WHERE TO STAY IN HANOI FOR TOURISTS

If you are interested in where to stay in Hanoi, you may also be interested in where to stay in Ho Chi Minh, where to stay in Hoi An, where to stay in Siem Reap and where to stay in Yangon.

The Old Quarter, the best area to stay in Hanoi 

Hanoi’s Old Quarter dates back to imperial times, and is the main tourist area of Hanoi. The area is located in the middle of the city, so it’s a truly central location to stay in, with plenty to see and do nearby.

Attractions in the area include Buddhist shrines and temples, markets selling all kinds of goods (both during the day and night!), different museums and even art galleries. The Hoan Kiem Lake lies just outside of Old Quarter, but it’s only a short walk away if you’re staying in Hanoi Old Quarter. So if you’re interested in learning more about, and immersing yourself in Vietnamese culture, Old Quarter is the best place to stay in Hanoi.

As a central location, the area also provides plenty of opportunity for shopping. Old Quarter has streets lined with unique and quaint shops that you won’t find anywhere else. Many of the shopping streets are themed, so you’ll have one street selling silk items, one street selling paper, and so on. This is a shopping concept that’s new to many, and it’s quite a sight to see.

Whilst the centrality of Old Quarter is perfect for those visiting the city, it’s the historic nature of this area that makes it such an appealing place to stay. The narrow winding streets, old buildings and architecture lend a unique and idyllic feel to Hanoi Old Quarter, throwing visitors back in time. The influence of the city’s history can be seen on every street in the Old Quarter area, creating a timeless atmosphere that you’ll never want to leave.

Hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter

Other areas to stay in Hanoi

Ba Dinh

If you want to be as close as possible to Hanoi’s historical monuments, such as the Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ba Dinh is a good choice of place to stay. The Hanoi Flag Tower, Presidential Palace, and One Pillar Pagonda can also be found in Ba Dinh, so there’s plenty to keep you busy nearby.

The Ba Dinh area is also where you’re going to find a lot of the city’s French-colonial architecture, so you can still enjoy the historic element that Old Quarter offers, but in a slightly less crowded area. You’ll be further away from the popular Hoan Kiem Lake, but this means that Ba Dinh is a much more tranquil location.

The Hanoi Botanical Gardens are also nearby, which adds to the unique and calm atmosphere of the area. The Gardens are perhaps the city’s most popular green space, and people often travel from other areas to explore the 50 acres of beautiful walking trails and gardens. By staying in Ba Dinh, you’ll have one of Hanoi’s best natural areas just a few moments away from your accommodation.

There aren’t quite as many restaurants or bars in Ba Dinh, which again contributes to it being a less crowded area than Old Quarter. There are a few quaint and quirky places to eat, but for more choice a trip to Old Quarter might be in order. As for hotels, there are a fair amount of high-end hotels in the Ba Dinh area, so the area is a popular spot for those willing to spend a little more on their stay.

Hotels in Ba Dinh

Cau Giay

Cau Giay is a little further out than Old Quarter and Ba Dinh, so if you’re hoping to see some of Hanoi’s sights, you’ll need to spend some time traveling to these more popular and touristy areas. But as a result, you can expect cheaper hotel rates in Cau Giay than in either of the previous areas.

There are a couple of attractions to see in the Cau Giay district, if you’re not too keen on traveling to the more central areas. For example, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which houses information on the different ethnic groups of Vietnam, can be found in Cau Giay. There’s also the Cau Giay Park, which comprises of open green space where children can take part in safe outdoor activities and games.

There are a fair amount of restaurants in the area, so for those looking to sample the local Vietnamese cuisine, Cau Giay is a good place to stay, with plenty of options for eating out. Most of the restaurants have a very local feel though, as there aren’t usually many tourists in the area, so most of the menu options will be traditional Vietnamese dishes.

Hotels in Cau Giay

Tay Ho

A twenty-minute taxi ride north of Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the city’s West Lake - known locally as Tay Ho. It’s a great choice to stay for visitors wanting to avoid the hustle of town centre, or for those planning an extended stay in the city.

The lake has a pretty sizable 17 km circumference and the neighbourhoods that surround it tend to be a little more high-end. An area of particular interest to visitors is Quang An on the lake's northeast shore. This is home to most of the city's long term expats, from embassy staff to English teachers - in addition to a lot of well-to-do Vietnamese families.

Catering to these groups are a host of nice hotels, rental apartments, a wide range of international restaurants, boutiques, yoga centres and fancier coffee shops. Prices here are substantially more than elsewhere in town and it can be hard to find cheap street food.

At the southern end of Tay Ho, close to the fascinating 6th century Tran Quoc Pagoda, and separated from the main body of water by a busy road is the charming Truc Bach Lake. For those who want a more local experience with cheaper prices than Quang An – and within walking distance of the Old Quarter – then Truc Bach provides a great option.

Hotels in Tay Ho

Hai Ba Trung

Hai Ba Trung is a district in Hanoi that’s a fairly popular spot for tourists. There are several must-see attractions in and around the area, making it a good choice of place to stay for those wanting to see Hanoi’s many sights. The Hai Ba Trung Temple was founded nearly a thousand years ago, and it still stands strong, with the impressive statue of the two Trung sisters in the Hai Ba Trung area.

Thanks to the attention the area receives from tourists, there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants in the area, so if you’re staying in Hai Ba Trung you’ll get to enjoy the convenience that comes with a central location.

Hotels in Hai Ba Trung