Wondering where to stay in Hanoi first time? For many travelers, Hanoi is the starting point of their Vietnam trip. For us, however, it was the final destination of three months travelling through the country.
We had seen many cities by then, so Hanoi initially felt a bit run-of-the-mill. Not as refined as Hue, not as modern as some southern cities. Yet, the capital absolutely has its own character.
The veneration of Ho Chi Minh is visible everywhere here. You visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the accompanying Ho Chi Minh Museum, which together offer a glimpse into Vietnam’s relatively young, turbulent history.
For older imperial splendor, you have to go to Huế. Although Hanoi’s French Quarter also features some beautiful historical (in this case, colonial) architecture. But don’t worry, Hanoi is far from boring. The raw edge, the constant honking, and the liveliness on the streets actually give the city more character than many other destinations in the country.
The nice thing is that most of the highlights are close together. If you are coming purely for the sights, there are actually two logical neighborhoods to stay in.
At the same time, Hanoi is the perfect base for the north. From here, you can easily travel to Ninh Binh, Sapa, and Ha Long Bay. Exactly what we did. And that makes choosing the right neighborhood all the more important.
The best neighborhoods to stay in Hanoi first time are Dong Da, the Old Quarter, the French Quarter, Ba Dinh, and Tay Ho.
Personally, I would choose Dong Da. Dong Da is local, affordable, and significantly less touristy than the Old Quarter, while still being centrally located.
The Old Quarter is the most popular, however. Here, you stay right in the middle of the chaos, surrounded by street food, narrow streets, and virtually all of Hanoi’s classic highlights.
The French Quarter of Hanoi is an elegant, centrally located neighborhood with colonial architecture, wide boulevards, and a distinctly quieter atmosphere than the Old Quarter. You do pay considerably more for a hotel room here, though.
Ba Dinh is spacious, culturally interesting, and quieter than the old center. You can reach most of the city’s highlights on foot, but it is quite boring there in the evenings.
Tay Ho is modern, international, and the quietest part of Hanoi, which is why families and those staying longer in Hanoi particularly choose this area.
| Name of the area | Ideal for |
|---|---|
| Dong Da | Here you get a more realistic picture of daily life in Hanoi. You stay among local restaurants, coffee bars, and residential neighborhoods instead of souvenir shops. The location is still central enough, but the atmosphere is noticeably quieter and more authentic. |
| Old Quarter | The Old Quarter is the beating heart of Hanoi and the place where most travelers automatically end up. From here, you can easily walk to Hoan Kiem Lake, countless food stalls, and historic buildings. It is busy, loud, and intense… but if you really want to feel Hanoi, this is the place to be. |
| French Quarter | Known for its stately buildings, embassies, and luxury hotels—almost European in feel—it forms a sharp contrast to the chaos elsewhere in the city. You stay within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake, and it is much quieter here. On the other hand, prices are higher, street life is less vibrant, and the neighborhood may feel a bit less authentic to some travelers. |
| Ba Dinh | In this neighborhood, you will find the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and other important monuments. The wide avenues and greener appearance give it a less chaotic feel. Ideal for travelers who want to be close to the sights but do not want to sleep in the middle of the hustle and bustle. |
| Tay Ho | Located around West Lake, you will find more space, expats, and modern apartments here. The neighborhood is known for good international restaurants and relaxed cafes. You are further away from the classic highlights, but get comfort and tranquility in return. |
A nice neighborhood, provided you stay in the north, which is much quieter and better organized than the old neighborhood.
Dong Da was the neighborhood where we spent the first part of our stay in Hanoi.
We stayed at the northern tip of the district, putting us within walking distance of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
Ideal if you want to visit the main sights early in the morning without relying on a taxi or Grab.
What stands out immediately is that Dong Da feels more organized than the Old Quarter.
The streets are wider, the traffic is a bit more manageable, and if your hotel is located on a side street, you are surprisingly unaffected by the constant honking that Hanoi is known for.
It gives the neighborhood just a bit more breathing room, without being far from the center.
Hanoi Train Street is also within walking distance.
Whether this attraction will remain fully accessible in the future is uncertain (there have been plans for some time to regulate the area more strictly), but as long as it is possible, it is a special place worth visiting.
Dong Da is cleaner and more modern than the Old Quarter. At the same time, it also feels more commercial and less characterful. The streetscape here is defined more by chain stores and modern buildings than by historic facades.
That is why the vast majority of tourists still choose the Old Quarter.
However, if you are looking for a neighborhood that feels quieter, cleaner, and slightly less intense, while still being centrally located, then Dong Da is a very logical choice.
The vibrant heart of the city, with plenty of nightlife but also noise.
The Old Quarter is without a doubt the most popular neighborhood in Hanoi… and especially beloved by backpackers and young travelers.
Everything here revolves around liveliness, affordable hostels, and constant hustle and bustle on the streets.
If you are looking for peace and quiet, this is not the place for you.
The neighborhood is chaotic and fully geared towards tourism. Narrow streets are packed, scooters come and go constantly, and the constant honking (typical of Vietnam) truly never stops here.
Even a simple walk requires vigilance.
That raw and unfiltered character is exactly what some find amazing, and what others get tired of after two days.
The nightlife here is the best in the city.
Around Ta Hien Street (better known as the beer street), it goes on until deep into the night.
Plastic stools on the street, cheap bia hơi, and an international mix of travelers make this the place to meet other backpackers.
The Old Quarter officially consists of 36 streets, which you can easily explore on foot. Once, every street had its own craft; nowadays, it is primarily a tourist attraction with street food hotspots, souvenir shops, and cafes.
You can find everything here: clothing, suitcases, backpacks, and an endless number of tour operators offering trips to Sapa or Ha Long Bay.
If you want to be right in the middle of the action and experience Hanoi at its most intense, this is your neighborhood.
An elegant neighborhood with a colonial character that is clearly aimed at the somewhat upscale traveler.
Located just south of the famous Hoan Kiem Lake, this area feels almost like another city within Hanoi thanks to its wide, tree-lined boulevards and stately colonial buildings.
Here you will find impressive architecture from the French colonial era, such as the opera house and beautiful mansions that now serve as hotels, museums, cafes, and embassies.
The atmosphere is generally quieter and more relaxed than that of the busier Old Quarter, with wide sidewalks where you can stroll comfortably without the hectic traffic around you and have a peaceful start to your day with an espresso in a charming cafe.
This makes the neighborhood attractive to travelers who want to be centrally located but do not want to constantly end up in the chaos of scooters and tourists. However, there are also clear downsides: due to the elegant appearance and the presence of many luxury hotels and restaurants, prices here are often higher than in other parts of the city, making it less suitable for budget travelers.
Furthermore, the nightlife is relatively quiet, meaning you might experience less vibrancy and street culture in the evening hours than in the Old Quarter.
Because many amenities and hospitality venues are geared towards tourists, the neighborhood can sometimes feel less authentic than other areas where Vietnamese life is more visible on the streets.
However, for those primarily looking to enjoy a comfortable, less chaotic base, the French Quarter is an excellent addition to your overview.
The political and historical heart where you will find almost all the city's highlights, but it is quite dull in the evenings.
Ba Dinh feels completely different from the Old Quarter.
This is the political and historical heart of the city, with wide avenues, more greenery, and a distinctly quieter atmosphere.
Here, you will stay less among backpackers and more among embassies, government buildings, and neat hotels.
The main attraction is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, along with the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the One Pillar Pagoda.
This makes it an ideal neighborhood if you are primarily coming for culture and history.
In the morning, you can easily walk to the ceremony at the mausoleum without having to cross half the city center first.
The neighborhood is more manageable and noticeably less hectic.
Fewer scooters in narrow alleys, less shouting from vendors, and less nighttime noise.
At the same time, you do miss the street life and energy that make the Old Quarter so typical. If you are looking for a central location, but in a nicer and quieter setting, then Ba Dinh is a very comfortable choice.
And mind you, this neighborhood is quite boring in the evening.
Modern part of the city where everything is well organized. Popular among expats. Ideal for families, but you are located a bit further from the center.
Tay Ho, situated around West Lake, is the most relaxed neighborhood in Hanoi.
Here you will find wide streets, modern apartments, and a clear expat influence.
It feels less traditionally Vietnamese, but rather more international and spacious.
This neighborhood is popular with digital nomads, families, and travelers staying for a longer period.
You will find good international restaurants, coffee bars, and rooftop bars with views over the lake. The sunsets here are among the most beautiful in the city.
On the other hand, you are further away from the classic highlights.
You almost always need transportation to get to the mausoleum or the Old Quarter.
Tay Ho is therefore less suitable if you are only staying in Hanoi for one or two nights and mainly want to sightsee. If you want peace, comfort, and more living space, Tay Ho is by far the most pleasant neighborhood to stay in.
Please note, however, that you are located further from the city center.