Where to stay in Hanoi

For a big city with a population of about 8 million people, Hanoi can feel quite small.

Not quiet. It’s certainly a noisy and chaotic place where, seemingly in unison, the city jumps on their bikes each morning and Hanoi’s notoriously fabulous traffic comes to life.

But I think it feels small because the tourist areas are quite compact, and it’s even pretty easy to walk between them, joining the locals on the footpaths for a morning tea and pho.

Whether it’s your first time, or you’ve been here before, the best places to stay in Hanoi are all relatively central. These are the areas where you can experience the best of Vietnam’s capital, with its vibrant blend of culture, colonial architecture, historic temples, and bustling backpacker energy.

But when deciding where to stay in Hanoi, know that each district is unique, so it is worth giving it some thought to find the best area for your style of travel.

If you want to be central and close to the best things to do in Hanoi, then the Old Quarter or Ba Dinh are probably the best areas to stay in Hanoi. Around the train station is convenient if you’re just passing through. And then there is the quieter and upmarket area of West Lake, where you’ll find some of the best accommodation in Hanoi for families.

These are the different districts in Hanoi that I’m going to recommend:

• Old Quarter: The heart of the tourist area, this will be the best option for many first-time travellers, although it can get very busy.
• Ba Dinh: Many of the main attractions are here, which makes it easy for sightseeing, but it’s not quite as touristy as the Old Quarter.
• Train station: A convenient area if you’re passing through for a night and are travelling by train.
• Hai Ba Trung: With a student population and large shopping centres, there’s a local and modern atmosphere to this neighbourhood.
• West Lake (Tay Ho): An upmarket expat district that feels a bit more relaxed and safer than other areas, making it good for families.

Before I go into more detail about the best areas to stay in Hanoi, have a look on the map and you’ll see where they’re all located.

As you can see, they are all quite close to each other, but there is definitely a different atmosphere in each.

And, if you’re looking for a particularly type of accommodation in Hanoi, you might have more luck finding it if you look in the right area.

Old Quarter

The Old Quarter is the most popular neighbourhood to stay in Hanoi and I think it’s a good choice for most first-time visitors.

Well-connected to all the highlights of its adjacent neighbourhoods, the Old Quarter has a huge amount of places to eat and drink, attracting both locals and travellers.

One thing I’ve come to love about Hanoi is the lack of disconnect between those who live here and those who visit. You’ll find locals sitting amongst you as you try Bia Hoi and try to figure out how to hot pot like a pro. No place encapsulates this better than the Old Quarter.

The district is very central, so you can explore the bulk of Hanoi’s attractions either on foot or with a short taxi ride. Although you’ll find boutique and luxury hotels here, it’s one of the cheaper areas and there are also lots of hostels for backpackers.

Many of the tours and transport departing from Hanoi will include free pickup from Old Quarter hotels, which is also convenient. And there are many travel agencies here, if you want to book a tour of Ha Long Bay, for instance.

• Little Charm Hanoi Hostel: Even though it’s got a fun vibe, this hostel feels a bit like a hotel with an indoor pool, Italian-style restaurant, and bar.
• Hanoi Central Backpackers Hostel: There’s a lovely rooftop terrace with a great view, it’s really clean and comfortable, and there’s even free breakfast.

• Hanoi Boutique Hotel & Spa: In a good Old Quarter location, it has a classy old-school charm with a terrace and free breakfast.
• Holiday Emerald Hotel: Cozy and clean, the bright stylish rooms have comfortable beds and there’s also a free breakfast included.

• Grand Hotel du Lac: The excellent breakfast and friendly staff are wonderful additions to a hotel that’s already very quiet and comfortable.
• Casa Dos Príncipes Hotel & Spa: The rooms are very affordable, but you’ll still find a lovely style and atmosphere to the space.

• The Oriental Jade Hotel: Although it’s relatively small, there’s an exquisite attention to detail to everything from the rooms to the spa.
• CLASSYC Hotel: The rooms are large and modern, and there’s an incredible view from the rooftop pool.

Ba Dinh

After the Old Quarter, Ba Dinh is the next best part of Hanoi to stay – and, in fact, it has the advantage of being a little less touristy and not quite as chaotic.

Many of the main sights are here, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, so you’ll be able to walk to most of them – even if you have to walk on the road as the footpaths become car parks for scooters.

Compared to the Old Quarter, the streets are wider and the development is not quite as dense, but traffic jams still occur constantly (but then seem to be solved in seconds before you have a chance to slip through).

There are some excellent boutique and luxury hotels here, so Ba Dinh is a great choice for travellers who want comfort but also want to be in the heart of the action with lots of food options.

In fact, Ba Dinh has some of the best of Hanoi’s amazing food scene – don’t be afraid of restaurants with small plastic chairs, because often they’re the highlights!

• Le Grand Hanoi Hotel – The Tryst: Great value for money, the rooms are really modern and stylish and even have a free minibar!
• FLESTA Doi Can Serviced Apartment: The one and two-bedroom apartments are large, plus there are facilities like a gym, making this excellent value if you want a bit more space.

• The Flower Boutique Hotel: An elegant hotel close to the Old Quarter, with lovely staff and an excellent breakfast.
• FTE Ba Dinh Hotel: The roof terrace and pool is a highlight, but the rooms are also very comfortable and there’s a good selection for breakfast.

• Lotte Hotel Hanoi: In one of the tallest buildings in the district, you’ll get incredible views of Hanoi from most of the rooms.
• The Five Residences: With one, two, and three bedroom options, the accommodation is large and modern and is good for families or groups.

Train station

If you’re going to be staying in Hanoi for more than a night or two, I would recommend accommodation in one of the busier and more interesting areas. But if you’re just passing through for a night, staying near the main station can be really convenient if you have an early departure or late arrival by train.

To the east of the train station (Ga Ha Noi), you’ll find a good selection of places to stay, from hostels to five-star hotels. Some of them are literally just a few minutes’ walk away (and I love how stress-free it can be not having to wait for a taxi if you’re on a tight schedule).

Meanwhile, to the west of the train station, you’ll start to come into a district called Van Chuong, which feels really local. Despite geographically being the centre of Hanoi, there are few signs of tourism, offering an intimate, raw look into everyday life with quaint alleys connecting through the maze-like neighbourhood.

The train station is famous for the locomotive that snakes by homes and businesses like a large man in a tight alley, and is one of the best photography spots in Hanoi. But I bet you won’t have seen many photos of the Van Chuong area.

If convenience is your main concern, though, stay to the east of the station where it’s still very easy to get to the busier areas to see the sights or find some nightlife.

• Hanoi City Backpackers Hostel: A bit further from the station and close to the Old Quarter, it’s quiet and clean and has excellent amenities, including a free breakfast.
• Hanoi Jade Hostel: The staff are lovely and the rooms are clean, with a good location close to the train station and the Old Quarter.

• Tamundi Homestay: In a convenient location, it has large rooms with balconies and views.
• 3T Hotel by Bay Luxury: The rooms are a good price for this new and clean hotel with plenty of attractions in easy walking distance.

• JM Marvel Hotel & Spa: The dark tones and classic style give it a luxurious atmosphere, complemented by great staff and an included breakfast.
• Aira Boutique Hanoi Hotel & Spa: An excellent location and facilities, including a restaurant, outdoor infinity pool, gym, and spa.

• Paradise Suites Nguyen Khuyen: From the bright and spacious lobby, the lovely style continues to the rooms, which are a mix of old charm and modern.
• Urban Alley Hotel: Comfortable and spacious, there are lots of cultural elements amongst the modern amenities.

Hai Ba Trung

South of Hoan Kiem Lake, Hai Ba Trung has a little bit of something for everyone. There’s a good mix of budget to luxury accommodation, which is perhaps a reflection of the atmosphere here, where tradition meets modernity and students live amongst large malls.

There’s a burgeoning cafe culture in Hai Ba Trung, so grab a coffee and take a stroll from your accommodation, hitting up the southern end of Hoan Kiem before going into the more vibrant parts of the neighbourhood.

The local student population means there’s a youthful energy to many parts of the neighbourhood. But this is also one of the more modern parts of Hanoi, so you’ll also find skyscrapers, great shopping, and upscale cinemas.

As it’s a little further out of the city centre, it won’t feel quite as touristy, but it’s still close to the Old Quarter, if you want to spend time there. Ba Dinh is a bit further away, but still easy enough to reach.

• Gallant Hotel: A lovely clean hotel with wonderful service that might even come with some surprise little treats.
• Lake View Hotel: Great value for the price, with comfortable spacious rooms and friendly staff.

• Emerald Boutique Hotel: It’s in a perfect location for exploring, there are bright spacious rooms, and breakfast is included.
• Nesta Boutique Hotel Hanoi: It also has a fabulous breakfast included, along with charming rooms, a terrace, garden, and great view.

• Sunway Hotel Hanoi: The warm and welcoming decor follows through to the large comfortable rooms – many of them with great city views.
• Hôtel du Parc Hanoi: With Vietnamese charm and Japanese hospitality, this is a top-notch hotel with two restaurants, an outdoor pool, gym, and spa.

West Lake (Tay Ho)

As the expat hub of Hanoi, Tay Ho (also known as West Lake) has really grown over the last decade or two and has become a very upmarket area. Once a quiet section of the city on the banks of the Tay Ho Lake and the Red River, it’s now a blend of Western and Vietnamese culture.

The best action can be found along the shores of the city’s biggest lake. Here, modern accommodation, waterfront cafes and restaurants blend in with your classic roadside wok and mini chairs.

Now a built-up neighbourhood, it still features a relaxing pace, and is considered to be one of the safest parts of Hanoi (there’s a bit less traffic here). Provided you’re close to the southern end, you could even walk to Ba Dinh and the Old Quarter.

There are some interesting places to stay here, with a bit more of a modern vibe. The food is also a bit more Western. So it can be a good area for families with young children not ready for the culture shock of central Hanoi!

• Musketeers Guest House: Nice clean rooms with really comfortable beds, there’s a social atmosphere here, as well as thoughtful touches like free bathrobes!

• Ven Ho Hotel: Although it’s relatively basic, you get a really comfortable room for a very affordable price – and some of them even have a beautiful view across the lake.
• Aloha Hotel: Another quite simple option but with large clean rooms in a hotel that is very well looked after considering the cheap rates.

• VNAHomes Aparthotel: With stylish accommodation, including some two-bedroom apartments, you get pretty good value and friendly staff.
• Luxe Paradise Suite Hotel: The rooms have a traditional luxurious feel, with elegant furniture and wooden floorboards – although it’s at the pricier end of the scale.

• Elegant Suites Westlake: A large hotel with multi-bedroom self-catering apartments and a big pool, this is a great choice for families.
• InterContinental Hanoi Westlake: Set right on the lake, the views are beautiful from the stylish rooms, and the whole property has a feel of a resort.