Vietnam Travel Blog

The first time I walked a first-time visitor through the Old Quarter, she stopped dead in the middle of a crossing, motorbikes streaming around us on both sides, and just laughed. "Nobody told me it would be like this," she said. That's Hanoi in a sentence - a city that looks chaotic from the outside and makes perfect sense once you've spent a few days moving with it instead of against it. If you're planning 2 days in Hanoi, you've picked a tight but workable amount of time. It's enough to get past the initial overwhelm, taste your way through the Old Quarter, and hit the city's most essential historical sites before you move on. This itinerary is built from years of walking these same streets with travelers from all over the world, trimmed down to what matters most when time is short.

What follows is everything I'd tell a guest if we had the full ride into town to talk it through: terminals, transport options, facilities, a few scams worth knowing about, and the small details that only show up after you've done this walk a thousand times.

Hanoi weather in January is cool, relatively dry and often cloudier than many first-time visitors expect. Daytime temperatures usually reach around 20–21°C (68–70°F), but damp air, light drizzle and winter winds can make it feel colder, especially on motorbike rides or evening walks. This guide explains what January weather in Hanoi actually feels like, what to wear, how to plan your sightseeing, and what to expect if your trip also includes Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh or the northern mountains.

Being invited to a funeral in Vietnam can feel intimidating, especially when the mourning clothes, music and rituals are unfamiliar. The most important thing to remember is simple: foreign guests are not expected to understand every custom. Dress modestly, offer a brief expression of sympathy and follow the family’s lead. Do not assume that every guest must wear black, that every funeral follows Buddhist traditions or that the same rules apply throughout Vietnam. Most of this guide focuses on customs associated with the Kinh, Vietnam’s ethnic majority, because these are the practices travelers are most likely to encounter. Funeral traditions can still vary considerably according to family background, religion, region and ethnic community.

Hanoi in February is usually mild, but the weather can change noticeably from one week to the next. A sunny afternoon may feel perfect for walking, while damp air, wind or a short cold front can make the same temperature feel surprisingly chilly. February is a good time to visit if you care more about culture, local food and exploring the city than guaranteed sunshine. The main concerns are not heavy rain, but grey skies, light drizzle, occasional cold spells and possible service changes if your trip overlaps with Tet.

Located in Ho Chi Minh City, FITO Museum explores the history of traditional Vietnamese medicine through medicinal ingredients, preparation tools, historical documents and reconstructed medical spaces. Set inside an atmospheric wooden building, this private museum offers an accessible introduction to how traditional remedies were studied, prepared, stored and documented in Vietnam. It is particularly suited to travellers interested in medicinal plants, old pharmacies, traditional craftsmanship and cultural attractions beyond the city’s most familiar landmarks.