Hanoi
Hanoi: packing for the Old Quarter and Ha Long Bay
Northern Vietnam gets cold in winter, so pack for the season, plus walking shoes for the Old Quarter and a layer and seasickness remedy for the cruise.
Hanoi
Hanoi: packing for the Old Quarter and Ha Long Bay
Northern Vietnam gets cold in winter, so pack for the season, plus walking shoes for the Old Quarter and a layer and seasickness remedy for the cruise.
- Year-round
- Culture & history
Editor-picked essentials
- A jacket for the season
Bring a jacket and long sleeves around December to February; breathable clothes in summer.
- Comfortable sneakers
For narrow, uneven pavements in the Old Quarter.
- Seasickness remedy
For the Ha Long Bay cruise; check when to take it before boarding.
Recommended packing
Apps that can help at this destination
Grab
Editor's pickBook cars, motorbikes and other rides in Hanoi, and check pickup points and fare estimates.
Before using: Register and sign in before departure, and check you can receive SMS verification on your number. Confirm the pickup point and listed payment methods before riding.
Things to know: Ride types and service areas vary by city and location. Check fares and any fees in the app.
Sources
About this guide
An editorial guide for walks around Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, with a day or overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay. Unlike the south, northern Vietnam turns noticeably cold in winter; from around December to February bring a jacket and long sleeves. Summers are hot and humid with sudden rain. It is breezy on deck, so a layer is useful in any season.
Trip photos
Local travel notes
How to read this guide
Editorial recommendationAn editorial packing guide for the Old Quarter and a Ha Long Bay cruise in Hanoi, written from the cited sources rather than a first-hand trip. Dates, costs and party size are not set. Entry rules and venue rules change, so confirm official information before you travel.
Photo credits and licence notes
Photo 1: credit and licence
Travel tipIslands of Ha Long Bay from Ti Top Island. Steffen Schmitz / Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International. Resized and converted to WebP. No endorsement by the original photographer is implied. This adaptation is available under the same licence.
Sources
- Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Creative Commons
- Photo 1: original and author Wikimedia Commons
Photo 2: credit and licence
Travel tipThe main gate of the Temple of Literature, Hanoi. Jakub Hałun / Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International. Resized and converted to WebP. No endorsement by the original photographer is implied.
Sources
- Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Creative Commons
- Photo 2: original and author Wikimedia Commons
Photo 3: credit and licence
Travel tipThuy Trung Tien Pagoda and its bridge in Hanoi. Jakub Hałun / Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International. Resized and converted to WebP. No endorsement by the original photographer is implied.
Sources
- Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Creative Commons
- Photo 3: original and author Wikimedia Commons
Photo 4: credit and licence
Travel tipThe street by Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in the Old Quarter. CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported. Resized and converted to WebP. No endorsement by the original photographer is implied. This adaptation is available under the same licence.
Sources
- Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons
- Photo 4: original and author Wikimedia Commons