Destination
Hanoi & Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Hanoi serves street-side pho and egg coffee in a thousand-year-old city of lakes and colonial boulevards, with the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay a cruise away.
Trips to Hanoi & Ha Long Bay from every city
No live trip to Hanoi & Ha Long Bay right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | fine |
| February | fine |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | fine |
| June | avoid |
| July | avoid |
| August | avoid |
| September | fine |
| October | best |
| November | best |
| December | best |
- January, February: Tet, the Lunar New Year, closes many shops and restaurants for a week; book cruises early.
- December, January, February: Cool, grey winter around 15°C, with mist over Ha Long Bay.
- October, November: Dry, sunny autumn is the pleasantest time in the city.
June, July, August: Hottest, wettest months, and Ha Long Bay cruises are sometimes cancelled for storms.
Where to stay in Hanoi & Ha Long Bay
- Old Quarter: Thirty-six guild streets of street food, markets and motorbike chaos, with boutique hotels in old shophouses.
- Hoan Kiem and the French Quarter: Colonial boulevards, the Opera House and the Sofitel Metropole.
- West Lake (Tay Ho): Lakeside expat neighbourhood with calmer streets and good restaurants.
- Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay cruise: An overnight on a wooden junk among the limestone islands, three hours east.
What to do in Hanoi & Ha Long Bay
- Overnight junk cruise through Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay
- Egg coffee at Cafe Giang in the Old Quarter
- Bun cha and street-side pho at plastic tables
- Water puppet show at the Thang Long theatre
- Walk the Long Bien bridge at sunset
- Day trip to Ninh Binh for Trang An boat rides and Tam Coc
Good to know
| Airports | Noi Bai International (HAN) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | budget-friendly |
| Time zone | Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh |
| Kind of trip | city, culture, food, nature, history |
Questions about Hanoi & Ha Long Bay
When is the best time to visit Hanoi & Ha Long Bay?
March, April, October, November and December. June, July, August: Hottest, wettest months, and Ha Long Bay cruises are sometimes cancelled for storms.
Do US citizens need a passport for Hanoi & Ha Long Bay?
Yes. Hanoi & Ha Long Bay is in Vietnam; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Hanoi & Ha Long Bay on the ground?
Hanoi & Ha Long Bay is budget-friendly by US standards: plan about $60 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.