Hanoi
Overview
Hanoi's Old Quarter is a maze of narrow streets built for scooters and street-food stalls, and it's the cheapest full-immersion "different continent" trip within direct-flight range of India. Use it as a base for a coastal detour to Halong Bay and a countryside day in Ninh Binh.
Best time to visit
November through February is Hanoi's cool, dry season — the most comfortable stretch to walk the Old Quarter and cruise Halong Bay. Prices climb sharply around Christmas and New Year; the week around Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year, February 6, 2027) sees many small businesses shut for several days, so plan around it rather than through it.
Things to do
- Walk the Old Quarter's 36 streets, eating your way through pho, bun cha, and egg coffee stalls
- Watch the water puppet show near Hoan Kiem Lake
- Take an overnight or day cruise on Halong Bay's limestone karsts
- Day trip to Ninh Binh for a boat ride through Tam Coc's rice-paddy river caves
Sample itinerary
- Days 1-2 — Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, street-food walking tour
- Day 3 — Day trip to Ninh Binh (Tam Coc boat ride, Mua Cave viewpoint)
- Days 4-5 — Overnight Halong Bay cruise, return to Hanoi to fly out
