Hanoi Travel Forum

I will be travelling to Hanoi with my husband and parents for a holiday from 12th August to 26th August.

This is our first time to Hanoi and I have heard many good things about it. Can someone recommend where we should go and how long we should stay in each of the place? Which hotel would you recommend in Hanoi?

I also understand the mountains and Halong Bay are good places to go and not to miss. Is it better to do a two day one night trip to Halong Bay or do you think I should go for a three day trip (with overnight on the boat)?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Hanoi is a crowded, noisy city, bulging at its seams. We traveled with our parents as well and stayed at the Hanoi Tower Serviced Apartment on Hai Ba Trung Street. It allows you the space of a whole suite (2 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, plus living room) to spread out as a respite after a day of experiencing the claustrophobic cacophony of this city. Being a highrise, it's also more restful.
As for sights, I would recommend Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) and the Tran Quoc Pagoda on the shores of the West Lake. Wandering the alleys and lanes the city around Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword) and the Old Quarter is a unique experience. More nourishing of the heart and mind is an excursion to the Huong Tich Pagoda southwest of Hanoi. It's an 2-3 hr car trip. The idyllic boat ride to and from the mountain sanctuary is very soothing. The main sanctuary, a huge cavern in the mountain, is a good 2 hour hike from the Outer Pagoda (Chua Ngoai) but you can select one of the smaller temples and skip the long hike if you're not up to it.
Ha Long Bay, a good 2-3 hr ride from Hanoi is a must. You may want to do an overnight boat trip and greet the dawn at sea. It's spectacular.

There's plenty to see and do around Ha Noi. The previous poster has made some great suggestions. I did a private tour of Vietnam and Cambodia and my Ha Noi page lists all that we saw during our week in that area. Check out all the other excellent Ha Noi pages on this website for plenty of information and tips.

As said, already some great suggestions here. I personally would feel that 2 day 1 night is enough at Halong Bay but that's MHO. Another good day trip is out to Tam Coc and Kenh Ga. The first is the "Halong Bay on earth", the second floating villages. Sa Pa in the mountains could be done in a couple of days, taking an overnight train to save time. Another trip is to Cuc Phuong NP where you can stay overnight in bungalows in the jungle. Have a good trip.

In Hanoi, please do not forget to visit the Museum of Ethnology, a short car ride away in the outskirts of the city.
I found Hanoi to be peaceful, liked it much better than HCMC, less touristy than Hoi An. stay somewhere near the old quarters so that you can be in the middle of the la vie hanoi cotidienne..
Excellent Food! elegant restaurants.. friendly people. the best preserved french colonial architecture. all in all in my opinion the best vietnamese city.

I and my friend who enjoyed 3 days 2 nights in Halong Bay and Cat ba island. The boat trip to go to Halong Bay is worth going to stay in the boat. Since it takes 3 hours from Hanoi to Halong Bay. For only one day trip which is a bit hurry, and the route to go to Cat ba Island is an option. We went cycling around the village after Halong Bay and the afternoon we took a boat trip to one of the national park in Cat ba Island , then we did kayating near the monkey island. So it suppose for young people to go there. And please be careful to pick up one local tour. My friend suggested this company to us : www.trekkingtravel.com.vn. I think it provides us reasonable price. Please check it up !

Thank you so much for all your replies. I will certainly look into all those suggestions that you have all kindly given.

We haven't been yet - arrive in August - but have booked 2 days and one night in Halong Bay online with Buffalo Tours - recommended in previous postings. Ms Minh is SO helpful.

The one sight I would recommend over all others in Hanoi is the Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. It is where his body lies in state and can be viewed by the public. It is inspiring to see how the people of Vietnam honoured him in this way.
Stay somewhere in the Old Quarter, lots of places to stay, and take the self guided walking tour from the Lonley Planet, well worth it.
Walk around the lake and mingle with the locals.
If nobody has mentioned it yet - when you go to cross the street, find a pedestrian crossing then just step off and slowly walk across, the bikes WILL go around you. REMEBER not to stop or go back because that is when you get into trouble and could get hit. Don't worry that it looks dainting because if you wait for a break in the traffic you will NEVER get across.
If you can get to Hoi An you will find a beautiful old city with a quiet way of life, also visit My Son just out of Hoi An (built around the 4th century)

hoa binh palace on heng be is ok opposite old quarter
check the weather before going to sapa but is spectacular
can reccomend one night onboard halong jasmine

Hello, I would suggest:

- 2 days in Ha Noi for sightseeing.
- 3 days at Sapa for trekking, visiting the minorities tribes..
- 1 or 2 days maximum in Ha Noi ( You need to get back at this main city to be able going for Bay Halong )
- 3 days at Bay Halong.

Hello, I would suggest:

- 2 days in Ha Noi for sightseeing.
- 3 days at Sapa for trekking, visiting the minorities tribes..
- 1 or 2 days maximum in Ha Noi ( You need to get back at this main city to be able going for Bay Halong )
- 3 days at Bay Halong.