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: 9 Attractions for Muslim Visitors

The nine places in our Popular Attractions for Muslim Travelers carousel on this page are the sights most of our guests ask for. Each one has its own guide on this site with 2026 ticket prices, opening hours, dress code, the nearest halal restaurant and how far it is from the mosque. Most of them lie within 3 km of Hoan Kiem Lake, so two or three fit comfortably into one day with a halal lunch in between.

Hanoi attractions at a glance (2026)

Ticket prices and hours were checked in October 2026 and can change; each guide shows the latest details.

1. Al-Noor Mosque

Opened in 1890 on Hang Luoc Street by Muslim traders from British India, Al-Noor is the only mosque in Hanoi and northern Vietnam. Visitors are welcome in modest dress, there is a separate area for women, and halal restaurants line the lane outside the gate. Read our Al-Noor Mosque guide.

2. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The granite mausoleum on Ba Dinh Square opens on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings only, with free entry. In 2026 it is closed for maintenance from 4 September to 2 November, while the Presidential Palace grounds and the One Pillar Pagoda stay open. Read our Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum guide.

3. Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

A 1.7 km lakeside loop at the heart of the city, with The Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple. From Friday evening to Sunday midnight the streets around the lake become a car-free walking zone, popular with families. Read our Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple guide.

4. Hanoi Old Quarter

A grid of narrow streets once organised by trade, with tube houses, temples and street food. For Muslim visitors it is the most practical base in Hanoi, because the mosque and most halal restaurants are a short walk apart. Read our Hanoi Old Quarter guide.

5. Temple of Literature

Founded in 1070 and home to Vietnam’s first national university, the Temple of Literature is a series of walled courtyards, ponds and stone stelae. It is a heritage garden and museum; entering the shrines is optional. Read our Temple of Literature guide.

6. Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

A UNESCO World Heritage Site where Vietnamese dynasties ruled for centuries. The ticket covers Doan Mon gate, the Kinh Thien platform, the D67 command bunker and the excavations at 18 Hoang Dieu. Read our Imperial Citadel of Thang Long guide.

7. Hoa Lo Prison

Built by the French in 1896 and later known to American pilots as the “Hanoi Hilton”, the remaining wing tells both stories through cells and exhibits. Some displays are graphic, so parents may want to guide younger children. Read our Hoa Lo Prison guide.

8. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

The best museum in Hanoi for understanding Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, including the Cham, whose community includes Vietnam’s Muslims. The outdoor garden has full-size traditional houses, among them a Cham house. Read our Vietnam Museum of Ethnology guide.

9. Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

A 50-minute show of wooden puppets performing on water, a northern Vietnamese art form, beside Hoan Kiem Lake. Performances are accompanied by live traditional music and singing, so families who avoid music may prefer to skip it. Read our Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre guide.

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, meals are certified halal wherever a halal restaurant is available; where there is none, we agree alternatives with you in advance, such as vegetarian dishes, seafood without meat or halal-friendly food.

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. 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 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.