Why visit
Hanoi keeps its old quarter's 36 guild streets, the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, and a street-food culture where bánh mì, bún chả, and egg coffee are essentials.
Hanoi at a glance
City population
8.6 million
Elevation
16 m
52 ft
Time zone
UTC+7
Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh
Airport
HAN
Noi Bai International
Founded
1010 CE
Getting around
Metro line 2A (new), mostly scooters, Grab taxis
Signature dish
Phở, bún chả, egg coffee, bánh mì, chả cá Lã Vọng
Neighborhoods for travelers
Old Quarter (36 streets)French QuarterWest Lake (Tay Ho)Ba Dinh
Vietnam at a glance
Country center
16.2°, 107.8°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
331,212 km²
127,882 mi²
Country population
100.3 million
303/km²
Subregion
South-Eastern Asia
Currency
Vietnamese đồng (₫)
VND
Dial
+84
Language
Vietnamese
Demonym
Vietnamese
Internet
.vn
UN
Member state
ISO code
VN / VNM
Where in the world
16.2° · 107.8°
Vietnam
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Did you know
- Hanoi's Old Quarter has 36 streets, each historically named after the trade practiced there.
- Hanoi celebrated its 1,000th birthday in 2010: one of the oldest capitals in Southeast Asia.
- Bún chả (grilled pork noodles) is a Hanoi specialty that Anthony Bourdain put on the world food map.
- Vietnam is the world's second-largest coffee producer after Brazil.
- The country is 1,650 km long but only ~50 km wide at its narrowest point.
Bordering Vietnam
Traveler notes
- Try Obama's bún chả in Le Van Huu street
- Halong Bay is a 3-hour drive. Overnight cruise essential
- Old Quarter rush hour is chaos. Embrace it
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Hanoi
What currency is used in Hanoi?
Hanoi uses the Vietnamese đồng (₫), ISO code VND.
What languages are spoken in Vietnam?
The primary language is Vietnamese.
What is the international calling code for Vietnam?
The calling code is +84.
What airport serves Hanoi?
Noi Bai International (IATA: HAN).
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