Hanoi is my hometown. 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. They include the Old Quarter, French Quarter, 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 a map of each area that you won’t find anywhere else on the internet. If you see something similar, it means they stole it from me.
I was born and raised in a small village near Noi Bai international airport. I worked in the city center for a few years before moving to Australia. I used to stay in long term apartments but I also experienced staying in several hotels in different districts of Hanoi.
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam known for its many cultural and historical attractions. It is a great place to explore the traditional side in Vietnam. It’s an excellent base to explore North Vietnam, visiting Ha Long, Ninh Binh, Sapa, and Ha Giang.
The heart of the city is the bustling old quarter, packed with narrow streets and old shophouses selling different goods. The city is also home to museums, ancient temples, unique “tube houses” and French-style buildings. You can enjoy the authentic street food, shopping, and nightlife.
Hanoi is very-well connected by bus, train, and airplane with other parts of Vietnam. The train station is located in the city center, making it convenient for train travelers.
The international airport is located 30 km away from the city center, and the trip from the airport to the downtown area usually costs 300,000 VND.
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!
The French Quarter, located just south of the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, is a great area for luxury hotels, high end shopping, and fine dining. This area has more space and wider streets compared to the old quarter. If you want quiet and upscale vibe, The French Quarter is place to go.
You can consider booking your hotels around Hanoi train street area and Ba Dinh District. It is a bit further away from the heart of the action but still easily accessible by Grab or even walking. You can find some quality mid-range hotels in this area.
There are also several hotels and guest houses in the area around Ba Trieu streets and Pho Hue Street, which is part of Hai Ba Trung district. This area is located right next to the French Quarter and offers more local atmosphere.
If you’re a long term traveler, you can book an apartment in Tay Ho district (around West Lake). It’s a bit further away from the old quarter so you’ll need a Grab to get around.
This area is the expat hub of Hanoi and offers a quieter atmosphere compared to the old town. You can find several luxury five star hotels here as well as many apartments for rent.
My top pick hotels in Hanoi:
- Luxury: Capella Hanoi (French Quarter)
- Mid-range: The Rex Hanoi Hotel (Old Quarter)
- Budget: The West Hotel & Spa (Old Quarter)
I stayed in several places in Hanoi including hotels in the Old Quarter and Tay Ho district. Some places are good and some are just what you pay for. My favorite place to stay in Hanoi is the mid-range The Rex, in the heart of the Old Quarter.
I believed that The Rex is a good choice for family, couple, and solo travelers who want central location and good value. The hotel is short walk to most famous attractions in the city incluing Hoan Kiem Lake and Ta Hien Beer Street.
It’s in the busy area but still quiet for a good night sleep. It has a beautiful rooftop area with a sky bar that offers stunning views of the city. My room was clean and a good size.
The staff at The Rex are extremely welcoming and helpful. They answered all questions about the tours and helped organize cars to Ninh Binh.
Other hotels nearby are worth booking such as Hanoi Tirant Hotel and May De Ville Hotel. You can find reviews of other hotels I’ve stayed in Hanoi.
The sections below are for families with kids and for those looking for a nightlife area, you can skip to the detail of each area and its hotel here.
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.
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:
- Mid-range: Hanoi Tirant Hotel
- Budget: The West Hotel & Spa
- Backpacker hostel: Little Charm Hanoi Hostel
- Luxury: Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel
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, 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, 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
Review budget Places I stayed in Hanoi:
For smaller budget, I think the West Hotel & Spa is a good choice. I stayed in a room on the 5th floor with a balcony facing the busy street, but it was well soundproofed.
Located on a prime location of the old quarter, it is just a short walk away from the iconic Hoan Kiem lake and the lively Ta Hien street.
I also stayed a night at the Golden Art Hotel. It is located in a quiet street, with easy access to popular places in the old quarter. My room was spacious and has a window, and I think it is a good deal. The staff was very welcoming and friendly. The problem was that the wifi was weak, the air-conditioner was noisy, and there are mosquitoes in my room.
The breakfast at Golden Art was alright but the serving attitude of the staff was great. I ordered chicken pho and banana pancakes. They were doing some renovations during my stay, I’m hopeful the facilities will be better in the future.
If you are solo travelers who want a quiet, central, clean, and safe place to sleep, I recommend Little Charm Hanoi Hostel. I feel very comfortable staying here, my room was clean and the bed was spacious. There were lots of bathrooms to use on each floor.
My room was a 6 beds for females with city views and a big lockers for each bed. Their lobby is large and has a nice decoration.
I also have a short stay at the Moonlight Apartments in Tay Ho district. It is located on Yen Hoa street along the lake, 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.
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.