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Hanoi

Where ancient streets and emerald bays enchant

Best Time to Visit
Oct — Apr (cool & dry)
Budget Per Person
$2,500 — $9,000+
Flight From Dubai
~7 hours
Visa
Assisted e-Visa (90-day)
Currency
VND (Vietnamese Dong)
Languages
Vietnamese & English

Curated Experiences

Hand-picked moments that define luxury in Hanoi

Bustling motorbikes and shopfronts in Hanoi's Old Quarter streets

Old Quarter & Egg Coffee Culture Walk

Explore Hanoi's labyrinthine 36 guild streets on a private guided walk, pausing for the city's iconic egg coffee — a velvety, custard-topped Robusta creation born in 1946 — at the original Cafe Giang. Your expert guide decodes the trades that shaped each alley: silk, lacquerware, paper, and bronze — an immersive living history of Vietnam's artisan heritage.

Luxury cruise junk boats among limestone karst islands on Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay Overnight Luxury Cruise

Sail into one of the world's great natural wonders aboard a Heritage Line or Orchid Classic vessel — intimate boutique junks with just twelve to twenty cabins, fine Vietnamese dining and a private kayak through hidden lagoons inaccessible to larger vessels. As dusk turns the karst towers amber and stars emerge over still water, Ha Long reveals itself as utterly unforgettable.

Temple of Literature courtyard with pavilion and lotus pond, Hanoi

Temple of Literature & Hoan Kiem Lake

Vietnam's first national university, founded in 1070, stands serenely within five walled courtyards of gardens, pavilions and stone doctoral steles — a rare morning of calm before the city stirs. Walk from there to Hoan Kiem Lake as the mist lifts over the red Huc Bridge and the 18th-century Turtle Tower, before a private briefing on the Restored Sword legend at Ngoc Son Temple.

Elegant French colonial building facade and tree-lined boulevard, Hanoi

Fine Vietnamese Dining in the French Quarter

Hanoi's culinary scene has evolved into one of Southeast Asia's most sophisticated — your curated evening begins with aperitifs in the Metropole's Le Club Bar, followed by a chef's table experience at Cha Ca La Vong for the legendary grilled turmeric fish, or a refined multi-course tasting menu at Green Tangerine restaurant within a restored 1928 colonial townhouse.

Trang An waterways with limestone karsts and pagoda, Ninh Binh Vietnam

Ninh Binh & Trang An Landscape Day Trip

Just two hours south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh's Trang An UNESCO World Heritage landscape rivals Ha Long Bay in its drama — a vast river system threading through cave tunnels and past ancient temples beneath sheer limestone cliffs. A private car, expert guide and chartered rowing boat ensure an unhurried, intimate encounter with what many consider Vietnam's most beautiful inland scenery.

Cyclo rickshaw on a narrow alley in Hanoi's Old Quarter at dusk

Water Puppet Theatre & Old Quarter Cyclo Tour

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre presents a 1,000-year-old Vietnamese folk art form — lacquered puppets dancing on a flooded stage to live ca tru music — one of the most distinctive performance traditions in all of Asia. Complete the evening with a private cyclo tour through the gas-lamp glow of the Old Quarter, stopping for a Vietnamese gin and tonic at a rooftop bar above Hoan Kiem Lake.

Sample Itineraries

Customizable journeys tailored to your travel style

3 Days

Hanoi Essentials in 3 Days

Perfect for Romantic Getaways
Day 1: Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport and transfer by private car to Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. A welcome cocktail in the legendary Le Club Bar is followed by a stroll to Hoan Kiem Lake at sunset. Dinner at Cha Ca La Vong with the city's most celebrated turmeric fish dish, then a nightcap on the hotel's poolside terrace.
Day 2: Morning private guided walk through the Old Quarter — silk alley, tin alley, paper alley — with an egg coffee pause at Cafe Giang. Afternoon visit to the Temple of Literature with a private historian. Evening at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre followed by a cyclo tour through the lantern-lit Old Quarter streets.
Day 3: Private day excursion to Ninh Binh: chartered rowing boat through Trang An's cave tunnels, lunch at a heritage riverside restaurant, and a hike to the Hang Mua viewpoint for panoramic karst views. Return to Hanoi for a farewell dinner at Green Tangerine in the French Quarter before seamless airport transfer.
5 Days

Hanoi & Ha Long Bay Discovery

Perfect for Cultural Immersion
Day 1: Private arrival transfer to Capella Hanoi in the French Quarter. Welcome briefing with your dedicated Unmatched Journeys concierge over aperitifs in the Art Deco Lobby Lounge. Evening stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and dinner at a curated Vietnamese restaurant in the Old Quarter.
Day 2: Full immersion in Hanoi's cultural highlights: Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the Museum of Ethnology with a private docent, and the Old Quarter with an egg coffee tasting. Evening at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre and cyclo tour.
Day 3: Private transfer to Ha Long Bay. Board the Heritage Line Jasmine vessel for a two-night overnight cruise. Afternoon kayaking through hidden lagoons, sundowner cocktails on the sundeck, and a refined Vietnamese set dinner under the stars.
Day 4: Dawn tai chi on deck as the mist rises over the karsts. Morning visit to a floating fishing village by traditional wooden boat. Afternoon cave exploration at Sung Sot (Surprise Cave), cooking class on board, and a final sunset dinner before anchoring in a secluded bay.
Day 5: Return by private transfer to Hanoi. Afternoon at leisure for a spa treatment at Sofitel Legend Metropole's L'APOTHIQUAIRE spa and farewell shopping for lacquerware and silk on Hang Gai Street. Private airport transfer for evening departure.
7 Days

The Complete Northern Vietnam Week

Perfect for Family & Multi-Generational Travel
Day 1: Private arrival transfer to InterContinental Hanoi Westlake. Welcome lunch on the lake-view terrace with panoramic views of West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda. Gentle afternoon orientation walk along the West Lake promenade and check-in to a deluxe lake-view suite.
Day 2: Private guided Old Quarter immersion with an expert historian — the 36 ancient guild streets, the Medicine Street herb market, Dong Xuan covered market and egg coffee at Cafe Giang. Afternoon Museum of Vietnamese History, evening water puppet performance and cyclo sunset tour.
Day 3: Full Hanoi cultural day: Temple of Literature in the morning with a private guide, lunch at a French Quarter bistro, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Stilt House complex, One Pillar Pagoda and the Women's Museum. Fine dining at Ly Club restaurant in an elegant colonial villa.
Day 4: Early private transfer to Ha Long Bay. Embark on a two-day Orchid Classic cruise — afternoon kayaking through the Luon Cave lagoon, sundeck cocktails at golden hour, live traditional music performance during dinner. Children delight in squid fishing off the stern after dark.
Day 5: Morning Pearl Farm visit to learn about Ha Long's cultured pearl industry, then cycle along Cat Ba Island's coastal path before re-boarding for the final lunch cruise back to port. Private transfer returns you to Hanoi in time for dinner.
Day 6: Private full-day Ninh Binh excursion: Trang An boat tour through three cave tunnels, Bich Dong Pagoda carved into a limestone cliff, lunch at a valley farmhouse, and the spectacular Hang Mua summit viewpoint. Return to Hanoi for a farewell silk-shopping session on Hang Gai Street.
Day 7: Leisurely morning at the hotel pool or spa, a final pho breakfast at the iconic Pho Gia Truyen on Bat Dan Street, and a curated departure with artisan gifts — Vietnamese coffee blends, hand-painted lacquerware and silk scarves for each family member. Private airport transfer timed to perfection.

Iconic Hotels & Stays

Where you'll rest your head in absolute luxury

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Historic Grand Luxury
From $350/night
  • Hanoi's iconic 1901 colonial landmark on Ngo Quyen Street
  • 244 rooms and suites across the Historic and Opera wings
  • Le Club Bar — legendary haunt of Graham Greene and Charlie Chaplin
  • L'APOTHIQUAIRE Spa and two outdoor pools
  • Spice Garden Vietnamese restaurant, Le Beaulieu brasserie and rooftop pool terrace

Capella Hanoi

Art Deco Boutique Luxury
From $500/night
  • Intimate 47-suite boutique hotel in the French Quarter inspired by 1930s Indochina
  • Two rooftop pools with panoramic Old Quarter and Opera House views
  • La Maison 1888 restaurant with exquisite French-Vietnamese tasting menus
  • The Shokuinin whisky and cocktail bar — one of Hanoi's most celebrated nightspots
  • Auriga Spa with personalised wellness rituals and private treatment villas

InterContinental Hanoi Westlake

Lakeside Contemporary Luxury
From $200/night
  • Signature overwater villas and suites built on stilts over serene West Lake
  • Sunset Bar — Hanoi's most photographed rooftop terrace with 360-degree lake views
  • Summer Palace — award-winning Cantonese and Vietnamese fine dining
  • Infinity pool with lake reflections and private pier access
  • Direct views of the ancient Tran Quoc Pagoda; 15 minutes from the Old Quarter

Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi — MGallery

Opera-Quarter Boutique Luxury
From $180/night
  • Belle Epoque boutique hotel directly opposite the 1911 Hanoi Opera House
  • Rooftop pool and bar overlooking the French Quarter's grandest boulevard
  • Brasserie de l'Opera restaurant with classic French-Vietnamese fusion cuisine
  • L'Occitane Spa and fully equipped fitness centre
  • Steps from the Sofitel Metropole, the National Museum of Vietnamese History and fine dining row

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Hanoi

When is the best time to visit Hanoi? +
Hanoi's finest season runs from October through April, when the weather is cool, dry and ideal for exploring on foot. November through February offers particularly pleasant days with temperatures between 15 and 22 degrees Celsius — perfect for the Old Quarter and Ha Long Bay. March and April bring warm spring conditions and fewer tourists. Summer (May to September) is hot, humid and rainy, though Ha Long Bay remains navigable and the city's street food culture thrives regardless of season.
How much does a luxury trip to Hanoi cost? +
A well-curated luxury Hanoi experience typically ranges from $2,500 to $9,000 or more per person, depending on duration and the experiences chosen. The Sofitel Legend Metropole and Capella Hanoi start from around $350 to $500 per night; a two-day Heritage Line Ha Long Bay cruise adds approximately $500 to $1,200 per person. Private guided excursions to Ninh Binh, fine dining evenings and bespoke transfers are additional. Unmatched Journeys provides a fully transparent, itemised proposal before any commitment.
Do UAE or GCC nationals need a visa for Vietnam? +
UAE passport holders require an e-Visa to enter Vietnam, obtainable online from the Vietnamese Immigration Portal for stays of up to 90 days. The process typically takes three to five business days and costs approximately $25. GCC nationals from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman are similarly subject to the e-Visa requirement. Unmatched Journeys assists all clients with the e-Visa application as part of a full trip booking, ensuring a seamless and stress-free entry process.
What are the must-see attractions in Hanoi? +
The 36 guilded streets of the Old Quarter — a living museum of Hanoi's medieval merchant culture — are the city's beating heart and unmissable. Hoan Kiem Lake and the iconic red Huc Bridge at sunrise, and the Temple of Literature founded in 1070, are essential stops. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the Museum of Ethnology and the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre complete the cultural itinerary. For day trips, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh's Trang An landscape are UNESCO World Heritage wonders within easy reach.
Is Hanoi safe for travellers? +
Hanoi is generally a very safe destination for international visitors, with violent crime extremely rare. Standard urban precautions apply — watch for motorbike traffic when crossing streets, keep bags secure in crowded market areas, and use Grab (Vietnam's ride-hailing app) rather than unmarked taxis. Food safety is high at established restaurants and hotels. Vietnam's healthcare is adequate in Hanoi, though comprehensive travel insurance is always recommended. Unmatched Journeys provides 24/7 in-destination support throughout your stay.
How do I get around Hanoi? +
A dedicated private car and driver is the most effortless way to navigate Hanoi and reach Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh on day trips. Within the Old Quarter, walking and cyclo rides are the most atmospheric options — the alleyways are too narrow for cars. Grab is reliable and inexpensive for shorter urban journeys. Unmatched Journeys coordinates all private transfers, including airport pickups, day-trip vehicles and Ha Long Bay embarkation logistics, so you never need to think about logistics.
What makes Hanoi's food scene so special? +
Hanoi cuisine is distinct from southern Vietnamese cooking — lighter, more austere and deeply umami. The city's signature dishes include pho (the north's original, cleaner broth version), bun cha (charcoal-grilled pork with vermicelli), cha ca (turmeric-marinated fish grilled over charcoal) and banh cuon (steamed rice rolls). Egg coffee — a Hanoi invention from 1946 — is an extraordinary experience of dense whipped egg yolk foam over strong Robusta coffee. Your Unmatched Journeys guide curates the perfect balance of hawker-stall authenticity and fine-dining sophistication.
Can Unmatched Journeys plan a custom Hanoi itinerary? +
Absolutely — Hanoi is one of our most passionately curated Southeast Asian destinations, combining some of the world's finest historic hotels, a UNESCO natural wonder at Ha Long Bay, and a culinary culture unlike any other in Asia. Our AI concierge Aria can begin building your bespoke Hanoi journey right now — whether you dream of a romantic three-night Metropole escape, a family week taking in Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh, or a deep cultural immersion through the Old Quarter and beyond. Start the conversation today and let Aria craft your perfect Hanoi journey.

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