The Best Time of Year To Visit Hanoi, Vietnam

If you are wondering about the most suitable time to visit Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, the answer will be autumn. It lasts from the end of August to the end of October. It is considered that Hanoi is in the most romantic stage.

1. Autumn is the best time to visit Hanoi

Hanoi has four seasons: Spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The weather in spring is warm, humid, and there is frequent drizzle. It is the hottest period, with an average temperature of 31 to 35 degrees Celsius. In contrast, it is comparatively cold and usually drizzly in winter. Sometimes, the temperature can be below 9 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, autumn is the most pleasant season in Hanoi. The temperature ranges from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. It also has frequent brisk wind, light sunshine, and occasional rain.

Visiting Hanoi during this period, you can easily see plentiful rows of trees in the typical yellow color of autumn leaves. In particular, you should also visit the poetic Phan Dinh Phung street covered with fallen dracontomelon leaves, attracting many locals and tourists to take pictures.

There is a fascinating fact that booking flights from Singapore to Vietnam at this time is very beneficial. Compared to holidays such as the Lunar New Year and Christmas, the Singapore to Vietnam flight price in autumn is much more reasonable.

2. 3 Must-try Signature Hanoi Dishes in Autumn

Cốm (Green Sticky Rice)

One of Hanoi’s most famous specialties is Cốm, which is young rice seeds roasted in a cast iron pan, pounded until soft and then wrapped in lotus leaves.

Cốm is available everywhere, but the best one is the autumn green sticky rice of the renowned Vong village in Hanoi. Legend has it that a hundred years ago in the autumn because there was heavy rain on the near-ripe rice fields of Vong village, the villagers cut the young rice grains to roast and eat gradually. They found the unique taste of young rice when roasted, so making green sticky rice in autumn has been a tradition of Vong village ever since.

Cốm has a fresh, nutty taste, imbued with the fragrance of lotus leaves. There are plentiful ways to enjoy fresh green sticky rice, you can eat it little by little to feel its original taste. Eating green sticky rice with banana or with lotus tea is also two great combinations to enjoy their harmonious aroma and sweetness.

In addition, Hanoi people process green sticky rice into many other diverse dishes such as green sticky rice cake, sticky rice with Cốm, green sticky rice sweet soup and green sticky rice patties.

Fresh green sticky rice

Cà phê trứng (Vietnamese Egg Coffee)Egg Coffee is a unique drink that originated in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The way to make Egg Coffee is not too fussy. The barista will beat the egg yolks together with condensed milk until the mixture is frothy, and then slowly pour the hot coffee into the egg mixture. When drinking it, you will feel the combination of the rich taste of coffee, the distinct aroma of egg yolk and the sweetness of condensed milk.

You can visit many places selling authentic Egg Coffee in Hanoi such as Giang Cafe, Dinh Cafe, Neo Cafe, etc.

Chả rươi (Sandworm omelette)

The main ingredient of this dish is sandworm, a marine species living in the contiguous area of brackish water and coastal freshwater. This dish has high nutritional value and is a specialty appearing only once a year.

Hanoi sandworm omelet has the nutty taste of sandworm, eggs, and ground meat, blended with the freshness of kumquat and chili’s spicy flavor. Hanoians often eat Chả rươi with vermicelli or hot rice with basil and coriander.

You can find this tasty dish in many Hanoi restaurants, for instance, 244 Lo Duc Street, 1 Hang Chieu Street, or 100 Gia Ngu Street, Hoan Kiem District.

We have introduced three of Hanoi’s signature dishes in autumn. Additionally, there are various other delicious dishes, such as Dong Du guava, Xuan Dinh sapodilla, shrimp in batter at West Lake, etc.

Hanoi sandworm omelet

3. 2 Best Ways to Explore Hanoi in Autumn

Cyclo tour

If you want to explore Hanoi slowly and carefully, try the cyclo-riding experience around the Old Quarter.

The driver will take you around 36 streets in Hanoi Old Quarter, the name of each street is named after the main commodity traded in the ancient Thang Long citadel. For example, Hang Bong Street specializes in selling quilts and cotton blankets, and Hang Bac Street specializes in processing and trading gold and silver jewelry.

The Old Quarter is also the place where you can enjoy the most authentic Hanoi signature dishes.

Motorcycle tour

Going around Hanoi by motorbike is also a great option. The amiable young tour guides will give you a ride to numerous fantastic cultural and entertainment places. They will help you discover new and exciting cultural features of Hanoi and people.

If you don’t have a chance to visit Hanoi in autumn, traveling to this city in the remaining 3 seasons is also a great option. Spring has the beauty of sprouting buds and blooms, summer has showers and fragrant lotus flowers, and winter is beautiful with many grand festival events. However, autumn still has the most ideal climate for a tour not only in Hanoi but also in many parts of the world.

Book flights from Hanoi to Singapore at an affordable price with Vietnam Airlines to explore more Southeast Asian countries!