Hanoi in autumn: The ultimate guide to a perfect trip

Contents

1. When is autumn in Hanoi and what’s the weather like?

Hanoi in autumn, perhaps the most captivating time of the year in the city, begins in September and lasts through November. Hanoi weather in September marks the start of this beautiful season, with temperatures dropping to around 20°C, clear skies, and gentle breezes. 

Drawn by the beauty of the season, many tourists visit Hanoi in autumn to soak in its charm. As the days pass, soft drizzles quiet the city’s usual rhythm. At dusk, golden rays flare briefly before slipping behind the rooftops, leaving behind a tender sense of calm.

Hanoi in autumn never fails to captivate hearts (Source: Collected)

Check out: Hanoi weather by month: A guide that every traveler needs to know

2. What to do in Hanoi in autumn?

2.1. Enjoy the romantic beauty of Hanoi in autumn

Autumn in Hanoi, Vietnam brings out the city’s enchanting allure. The sunlight remains radiant but loses its summer harshness, softly filtering through canopies and illuminating streets. The streets, blanketed in fallen leaves and infused with the sweet scent of milkwood flowers, offer a romantic allure. It’s an ideal time to wander past historic landmarks and indulge in seasonal delights.

2.2. Visit famous landmarks

With pleasant weather and peaceful scenery, Hanoi in autumn is perfect for sightseeing. Wandering through its landmarks during this season turns every moment into a memorable experience.

• Hoan Kiem Lake enchants visitors with yellow leaves, misty willows, and vibrant red barringtonia blossoms.
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum impresses with its solemn architecture and green surroundings.
• Ba Dinh Square invites tourists to witness the solemn flag-raising ceremony. 
• Phan Dinh Phung Street, shaded by ancient trees, is a favorite photo spot in autumn.
• The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long offers a majestic glimpse into the glory of feudal dynasties.
• Hanoi Old Quarter invites a leisurely stroll past charming old houses, historic temples, and cozy cafés.
• St. Joseph’s Cathedral, with its timeless charm, is another favorite photo spot that captures the poetic charm of Hanoi in autumn.

Hanoi in autumn is perfect for sightseeing (Source: Collected)

2.3. Try seasonal dishes

Autumn is a perfect time to savor Hanoi cuisine. Beyond its romantic scenery, the season offers many local specialties that capture the heart of every food lover.

• Green sticky rice combines the sweet tenderness of young rice with the subtle fragrance of lotus leaves.
• Sau (dracontomelons) is prized for its sweet-tangy flavor. It’s often enjoyed as preserves, juice, or pickled snacks.
• Cha ruoi (sand worm fritters) is crispy and fragrant when freshly fried, best enjoyed with herbs and sweet-sour sauce.
• Hong ngam (soaked persimmons) is known for its firm, seedless texture, yellow-green skin, and sweet taste.
• Egg coffee, a comforting blend of egg and coffee, is a rich, creamy drink best enjoyed in Hanoi in autumn.
• Oc nong (hot steamed snails) is perfect for chilly days, often enjoyed with flavorful sauces and aromatic herbs.

Hanoi in autumn brings many delicious local specialties (Source: Collected)

2.4. Participate in Mid-Autumn festivals

Autumn is a perfect time to experience vibrant festivals in Hanoi, especially the beloved Mid-Autumn Festival. On the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the city bursts with color and energy, celebrating this Hanoi autumn festival of reunion with joy and excitement. Tourists can enjoy mooncakes, watch lion dances, participate in lantern-making workshops, play folk games, and watch cultural performances. In particular, Hang Ma Street will be immersed in a festive atmosphere, surrounded by lanterns, toys, and delicious snacks.

2.5. Experience outdoor activities

In contrast to the sweltering summer, the autumn season in Hanoi brings pleasant weather, perfect for outdoor exploration. A leisurely bike ride around the West Lake at dusk offers an unforgettable experience as the sun sets. In the Old Quarter, a cyclo ride reveals the charm of narrow streets and moss-covered houses, where the rhythm of daily life flows unhurried. On foot, visitors can wander down quiet alleys, sip coffee at sidewalk cafés, and browse through souvenir shops in Hanoi. This is also a perfect time to capture beautiful photos around the city, with fallen leaves drifting through timeworn streets and flower vendors brightening every corner.

A cyclo ride around Hoan Kiem Lake offers a charming glimpse of Hanoi in autumn (Source: Collected)

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3. Top Hanoi autumn tours

3.1. Sensory Hanoi autumn tour

• Transportation: Walking

• Duration: Half a day

• Tour price: From 500,000 VND

Tourists will start at Thien Quang Lake, stroll along Nguyen Du Street to enjoy the scent of milkwood flowers, then head to St. Joseph’s Cathedral to take photos and enjoy lemon tea. Next, they will visit Hoan Kiem Lake for Trang Tien ice cream, walk along Dinh Tien Hoang Street, and take photos at Ly Thai To Park. Visitors will continue with a walk through the Old Quarter streets of Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, and Ma May, enjoy egg coffee and green sticky rice, and conclude the tour at Dong Xuan Market for shopping and lunch.

3.2. Hanoi food tour

• Transportation: Motorbike, walking

• Duration: Half a day

• Tour price: From 700,000 VND

This Hanoi street food tour takes place in the Old Quarter, starting from Hoan Kiem Lake. Along the way, tourists can sample a variety of local specialties of Hanoi in autumn, including pho, bun cha, La Vong grilled fish, shrimp cakes, snail noodles, and egg coffee. The tour also features popular snacks like pillow cakes, fried sweet potatoes, fried bananas, spring rolls, banh mi, steamed buns, sweet soup, fruit salad, and iced tea. Tourists can even join cooking classes to learn how to prepare dishes such as fried spring rolls, fresh rolls, and egg coffee.

Hanoi in autumn is perfect for a food tour (Source: Collected)

3.3. Hanoi city tour

• Transportation: Elevated train, bus, walking

• Duration: Half a day

• Tour price: From 500,000 VND

This tour highlights the use of public transportation, so tourists can experience the local culture in Hanoi in autumn at a relaxed pace. Start with a scenic ride on an elevated train, which takes tourists from Nhon to Cau Giay. Then, tourists will take a bus to the lively Dong Xuan Market, a perfect starting point for exploring Hanoi Old Quarter. As one of the city’s oldest and busiest traditional markets, Dong Xuan Market is where you can shop for clothes, shoes, household appliances, and local specialties.

3.4. Craft village tours

• Transportation: Car or motorbike

• Duration: One day

• Tour price: From 800,000 VND

This tour begins at Hanoi Opera House and will take you to Ha Thai Village, which is renowned for lacquerware. Here, tourists can witness the local artisans at work. Chuong Village is the next stop, famous for its age-old tradition of making conical hats. Here, you can even make your own hat as a memorable souvenir. After lunch, the journey continues to Quang Phu Cau, a lively incense-making village. The vibrant scene of colorful incense bundles drying under the sun makes it an ideal spot for photography.

Take photos at Quang Phu Cau Incense Village in Hanoi in autumn (Source: Collected)

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Hanoi in autumn is truly enchanting with its poetic landscapes and delicious delicacies. This season brings out the city’s charm, making it a perfect time to explore the picturesque streets. If the romantic allure of Hanoi in autumn has ever captured your heart, now is the ideal moment to rediscover the magic of the capital and fall in love with it all over again.

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