Hanoi

Last updated: October 2026. Entrance fees and opening hours can change; we check them for every tour we run.

Why Visit Hanoi as a Muslim Traveler?

Hanoi is the political and cultural capital of Vietnam, founded as Thang Long in 1010. Its tree-lined boulevards, lakes, French colonial buildings and the busy Old Quarter make it one of the most atmospheric cities in Asia. For Muslim visitors, Hanoi is easier than many expect: the historic Al-Noor Mosque stands in the Old Quarter, there is a good choice of halal restaurants in and around the Old Quarter, and Noi Bai International Airport has a prayer room in the international terminal.

Since 1 July 2025 Hanoi no longer has districts; the city is divided into wards and communes, so you may see new names such as “Hoan Kiem ward” (the Old Quarter area) in addresses.

Top Things to Do in Hanoi for Muslim Travelers

1. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square

The resting place of President Ho Chi Minh is free to enter but opens only in the morning, and is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Visitors must cover shoulders and knees and remain silent inside. The nearby Presidential Palace area, Uncle Ho’s stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda are part of the same complex.

2. Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

The green heart of Hanoi. Walking around the lake is free; Ngoc Son Temple on its island costs 50,000 VND. On weekend evenings the streets around the lake become a pedestrian zone.

3. The Old Quarter

A maze of narrow streets once organised by trade guilds. Al-Noor Mosque is on Hang Luoc Street, at the northern edge of the Old Quarter, and several halal restaurants are close by – ideal for combining sightseeing with Dhuhr prayer and a halal lunch.

4. Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam)

Vietnam’s first national university, founded in 1070, with peaceful courtyards and stone stelae of doctoral laureates. Open daily 8:00–17:00; 70,000 VND.

5. Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, at 19C Hoang Dieu Street. Open daily 8:00–17:00; 100,000 VND.

6. Hoa Lo Prison

The former French colonial prison later known as the “Hanoi Hilton”. Open daily 8:00–17:00; 50,000 VND.

7. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

The best museum to understand Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, including the Cham people, to whom most of Vietnam’s Muslims belong. Open 8:30–17:30, closed on Mondays; 40,000 VND.

8. Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

A traditional art form performed on water, about 50 minutes long, at 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street. Tickets 100,000–200,000 VND; several shows every afternoon and evening.

A note on “Train Street”: Hanoi banned tours to the railway café street in 2025 for safety reasons, so we do not include it in our programs.

All of these sights are included in our Hanoi City Muslim Tour 1 Day, with a private guide, halal lunch and time for prayer.

Halal Food in Hanoi

Hanoi has a growing halal scene: Pakistani, Indian, Malaysian, Indonesian and Middle Eastern restaurants, and even halal beef pho. Most are in the Old Quarter and the Tay Ho (West Lake) area. Our guide lists the 15 best halal restaurants in Hanoi, each checked in October 2026, with addresses, opening hours and which ones are halal-certified. On our tours, every lunch and dinner shown in the itinerary is served at a halal restaurant.

Mosque and Prayer Facilities in Hanoi

• Al-Noor Mosque – 12 Hang Luoc Street. Built in the late 19th century, it is the only mosque in Hanoi and northern Vietnam and holds the five daily prayers and Friday (Jumu’ah) prayer. Check the mosque’s own channels for the current Jumu’ah time.
• Noi Bai International Airport – a prayer room in international Terminal 2, level 2 (departures, after security, near Gate 37), with separate areas for men and women.
• On tour – our guides plan each day around prayer times and stop whenever you need to pray. Bring a prayer mat and a qibla app; most hotels can provide the qibla direction on request.

Read our Islam in Vietnam guide for the history of Muslim communities in Vietnam.

How to Get to Hanoi

• By air: Noi Bai International Airport has direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Istanbul (routes and schedules change, so check with your airline). The airport is about 30 km from the Old Quarter, 45–60 minutes by car.
• Visa: citizens of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand can visit for 30 days without a visa, Brunei for 14 days. Most other travellers apply online for an e-visa at evisa.gov.vn (up to 90 days; 25 USD single entry, 50 USD multiple entry).
• From other cities: about 2 hours by air from Ho Chi Minh City and 1 hour 20 minutes from Da Nang.

How Many Days in Hanoi?

Two full days are enough for the main sights of Hanoi. Add one day each for Halong Bay and Ninh Binh, or two to three days for Sapa. Our Hanoi Muslim Travel Package 5 Days covers Hanoi, Halong Bay and Ninh Binh.

Best Time to Visit Hanoi

Hanoi has four seasons. October to December brings dry, sunny days, and March to April is mild and fresh. January can be cool (average around 16°C), while June to August is hot and humid (around 29–30°C on average) with the heaviest rain in July and August.

Day Trips and Tours from Hanoi

• Halong Bay (150–170 km, about 2.5 hours): Hanoi – Halong Bay Muslim Tour 1 Day or an overnight Halong Bay Muslim Cruise 2 Days 1 Night with halal meals on board.
• Ninh Binh (90–95 km, about 1.5–2 hours): Hoa Lu – Trang An Muslim Tour 1 Day or Hoa Lu – Tam Coc Muslim Tour 1 Day.
• Sapa (about 320 km): our Hanoi – Sapa – Halong Muslim Package 6 Days combines Hanoi, Sapa and Halong Bay.
• Multi-day: Hanoi Muslim Travel Package 5 Days, Hanoi Muslim Travel Package 7 Days and the Hanoi – Saigon Muslim Package 7 Days.

Every tour can be changed to fit your dates, pace and budget. Send your plans through our contact form or WhatsApp +84 88 626 1368, and our team in Hanoi will reply with a private itinerary with halal meals throughout.

Plan Your Hanoi Muslim Trip with Local Experts

Every Vietnam Muslim Tours itinerary is private and can be tailored to your dates, pace and budget. We book halal or Muslim-friendly restaurants in advance, plan sightseeing around prayer times and choose hotels close to the places you want to see. Read our guide to halal food in Hanoi, browse the Hanoi tours below, or contact our team for a free, tailored quote.