visit Hanoi will fall in love with its
rich history, traditional cuisine, and vibrant life force. From its bustling day life to its lively nightlife, Hanoi offers a variety of activities and experiences for any traveler.
Here are some reasons why Hanoi is loved by many travelers worldwide!
8 Hanoi Is The Ultimate Budget Travel Destination
Budget travelers will love Hanoi because it's a budget-friendly travel destination, partly due to the city's low cost of living.
Hanoi is also home to an extensive transportation network, from ride-sharing apps to scenic train lines that stop at major Vietnamese cities. Budget travelers can save money by traveling using Hanoi's extensive bus network.
To save some money on room and board, tourists can book a few nights at a hostel, which is incredibly affordable in Hanoi (even those close to the Old Quarter). Guests can also enjoy perks such as complimentary WiFi, airy recreational spaces (like an indoor pool or rooftop terrace), and complimentary breakfasts.
Lastly, travelers heading to Hanoi can also save a ton of money by filling their hungry bellies with Hanoi's popular street fare. Visitors should try some local delicacies, including bún thang (rice vermicelli soup), bánh gối (fried dumplings), or phở xào thịt bò (Vietnamese stir-fried noodles)!
7 The City Is Perfect For Museum Lovers
Hanoi is considered the cultural capital of Vietnam, and for a good reason. The city is home to 15 museums, which house unique exhibits, artifacts, and stories! Travelers who love learning about local heritage will love visiting Hanoi's museums dedicated to art, science, and culture. Tourists love visiting Hanoi's Vietnam Art Gallery, Museum of Ethnology, Fine Arts Museum, Air Force and Air Defence Museum, Police Museum, National Museum of History, and Vietnamese Women's Museum.
6 Hanoi Is Rich In History
History buffs will love Hanoi for its storied past. This city is one of the most ancient cities in the world! Over the centuries, the city was influenced by many European and Asian cultures, which influenced the city's architecture.
Tourists can see the beautiful integration of modern Hanoi with its past through its buildings, preserved pagodas, and sacred temples.
Thousands of tourists flock to Hanoi to admire its architecture, visiting sights like The Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda, Bach Ma Temple, St. Joseph's Cathedral, and The Temple of Literature.
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is also a popular tourist attraction, which is the resting place of Ho Chi Minh, a well-known figure in Vietnamese politics and history. Visitors should get to the mausoleum early to witness the flag ceremony, which happens daily at 6 a.m. Visitors can also wander and explore Hanoi's Old Quarter, which dates back to the 14th century.
5 The City Offers Tourists A Peek Into Traditional Vietnamese Cuisine
Hanoi is known to offer tourists tastes of traditional Vietnamese fare, from the fragrant bánh cuốn (or steamed rice rolls) to the world-renowned heartiness of pho. Neighborhoods like the Old Quarter are also popular destinations to sample some local street food (and is also very affordable).
4 The Weather Is All-Round Pleasant
Despite experiencing heavy rain in the summer, Hanoi still experiences mild winters (with some sprinkles of rain). Reportedly, the best time to visit the city is anytime between April to June. Additionally, Hanoi enjoys great weather during February, March, November, and December; visitors can enjoy average temperatures between 68 to 77 degrees F! The city's temperatures rarely drop below 48 degrees F or above 99 degrees F.
3 Hanoi Offers World-Class Entertainment
Travel goers never have to be bored in Hanoi, because there's a lot of things to do in this Vietnamese city.
During the day, visitors can check out Hoàn Kiếm Lake (also known as the "Lake of the Restored Sword") and check out an iconic water puppet theater show, which is an ancient art (dating back to the 11th century)! The city is also home to the Hanoi Opera House, another popular tourist attraction.
At night, Hanoi is famous for its bright lights and party scene. Tourists can dance the night away at a local club, sing their lungs out at a lively karaoke bar, or sample local spirits at any Hanoi bar.
2 Travelers Can Shop Until They Drop
The world recognizes Hanoi as a global city, so shopping malls are plentiful. Shopaholics can enjoy a variety of shopping malls, suitable for an array of budgets. For example, the Vincom Mega Mall Royal City is the largest underground shopping mall in Asia. This mall has over 230,000 square feet and is home to a large skating rink, water park, and movie theater.
1 Hanoi Has a Unique Coffee Culture
Locals love the taste of Robusta coffee beans, which have intense flavors compared to the common Arabica coffee beans. Visitors can peruse the streets of Hanoi to find a "hidden cafe" and indulge in some local coffee. Tourists should try some sinh tố bơ cà phê (avocado coffee) or cà phê trứng, also known as egg coffee. Visitors will be surprised to find that the coffee is creamy, smooth, and perfectly sweet! Reportedly, it was invented in Hanoi's Giang Cafe.