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Hanoi

Hanoi

Vietnam tailor-made holidays

Introduction

Hanoi is Vietnam's compact and charming capital, with a blend of Parisian grace and Asian pace. Home to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi is Vietnam's diplomatic centre and political heart, full of broad, tree-lined boulevards and elegant colonial buildings spread around the surreal calm of Ba Dinh Square. Stop here on your Vietnam holiday to discover the country's cultural heart – ask our specialists to help you plan your trip.

Old Quarter

The hectic Old Quarter is the city's constant market place, a hubbub of noise and activity where traders and shoppers joust for the best deals along tiny alleys and on sweaty street corners. It's well worth spending a few days here, walking the streets, visiting the historical sights and getting to grips with Vietnam's intriguing capital. The 36 bustling streets, marked with a certain French colonial style, are lined with lively market stalls and locals sipping coffee as they brood over chess moves. Notably, the area has had a long connection with silk traders, and you'll still find plentiful stocks of this famous fabric today, along with some of Hanoi's best food stalls and kitsch collections of local products.


Streets of Hanoi

Historic Sites

A visit to Hanoi means the opportunity to immerse yourself in Vietnam's long and complex history. Ho Chi Minh – the famous father of the Socialist Republic – lies in a grand mausoleum, surrounded by the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the modest stilt house he lived in while president. One of Vietnam's most iconic temples, the One Pillar Pagoda, is also situated nearby. And, you'll most likely have heard of the so-called Hanoi Hilton, nicknamed by American POWs during the Vietnam War. Despite the controversy, the Hoa Lo Prison museum makes for a fascinating tour, no matter which side of the fence you sit. Then, it's the site of Vietnam's first university – the Temple of Literature – that is perhaps the most important temple in the capital. Its numerous courtyards and grand gateways, quiet temples and smooth marble corridors prove a quiet, thoughtful haven from the busy streets of Hanoi. A city tour is undoubtedly the best way to see these highlights – included on our Best of Cambodia & Vietnam and Highlights of Vietnam itineraries.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum during the daytime
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Peaceful waterways

In the heart of Hanoi lies Hoan Kiem Lake, a fresh water lake that attracts both tourists and locals – the latter like to practice T'ai Chi on the lake's shores. Stone gateways and pagodas can be found dotted around the lake, inscribed with ancient Chinese characters, and the iconic Huc Bridge – one of the cities most photographed sites – lies in the lake’s northeast corner. Hanoi is also a city of rivers, from the Red River to the Yen Stream, and during the Spring season tourists flock here to enjoy the Perfume Pagoda festival among the lilies.

Boat floats through the lilies in the Yen Stream, Hanoi
Yen Stream, Hanoi

 

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Top itineraries in Hanoi

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Best of Vietnam & Cambodia

17-day tailor-made holiday from £4,995 pp incl. flights

From city greats and iconic, jungle-shrouded temples to off-the-beaten-track gems framed by a fabulous food scene, this best-of tour takes in the must-see highlights of two Far East favourites.

Lan Ha Bay, Halong Bay

Highlights of Vietnam

12-day tailor-made holiday from £4,510 pp incl. flights

Discover the best of Vietnam, taking in vibrant Hanoi, the emerald waters of Lan Ha Bay and the culturally rich towns of Hue and Hoi An. Then, fly south to take in the magic of the Mekong Delta and the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels.

Orchid cruise, Halong Bay

Northern Vietnam Explorer

13-day tailor-made holiday from £3,205 pp incl. flights

With everything from private tours and luxury stays to indulgent dining and the services of a private driver throughout, this is a full exploration of northern Vietnam’s cultural and natural delights.

Hoi An, Vietnam

Highlights of Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia

23-day tailor-made holiday from £6,870 pp incl. flights

Experience the highlights of Indochina on this wide-ranging tailor-made holiday, taking in the unique cultures, history and natural world of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Top places to stay in Hanoi

Room, Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi, Vietnam

Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi

Contemporary hotel

A great value hotel located in the business district, close to the attractive French Quarter of Hanoi.

Pool, Sofitel Legend, Hanoi, Vietnam

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Historic hotel

The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is the place to stay in the capital of Vietnam. An old-school 5-star hotel, harking back to the French colonial days of the early twentieth century it is located in right in the centre of Hanoi.

Hotel De l'Opera, Hanoi

Hotel De l’Opera, Hanoi

Contemporary hotel

Hotel De l'Opera is located in the stylish French Quarter of Hanoi, and has a rich history spanning back to 1911. Visit for boutique exclusivity and bohemian glamour.

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Meet our Hanoi experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0613

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Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0613 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

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Every step of the way

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