Travel guide · Vietnam
Hanoi Travel Guide 2026: Mausoleum Hours, Ha Long vs Ninh Binh, Best Months and Prices
The Huc Bridge, Hoan Kiem Lake Photo: Rolf M ü ller ( User:Rolfmueller ), CC BY-SA 3.0
Hanoi is Vietnam's capital and the base for Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa and the Ha Giang Loop, so most trips here are really two trips: the city itself and what lies three hours away. The decisions that matter are when to come (October and November beat the 270 mm summer months and the smoggy winter), how to fit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum's short morning hours and autumn closure, and whether Ha Long Bay deserves a night or just a day. This guide sets out official prices and rules checked in October 2026 and compares live prices from 1,440 bookable Hanoi tours.
Hanoi at a glance
Hanoi has been a capital since 1010, when Emperor Ly Thai To moved his court here and called the city Thang Long. It took the name Ha Noi in 1831 and became the capital of reunified Vietnam in 1976. Today about 8.7 million people live within its 3,359 km², and in 2025 it received more than 33.7 million visitors, 7.8 million of them from abroad.
Most visitors sleep in the Old Quarter beside Hoan Kiem Lake and spend their sightseeing time in two clusters: the lake and Old Quarter on foot, and the Ba Dinh area to the west, with the mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Imperial Citadel. The Temple of Literature sits between them. Everything else worth the trip is a day or more outside the city.
| What it is | Vietnam's capital, about 8.7 million people, capital since 1010 |
|---|---|
| Best months | October–November; March–April as a second choice |
| Wettest months | June–August (254–274 mm a month) |
| Main airport | Noi Bai, about 25–35 km from the Old Quarter |
| Metro | Two lines, neither reaching the Old Quarter or the airport |
| UNESCO sites nearby | Imperial Citadel (2010), Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba (1994, extended 2023), Trang An (2014) |
| Weekend rule | Lake and Old Quarter core closed to motor vehicles 19:00–24:00 Fri–Sun |
Hanoi in pictures
Tap a photo to enlarge it. Photos: Rolf M ü ller ( User:Rolfmueller ), Daderot, thalling55, calflier001, lumoplank, Jakub Hałun — Wikimedia Commons.
Is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum open, and how do you plan the Ba Dinh sights?
It reopens on 3 November 2026; outside the closure, go on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or weekend morning
The mausoleum is closed from 4 September to 2 November 2026 for its periodic restoration and reopens on 3 November. Even when open it keeps short hours: mornings only, and never on Mondays or Fridays. It opens at 7:30 from April to October and at 8:00 from November to March.
Entry is free and there is nothing to book: the queue forms at 17 Ngoc Ha Street and moves in silence. Reported closing times are 10:30 on weekdays and 11:00 at weekends in summer, half an hour later in winter, but the line has to clear before the chamber shuts, so arrive near opening time rather than near closing.
The rules are enforced, not suggested. Shoulders and knees must be covered, phones and cameras cannot be used inside, large bags go into storage at the entrance, and hats and sunglasses come off. Guards turn away anyone who does not comply and do not lend clothing.
Verdict: Plan the mausoleum as the first stop of a Ba Dinh morning, then walk to the One Pillar Pagoda and the Imperial Citadel (open to 17:00 daily) and finish at the Temple of Literature after lunch.
| Sight | Adult ticket | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum | Free | Mornings, closed Mon & Fri | Closed 4 Sep–2 Nov 2026 |
| Temple of Literature | VND 70,000 | 8:00–17:00, last entry 16:30 | Students VND 35,000; under 15 free; cash only |
| Imperial Citadel of Thang Long | VND 100,000 | 8:00–17:00 daily | Price in force since 1 January 2025 |
| Hoa Lo Prison | VND 50,000 | 8:00–17:00 daily | Some sources still show VND 30,000 |
| Vietnam Museum of Ethnology | VND 40,000 | 8:30–17:30, closed Mon | Children and students VND 20,000 |
| Ngoc Son Temple | About VND 30,000 | About 7:00–18:00 | Shoulders and knees covered |
| Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre | VND 100,000–200,000 | Shows from 16:10 | Book ahead in November–March |
Several of these prices rose after a Hanoi fee resolution adopted in December 2023; older guides quoting VND 30,000 for the Temple of Literature or the Citadel are out of date.
Ha Long Bay: day trip, overnight cruise or Lan Ha Bay?
Ha Long Bay is about 170 km from Hanoi. By expressway, limousine vans and private cars take 2.5–3 hours and standard buses 3–3.5 hours, so a day trip means five to six hours on the road. The bay holds about 1,969 mostly limestone islets and has been on the UNESCO list since 1994; in 2023 the listing was extended to the Cat Ba archipelago.
Take an overnight cruise if you have the time; it halves the share of the trip spent in a van
A one-night cruise gives you an evening and a morning on the water instead of a single rushed afternoon. In our catalogue 133 two-day cruises typically cost $210, against $62 for a day cruise, so the night costs several times more but turns the road time into a smaller share of the trip. Overnight boats mostly leave from Tuan Chau International Passenger Port.
133 Top-rated overnight cruises tours on Excurgo · from $46, typical $210 per person · rated 4.9 across 29,233 reviews
Choose Lan Ha Bay for the same scenery with floating villages
Lan Ha Bay borders Ha Long Bay to the south and southeast, off Cat Ba Island, and is part of the same UNESCO listing since 2023. Many tours combine both bays. 30 Lan Ha and Cat Ba day trips typically cost $79.
30 Lan Ha Bay day trips tours on Excurgo · from $15, typical $79 per person · rated 4.9 across 5,637 reviews
Check the forecast in summer and early autumn: storms close the bay at short notice
On 20 July 2025 a tourist boat carrying 49 people capsized in a sudden storm in the bay, with at least 35 dead. Quang Ninh province halts boat services and overnight stays whenever a storm approaches, as it did that day, for Storm Wutip on 13 June 2025 (every boat back by 18:00), for a tropical depression on 18 August and for Typhoon Ragasa on 24 September 2025.
Verdict: One night on the water is the right amount for most people. A day trip is fine if Hanoi is a short stop, but book one with free cancellation between June and September, when storm closures are most likely.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
October and November are the best months; March and April come second
Hanoi has a real winter and a hot, wet summer. From June to August highs reach 33–35 °C and 254–274 mm of rain falls each month. In December and January highs drop to about 20–21 °C and nights to 14 °C. Autumn sits between the two: October averages 30 °C and November 27 °C, with rain falling from 155 mm to 61 mm.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20.2 | 14.1 | 20 | Cool, dry; often smoggy |
| February | 21.7 | 16.4 | 20 | Cool; Tet can close sights |
| March | 25.9 | 20.5 | 36 | Good |
| April | 28.5 | 22.4 | 104 | Good |
| May | 32.8 | 25.0 | 165 | Hot, rain rising |
| June | 34.9 | 26.6 | 264 | Hot and wet |
| July | 33.7 | 26.5 | 254 | Hot and wet; storm risk at Ha Long |
| August | 33.2 | 25.8 | 274 | Wettest month |
| September | 31.9 | 25.0 | 228 | Wet; mausoleum closure begins |
| October | 30.4 | 22.8 | 155 | Best, but mausoleum closed in 2026 |
| November | 26.7 | 20.0 | 61 | Best |
| December | 21.3 | 13.8 | 20 | Cool, dry; smog risk |
Winter has a second cost: air quality. Pollution is worst in the dry months, when temperature inversions trap smog near the ground; on 15 January 2026 IQAir ranked Hanoi tenth among the world's most polluted major cities, with an AQI above 170. People with asthma should check a live air-quality app before planning outdoor days in December or January.
Tet, the Lunar New Year, falls on 6 February 2027, and a seven-day public holiday from 4 to 10 February has been proposed. The Temple of Literature closes for several days around Tet and the Museum of Ethnology for the whole holiday, while theft rises around Christmas and Tet.
Verdict: Come in November if you want the mausoleum and good weather together. In 2026, October gives the best weather but the mausoleum stays shut until 3 November.
How do you get from Noi Bai airport to the Old Quarter and around Hanoi?
Sources put Noi Bai airport 25–35 km from the Old Quarter. International flights use Terminal 2 and domestic ones Terminal 1, linked by a free shuttle. The cheapest direct way in is bus 86, which stops at both terminals, runs through the Old Quarter and ends at Hanoi Railway Station.
| Option | Price | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 86 | VND 45,000 | 45–60 min | Both terminals → Old Quarter → railway station |
| City bus 7 | About VND 8,000 | 60–90 min | Cheapest, slowest |
| GrabCar | About VND 200,000–300,000 | 40–60 min | Fixed price in the app |
| Xanh SM electric taxi | About VND 250,000–350,000 | 40–60 min | English app |
| Mai Linh taxi | About VND 300,000–400,000 | 40–60 min | Counter in arrivals |
| Metro | VND 9,000–19,000 | — | Does not reach the airport or Old Quarter |
Inside the city, ride-hailing apps do most of the work. A 3 km GrabBike ride costs about VND 25,000–45,000 and a GrabCar about VND 50,000–70,000, with surge pricing in rain and rush hours. GOV.UK advises booking the whole journey in the app and checking that the driver and plate match, and ignoring taxi touts in arrivals.
Hanoi's two metro lines, 2A (Cat Linh–Yen Nghia) and the elevated section of Line 3 (Nhon–Cau Giay), serve the western suburbs; the underground extension of Line 3 to Hanoi station is not expected before 2027. Cyclos cost about VND 100,000–200,000 for 30–60 minutes: agree the full price, for the whole ride and both passengers, before setting off.
Since 1 July 2026 a low-emission zone has closed the lake and Old Quarter core to motorbikes and cars from 19:00 to midnight every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so taxis drop you at the edge on weekend evenings. Coaches with more than 16 seats are also kept out of the area at rush hours.
What are the best things to do in Hanoi?
Walk Hoan Kiem Lake and cross to Ngoc Son Temple Must do· Early morning or weekend evening, 1 hour
The 12-hectare lake is the centre of the city's life. The red The Huc Bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple on Jade Islet, which honours the 13th-century general Tran Hung Dao; the ticket booth stands in front of the bridge. The Turtle Tower rises from a smaller islet; the last known giant turtle of the lake was found dead in January 2016.
From Friday evening to late Sunday the streets around the lake become a pedestrian zone, and the weekend night market runs north towards Dong Xuan Market from 19:00 to midnight.
See the Temple of Literature Must do· Morning or after 15:00, 1–1.5 hours
Built in 1070 as a temple to Confucius, the Imperial Academy (Quoc Tu Giam) was founded on the site in 1076. The highlight is the 82 surviving stone stelae that record the names of doctoral graduates from 1442 to 1779; UNESCO placed them on its Memory of the World register in 2010.
Tickets cost VND 70,000 (cash only); cover shoulders and knees. On selected evenings a night tour costs VND 199,000, and weekend slots in the cooler months sell out.
Explore the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long Must do· Any day, 1.5 hours
The central sector of the old royal citadel has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010. Look for Doan Mon, the main gate; the stone dragon steps of Kinh Thien Palace, which the French demolished; the excavations at 18 Hoang Dieu with layers from several dynasties; and the D67 bunker of 1967, from which the army command worked until 1975. Tickets cost VND 100,000.
Visit the mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda Must do· Tuesday–Thursday or weekend morning
The mausoleum route is covered above. Nearby in Ba Dinh, the One Pillar Pagoda stands on a single column; the original dated from 1049 and today's structure was restored in 1955.
Take a street-food tour, on foot or on the back of a motorbike Must do· Evening, 3–4 hours
Food is the main reason many people stay longer. The 2026 MICHELIN Guide for Vietnam lists 193 places across Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, and added seven in Hanoi, including Bib Gourmand awards for Banh Cuon Gia Truyen Thanh Van (rice rolls) and Pho Ha Hang Hom. Our catalogue has 121 walking food tours, typically $34, and 55 by motorbike, Vespa or jeep, typically $59.
121 Walking food tours tours on Excurgo · from $5, typical $34 per person · rated 5.0 across 28,967 reviews
55 Food tours by motorbike or jeep tours on Excurgo · from $35, typical $59 per person · rated 5.0 across 33,654 reviews
See Hoa Lo Prison Worth it· 1 hour
The French built the Maison Centrale from 1896 to hold Vietnamese political prisoners; during the Vietnam War captured American pilots, John McCain among them, called it the 'Hanoi Hilton'. Most of the prison was demolished in 1993–1994, and the surviving part is a museum focused on the colonial period. Entry costs VND 50,000.
Watch a water puppet show Worth it· Late afternoon or evening, 50 minutes
The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is 200 m from the lake. Shows run at 16:10, 17:20, 18:30 and 20:00, with extra shows on Sundays, and seats cost VND 100,000–200,000; the two front rows can get splashed. The evening shows sell out first, so book a few days ahead from November to March.
27 Water puppet tickets tours on Excurgo · from $7, typical $8 per person · rated 4.3 across 2,641 reviews
Learn to cook, or make egg coffee Worth it· Morning, 3–4 hours
41 cooking classes typically cost $47 and usually start with a market visit. Shorter coffee workshops, typically $31, include egg coffee, credited to Nguyen Giang of Giang Cafe in the late 1940s, when milk was scarce and egg yolk replaced it.
41 Cooking classes tours on Excurgo · from $19, typical $47 per person · rated 5.0 across 16,180 reviews
Walk across Long Bien Bridge Worth it· Late afternoon, 45 minutes
The steel bridge over the Red River was built between 1899 and 1902 by the Paris firm Dayde & Pille and is about 2.3 km long. Trains, motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians still share it, although in February 2026 the authorities agreed to cut passenger trains and suspend freight across it.
Spend a morning at the Museum of Ethnology Worth it· Tuesday–Sunday, 2 hours
Worth a morning before heading to Sapa or Ha Giang. It is out in Nghia Do, so take a Grab. Entry costs VND 40,000; it is closed on Mondays and over Lunar New Year.
Look at Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake Worth it· Morning, 30 minutes
The pagoda on the shore of West Lake is free to visit; a 2026 guide gives its hours as 8:00–16:00. Combine it with a walk or a drink in Tay Ho.
Worth skipping
- Sitting at a Train Street cafe. Commercial activity there has been banned since 2019, police cleared the cafes in June and November 2025, and in August 2026 a passing train knocked a tourist's phone from her hand. The regulated Hoa Xa cafe inside Long Bien station is the legal alternative.
- A day trip to Sapa. It is 5.5–7 hours each way by road; stay at least one night.
- Renting a motorbike yourself. You need a 1968-convention International Driving Permit and insurance, and fines are high; ride pillion on a guided tour instead.
- Cheap street-vendor spirits. GOV.UK warns of methanol poisoning, including at licensed venues in tourist areas.
What are the best day trips from Hanoi?
Two trips stand out: Ha Long Bay for the sea karsts and Ninh Binh for the same limestone towers rising out of rice fields and rivers. Ninh Binh is closer, cheaper and easier as a day trip.
| Trip | Distance | Time each way | Entry (adult) | Typical tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ha Long Bay | About 170 km | 2.5–3.5 h | Route fees set by the province; included in tours | $62 |
| Lan Ha Bay / Cat Ba | Via Hai Phong | Similar to Ha Long | Included in tours | $79 |
| Ninh Binh (Trang An, Tam Coc, Mua Cave) | About 90–96 km | 1.5–2.5 h | Trang An boat VND 250,000; Mua Cave about VND 100,000 | $55 |
| Perfume Pagoda | In Hanoi's My Duc area | Varies | Cable car about VND 180,000 return (reported) | $44 |
| Incense and craft villages | Outskirts of Hanoi | Short | Included in tours | $50 |
| Sapa (2–3 days) | Via Lao Cai | 5.5–7 h by road | Fansipan cable car VND 850,000 | $131 |
| Ha Giang Loop (3–4 days) | Tuyen Quang province | — | — | $230 |
Ninh Binh: pick Trang An for the boat, Tam Coc for the rice fields Must do· Full day
The Trang An Landscape Complex became a mixed natural and cultural UNESCO site in 2014 and covers three areas: the old capital of Hoa Lu, Tam Coc–Bich Dong and Trang An itself. At Trang An rowing boats take 2–3 hours through caves and between cliffs; the official ticket is VND 250,000 for adults over 1.3 m and VND 120,000 for children of 1–1.3 m and over-60s. Tam Coc's boat trip runs through rice fields, and its pricing is reported in two different ways, so check on arrival.
Most day tours add Mua Cave, a climb of nearly 500 steps to a viewpoint over the Ngo Dong River (about VND 100,000), and sometimes Bai Dinh Pagoda, which is free apart from its electric shuttle. 191 Ninh Binh day trips in our catalogue typically cost $55.
191 Top-rated Ninh Binh day trips tours on Excurgo · from $18, typical $55 per person · rated 4.9 across 42,909 reviews
Ha Long Bay as a day cruise Must do· Full day
If you cannot spare a night, a day cruise with a cave stop and kayaking is the standard format; 136 of them typically cost $62. Compare it with an overnight cruise above.
136 Ha Long Bay day cruises tours on Excurgo · from $2, typical $62 per person · rated 4.9 across 31,357 reviews
Sapa needs two or three days Worth it· 2–3 days
Limousine vans take 5.5–6 hours and sleeper buses 6–7; the night trains go to Lao Cai, an hour below Sapa. Fansipan, at 3,147 m, is reached by a 6.3 km cable car (VND 850,000 return). Two- and three-day trips with a homestay typically cost $131.
60 Sapa trips from Hanoi tours on Excurgo · from $2, typical $131 per person · rated 4.9 across 8,364 reviews
The Ha Giang Loop: only with a licensed operator Worth it· 3–4 days
In early April 2026 a 19-year-old British passenger died on an 'easy rider' tour. Tuyen Quang province, which now includes Ha Giang, then required licensed operators to supply maintained bikes, helmets and protective gear and to sign contracts naming the driver and route, and banned unlicensed firms from selling tours. Ask for the licence and the contract before paying.
37 Ha Giang Loop tours tours on Excurgo · from $25, typical $230 per person · rated 5.0 across 8,004 reviews
The Perfume Pagoda is busiest in the spring festival Worth it· Full day
The pagoda complex, in the My Duc area that is now part of Hanoi, is reached by boat from Yen wharf, then on foot or by cable car up to Huong Tich Cave. Crowds peak from about mid-January to mid-March. Only 6 tours run here, typically $44.
How many days do you need in Hanoi?
The city's main sights fit into two days, one for Ba Dinh and the Temple of Literature and one for the lake, Hoa Lo and a food tour. Each trip out adds at least a day.
2 days
Day 1: mausoleum (Tue–Thu or weekend), One Pillar Pagoda, Imperial Citadel, Temple of Literature. Day 2: Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoa Lo Prison, water puppets, evening food tour.
Tickets ≈ VND 220,000 · tours ≈ $34 + $8
4 days
Add a Ninh Binh day trip and a night on Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay.
Tours ≈ $55 + $210
7 days
Add Sapa for two or three days, or the Ha Giang Loop for three or four, with a cooking class on a spare morning.
Tours ≈ $131 or $230 + $47
How much do tours and tickets in Hanoi cost?
These are live prices from our catalogue of 1,440 Hanoi tours: the lowest, the typical (median) and the upper end (90th percentile) for each type. Official ticket prices are in the Ba Dinh table.
| Activity | Tours | From | Typical | Top end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ha Long Bay day cruise | 136 | $2 | $62 | $179 |
| Ha Long Bay overnight cruise | 133 | $46 | $210 | $390 |
| Lan Ha Bay / Cat Ba day trip | 30 | $15 | $79 | $318 |
| Ninh Binh day trip | 191 | $18 | $55 | $135 |
| Sapa trip (2–3 days) | 60 | $2 | $131 | $586 |
| Ha Giang Loop | 37 | $25 | $230 | $573 |
| Perfume Pagoda day trip | 6 | $32 | $44 | $95 |
| Incense and craft villages | 39 | $1 | $50 | $89 |
| Walking food tour | 121 | $5 | $34 | $53 |
| Food tour by motorbike or jeep | 55 | $35 | $59 | $69 |
| City tour by jeep, Vespa or motorbike | 60 | $7 | $59 | $240 |
| City sightseeing tour | 142 | $2 | $48 | $150 |
| Cooking class | 41 | $19 | $47 | $110 |
| Coffee workshop | 33 | $2 | $31 | $59 |
| Water puppet tickets | 27 | $7 | $8 | $38 |
86% of Hanoi tours in our catalogue offer free cancellation, which matters for Ha Long Bay between June and September, when storms can close the bay.
Where should you stay in Hanoi?
The Old Quarter for a first visit, the French Quarter for quieter nights
The Old Quarter puts the lake, the food streets and bus 86 on your doorstep; the trade-off is noise. On weekend evenings its core is closed to motor vehicles, which helps walkers but means taxis drop you at the edge.
The French Quarter, around the Opera House and Trang Tien street, is calmer and has more large hotels while still walkable to the lake. Tay Ho, on West Lake, is the quietest choice but farther from the sights, so expect more Grab rides.
| Area | Best for | Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Old Quarter | First visit, food, tour pick-ups | Noise; vehicle ban on weekend evenings |
| French Quarter | Quieter base, larger hotels | Less street life at night |
| Tay Ho (West Lake) | Longer stays, calm | Taxi needed for most sights |
Verdict: Book the Old Quarter for two or three nights, but choose a room away from the street if you sleep lightly.
What should you know about entry, rules, safety and money?
British passport holders can stay up to 45 days without a visa; check that the stamped date is 45 days from arrival. US citizens need a visa arranged before travel: the e-visa costs USD 25 for a single entry or USD 50 for multiple entries, for up to 90 days, and should be bought only on the official government website. Passports need six months' validity, two blank pages and no damage.
Motorbike bag-snatching is common: walk with your bag and phone on the side away from the traffic and hand things over rather than resist. Methanol poisoning has killed people in tourist areas, so avoid cheap spirits and keep your drink in sight.
| Vapes | Banned; users fined VND 3–5 million |
|---|---|
| Driving | 1968-convention IDP + home licence + insurance; helmet always |
| Red light on a motorbike | Fine up to VND 6 million |
| Temples and mausoleum | Shoulders and knees covered |
| ID | Carry photo ID; a printed copy of passport and visa is accepted |
| ATMs | Low limits, about VND 2–3 million per withdrawal, plus bank fees |
| Tipping | Not required; VND 10,000–50,000 for guides and drivers is common |
Change money only at counters with a clear sign, and never leave your passport as a deposit with a motorbike rental shop. Drug penalties are severe.
What mistakes do visitors to Hanoi regret?
- Planning the mausoleum for a Monday, a Friday or an afternoon. It opens on mornings only, never on those days, and is shut 4 September–2 November 2026.
- Wearing shorts to the mausoleum or temples. Guards turn people away and do not lend clothing.
- Doing Ha Long Bay as a rushed day trip in storm season. Boats are halted at short notice between June and September; book with free cancellation.
- Sitting on the rails at Train Street. It is banned, patrolled and genuinely dangerous.
- Coming in December or January without checking air quality. Winter smog can push the AQI above 170.
- Taking a taxi tout at the airport. Use bus 86, Grab, Xanh SM or the official taxi counter.
- Booking an unlicensed Ha Giang Loop rider. Since April 2026 operators must provide gear and a contract; ask for both.
- Riding a motorbike without the right permit. You need a 1968-convention IDP and insurance.
- Ignoring Tet. The holiday around 6 February 2027 closes some sights for days.
Hanoi FAQ
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
October and November, with 61–155 mm of rain a month and highs of 27–30 °C. March and April are the next best. June to August are hot (33–35 °C) and wet (254–274 mm a month), and December and January are cool with frequent smog.
Is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum open?
It is closed from 4 September to 2 November 2026 and reopens on 3 November. Otherwise it is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings from 7:30 (8:00 in winter). Entry is free.
Is Train Street still open to tourists?
Officially no: commercial activity has been banned since 2019 and tour companies are told not to bring visitors. In practice cafes kept operating in August 2026 while police patrolled and warned people sitting too close to the rails. The legal alternative is the Hoa Xa cafe inside Long Bien station.
How do I get from Noi Bai airport to the Old Quarter?
Bus 86 costs VND 45,000 and takes 45–60 minutes from both terminals to the Old Quarter. GrabCar costs about VND 200,000–300,000 and a Mai Linh taxi about VND 300,000–400,000. The metro does not reach the airport.
Should I do Ha Long Bay as a day trip or overnight?
Overnight if you can. The bay is about 170 km away, so a day trip spends 5–6 hours on the road. In our catalogue a day cruise typically costs $62 and a two-day cruise $210.
How many days do you need in Hanoi?
Two days for the city, plus one each for Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh, so four in total. Add two or three days for Sapa or three or four for the Ha Giang Loop.
How much is the Temple of Literature?
VND 70,000 for adults and VND 35,000 for students, cash only; children under 15 enter free. It is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:30.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
British citizens can stay up to 45 days visa-free. US citizens need a visa in advance; the e-visa costs USD 25 single entry or USD 50 multiple entry and allows up to 90 days.
Is the Ha Giang Loop safe?
The roads are dangerous, and a British passenger died on an easy-rider tour in April 2026. Since then operators must be licensed and provide helmets, protective gear and a contract naming the driver and route. Use only such an operator and check that your insurance covers motorbikes.
Can cars and motorbikes drive in the Old Quarter at weekends?
Not in the evening. Since 1 July 2026 the lake and Old Quarter core are closed to motorbikes and cars from 19:00 to midnight every Friday, Saturday and Sunday under a low-emission zone pilot.
Sources and how this guide is made
Written by the Excurgo editorial team with AI assistance. We are a tour comparison site, not a tour operator, and we have not personally tested every tour. Every fact was researched in official and specialist sources and checked against them before publication; prices, ratings and tour counts come from our live catalogue of 1,440 Hanoi tours. Ratings and review counts are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor. Tours are picked by rating weighted by number of reviews (at least 20); we earn a commission from Viator when you book, and it does not affect the order.
- Viet Nam News (Mausoleum Command) — 2026 closure and visiting hours (Aug 2026)
- Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre — Imperial Citadel ticket price and hours (Dec 2024)
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology — hours and admission (Oct 2026)
- VietnamPlus (VNA) — low-emission zone rules from 1 July 2026 (Jul 2026)
- Ninh Binh Tourism Promotion Information Center — Trang An ticket prices (Mar 2025)
- Ha Long Bay – Yen Tu Heritage Management Department — route fees and storm suspensions (Mar 2025)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) — Vietnam entry requirements (Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) — Vietnam safety: theft, methanol, driving, dress (Oct 2026)
- US Embassy in Vietnam — visas and e-visa fees (2026)
- Vietnam News Agency — Hanoi visitor numbers 2025 (Jan 2026)
- MICHELIN Guide — Vietnam 2026 selection (Jun 2026)
- Tuoi Tre News — Train Street in August 2026; Ha Giang Loop rules; Ha Long capsizing (Aug 2026)
- Vietcetera — Train Street bans and train cuts (Mar 2026)
- Vietnam Tourism (independent guide) — Temple of Literature, mausoleum, water puppets, Sapa transport (Sep 2026)
- Wikipedia — Hanoi climate (WMO; Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology) (Oct 2026)
Photos come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences (CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC0 or public domain); the author and licence are shown under each one. They show the places described, not the exact tours listed.
Changelog. 20 October 2026: guide published.
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