Hanoi is my hometown and I’ve stayed in different parts of the city in both hotels, guest houses, and long term apartments.
In this article, I will share with you my opinion about where to stay in Hanoi and the best areas for both first-time and repeated travelers.
The most popular area to stay in Hanoi for first-timers is the Old Quarter. The second most popular area is the French Quarter. You can also find some good accommodations in the Ba Dinh district, Tay Ho, and Hai Ba Trung district.
I’ll also give you a detailed map of the best areas to stay in Hanoi, along with unique maps of each area that you won’t find anywhere else on the internet.
Where to stay in Hanoi?
The Old Quarter is undoubtedly the best area to stay in Hanoi for first-time visitors. It is the heart and soul of Hanoi and is packed with hotels, eateries, cafes, bars, and tour agencies.
Whether you are into shopping, nightlife, eating, or sightseeing, the old quarter has it all! Staying in the Old Quarter allows you to walk to some of the city’s best restaurants, cafes, and historic attractions.
The second most popular place to stay in Hanoi after the Old Quarter is the French Quarter, which is right next to the old town and Hoan Kiem Lake. This area is known for its luxury hotels, high end shopping, fine dining, and wider streets.
If you want a quiet and upscale vibe while still being close to the action of the Old Quarter, The French Quarter is the good choice to book your hotel.
Other areas of Hanoi such as Ba Dinh, Hai Ba Trung, and Tay Ho district also have some good hotels and apartment rentals for long term and returning travelers.
These areas are all within a short Grab taxi ride from the Old Quarter but have more local atmosphere and some quality mid-range hotels. Tay Ho district (the area around West Lake) is a popular area for expats to stay.
My top pick hotels in Hanoi:
- Luxury: Sofitel Legend Metropole (an iconic historic and luxury hotel in the French Quarter with a large outdoor swimming pool, exquisite restaurants & bars, and a hidden bomb shelter)
- Luxury: La Siesta Classic Ma May ( I stayed here, a good priced local brand luxury hotel in the heart of the Old Quarter, quiet clean room, fantastic buffet breakfast, and a nice rooftop bar).
- Mid-range: The Rex Hanoi Hotel (I stayed here, an excellent 4-star hotel, centrally located in the Old Quarter, featuring a nice rooftop bar, clean comfortable room, and a swimming pool – which is a rare feature in the Old Quarter).
As I’ve mentioned in the introduction above, I’ve stayed in many different accommodations in different districts of the city. I’ve experienced both good and bad hotels.
I recommend spending at least 1mil VND (60aud) to have a private clean room with a comfortable bed. If you’re looking for a good clean shared room in a hostel, it will be, of course, cheaper. There are plenty of hotels ranging around 500k VND (30aud a night) but you’ll likely encounter many problems.
The common problems of the hotel in Hanoi are their cleanliness, bed bugs, soundproofing, no windows, and small spaces. You don’t want some of these problems to ruin your holiday in Hanoi.
Here are the three best hotels that I’ve stayed in Hanoi Old Quarter out of many hotels. I recommend booking these hotels if you’re looking for a clean and comfortable place to stay in the heart of the city:
La Siesta Classic Ma May
This Vietnamese chain hotel has several locations in Vietnam including 3 hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter, 1 hotel in Hoi An, and 1 hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. I’ve had a great experience staying at the La Siesta Classic Ma May in Hanoi.
When I arrived early, they allowed me to go to the room before the check in hour. I was also treated to a lovely welcome drink, cold towel, and a small bowl of fresh fruits upon my arrival.
My room was quiet and clean, with a very comfy bed. There is a table and chair in the room where I can work on my laptop as well as a leather chair for relaxing. The room has all necessary amenities such as safe, flip flop, tea, coffee, tv, and mini fridge with drinks and snacks.
They are eco-friendly hotels, so they used all recycled products inside the rooms. I can see the bin was wrapped with newspaper instead of the plastic bags. This is the first time I’ve seen it in a hotel.
The hotel has a nice spa, a restaurant, a gym, and a rooftop bar with 360 degree views of the city. You can view the old quarter, the French Quarter, the Red River with Long Bien Bridge and Chuong Duong Bridge.
The buffet breakfast at the La Siesta Classic Ma May has a wide range of dishes including both Vietnamese and western food. One morning during my stay, I had to leave early before breakfast time; the staff gave the breakfast pack to go, which was very thoughtful of them.
My room is quiet from traffic noise, so I have a good night’s sleep. Their soundproofing is not the best, but guests and staff were generally respectful and kept noise levels low, so it did not affect my stay.
Staying on the top floors can offer good views, but there might be noise coming from the sky bar during their working hours from 5pm to midnight. You can specify with them that you want a quiet room when booking if you want to avoid this.
I booked the room without a window, but there are actually big windows in the room, so I still have plenty of natural lights. It’s not just the city views or street views, but I’m happy with it. You can consider booking the suite with city views for a better experience.
The Rex Hanoi Hotel
This 4-star hotel in the heart of Hanoi is an excellent choice for first-timers to the city. My partner kept extending our stay due to their good price, central location, cleanlines, and amazing staff.
The hotel is located on Gia Ngu street, a short walk away from The Hoan Kiem Lake and Ta Hien Beer street. You can walk to everything from the hotel but still enjoy the quiet atmosphere inside the room.
The Rex Hanoi has an indoor pool, which is a bonus in the old quarter and good for those who want to have a pool in a hotel. The beautiful rooftop area with a sky bar is also one of the highlight of the hotel. You can view the whole city on its roof.
The staff are helpful & professional. They answered all of my questions about the tours and helped organize cars to Ninh Binh. My room was a clean and good-sized deluxe double room. You can choose high floor rooms for city views.
Little Charm Hanoi Hostel
If you are solo travelers who want a budget-friendly hotel that is quiet, central, clean, and safe, I recommend Little Charm Hanoi Hostel.
I had a good time staying at this hotel. The room was clean and the bed was spacious. There were lots of bathrooms to use on each floor.
My room had 6 beds for females with city views and a big lockers for each bed. Their lobby is large and has nice decorations.
The hotel is located in Hang Bo street, an easy distance to all major historical attractions, old houses, and trendy restaurants and cafes as well as the night market and the beer street Ta Hien.
Here are the main best areas to stay in Hanoi:
The best areas to stay in Hanoi for tourists
1. Old Quarter, the best area for first-time visitors
Hanoi’s Old Quarter, in my opinion, is the best neighborhood to stay in Hanoi for first-time visitors. This area is the historic heart of the city and is the place to go for shopping, nightlife, and sightseeing.
You’ll be within walking distance from major sights such as Hoan Kiem lake, Ta Hien beer street, Dong Xuan market, as well as many shophouses, bars, cafes, and restaurants.
The Old Quarter is officially the area at the north of Hoan Kiem Lake, and south of Long Bien Bridge. It is the area within Hang Dau street in the north, Hang Gai & Hang Bong in the south, Phung Hung in the west, and Tran Quang Khai & Tran Nhat Duat street in the east.
The area has more than 1000 years of history, making it a great place to experience the traditional side of Vietnam. It was founded in the 11th century, when King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long (today called Hanoi).
This movement attracted skilled craftsmen from all regions to Thang Long to build high-quality products for the royals. The village was built east of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, on the left bank of the Red River.
Over time, the area developed into “36 Streets”, each traditionally specializing in a single trade or craft, such as silk, silver, paper, bamboo, or medicine. Streets were often named after the goods produced or sold there.
The street names in the old quarter start with “Hang” and are followed by its product. For example, Hang Bac Street (Silver Street), is where you can find silver jewelry shops. Hang Ma Street sells decorations products for festive seasons. Hang Quat street is the fan street.
The Old Quarter of Hanoi has narrow streets and tube houses (long, thin buildings) emerged due to limited land and tax systems based on street frontage. Many communal houses, temples, and markets were built to serve as social and religious centers for each guild.
Under French colonial rule, the Old Quarter remained largely Vietnamese in character, while modern European-style districts developed nearby with French villas and wide boulevards. The tube houses have more French features such as concrete and balconies.
Today, you can explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, narrow streets, tube houses, and French style villages. Several streets still preserve their traditional trades, while others no longer sell the products they once did.
The best way to explore the old quarter is just wandering around and getting lost. You can do some shopping and check out some nice places to eat along the way. You can consider taking an electric car ride and a cyclo ride if you don’t feel like walking, especially on hot days to avoid the heat.
Tips for Booking the hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter:
Due to the nature of the old town, rooms are usually small (feel like Tokyo in terms of size, still bigger though). You might see spacious rooms in the photos on the booking site but it is just the way most hotels do marketing. It is better to look at the square meter number in the description box to imagine the real size of the room.
Another tip is that many rooms in the old quarter don’t have windows or balconies. So if you, like me, always prefer a window for air to come in, you have to pay more for these facilities. If you want a room with a window, be sure to book a room that clearly states that it has a window or balcony.
Don’t just look at the photos because based on my experiences of researching hotels and after reading many comments from stayed guests at many hotels in Hanoi, many guests ended up staying in no-window rooms or rooms with windows but internal windows or windows looking into the concrete.
Here are my recommended hotels in the old Quarter:
- Luxury: La Siesta Classic Hang Thung
- Mid -range: The Rex Hanoi Hotel
- Mid-range: Hanoi Tirant Hotel
- Backpacker hostel: Little Charm Hanoi Hostel
2. French Quarter, quiet and upscale area of Hanoi
The French Quarter is a posh part of Hanoi located just south of the Old Quarter in Hoan Kiem district. This area has nice French style architecture with some yellow-painted buildings, wide boulevards, tree-lined streets, and sidewalks.
Vietnam became part of French Indochina under French rule in 1887. When the French made Hanoi the capital of Indochina in 1902, they wanted it to feel like a little Paris in Asia. So they built French-style government buildings, churches, villas, and mansions.
The French Quarter was built outside of the Old Quarter, in Hoan Kiem district to Ba Dinh district. They constructed the Hanoi Opera House, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Trang Tien Plaza, Hoa Lo Prison, Vietnamese Women Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Metropole Hotel, and the Presidential Palace.
These buildings have yellow-painted facades, and a mix of Neoclassical, Beaux-Arts, Art Deco architecture style. There are also ornate ironwork, balconies, and courtyards to handle the tropical heat.
After Vietnam gained independence in 1954, many of these buildings were kept and converted into government buildings or residences of wealthy Vietnamese. Today these landmarks are part of Hanoi’s unique character.
You can explore the main area of the French Quarter, which is located southeast of Hoan Kiem Lake, around Trang Tien Plaza and Hanoi Old Opera House.
But you can find many colonial French buildings in the area around The Big Church west of Hoan Kiem Lake, and around the Ba Dinh square area.
In contrast to the cramped streets of the Old Quarter, the French Quarter offers wider, more open spaces. You’ll find fine dining restaurants, trendy cafes, high end shopping malls, and 5-star luxury hotels.
Tips for choosing hotels in Hanoi’s French Quarter:
If you want a quiet atmosphere, luxurious feel, while still within walking distance to the Old Quarter, you can choose to stay in the French Quarter. You can find true 5-star luxury hotels in the area around the Opera House in Trang Tien and Ngo Quyen street.
For a good range of both budget, mid-range , and local standard luxury, you can choose somewhere around the Big Church. This area is immediately south of the Old Quarter, so you can more easily walk to shops, ancient attractions than the area around the Opera House.
Here are some good hotels in the French Quarter:
- Luxury: Capella Hanoi
- Luxury: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
- Luxury: Melia Hanoi
See more: Hanoi Old Quarter vs French Quarter, which area is better for first-timers?
3. Ba Dinh district (the area between Ba Dinh Square & Hoan Kiem district)
Ba Dinh district is a large district located next to The Old Quarter in Hoan Kiem District and West Lake in Tay Ho district. Many expats and long term travelers choose to stay in this district.
But for first-timer visitors and those who are staying in Hanoi for a few days, I recommend staying in the area that borders the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. This will allow you to take a short Grab taxi/ bike to popular points of interests.
Ba Dinh district is home to a collection of famous tourist attractions such as the Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi Flagtower, the Temple of Literature, and Quan Thanh Temple.
This area has wide tree-lined streets, lots of French colonial Style buildings, government buildings, and foreign embassies. The major landmark in Ba Dinh district is Ba Dinh square, which is the largest public square in Vietnam, and is one of the country’s most important historical and political sites.
The square became famous on September 2, 1945, when President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the Declaration of Independence, officially founding the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. This moment marked the end of French colonial rule.
Around Ba Dinh Square, you can find famous attractions such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Presidential Palace, and National Assembly Building. You’ll be close to West Lake, Truc Bach Lake, and Tran Quoc pagoda.
While in Ba Dinh, I highly recommend checking out the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, which was originally built from the 11th century when King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long, following the foundation of Hanoi Old Quarter.
The Citadel was then expanded and rebuilt over many centuries by later dynasties (Trần, Lê, Nguyễn), making it a layered complex with over 1,000 years of history. You can also explore the modern Revolutionary Relic D67 Bunker, which was used during the Vietnam-American war.
From the Citadel, you can have great views of the Hanoi Flag tower. I also recommend checking the beautiful tree-lined street Phan Dinh Phung and the Northern Gate of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, also known as Cua Bac.
At the Northern Gate, you can see the watchtower, and the walls still bear cannonball marks from the 1882 French attack, making it a rare surviving witness to Vietnam’s military and colonial history.
Ba Dinh district has good independent shops and shopping centers. You can shop at the modern Vincom Center Metropolis or Lotte Center, as well as many fashion shops on Kim Ma and Doi Can street.
Tip for booking hotels in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh district:
The ideal area in Ba Dinh district for first-timers is the area between the Hoan Kiem District and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. You can look for accommodations around the Truc Bach area, Phan Dinh Phu street, or Dien Bien Phu street.
The Ngoc Ha area, located next to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, has some good reasonable price homestays and apartment style accommodations, but again, in my opinion, it is still pretty far from the action of the Old Quarter.
If you stay in the Ba Dinh district toward Cau Giay district, you’ll be farther away from the famous tourist attractions and amenities. You’ll need to take a long walk to get to the Old Town, which is not very convenient for those who want to see the most famous sights of the city.
The areas around Dao Tan, Kim Ma, and Nguyen Chi Thanh street have some good business hotels, shopping malls, and apartment style accommodations for long term travelers. If you stay for a month or so, you can find some good places to stay here and still within a relatively central location.
Best Hotels in Hanoi Ba Dinh district:
- Mid-range: Le Jardin Hotel Haute Couture (Truc Bach area)
- Mid-range: La Santé Hotel & Spa (Truc Bach area)
- Mid-range:Rue de L’amour Boutique(Phan Dinh Phung street)
4. Hanoi train street area
The area around Hanoi train street is a good base in Hanoi for first-timers and those who want a central location close to the Old Quarter. This area is just west of Phung Hung street and the Old Quarter, so you can easily walk or take a short Grab ride to the old town.
The area has some good quality hotels, and you can easily access to tourist amenities such as restaurants, souvenir shops, and massage places. It’s also close to Ba Dinh district, so it’s quite convenient to get to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum complex and Ba Dinh square.
Hanoi train street is a popular tourist attraction in the city. You can see the train passing by narrow streets and take photos. The train streets are located at 5 Tran Phu street, 224 Le Duan, and a section of Phung Hung street.
These are my suggestions for hotels near Hanoi train street area:
- Mid-range: Acoustic Hotel & Spa
- Mid-range: Aira Boutique Hanoi Hotel & Spa
- Mid-range: Soleil Boutique Hotel Hanoi
5. Ba Trieu & Pho Hue (part Hai Ba Trung district), offers more local atmosphere
Ba Trieu and Pho Hue street is part of Hai Ba Trung district. This area is located just south of Hoàn Kiem Lake and French Quarter, offering east access to the old town and more local atmosphere.
This area is home to Vincom Center Ba Trieu, which is a great place to do shopping. It is also the location of a massive Thong Nhat park with lots of old green trees and a huge lake in the middle.
Here are some accommodations around Ba Trieu and Pho Hue:
- Mid-range: Halais Hotel
- Mid-range: Midori Boutique Hotel
- budget: Adonis Hotel
6. West Lake (Tay Ho district), best area for expat, long term travelers
Tay Ho is a big district located right next to Hoan Kiem district. It is a circle around West Lake, one of the largest lakes in the city center of Hanoi. It is a good base for a quieter atmosphere while still close proximity to the old town.
Tay Ho is the best neighborhood for expat, long term travelers, business travelers, but there are also several five star hotels like InterContinental, Sheraton, and Pan Pacific Hanoi. You can also find many apartment style accommodations in this area.
There are lots of interesting areas around West Lake (Ho Tay). You can take a stroll at some sections of the lake and explore the local life. Renting a bicycle and cycling around the lake is my recommendation to see the lake.
Some Popular areas in Tay Ho include Yen Hoa street, Quang An, Xuan Dieu street, and Yen Phu street. You can visit some attractions like the Tran Quoc pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, President Palace, and Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House.
You can try Kem Ho Tay (well-known local brand ice cream), enjoy drinks at one of many lakeside cafes, or dine in many restaurants serving both Vietnamese and international dishes.
I stayed for a couple of nights at Moonlight Apartments and I think it is a good choice for budget travelers and those who want rooms with washing machines and kitchen facilities. It is best suited for those who have a bike and don’t mind traveling to get to the old town.
If you choose to stay here, try to pick a room with a balcony or window with outdoor views. My room was well-equipped but small and had a window facing the concrete. I feel I didn’t have enough air.
Here are some good places to stay in Tay Ho:
- Luxury: InterContinental Hanoi Westlake
- Luxury: Sheraton Hanoi Hotel
- Luxury: Pan Pacific Hanoi
Where to stay in Hanoi for families with kids?
In my opinion, Hoan Kiem district and the old Quarter are the best areas to stay in Hanoi with kids. This area is the most central location where major tourist amenities and attractions are located. You will have plenty of choices for family-friendly accommodations with all budgets.
I stayed a few nights at The Rex Hanoi Hotel and highly recommend it. It is in a very central location, just a step away from most attractions in the old town. The Staff are very friendly and helpful. They have a beautiful rooftop area with sweeping views of the city. My room was clean and quiet for a good sleep.
Right next to the Rex Hotel, The Tirant Hotel and May De Ville are excellent options for families to stay in Hanoi. They both have family connecting rooms which are convenient for those with kids. Again, they are all in prime locations, so you’ll be within walking distance/ short Grab ride to most attractions.
Best Family Hotels in HanoiWhere to stay in Hanoi for nightlife?
Hanoi is one of the best places to go in Vietnam for nightlife, just after Ho Chi Minh City. In my opinion, The Old Quarter, particularly the area around Ta Hien Beer Street, is the best area to stay in Hanoi for nightlife. Many bars and nightclubs here are open until late night and early morning.
If you are a single man walking out alone late at night around the center of the old quarter, you might be approached by drug dealers or street hookers. If you say no to it, you should be fine.
In addition to the old quarter, Tay Ho/Quang An area also is a great place to go for trendy western-style bars and nightclubs. This is an expat area of Hanoi and is not far from the old town.
I think The Rex Hotel is a great option to stay in Hanoi for nightlife. It is just 5 minutes walk away from popular nightlife areas like Ta Hien, Luong Ngoc Quyen, or Hang Buom street. It is also very quiet so you will have a good sleep.
If you have a smaller budget, the West Hotel on Hang Dao Street and Little Charm on Hang Bo street are great locations for party animals. I stayed here and had a good experience with it. Major nightlife spots are within walking distance from these hotels.
Review other hotels Where I stayed in Hanoi:
Hanoi Brilliant Hotel & Spa
I had a good time staying at the 4-star mid-range Hanoi Brilliant Hotel & Spa. I booked the deluxe double room but they upgraded me to the executive room, which is very nice to experience. The room has a street side view but still quiet from the traffic noise.
When I arrived at the hotel, I was impressed with their lobby with the nice decorations of greenery and fishes along the walkway on the floor and in the tank. I haven’t seen anything like that in any hotel.
They also gave me a 40% discount at their spa on the second floor. There are also nice and chill seating areas on the second floor overlooking the lobby. The staff was very friendly and always with a smile, which is a plus for staying at the hotel.
The West Hotel & Spa
This 4-star hotel is centrally located on Hang Dao, in the heart of the old quarter, which is a convenient location for travelers to explore the city on foot.
It’s just a short walk away from iconic Hoan Kiem lake, the weekend night market, and the lively Ta Hien street.
I had a good experience staying at this hotel. My room was on the 5th floor with a balcony facing the busy street, but it was well soundproofed.
The room rate often includes the buffet breakfast with simple dishes. There is also an elevator, which is a bonus for the old quarter.
My bed was comfortable and I didn’t see any bed bugs. The general cleanliness can be improved but overall a good hotel for mid-range travelers.
Golden Art Hotel
The 3-star Golden Art Hotel in Hang But is a good budget hotel in the heart of The old quarter and Hoan Kiem district. I like the hotel for its friendly staff, quiet atmosphere, and central location.
My room was spacious and had a window with plenty of natural lights and views down to the streets. There were some problems during my stay that could be improved such as the wifi was weak, the air-conditioner was noisy, and there were mosquitoes in my room.
They were doing some renovations during my stay, so I hope the facilities will be better in the future.
Moonlight Apartments
This is a reasonable apartment style accommodation in Tay Ho district, next to West Lake, and only a few minutes taxi ride to the Old Quarter. It’s a good choice for those who want a washing machine, kitchen facilities, and bed room in one place.
The hotel is set on Yen Hoa, close to popular places in Tay Ho such as Yen Phu, Truc Bach, Xuan Dieu, and Quang An. Tran Quoc pagoda is only 3 minutes walk away. Lots of cafes and local restaurants nearby.
I stayed in the room without the window, which can be a bit stuffy if staying for a long term. I recommend paying a little bit more for a room with city views or a terrace for the better experience. The apartment has an elevator, so it is convenient to go up and down to and from the room.
Some personal notes from me when visiting Hanoi:
If you have limited time in Hanoi, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to explore major points of interest, enjoy street food, nightlife, and shopping.
My favorite things to do in Hanoi include wandering around the old quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and visiting Hoa Lo Prison, Thang Long Citadel, and Ta Hien Beer Street. I also like to explore the night market, have a nice body massage after a tired day exploring, and search for nice restaurants to eat.
If you are not sure what to do in Hanoi, you can read:
You can watch my youtube video about Hanoi here:
See more:
- Safe areas in Hanoi and what to avoid?
- Best months to Visit Hanoi
- Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
- Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City
- Hanoi vs Hoi An
- Hanoi vs Da Nang
- Where to stay in Vietnam
In general, the old quarter is the best location to stay in Hanoi for first-time visitors. The French Quarter also offers central locations but more luxury options compared to the old quarter. Hanoi train street area is a bit further from the old town, but has some good quality mid-range accommodations.
In addition to Hoan Kiem district (which includes the old quarter and French Quarter), Tay Ho (West Lake) is a good choice for many tourists. It is best suited for repeated visitors, long term travelers, and those who want a quieter atmosphere, international vibe, and close proximity to the old town. I don’t recommend staying in this area for first-time travelers who have a short time in Hanoi.