Hanoi
Capital of Vietnam
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and has a population of about 8.7 million as of 2024. Visitors come to see its historical sites, including the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the Temple of Literature.
What to see
The city features several significant historical sites and landmarks. Cultural and historical points of interest include the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long, which is a UNESCO site, the Temple of Literature, and Hỏa Lò Prison. Visitors also frequent the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and St. Joseph's Cathedral. For outdoor scenery and unique urban experiences, locations like Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Hanoi Train Street are common stops.
When to go
The months of January, February, and December are the driest, with rain occurring on only 4 to 6 days each month and temperatures ranging from highs of 20 °C to 21 °C and lows of 13 °C to 15 °C. March and November also offer relatively dry conditions. The summer months from May through September are significantly wetter, with rainfall peaking in July and August at over 320 mm each month and daily highs reaching 32 °C.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Noi Bai International Airport, located 22 km away.
Top sights in Hanoi
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 33 °C. The wettest is July, with about 327 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 20 | 21 | 25 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 21 |
| Average low, °C | 13 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 14 |
| Rainfall, mm | 26 | 29 | 55 | 121 | 242 | 283 | 327 | 323 | 224 | 165 | 73 | 26 |
| Rainy days | 6 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 14 | 8 | 4 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Hanoi (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Hanoi Museum
- Ho Chi Minh Museum
- Lenin Park
- Ngọc Sơn Temple
- One Pillar Pagoda
- Presidential Palace Historical Site
- Presidential Palace, Hanoi
- Quán Thánh Temple
- Trấn Quốc Pagoda
- Vietnam Military History Museum
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
- Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts
- Vietnam National Museum of History
- Vietnam People's Air Force Museum, Hanoi
- Vietnamese Women's Museum
- West Lake