The best months to visit Hanoi are Oct – Dec. 18–28°C, cool & dry season.
Quick facts
Currency VND (₫ Dong) 1 USD ≈ ₫25,400
Language Vietnamese English limited outside tourist areas
Timezone ICT (UTC+7) No daylight saving
Best Months Oct – Dec 18–28°C, cool & dry season
Daily Budget ~$20–35 USD ₫500,000–900,000 budget
Visa E-visa 90 days $25 online, most nationalities
When to go
A thousand years of history simmering in a bowl of phở, where every street corner tells a story and every meal is a masterpiece.
Oct – Dec is the busiest window in Hanoi, so accommodation and flights go first. Book ahead. The shoulder weeks either side are usually quieter for the same reason.
Getting Around in Hanoi
- The Old Quarter is completely walkable, with most attractions within 2km. Cross roads slowly and predictably: motorbikes flow around you
- Grab is the main transport app: GrabBike (₫10,000–30,000) and GrabCar (₫40,000–100,000). Safer and cheaper than street taxis
- Buses are cheap (₫7,000–9,000) but hard to navigate without Vietnamese. Useful for airport, Bat Trang, and day trips
For month-by-month detail, itineraries and costs, see the full Hanoi travel guide.
Timezone: ICT (UTC+7) (No daylight saving)
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
The best months to visit Hanoi are Oct – Dec (18–28°C, cool & dry season), which makes for the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing and getting around. For what a trip costs day to day, see the Hanoi budget breakdown.
