Where to stay

Narrow guild streets, street food and small boutique hotels, all walkable to Hoan Kiem Lake. Lively and noisy; ask for a room away from the street.

Hotels around the lake put you between the Old Quarter and the French Quarter, with an easy morning walk on the shore.

Quieter, tree-lined streets south of the lake with the city’s grand hotels, the Opera House and embassies.

Lakeside cafés, serviced apartments and several halal restaurants along Xuan Dieu street. Calm, but about 20 minutes by car from the Old Quarter.

A small lake neighbourhood by West Lake with local cafés and good-value hotels, close to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

The government and embassy district, with broad avenues and business hotels near the Citadel and the Temple of Literature.