River Hideaway. ← Hostel

what we tell guests at the desk

Where to stay in Hà Nội

Guests ask us this every week. On a first trip, sleep in the Old Quarter or right next to it. The rest of Hà Nội is lovely, it’s just a Grab ride from everything you came for.

Short answer: first visit, 2–4 nights? Stay in the Old Quarter area. You’ll walk to Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the street food, the weekend night market and most tour pickups.

Long Biên bridge over the Red River

The main areas

Old QuarterPhố cổ

Good for
First visits, street food, nightlife and walking everywhere. Most tour and sleeper-bus pickups start here.
Keep in mind
Busy and loud at night, above all around Tạ Hiện beer street. Streets are narrow and full of motorbikes.

Hoàn Kiếm Lake + French QuarterHồ Hoàn Kiếm · Khu phố Pháp

Good for
Easy walks, colonial buildings, the Opera House and the weekend walking street round the lake.
Keep in mind
Mostly hotels, with fewer budget beds. Quieter food scene after dark.

West LakeTây Hồ

Good for
Long stays, cafés, cycling round the lake and a slower pace.
Keep in mind
15–20 minutes by Grab from the Old Quarter. You’ll ride in for most sights.

Ba ĐìnhBa Đình

Good for
The Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature and leafy, quiet streets.
Keep in mind
Few hostels and little nightlife.

Near Hà Nội stationGa Hà Nội

Good for
Handy the night before an early train.
Keep in mind
Not much to see around it. The Old Quarter is about 10 minutes by Grab.

Near Nội Bài airportSân bay Nội Bài

Good for
Only for a very early flight or a very late landing.
Keep in mind
About 45 minutes by car from the centre, with nothing to walk to.

How to pick

  • First visit, 2–4 nightsSleep in the Old Quarter area. You’ll walk to the lake, the street food and the night market.
  • Light sleeperStay on the edge of the Old Quarter, not on the beer streets. Ask about quiet hours.
  • Doing the Hà Giang loop or Sa PaStay where the buses pick up, in the Old Quarter area, and leave your big bag at the hostel.
  • A month or moreLook at West Lake, or ask a hostel about long-stay rates.
  • Early flightAnywhere central works. Book your airport ride the night before.

Where we are

The Old Quarter is wonderful until karaoke starts under your window at 1 AM. We’re on the river side of it.

Old Quarter area, river sidePhố cổ · phía sông Hồng

Good for
Walking into the Old Quarter in 5 minutes, then sleeping on a calmer street. Sunrise on Long Biên bridge is round the corner.
Keep in mind
The bars are a short walk away, not under your window. Out dancing till 3 AM? It’s a five-minute walk home.

River Hideaway71 Bảo Linh, Hồng Hà ward

  • Old Quarter, over the footbridge5 min walk
  • Tạ Hiện beer corner5 min walk
  • Hồ Hoàn Kiếm11 min walk
  • Long Biên bridge + Long Biên station11 min walk
  • Nội Bài airport~45 min by car
Book a bedSee the roomsHà Nội guide

Questions

Is the Old Quarter the best area to stay in Hanoi?

For a first visit, yes. Most sights, food and tour pickups are within walking distance. If you sleep lightly, pick a street on its edge.

Is the Old Quarter noisy at night?

Around Tạ Hiện beer street it’s loud until late, with music and karaoke. A few streets away it gets much quieter.

Old Quarter or West Lake?

Old Quarter for a short first trip. West Lake for a long stay, cafés and a calmer pace.

How far is the airport from the Old Quarter?

About 45 minutes by car, more at rush hour.