When mentioning Hanoi, aside from the ancient beauty of a thousand-year-old capital, the nature and sky of autumn in Hanoi also stir the hearts of many Hanoi travelers. The beauty of nature, combined with the city’s bustling vibe, has contributed to creating a vibrant, colorful Hanoi that can attract any visitor from afar.
Go with Recago now to find out the best ways to enjoy this best and most romantic travel season – Autumn in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Why travel while autumn in Hanoi?
According to Hanoi travel experiences, the city is most famous during autumn. Not as hot and stuffy as in summer, nor as cold as in winter, autumn in Hanoi is perhaps the season when Hanoi tourism enters its peak months, as it is the time most loved by tourists when they think of this city.
The autumn weather is quite cool, the air is fresh and gentle, making it very convenient for traveling and sightseeing.
How to get to Hanoi?
By airplane
The most convenient way to reach Hanoi is by airplane. Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi is the country’s second largest and busiest international airport and is currently the main airport serving Hanoi. There are many flights to Hanoi daily from various countries, allowing you to easily choose the most suitable time.
By train
The Hanoi railway station is located in the city center, convenient for those who choose travel through out different regions in Vietnam.
However, if you’re traveling from the southern provinces, the journey will take nearly two days. Despite this, the ticket prices are not significantly different from flights, making this a suitable option for those coming from the northern or central provinces.
By coach
Traveling by coach is also a cost-effective option for tourists from nearby provinces. Hanoi has four bus stations: My Dinh, Giap Bat, Nuoc Ngam, and Gia Lam, serving passengers traveling to the capital.
How to get around in Hanoi?
In Hanoi, just like in other tourist cities, the public bus system and ride-hailing services are very popular, making it easy to call a ride to any destination. Additionally, tourists can rent motorbikes or cars to move around more conveniently and economically.
Another popular means of transportation is the Cat Linh elevated train. This new transport option is not too crowded and, most importantly, never experiences traffic jams. The elevated train is also a must-try experience when visiting. You can visit the Hanoi Metro website to view the routes: https://hanoimetro.net.vn.
Where to go while travel in Autumn in Hanoi?
The central area is home to must-visit locations when experiencing autumn in Hanoi. You don’t need to go far to conquer a significant part of the capital city!
Hanoi Old Quarter | Place to go in Autumn in Hanoi
The “36 streets” are what have made Hanoi famous. Initially, it was a residential area outside the citadel, bustling for centuries with handicrafts and trade. Today, when you visit the Old Quarter, you can still enjoy the ancient, time-worn atmosphere of low-rise houses, tiled roofs, and moss-covered walls.
The Old Quarter is where many of Hanoi’s famous tourist spots are located, and they are especially loved in autumn in Hanoi because of the picturesque scenery.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Located in the heart of the capital is Hoan Kiem Lake, a body of water tied to a significant historical event. Around the lake, you’ll find a rich collection of historical architecture, making it a place you can’t miss when visiting Hanoi. Some notable landmarks near Hoan Kiem Lake include Turtle Tower, Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, Pen Tower, and Hoa Phong Tower.
Dong Xuan Market
Just as Ho Chi Minh City has Ben Thanh Market, Hanoi has Dong Xuan Market. Established in the 19th century, it remains the largest wholesale market in Northern Vietnam. Visitors can buy souvenirs and retail items like clothing, accessories, and household goods. Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Hoan Kiem Walking Street
Hoan Kiem Walking Street operates every weekend, offering traditional games, street performances, entertainment, souvenir stalls, and street food. A perfect itinerary is to visit Ta Hien Street for some beer and tasty food, followed by a walk along the pedestrian streets to experience the vibrant, colorful autumn in Hanoi.
Other notable landmarks in the Old Quarter include Bach Ma Temple, the ancient house at 87 Ma May, O Quan Chuong Gate, and, of course, the culinary “treasures” of the area.
Historical Sites | Place to go in Autumn in Hanoi
Visiting Hanoi, a city with a thousand-year history, you can’t miss some of the nation’s most important historical sites. Here are a few symbolic landmarks that you should visit at least once:
Ba Dinh Square – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
This is one of the most significant historical landmarks in Hanoi, where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence in 1945. Today, it’s the resting place of President Ho Chi Minh, where people come to pay their respects.
Behind the mausoleum is the Presidential Palace complex, where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked during the 1960s. You can visit the stilt house, fish pond, and garden, which offer insight into his simple life.
Opening hours: Closed on Mondays and Fridays.
Summer: 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM (open until 11:00 AM on weekends).
Winter: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
Thang Long Imperial Citadel
Hanoi was the capital during most of Vietnam’s feudal dynasties, and the Thang Long Imperial Citadel is the clearest testament to that. The massive site, covering over 140 hectares, was constructed over many dynasties and has retained many historical relics. Visitors can explore archaeological exhibits and visit famous landmarks like Hanoi Flag Tower, Doan Mon, Kinh Thien Palace, Hau Lau, and the Northern Gate.
Address: 18 Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh District.
Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM, from Tuesday to Sunday.
Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam
Built in the 11th century, this site consists of two main structures: the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucian sages, and Quoc Tu Giam, Vietnam’s first university. Initially open only to royals and nobles, it later accepted talented commoners.
Today, students visit to pray for success in their studies, especially before exams. The Temple also hosts monthly cultural and historical exhibitions.
Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Dong Da District.
Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Monday to Friday), 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Saturday, Sunday).
Other Attractions for Autumn in Hanoi | Place to go in Autumn in Hanoi
Phan Dinh Phung Street
This is one of Hanoi’s most beautiful streets, especially in autumn. Lined with old and huge trees, the street turns golden with fallen leaves, creating a picture-perfect scene. It’s an ideal spot for young people and tourists to take photos and experience a peaceful and romantic Hanoi.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
The Gothic-style St. Joseph’s Cathedral is another beloved spot during Hanoi’s autumn. Its weathered, time-worn walls add to the vintage feel of the surrounding area.
Address: 40 Nha Chung Street, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem District.
Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
West Lake
A trip in autum in Hanoi wouldn’t be complete without a visit to West Lake, a place known for its combination of natural beauty, culture, history, and entertainment.
Amid the bustling city, West Lake offers a spacious, peaceful retreat. The lake’s still waters reflect the sky and the trees, particularly stunning at sunset and sunrise. You can bike around the lake, paddle boats, or relax at a lakeside café.
Bat Trang Pottery Village
Bat Trang is one of the country’s most famous pottery villages, still preserving its traditional craft. Spend a day here to try your hand at pottery making and craft your own souvenirs.
How to get to Bat Trang:
- Bus: From central Hanoi, take a bus to Long Bien, then bus 47 to Bat Trang.
- Motorbike: Follow the Red River along Chương Dương or Vĩnh Tuy bridges to reach Bat Trang.
Thanh Chuong Viet Palace
If you love ancient, nostalgic spaces, Thanh Chuong Viet Palace is a must-see. The site is designed to resemble an old Northern Vietnamese village, featuring traditional architectural elements like village gates, wells, communal yards, and houses.
Address: Doc Day Dieu, Keo Ca Dam, Hien Ninh Commune, Hanoi.
Admission: 150,000 VND for adults, 120,000 VND for children, the elderly, and students.
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
What to Eat When Traveling in Autumn in Hanoi?
Hanoi is famous for many local specialties such as bun dau mam tom from Mo Village, bun cha Kinh Ky, beef pho, and traditional chicken pho. However, when visiting Hanoi in autumn, there’s definitely a list of dishes that tourists must try to fully experience the feeling of this place:
Com Vong – Specialty for Autumn of Hanoi
When mentioning autumn in Hanoi, many people immediately think of Com Vong. Com Vong, green sticky rice, is traditionally made by some families in Vong Village (Hau Village). You can easily spot street vendors along Xuân Thủy, Trần Thái Tông, Dịch Vọng Hậu streets of Cầu Giấy districts.
Banh Duc
With just simple ingredients, traditional banh duc was made from flour mixed with water. Over the years, banh duc has been innovated with various ingredients and preparation methods, with the most notable being hot banh duc served with minced meat sauce and fragrant green onions.
A bowl of hot banh duc for autumn in Hanoi costs only 10,000-20,000 VND. Some famous banh duc shops are located on Lê Ngọc Hân, Trung Tự, Minh Khai, and Thụy Khuê streets.
Bun Rieu
A bowl of bun rieu, Vietnamese crab based soup noodle, with the deep red color of tomatoes, rich broth, and fragrant crab meat is simply irresistible. Bun rieu can be enjoyed with beef, spare ribs, snails, fried tofu, and various refreshing herbs.
Popular bun rieu spots can be found on Nguyễn Siêu street, Hồng Phúc alley, Hàng Lược and Triệu Việt Vương streets.
Banh Troi Tau – Specialty for Autumn of Hanoi
For a long time, banh troi tau, stuffed sticky rice balls, has become an essential part of autumn in Hanoi. These round rice cakes come with various fillings such as mung beans, red beans, minced meat with ginger, peanuts, and coconut.
A typical activity in autumn in Hanoi is enjoying banh troi tau on the old quarter streets. Recommended places include Bà Mai shop (Hàng Bạc streets), Chè Bà Thìn (Bát Đàn street), and some shops on Lương Định Của, Hàng Bồ, Nguyễn Khuyến, and Phạm Ngọc Thạch streets. Each bowl costs between 8,000-20,000 VND.
Banh Com
Hanoi’s banh com, green sticky rice cake, is one of the popular gifts that anyone visiting Hanoi wants to take home. The ingredients for banh com include yellow mung beans, grated coconut, white sugar, and high-quality sticky rice, creating a refreshing and harmonious flavor characteristic of Hanoi.
Delicious banh com brands can be found on Hàng Than street, such as Nguyên Ninh, Nguyên Minh, An Ninh, and Nguyên Hưng.
Cha Com
Com is often used as an ingredient in many delicious dishes like sticky rice, dessert, and cakes, but cha com, green sticky rice patties, is the most famous street food to try when traveling in Hanoi during autumn.
People in Hanoi usually enjoy cha com with bun dau mam tom. Recommended places for good cha com include bun dau shops in Tràng Tiền alley, Hàng Than, Hàng Khay, and Phùng Hưng.
Otherwise, you can have your romantic dining at excellent restaurants on Michelin Guide in Hanoi here.
Where to stay when traveling in Hanoi?
Being a popular tourist destination, Hanoi has a wide range of accommodations, from homestays and budget hotels to luxurious resorts. Some top hotels with optimal prices for Hanoi tourists include:
- Mercure La Gare (94 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem District): 1,800,000 VND/night/two guests.
- Hotel du Parc Hanoi (84 Tran Nhan Tong, Hai Ba Trung District): 1,900,000 VND/night/two guests.
- Pan Pacific Hanoi (1 Thanh Nien Road, Ba Dinh District): 2,300,000 VND/night/two guests.
- Pullman Hanoi (40 Cat Linh, Dong Da District): 2,500,000 VND/night/two guest
- JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi (8 Do Duc Duc, Nam Tu Liem District): 6,500,000 VND/night/two guests.
- Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (15 Ngo Quyen, Hoan Kiem District): 10,500,000 VND/night/two guests.
Above are experiences and suggestions from Recago to help you have a complete and unforgettable autumn visit to Hanoi. And don’t forget to join the City Explore – Explore the streets, Receive lovely gifts event on the Recago travel app!
