Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is the place where former Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh once worked and lived. Revolutionary slogans and beautiful women dressed in traditional Ao Dai fill the streets. Motorcycles roar past you. A thousand years of history and modern civilization converge, making Hanoi a museum that tells the story of Asia.
Tour suggestion
Visiting all the scenic spots in Hanoi will take approximately two days. If you have additional time, experience the style of “Guilin on the sea” while touring Ha Long Bay. The additional two-day tour departs from Hanoi.
City Heritage Sites
Hanoi has a history of more than 1,000 years and cultural relics are everywhere. St. Joseph Cathedral, near Hoan Kiem Lake, is the oldest church in Hanoi. There is also a backpacker's center nearby. The Vietnam Confucius' Temple holds grand ceremonies every year during the Spring Festival as well as cultural and recreational activities such as calligraphy, chess, poetry, and more. Hanoi’s most unique temple, the One Pillar Pagoda, is a must-visit place where Vietnamese youth go to marry and pray.
Ho Chi Minh Memorial
In addition to historic sites, Hanoi has many attractions related to Ho Chi Minh, such as the Ho Chi Minh’s former residence, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the memorial hall that introduces the history of Ho Chi Minh and the Vietcong.
Around Hanoi – Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is famous for its magnificent scenery, evoking the landscape of Guilin in Guangxi Province. Known as “Guilin on the sea,” Ha Long Bay is listed on UNESCO’s World Natural Heritage List. Most tourists choose to book a one-day or two-day tour of Ha Long Bay through a travel agency in Hanoi before departing.
The temperature in the northern regions around Hanoi varies greatly throughout the year and there are obvious differences between the four seasons.
Rainy season
The region’s latitude mean summer is long and it coincides with the rainy season. From May to late October, the weather is very hot with very high humidity. Alternating short showers or heavy rains occur every day.
Dry season
November to April is the dry season when the rainfall decreases significantly. The temperature during this time is relatively cool with average winter temperature from December to February dipping to around 20°C.
Best travel time
The best time to visit Hanoi and the northern region is undoubtedly from December to February. However, it is important to note that in the mountainous areas of northwestern Vietnam (such as Sabah on the Sino-Vietnamese border), there is constant rain and fog during winter. In extreme cases, the minimum temperature drops to 0°C.