Cheap city break Hanoi
© Wikimedia CommonsHanoi is Vietnamese cosiness in old neighborhoods: pho stalls on street corners, scooters in chaos, egg coffee. Flights from Schiphol from €500 return, 10 days from €950 per person.
Quick answer: Hanoi is reachable from Amsterdam in about 11-13 hours with one stop (from €450 return). Best months: October to December and March-April (cool and dry). 5-day budget including flight: from €600 per person.
When is the best time to go?
October-April (15-25°C). May-September is hot and humid. During Tet (Lunar New Year) everything is closed.
The best neighborhoods in Hanoi
- Hoan Kiem Lake and old town.
- Tay Ho Hipper expat neighborhood.
- French Quarter Colonial and elegant.
- Ba Dinh Political heart.
- Cau Giay Modern and western.
Top 5 things to do in Hanoi
- Hoan Kiem lake Free, morning tai chi shows.
- Temple of Literature Confucian school, €1.
- Ho Chi Minh mausoleum Free, closed October-November.
- Bún chả lunch €2 on the street.
- Hanoi street food tour €20, 4-hour tour.
Flights + transport from the Netherlands
Direct from Schiphol to Hanoi (HAN) in 13 hours. KLM, Vietnam Airlines. Bus 86 to the centre €1.
What costs a trip to Hanoi?
Hostels from €5, hotels €25-65, vacation rentals €40/night. Food: pho €1.50, bún chả €2, restaurant €8-15.
Practical: flights, prices and an insider tip
Since June, Vietnam Airlines flies direct from Schiphol to Hanoi, three times a week on the Airbus A350 and about 11 hours in the air; a return starts around 750 euro. Three must-sees: the Temple of Literature (70,000 VND, around 2.50 euro), Hoa Lo Prison (50,000 VND, around 1.80 euro) and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (25,000 VND, around 1 euro). Insider tip: explore the Old Quarter early in the morning, before the scooter traffic erupts, and try a real egg coffee. A hotel in the Old Quarter costs around 65 euro per night, budget from around 25 euro.
Comparable destinations
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Frequently asked questions about Hanoi
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
October-April (15-25°C).
Which neighborhood is best to stay in Hanoi?
Hoan Kiem is a good first choice: lake and old town.
How do I get from the Netherlands to Hanoi?
Direct from Schiphol to Hanoi (HAN) in 13 hours.
What costs a trip to Hanoi?
Hostels from €5, hotels €25-65, vacation rentals €40/night.
Do Dutch citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Dutch citizens need an e-visa for Vietnam (valid 90 days, cost $25). Apply via the official Vietnamese government website at least 3 working days before departure.