Set in the heart of Northern Vietnam, Hanoi has been the capital city for more than a millennium. No wonder it puts on an antique vibe from rustic terraced houses covered with mossy tilts. There are four distinct seasons in Hanoi, nice and cool weather in spring and autumn while scorching and cold during summer and winter. The Old Quarter, the remaining of the oldest part of the city features long, narrow alleys, revealing some significant strokes of French and Chinese design during colonial periods. In close proximity to the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake is the Temple of Literature, the very first university in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum as well as Ho Chi Minh Museum. Hanoi is considered an artistic city where many art forms are well-preserved in traditional villages. Either watching a water puppet show or joining in a ceramic class in Bat Trang will give you long-lasting memories about this city.
Weather
Hanoi experiences a quite typical Northern climate type, characterized by a humid monsoon tropical climate, hot summers with heavy precipitation and cold winters, little rain.
Although Hanoi features four seasons, the shorter Spring and Autumn with a noticeable change between Summer and Winter is the most distinctive feature. Spring is apparent from the end of January and February while the period between September and October is Autumn. From May to September is the hot and rainy season, the average temperature is always around 30 to 38 degrees. The hottest month is June and July. From November to March next year is Winter, the weather is dry and cold. The temperature fluctuates around 13 to 25 degrees. The coldest month is December and the beginning of January.
How To Get There
As the capital city of Vietnam, traveling to and from Hanoi is more than convenient with Noi Bai International Airport. Besides the national flight crews of Vietnam Airlines, you can find a large selection of international flight operators such as Emirates, EVA Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Singapore Airlines… Moreover, you can reach Hanoi via train or trans provincial buses at a very affordable price.
Highlights
One Pillar Pagoda
Hanoi is the center of Taoism and Buddhism in Vietnam. So there are many temples in the city with hundreds of years old. The most famous is the One Pillar Pagoda with the lotus architecture, the most unique in Vietnam. It is such a must-see attraction when traveling to Hanoi.
Temple of Literature and The Imperial University
is the place to worship Confucius, also the first university in Vietnam. Today, the Temple of Literature becomes a popular destination for Hanoi tourism, home to award certificates of merit to outstanding students.
Hanoi Old Quarter
It is the highlight of Hanoi tourism. Hanoi 36 streets with old houses and lanes still retain their appearance from the 19th century. You can wander all day on the old streets, discovering peaceful and straightforward places.
West Lake
Located not far from the city center, West Lake is the largest lake in Hanoi. You can rent water bikes or take a boat trip around West Lake. The best time for you to come here is at sunset to enjoy the last minute sunlight of the day. Next to the West Lake is the ancient village of Nghi Tam, which still retains the elegant pleasures of bonsai.
Culture
With over 1000 years of learning, from the time of Thang Long citadel, Hanoi has always been the most important cultural center of the country with tangible and intangible aesthetic relics. Hanoi's culture converges the quintessence of all regions of the country. The system of cultural heritages of Hanoi is rich, diverse, and imbued with the identity of Trang An people.
Best Time To Visit
Hanoi is among a few locations suitable for all-year-round traveling. Each season will bring you a different look at this ancient city. Spring is the blooming period with a wide range of flowers and festivals. If you don't mind the heat, you can travel to Hanoi during summertime to enjoy special summer treats. Hanoi in the Autumn is poetic with dazzling sunlight while the weather is not too high. The low temperature in the Winter is perfect for couples enjoying a romantic date. Still, both domestic and international guests love to visit Hanoi during October to December or between January and April. These are the festive seasons with big holidays like Christmas, Lunar New Year, so there can be a surcharge for any service.