Whether you’re only staying 3-4 days (my recommended minimum in Hanoi) or 10+ days (necessary to get a good feel for the city), hotel choice is perhaps the most make-or-break aspect of your Hanoi vacation.
But, as of June 2025, Hanoi has over 4,100 hotel listings on Booking.com. Agoda.com, a Booking.com competitor that specializes in Southeast Asian properties, has even more than that. Needless to say, sifting through all the options can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been to Hanoi.
In this guide, I’m going to run through the top 5 areas you should consider before you narrow in on a hotel. I’ll also suggest the best hotels in each of those neighborhoods. Finally, I’ll put forth my top picks for the best hotels in the city in 7 different categories, from “best for solo travellers” to “most remote.” (Not fussed about the specific area? You can skip ahead to the 7 best hotels.)
Note: I’ve been living in Vietnam for 10 years and have stayed in several of the hotels mentioned in this guide. The rest are properties I know about through area knowledge and extensive research.
- Hoan Kiem/Old Quarter (for first timers & backpackers)
- Tay Ho (for mellow nightlife & families)
- Banana Island (for nature-lovers)
- Ba Dinh (for history & civic beauty)
- Cat Linh/Dong Da (for convenience & cultural immersion)
All neighbourhoods and hotels mentioned are shown in this map:
5 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Hanoi
Unlike other megacities in Southeast Asia, like Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi’s most noteworthy neighborhoods are within a relatively small area. That means you’ll probably be able to visit all 5 of these neighborhoods during your trip.
To get between the neighbourhoods quickly and cheaply, I’d recommend using the app Grab, which is essentially the Southeast Asian version of Uber. The app has a good UI, shows your price in advance so you won’t get scammed, and drivers show up amazingly fast.
That being said, the area you start your day each morning and return to each night plays a huge role in determining the overall vibe of your trip. That’s why it’s a good idea to read through the descriptions I’ve provided for each neighborhood and choose the one that suits your travel style the best.
Pro tip: To immerse yourself as deeply as possible in Hanoi’s culture, try switching neighborhoods every few days. If you’re staying 10-12 days in Hanoi, for instance, try “sampling” stays in 2-3 areas of the city during that time.
1. Hoan Kiem/Old Quarter (for first timers & backpackers)
Hoan Kiem and the Old Quarter, tưo adjoining neighborhoods, form the Hanoi City Centre and contain the majority of the city’s most popular landmarks. Both of them are good neighborhoods for first-time travellers to Hanoi because of how English-friendly they are and because of their central location.
Hoan Kiem is actually the name of the big lake in the center of this neighborhood. The lake is quiet and serene, but the well-maintained walking path around its perimeter is usually alive with activity. It’s a great place to see locals relaxing Vietnamese-style, especially in the evenings or early mornings.
The streets within a few blocks of Hoan Kiem are very pretty, most of them being shaded by a canopy of trees. They’re also busy at nearly all hours with tourists and upper-middle class Vietnamese. Hotels, souvenir shops, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants fill the area.
Hanoi Old Quarter is off to one side of Hoan Kiem Lake and is the de facto “backpacker hub” of Hanoi. The streets here are narrower and more tightly-packed than anywhere else is the area, but they’re also more culturally vibrant.
There are tons of street food stalls and handmade crafts sellers, and they have (impressively) managed to maintain an authentic feel. It has that “carnival midway” feel that I love about some parts of Southeast Asia, especially after sunset.
I would say this is the most culturally accessible neighborhood in Vietnam outside of Hoi An and is the best neighborhood in Hanoi for first-timers in Vietnam.
What I loved:
Lots of Attractions like:
- Ngoc Son Temple, a temple on a small island in the middle of the lake.
- Dong Xuan Market, an indoor market with a traditional layout but better hygiene standards.
- Hanoi’s famous train street.
- The Hanoi Opera House.
- The two water puppet theatres on either side of the lake.
🧭 Central Location
Plenty of Street Food
Very Walkable, especially on weekends when many surrounding roads are closed to cars and motorbikes
Things to consider:
Noisy, especially in the streets of Old Town
Overcharging and scamming are more common than elsewhere in the city
Less spacious accommodation, especially in Old Town
Crowded with tourists
2. Tay Ho, aka West Lake (for mellow nightlife & families)
Tay Ho is Hanoi’s most popular area for expats to live, and it’s easy to see why: it has both active nightlife and more green spaces than the rest of the city, two parts of city life that, for myriad cultural reasons, don’t seem to be very important to Vietnamese locals.
As opposed to most of Hanoi, which shuts down for business at 10 pm or earlier, Tay Ho stays active into the early hours of the morning and hosts many of the city’s most famous bars, live music venues, and gastronomic restaurants that go beyond street food.
It’s a great nightlife scene with lots going on, but without the loud club music, smoky alleys, and strobe lights of backpacker streets like Ta Hien, Hanoi’s backpacker street.
The huge lake in the center of the neighborhood also has some very nice park areas and is perfect for evening walks. Most of the lakefront is circled by a narrow and relatively traffic-free road that has lots of modern cafes, restaurants, and hipster-ish shops along it. There are also a few nice parks on the south side of the lake, like Nguyen Dinh Thi Park and Trich Sai Park.
This is the best neighborhood in Hanoi for those who appreciate a more luxurious and orderly vacation atmosphere in a city that is not generally orderly at all.
What I loved:
🥂 Classy nightlife scene, but without the sleazy feel of Vietnam’s backpacker streets.
Nice parks.
Lots of expats and English-friendly.
More spacious accommodation than other neighbourhoods near the city center.
Clean streets.
Things to consider:
More expensive.
Limited public transport.
🤳 Lacks authentic culture.
3. Banana Island, aka Bãi Giữa (for nature-lovers)
Banana Island (aka Bãi Giữa – “Banana Island” doesn’t show up on Google Maps) is a picturesque area full of narrow roads, vegetable farms, parks, lotus ponds, grazing cows, and stilted homes. There are no cars allowed on the island – just bikes and pedestrians – which adds to its rural feel. Despite that, it’s just a short taxi ride or mid-length walk from either Ho Tay or Hoan Kiem.
Those who love nature will have a great time staying on Banana Island. It’s also a fantastic break for those who have already been staying in Hanoi or another Vietnamese city for a while and want a bit of breathing room after all the urban chaos.
The one downside is that there is almost no accommodation on the island other than campsites, which is why I won’t provide a shortlist of hotels like in other sections. The good news is that Banana Island is home to Manna Farm, my top pick for “best hotel for nature-lovers” in Hanoi.
I haven’t stayed at the campsites, but I can tell you they’re glamping sites, so you don’t need to bring any equipment. They also provide food and rent kayaks to go out on the river. They might suggest you swim in the river, too, but I wouldn’t recommend it; the water is heavily polluted.
What I loved
Lots of greenery.
Minimal traffic, making it better for walking or cycling than most of Hanoi.
Authentic local lifestyle.
Picturesque open space, perfect for photography.
Central location despite its rural vibe.
Things to consider
️ Limited amenities like restaurants or even convenience stores.
️ Very few accommodations and even those that exist are far from luxurious.
Safety concerns because there are no streetlights and minimal police presence, although the island is generally safe.
4. Ba Dinh (for history & civic beauty)
Ba Dinh is a quiet, residential neighborhood in between Hoan Kiem and Tay Ho that serves as the historic and political center of Hanoi.
It’s nowhere near as crowded as Hoan Kiem because it doesn’t have as many tourist attractions, though it does have the massively popular Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda. And it’s more culturally authentic than Tay Ho, because most of the locals in Ba Dinh are upper-middle-class Vietnamese instead of expats.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (DepositPhotos.com/Torsakarin) 
One pillar pagoda
Tay Ho has the highest concentration of authentic and family-owned Vietnamese restaurants (not street food stalls) in Hanoi. Many of them are quaint cafe-style eateries set on the sidewalk, giving Ba Dinh a chilled-out vibe that many would say is ideal to come back to after a long day of travelling.
This is the best neighborhood in Hanoi for those wanting a relaxed and heavily local vacation atmosphere.
What I loved
Historically rich, if you’re interested in the history of Vietnam’s current government, including war artifacts
🧭 Central location without the hustle and bustle
🥢 Authentic restaurants and cafes
Good lounging atmosphere
🧹 Very clean, like most governmental centers in Vietnam
Things to consider
Little night life.
Heavy traffic at times, especially because of street closures during peak government hours.
Fewer English-speakers than other central Hanoi districts.
5. Cat Linh (for convenience & cultural immersion)
Cat Linh is the best-connected neighborhood in Hanoi, which makes it ideal for exploring the city’s authentic urban culture.
One of the main reasons for that is its metro station, which effectively puts many of the city’s neighborhoods (those that also have stations on the same line) just a few minutes away. Cat Linh is on line 2A, the only completed line of the Hanoi Metro as of 2025. Also along line 2A are La Thanh, Thai Ha, Lang, Thuong Dinh, Vanh Dai 3, Phung Khoang, Van Quan, Ha Dong, La Khe, Van Khe, and Yen Nghia Stations.
(iStock/Vinh HN)
Most of them are residential areas, commercial districts, and transport hubs; this might not be the most interesting fodder for first-time tourists, but they’re fantastic ways for return tourists to dive into the local culture.
Cat Linh is also planned as a transfer stop on line 3, slated for completion in 2027. The neighbourhood is also just a 15-minute walk from the more tourist-friendly Hoan Kiem-Old Town area.
Cat Linh itself has a strong local feel. It’s got wet markets, universities, low prices, and few tourists, especially for a district in Central Hanoi. It’s also got the usual drawbacks of “authentic” Vietnamese urban centers, like traffic and noise pollution.
This is almost certainly the best neighborhood in Hanoi for experienced backpackers.
What I loved:
Excellent connectivity to both authentic and tourist-friendly areas of Hanoi.
Cultural immersion.
Inexpensive.
Things to consider:
Heavy traffic during rush hour.
Limited green space.
Crowded with local Vietnamese.
Noisy.
Older infrastructure than other central districts
The 7 best Hanoi hotels
Time to hand out some awards! These are my picks for the best hotels in 7 popular categories in Hanoi, based on amenities, location, and quality of service.
Best luxury hotel: Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique
Even for $150, Peridot offers great value for money. It’s got everything you expect from a luxury hotel and more, including:
- Super-attentive staff.
- A huge breakfast buffet.
- An infinity pool with a fantastic lounging space.
- A rooftop bar with a gorgeous view.
- Ornate decorations in rooms and common spaces, including lots of traditional Asian art.
- Much, much more.
It’s also perfectly located between the Old Quarter and Ba Dinh.
This place is beautiful, feature-rich, and definitely worthy of its five-star hotel rating.
find the best rate here
Best budget hotel: Hanoi Jade Hostel
There are a lot of hostels in Hanoi with bunks for $5 or less. If you’re like me and prefer private rooms, though, Jade Hostel is the way to go. It’s clearly not a luxurious experience, evident from the stains on the walls, the messy common areas, and the lobby that doubles as a travel agency.
But it’s got comfy beds, good showers, and a good location in the heart of the Old Quarter. Plus, the staff is incredibly attentive for a budget hotel – say hi to the owner, Lisa, while you’re there.
book your hotel stay here
Best for solo travellers: Old Quarter View Hostel ($11/dorm bed) or Hanoi Buffalo Hostel ($7/dorm bed)
Both of these hostels are great for meeting other travellers.
Old Quarter View Hostel is quaint and clean. They have a staff member guide a free walking tour of the Old Quarter every day and offer a free beer in the well-kept social space in the evenings.
The atmosphere is friendly, not raucous.
find a budget dorm bed 
Hanoi Buffalo offers a social scene with a “party animal” feel. The main reason is that it’s right next to Ta Hien, Hanoi’s craziest backpacker street.
The staff is really nice, though, the rooms are clean, and the breakfast is surprisingly good.
book your stay here 
Best for nature-lovers: Manna Farm
Staying at Manna Farm is a rugged, rough-around-the-edges experience befitting of its “urban oasis” surroundings (read more about Banana Island above). The cabins you stay in are just a step up from tents in the forest, so remember your mosquito spray.
The atmosphere of Banana Island is so magical, though, that I’d say this is my personal favorite accommodation in Hanoi. The place has minimal presence on Google Maps, but the English-speaking staff is very nice and always active on Manna Farm’s Facebook.
Best for local culture: Eli Rina
Eli Rina is a hidden gem for cultural exploration. The hotel itself has a very authentic feel, featuring Vietnamese-style architecture and a location in a quiet alley. Despite that, the staff is very friendly (especially the owners, Tra and Hien) and the rooms are spotless.
The alley the hotel is in is right next to the train station for cross-country travel and just a few minutes from the metro station that allows you to explore more of Hanoi. It’s also beside the Temple of Literature, which I find to be the most culturally impactful place in Hanoi, and just south of the historic Ba Dinh district.
find the best deal here
Best airport hotel: Chemi Noi Bai Airport Hotel
Chemi is a 5-minute drive from the airport, which makes it a great location if you’re in Hanoi on a layover or if you have to catch an early-morning flight… especially since the airport is more like 50 minutes from the city center.
The staff at Chemi are very nice (a trend among the hotels on this “best of” list), and the rooms are almost supernaturally clean. The free breakfasts are fantastic, too, which is important for an airport hotel. I’d recommend the pho and orange juice.
Check current rates
Best for families: Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi City Centre
Movenpick is an international chain, and the branch in the center of Hanoi has lots of family-friendly facilities like:
- Family Rooms, meaning Movenpick has some adjoining rooms, and some rooms are large enough for an entire family. Free cribs are available.
- A kids’ menu at the restaurant, which is great for families with kids who are picky eaters.
- A huge breakfast buffet.
- Babysitting and childcare services.
- A big swimming pool with a shallower kiddie pool area.
The hotel is more corporate than most entries on this list, but that added sense of order will be a relief for busy parents.
book your stay here
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