Hanoi

A short history

1. Around the 3rd century BC the Cổ Loa citadel was built here, the first political centre of early Vietnamese civilisation. ²
2. China's Han dynasty ruled the area from 111 BC. In 40 AD the Trưng sisters led a famous uprising against Han rule. ²
3. In 1010 King Lý Thái Tổ moved his capital here and named it Thăng Long. His royal edict on the move praises the site, likening it to a coiled dragon. ^{2 4 5}
4. The Nguyễn dynasty moved the capital to Huế in 1802, and in 1831 the city was renamed Hà Nội. France occupied it in 1873 and took control ten years later. ²
5. On 2 September 1945 Ho Chi Minh declared independence here, and Hanoi became the capital of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. After the 1986 Đổi Mới reforms the city opened to foreign investment. ²

Key dates are checked against a second source where we found one (official portal, UNESCO or a founding institution).

Life there

Climate

Real seasons. January averages a high of about 20 °C (68 °F) with lows near 14 °C (57 °F); June highs average about 35 °C (95 °F). Rainy days peak in August (about 17). ²

Expat community

Expat.com estimates 80,000–100,000 foreign residents, led by South Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, Americans and French (unofficial). ³ Hanoi hosts 78 foreign embassies, including the U.S. Embassy. ²

Healthcare

The U.S. Embassy lists Hanoi French Hospital, Vinmec Times City International Hospital, Raffles Medical Hanoi and Family Medical Practice Hanoi as international options, plus private chains Hồng Ngọc, Tâm Anh and Thu Cúc, and public hospitals Bạch Mai, Việt Đức and Army Hospital 108. ¹¹

The U.S. Embassy notes that care in Vietnam is generally below U.S. standards outside the big international hospitals, and that serious cases may need medical evacuation. ¹¹ More on the healthcare page (coming soon).

Getting around

Two metro lines run: Line 2A opened in November 2021 and Line 3 in August 2024. ² Grab serves Hà Nội. ¹²

Safety

The U.S. Embassy rates crime "HIGH" in Hanoi. OSAC explains that this scale is about threats to U.S. government interests, while the travel advisory for ordinary visitors stays at Level 1. ^{15 14} OSAC calls air pollution a significant problem in major cities. ¹⁴

Across Vietnam

• The U.S. State Department rates Vietnam Level 1, "exercise normal precautions" (advisory issued 24 June 2026; checked Oct 27, 2026 in a browser). It names two risks: petty crime in tourist areas, and landmines and unexploded ordnance, which it says are a low risk in urban and tourist areas. ¹³ OSAC's 2026 report, which we read, gives the same level. ¹⁴
• The crimes foreigners meet most are phone theft, pickpocketing and bag snatching by thieves on motorbikes; petty crime rises around Christmas and Tết. ¹⁴
• Traffic is the biggest danger: OSAC says road accidents are the leading cause of death, serious injury and medical evacuation for foreigners in Vietnam, and helmets are required on motorbikes. ¹⁴
• OSAC says the June–October monsoon brings flood and landslide risk; in 2025 the country had 11 typhoons and tropical depressions between May and October. ¹⁴
• Emergency numbers: 113 police, 114 fire, 115 ambulance. ¹⁵

How residents rate crime here (crowd-sourced, not official)

Numbeo crime index

33.6 / 100 (lower = less crime perceived) ¹⁶

Numbeo safety index

66.4 / 100 (higher = safer) ¹⁶

Things to do and experience