A fusion of history and modernity, Buddhism and Catholicism, Communism and commerce – to describe a city as a “melting pot" is often a travel-writing cliché, but when it comes to Hanoi, it’s wholeheartedly the real deal.
There’s no better place to experience the full gamut of Vietnam’s current cultural climate than this thriving city of contrasts. The capital has spent the last 20 years shaking off the dust of war, making way for a new kind of metropolis – one that celebrates the influences of its colonial past while wholly embracing the opportunities of the new.
Things to see in Hanoi
You can’t be well-versed in Vietnamese history without appreciating the intricacies of its cuisine. The two are so wholly enmeshed that a single meal will traverse flavour influences from Chinese and French occupations, combined to form a completely unique taste – complex and layered, yet fresh at the same time. To get acquainted, sign up for a class at the Hanoi Cooking Centre, held in a historical shophouse in the picturesque Old Quarter – the course includes practical lessons as well as tours through street food stalls and lively markets.
There are numerous cultural shows worth catching while in town. The grand Hanoi Opera House is worth a visit even without tickets, purely for its ornate French colonial architecture, while those travelling with kids will love the colour and action at the famous Municipal Water Puppet Theatre. For a slice of modern Hanoi, slip into the Binh Minh Jazz Club, tucked behind the Opera House and reliably packed with music lovers, or catch a set at Cama ATK, a long-running live music venue hosting both local bands and international acts.
Best places to visit in Hanoi
Halong Bay is undoubtedly a must-do for any Hanoi visit. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a breathtaking collection of around 2,000 individual islands clustered together like a giant ocean maze – it can get busy and touristy, so we recommend starting early in the day. Cat Ba Island, at the southern edge of Halong Bay, is a beautiful vantage point for the sprawling view of islands, and is also home to a large national park and a hidden Viet Cong “Cave Hospital" from the Vietnam War.
Hanoi has historical sites for every type of history buff, from the 19th-century Gothic Revival St Joseph’s Cathedral to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, which holds the embalmed body of the revered leader, protected by heavily armed military guards.
Where to stay in Hanoi
Hotels: Vietnam’s French fusion architecture is dotted around the city but arguably best preserved at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Opened in 1901, the building has survived cultural occupations, wars and encroaching modernity, and still stands as an ultra-luxurious living history museum, hosting celebrities, dignitaries and well-heeled travellers looking to revel in a little colonial hospitality.
Hostels: Hanoi has a hostel to suit every style, budget and backpack. On the wallet-friendly end, Republik Backpacker’s Hostel offers spacious air-conditioned accommodation from around $18 a night, while Nexy Hostel caters to the “flashpacker" crowd happy to rough it during the day but who appreciate quality linens and modern amenities at night.
Guest houses: Think hostel-meets-boutique-hotel with a side of Airbnb, and you’re close to a typical Vietnamese guest house, usually in an excellent location close to the action. The Old Quarter has Hanoi’s largest collection of traditional guest houses, ranging from comfortable but basic options from around $10 a night to the princely Hanoi Guest House, still a steal at around $40 a night.
Best places to eat in Hanoi
Like most countries in Asia, street food in Hanoi is the great unifier across all classes. Rich or poor, old or young, everyone compares their favourite pho bo or banh cuon stalls. Savvy travellers looking to join the national sport of competitive eating should start in the Old Quarter, choosing between the tastes of Ta Hien Street (also known as “Beer Street") and noodles and dumplings alongside backpackers on Luong Ngoc Quyen Street. Night owls will love the vibrant energy and roadside grills of the Hang Dao Street night market, held Friday to Sunday from 6pm.
One must-do for history buffs is a meal at Mau Dich 37 (“State-run Food Shop No. 37"), which recreates the government-run food shops of the post-war 1970s – diners order using pre-purchased coupons exchanged for food from staff dressed as early Communist state workers. On the opposite end of the scale, Hanoi Press Club serves high-end Viet-French fusion in elaborate colonial décor.
Cultural experiences in Hanoi
The Hoa Lo Prison Memorial is a sombre but fascinating museum dedicated to educating visitors about the ravages of war. Formerly a prison used for political prisoners under French Indochinese rule, the Vietnamese repurposed it in 1954 to hold US soldiers during the Vietnam War, when it became known as “the Hanoi Hilton." For a little levity afterwards, visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and museum containing ancient artefacts dating back to the 6th century.
Places to shop in Hanoi
The Old Quarter isn’t just the nucleus of Hanoi’s history – it’s also the city’s bustling shopping heart, where you’ll find anything from jewellery to shoes to textiles. Street names here are often named after the products once sold there, so keep a translator app handy.
Just outside Hanoi, the village of Bat Trang is famous for handcrafted ceramics – ask your driver to take you to a local ceramics workshop to find all the colourful crockery you can fit in your suitcase.
Getting to Hanoi
A range of airlines fly direct to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport from Sydney and Melbourne, including national carrier Vietnam Airlines. Flights from Brisbane and Adelaide run daily too, typically with a connection in Sydney or Melbourne.
Upon arrival, taxis are plentiful – keep an eye out for scams by sticking to reputable taxi companies or booking through a ride-hailing app like Grab, which now dominates the market in Vietnam.
