Old Quarter Food Tour
Pho, bun cha and egg coffee with a guide.
Hanoi
A thousand years of history inside a scooter swarm — the Old Quarter's guild streets, Hoan Kiem's legendary turtle, and a train that squeezes through homes.
- Metro population
- 8,000,000
- Country
- Vietnam
- Region
- Asia
Overview
Why visit Hanoi
Hanoi has been Vietnam's capital for most of a thousand years, and it layers every era: the 36 guild streets of the Old Quarter, French-colonial boulevards, Soviet-era blocks and the incense-hazed temples of Hoan Kiem lake.
The city's famous images are real: scooters flowing like water, cafes spilling onto sidewalks, and the train that squeezes twice daily through Train Street's narrow homes while cafés pull back their tables. Dawn belongs to tai chi and street-side pho by the lake.
Speed's 2024 stream captured the signature chaos — scooter swarms, street food and walls of fans. Beyond the centre, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex and the Temple of Literature hold the country's founding memory.
Things to do
Top things to book in Hanoi
Popular tours and tickets. Compare prices and book ahead to skip the lines.
Train Street & Landmarks
The alley train plus the city's icons.
Ha Long Bay Day Cruise
Karst islands a few hours from town.
Water Puppet Show
The 1,000-year-old puppet theatre.
Plan your trip
Compare prices for Hanoi
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Side by side in Hanoi
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Fun facts
Things you didn't know about Hanoi
- 01
A Thousand-Year Capital
Hanoi was founded in 1010 — it celebrated its millennium in 2010.
- 02
36 Guild Streets
Old Quarter lanes were each named for a trade — Silk Street, Silver Street, Bamboo Street.
- 03
Train Street
A railway squeezes through a 2-metre alley — cafés pull tables back twice a day.
- 04
The Returned Sword
Hoan Kiem means 'Lake of the Returned Sword' — a legendary turtle reclaimed a hero's blade.
- 05
Pho'S Birthplace
Vietnam's national dish was born on these streets — breakfast pho remains a religion.
- 06
Eiffel'S Bridge
Long Bien Bridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel's firm and survived the war.
- 07
Water Puppets
Thang Long theatre keeps up a 1,000-year-old art performed in flooded rice paddies.
- 08
A Scooter Ocean
Motorbikes vastly outnumber cars — crossing the road is a learned faith.
- 09
The First University
Van Mieu, Vietnam's first university (1070), still holds its stone doctorate stelae on tortoises.
- 10
Egg Coffee
Hanoi invented coffee whisked with egg yolk — born when milk was scarce.
Random Hanoi fact
Tap the button for a random fact about Hanoi.
FAQ
Quick answers about Hanoi
Where is Hanoi located?
Hanoi is in Vietnam, in Asia.
What is the population of Hanoi?
The greater Hanoi area is home to about 8,000,000 people.
What is Hanoi famous for?
Hanoi is famous for Vietnam's thousand-year capital — the Old Quarter, Train Street, Hoan Kiem lake and the birthplace of pho.
Did IShowSpeed stream from Hanoi?
Yes — IShowSpeed streamed from Hanoi on his 2024 Southeast Asia tour. See his full world tour map.
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