Noi Bai International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Noi Bai is about 30 km from downtown Hanoi, and traffic on the Nhat Tan bridge makes the transfer long almost always: from 45 minutes to a good hour, with no truly quiet time bands. For those arriving late at night or with a dawn flight, the hotels around the airport avoid the trip entirely. Those who want the historic centre and the rooftops of the French Quarter aim for Hoan Kiem, while those seeking a more relaxed, lakeside atmosphere move to Tay Ho (West Lake). A third, more modern area is the Nam Tu Liem district to the west of the city, which grew up around the national convention centre and the skyscrapers, handy for those working in the area but far from the centre's landmarks.

Soc Son, next to Noi Bai

Airport area · The Success Airport Hotel is about 8 minutes by car from the terminal; the Noi Bai Ville Airport Hotel is about 700 metres from arrivals, also reachable on foot.

Best for: Overnight flights, short layovers and dawn departures, when it pays to avoid the almost hour-long transfer to downtown altogether.

Pros

No risk from traffic on the Nhat Tan bridge, the main bottleneck toward Hanoi
Lower prices than the international hotels downtown or in Tay Ho

Cons

The Soc Son area has no tourist attractions, isolated from the rest of the city
Some guests mention noise from the main road and cleanliness not always up to par at the cheaper properties

Recommended hotels in this area

Success Airport Hanoi Hotel: In Thai Phu, Soc Son, about 8 minutes by car from the terminal; breakfast on request between 7 and 9 and valet parking included.
Noi Bai Ville Airport Hotel: About 700 metres from the arrivals area, also reachable on foot with light luggage; a budget option for those who just need to sleep between one flight and the next.

See more hotels in this area →

Hoan Kiem and the French Quarter

City centre · About 28-30 km from the airport, 45 minutes to 1 hour by car depending on traffic on the Nhat Tan bridge; there are no direct trains, only taxi, private car or scheduled bus.

Best for: Those who want Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter and the colonial architecture of the French Quarter within walking distance.

Pros

Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter and the Opera House within walking distance of the area's hotels
The city's greatest concentration of restaurants, galleries and nightlife

Cons

The longest airport transfer in this guide, over an hour at rush hour
The Old Quarter's streets are narrow and busy, with little room for pedestrians

Recommended hotels in this area

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi: On Ngo Quyen Street, steps from the Opera House: opened in 1901 as the Grand Hotel Metropole Palace, it lived through the Indochina War and the Vietnam War and has hosted guests such as Charlie Chaplin and Graham Greene.
Meliá Hanoi: On Ly Thuong Kiet Street, in the Hoan Kiem district a few minutes from the National Library and the Hoa Lo Prison; outdoor pool and gym.

See more hotels in this area →

Tay Ho, West Lake

Neighbourhood · About 25 km from the airport, a little under 40-45 minutes by car; the historic centre is about 10 minutes by taxi from the lake area.

Best for: Those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere on the city's largest lake, with international cafés and restaurants, a few minutes from the Old Quarter.

Pros

Walks around the lake and outdoor cafés, a calmer atmosphere than the historic centre
The Old Quarter still just a few minutes away by taxi

Cons

Fewer shops and landmarks within walking distance than Hoan Kiem
Some hotels in the area are older and could use renovation according to reviews

Recommended hotels in this area

Sheraton Hanoi Hotel: On Xuan Dieu Road, with views of West Lake and an outdoor pool; tennis courts and free shuttle, 10 minutes by car from Hoan Kiem Lake.
InterContinental Hanoi Westlake by IHG: On Tu Hoa Street, with pavilions over the water of West Lake and rooms with lake-view balconies; just minutes from the Old Quarter despite the resort atmosphere.

See more hotels in this area →

Nam Tu Liem and My Dinh, the new business district

Neighbourhood · About 25-27 km from the airport, 30-40 minutes by car; Hoan Kiem Lake is about 15 minutes by taxi from here, closer than from the airport itself.

Best for: Those working or attending events at the National Convention Centre or My Dinh stadium, in a more modern area but far from the centre's landmarks.

Pros

Close to the National Convention Centre and My Dinh stadium, handy for trade fairs and events
Wider, more modern roads than the chaotic traffic of the historic centre

Cons

No landmark or historic district within walking distance: a taxi is always needed for downtown
An area still under development, with less street life than Hoan Kiem or Tay Ho

Recommended hotels in this area

JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi: On Do Duc Duc Road, 500 metres from the National Convention Centre in the My Dinh district; curved architecture designed by Carlos Zapata, among the most photographed in the city.
InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72 by IHG: Occupies floors 62 to 64 of the Keangnam Landmark72 tower, about 3.5 km from the centre: at 346 metres it is Hanoi's tallest hotel and the second tallest in Southeast Asia.

See more hotels in this area →