There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Hanoi each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Eve (national)The European New Year is especially celebrated by younger people in Vietnam. In Hanoi, as in other major cities in the country, they head to the city centre for a drink. Around midnight, the streets fill: everyone awaits the countdown and the traditional fireworks display.
January 28: Lunar New Year (national)Tet, or the lunar calendar New Year's (Chinese), is a major event in Vietnam. The festivities begin every year on the first day of the first lunar month and last one week. During the Tet holiday, shops close, people return to their hometown to visit their parents and pay homage to their ancestors. Families and friends gather to eat traditional meals, and houses are decorated with yellow flowers.
February 2-12: Co Loa Festival (local)The spiral-shaped citadel of Co Loa, a jewel of military architecture, celebrates the reign of its founder, An Duong Vuong (214-208 BC) every year from the 6th to 16th day of the first lunar month. Located 16 kilometres north of Hanoi, the citadel is the scene of spectacular processions and religious rites. The event is also lively, with traditional performances by night and popular games by day: chess with human pawns, cockfights, rice-cooking contests, ritual dances, and more.
April 6: Anniversary of the death of the first Hung Emperor (national)The death of the first known king of Vietnam is celebrated on the tenth day of the third month of the lunar calendar. Festive commemorations take place, especially in front of the temple of the Emperor, in Hanoi.
April 30: Anniversary of Reunification (national)This date marks the end of the two Indochinese wars, with France and the United States. On this occasion, military parades and sporting contests are held.
May 1: International Labour DayThis is actually a very busy day in Vietnam! Numerous tourists, notably from China, enjoy visiting the country from early May. Shops, restaurants, and tourist sites are in full swing.
September 2: National Day of VietnamThis holiday commemorates the Declaration of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam by Ho Chi Minh. Official speeches are given and military parades take place. Big cities are adorned with the colours of the country and pay tribute to the founder of the current Vietnamese Communist Party and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (became Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976).
October 4: Mid-Autumn Festival (national)On the occasion of the moon festival, the Vietnamese eat crescent moon-shaped cakes, made of glutinous rice flour and stuffed with lotus seeds. In the evening, the children walk with lanterns in the shape of dragons, unicorns, and carp to the sound of drums and cymbals in the city streets. Dance performances and traditional music are also held outdoors during the day.
Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 14/57 | 21/70 | 17/0.6 | Not the best period to go |
February | 15/59 | 22/72 | 27/1.0 | Not the best period to go |
March | 18/64 | 24/75 | 37/1.4 | Good period to go
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April | 21/70 | 29/84 | 80/3.1 | Good period to go
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May | 24/75 | 33/91 | 195/7.7 | Not the best period to go |
June | 27/80 | 34/93 | 238/9.4 | Not the best period to go |
July | 27/80 | 34/93 | 332/13.1 | Not the best period to go |
August | 27/80 | 33/91 | 342/13.4 | Not the best period to go |
September | 25/77 | 32/89 | 253/10.0 | Not the best period to go |
October | 23/73 | 30/86 | 98/3.8 | Good period to go
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November | 19/66 | 27/80 | 42/1.6 | Good period to go
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December | 16/61 | 23/73 | 19/0.7 | Good period to go
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The Hanoi-Noi Bai International Airport is about 45 kilometres (28 miles) north of the city centre.
Rickshaws are rare, forget about tourist folklore – opt instead for the bus, the perfect way to explore the city and its surroundings.
Lack of signage in certain neighbourhoods, overloaded traffic in peak hours and parking problems: traffic in Hanoi can be hellish. And you need a Vietnamese driving license… Better avoid using a car during your visit.
Hanoi and the surrounding districts are crisscrossed by some 60 bus lines.
The most important lines run generally from 5:30 am to 1:00 a.m. every 15 to 20 minutes.
The best lines for sightseeing are line 14, which takes you near Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Town, lines 2, 9 and 33, which serve Le Hong Phong Street and Dien Bien Phu Street, where the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is located, and the neighbourhood of the great boulevards. Line 47, from Long Bien terminal, will take you to Bat Trang pottery village near Hanoi.
The price of a ticket varies between VND 5,000 and 15,000 on average, according to the line used and the distance travelled. Purchase tickets directly from the bus driver. At peak times (6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), it is recommended to have the exact fare. It is best not to travel by bus (lines 7, 17 and 86 to the airport) with too much luggage.
Taxis are a great way to get around Hanoi, if you take into account the potential difficulties related to traffic. The price of a trip is negotiable. On average, expect an initial charge of VND 10,000 plus VND 11,000 per extra kilometre. Warning: there are over a hundred taxi companies in Hanoi. Stay away from unofficial taxis cabs: make sure the one you get into has a meter and that the driver has a photo ID, with his name and license number.
Motorcycle taxis are a quick and inexpensive way to travel around Hanoi. The motorcycle taxis parked on the sidewalks of the city are identifiable by the second helmet that the driver is holding. To ensure that it is a motorcycle taxi, ask the driver ‘Xe Om?' (pronounced ‘Che om?' and meaning ‘motorcycle taxi?'). The price for a trip is about half the price of a regular taxi, around VND 7,000 per kilometre. This means of transport is reliable. It is preferable to agree on the price and settle the race before leaving.
Once you arrive in Hanoi, don't hesitate to be in touch with tourism professionals for information and help in organising your stay.
Vietnam National Administration of TourismOffers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The official tourist information centre provides a wealth of information on Hanoi.
The currency used in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND).
$1 = VND23,110
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
See your doctor before you travel. It is recommended to take out health insurance covering medical expenses abroad and the costs of repatriation before a trip to Vietnam. Hanoi counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
VaccinationsThe update of diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccines before departure is recommended.
Other vaccinations, such as those against hepatitis A and B and typhoid are also recommended (see your physician).
For long stays, it is recommended to get a rabies vaccination.
For more information, contact the Air France Vaccination Centre:
It is recommended to avoid eating raw food (meat, seashells, milk and milk-based products).
WaterIt is recommended to drink bottled water.
A visa is required to enter Vietnam except for residents of certain countries (including France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and Italy) for stays less than 15 days. For more information on how to obtain a visa, please visit https://vietnamvisa.govt.vn/
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Hanoi, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few useful phrases in Vietnamese for your stay in Hanoi.
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Xin chao
No, thank you: Toi khong muon, cam on
I don't understand: Toi khong hieu
Could you repeat ?: Ban co the lap lai com
What time is it?: Bay gio la may gio?
I'm looking for (...): Toi dang tim (…)
How much is (…)?: (…) Bao nhieu ?
Do you have (...)?: Ban co (…)?
Where can I find (...)?: Toi co the tim (…) o dau?
Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory in Vietnam, but it is appreciated. You can leave an additional 10 to 15% of the amount of the bill in bars and restaurants. Tips are also welcomed by staff at hotels and spas, and by tour guides and taxi drivers.