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Hanoi is the capital and second-most populous centrally-governed city of Vietnam. It covers an area of 3,358.6 km2 (1,296.8 mi2), and as of 2025 has a population of 8,807,523. Hanoi had the second-highest gross regional domestic product of all Vietnamese provinces and centrally-governed cities at US$48 billion in 2023, behind Ho Chi Minh City. It hosts 78 foreign embassies, the headquarters of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA), its Vietnam National University system, and other governmental organizations. Hanoi had 18.7 million domestic and international visitors in 2022. It hosts the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, West Lake, and Ba Vì National Park near the outskirts of the municipality. Hanoi's urban area has architectural styles, including pre-colonial Vietnamese architecture, French colonial architecture, brutalist apartments and disorganized alleys and tube houses stemming from the city's growth in the 20th century.

As soon as you arrive in Hanoi, you'll notice the bustling streets filled with motorbikes, street vendors, and locals going about their daily lives. The city's architecture is a mix of French colonial buildings and traditional Vietnamese temples, creating a unique and charming atmosphere.

One of the top attractions in Hanoi is the Old Quarter, a maze of narrow streets filled with shops, restaurants, and markets. Here, you can try some of the best street food Vietnam has to offer, such as pho noodle soup, banh mi sandwiches, and egg coffee. You can also shop for souvenirs and witness the daily life of the locals.