Holiday in Hanoi (Vietnam): tours from Almaty from 684,000 ₸

A holiday in Hanoi is a combination of colonial architecture, street food and lakes in the city centre. The best time to travel is from October to December: dry, cool, comfortable for long walks. There are no direct flights from Almaty, the journey takes from 12 hours with a connection. The time difference is plus two hours, acclimatisation passes unnoticed. Three or four days are enough to get to know the city.

Preparing for a trip to the capital of Vietnam

A trip to Hanoi begins long before boarding the plane. Let's look at what is important for a tourist from Kazakhstan to know: how to get from Almaty, where to exchange money and what to pay attention to in the first days.

Arranging permission to travel

Permission to enter is arranged in advance online or already on arrival, but check the exact conditions and fees before buying tickets: the rules change. For tours to Hanoi, the standard tourist option for 30 days is suitable. Processing takes several working days, and on arrival a photograph may be required. Keep printouts of confirmations at hand. Without correctly arranged papers, a trip to Vietnam may fall through already at the departure airport. Check the validity period of the document in advance.

Routes with a connection from Almaty

There are no direct flights from Almaty to the capital. The journey usually goes through Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Dubai. A connection adds from several hours to a day to the journey. It is more convenient to choose night flights in order to spend time on the road asleep. With a long layover, hotels in the transit zone help you rest. The time difference with Almaty is plus two hours, so acclimatisation passes almost unnoticed. A trip to Hanoi begins without tiring adaptation.

Currency exchange and payment on the spot

The local currency is the dong. It is more profitable to exchange money in jewellery shops and city exchangers, and not at the airport. The rate in the centre is usually nicer. Cards are accepted far from everywhere: in small cafes, at markets and in taxis, payment is more often in cash. ATMs are found often, but the commission depends on the bank. It is better to withdraw a large sum in one go. It is more convenient to plan tours to Hanoi with a reserve of cash for the first days. Taxis and street vendors rarely give change from a large note, so keep small money.

When is it better to plan a trip to the capital of Vietnam?

Seasonality determines how comfortable the holiday will be. The city's climate is divided into a mild dry period and humid months.

Mild climate and dry season

It is most comfortable to come from October to December. In these months the air is cool and dry, and the sky is more often clear. During the day the temperature stays within pleasant limits, in the evening a light jacket is needed. For walks around the city this is the best time. A trip to Hanoi in such weather is conducive to long walking routes. Hotels in high season are booked up quickly, so book in advance. Excursions to Halong Bay are also held in this window.

Periods of rains and high humidity

From May to August the city is hot and humid. The rains are short but intense, often in the second half of the day. The Vietnamese capital at this time resembles a steam room. But the prices for accommodation are lower, and there are fewer tourists. Take an umbrella and light clothes made of quick-drying fabrics. Plan walks for the morning, before the heat sets in. Tours to Hanoi in this period will suit those who tolerate stuffiness calmly.

Holiday dates and hotel occupancy

The main holiday of the country is Tet, the local New Year. The dates float according to the lunar calendar, usually late January or February. On these days the city is transformed, but some shops close. Hotels and tickets are booked up months in advance. A trip here during the holidays requires early booking. If you want to catch the atmosphere, plan everything in advance.

Where to stay for a first acquaintance with the city

The choice of district determines how much time you will spend on the road. For a first trip it is most convenient to stay in the centre.

The Old Quarter and the surroundings of the lake

The Old Quarter with lakes and the streets of former craft quarters is the most convenient place for a first trip. Everything is within walking distance: cafes, markets, temples. Acquaintance with the city here begins right from the threshold of the hotel. You can meet the morning by the water, and in the evening return to the lively alleys. Noisy, but atmospheric. Choose alleys further from the bars if you want silence.

Boutique hotels and guesthouses in the centre

Accommodation in the centre varies from guesthouses to boutique hotels. Small hotels often occupy narrow multi-storey houses. Breakfast is usually included, and the staff speak English. Hanoi Vietnam offers options for any budget. A guesthouse will suit a budget tourist, a boutique — those who value design and service. Read reviews about noise and the air conditioner.

Booking accommodation in high season

In high season it is worth booking in advance. The best options in the centre are taken weeks in advance. A trip to Hanoi during the holidays without a booking risks being left without convenient accommodation. Compare the location: proximity to the lake saves time on the road. Check the cancellation conditions before paying. Tours to Hanoi with a hotel included save you from these troubles.

What to try and how to get around the streets?

Gastronomy and transport are two sides of city life that a tourist feels immediately.

Street food and Vietnamese cuisine

Street food is a separate attraction. Try pho, banh mi, bun cha and fried spring rolls. Coffee with egg or condensed milk deserves a separate mention. Vietnamese cuisine in Hanoi is milder and less spicy than in the southern regions, getting used to it is easy. Eat where there are many locals: this is a sign of freshness. A trip without street food will be incomplete. Try a little at different places.

Transport: Grab, taxis and motorbike rental

Getting around the city is most convenient by Grab or local taxis. It is better to agree on the taxi price before the trip. Renting a motorbike is popular, but requires an international driving permit and caution in dense traffic. The Vietnamese capital lives on two wheels, and it is not easy for a beginner here. For short distances, a walk is suitable. A trip here is calmer if you do not get behind the wheel without experience.

Safety and medical insurance

For the trip, it is worth taking out medical insurance covering active recreation and excursions. The streets are safe, but petty theft in crowds does happen. Keep your phone and wallet in an inner pocket. Vietnamese food and water require caution: drink bottled. The trip will not be spoiled if you take care of coverage in advance. Save the insurance company's number in your phone.

Main impressions and trips out of town

The main attractions are concentrated in the center, and outside the city natural routes begin.

Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and Temple of Literature

Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, Temple of Literature are the essential minimum for a first visit. A walk around the lake takes about an hour. Ngoc Son Temple stands on an island, a red bridge leads to it. The Temple of Literature is the oldest university in the country. Leisure here is measured and contemplative. Come in the morning while there are fewer tourists.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and water puppet theater

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a monumental structure on Ba Dinh Square. Viewing is possible at certain hours, clothing must be closed. The water puppet theater is a traditional entertainment, it is better to buy tickets in advance. The Vietnamese troupe controls the puppets directly from the water. A trip without this spectacle loses its flavor. The evening performance is convenient to combine with dinner in the center.

Day tours to Halong Bay and Ninh Binh

Day trips to Halong Bay or Ninh Binh can realistically fit into a short tour. The road takes several hours one way. The bay impresses with limestone cliffs and water. Ninh Binh offers boat rides among rice fields and mountains. Tours to Hanoi often include such a trip. Take comfortable shoes and a hat.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — Immigration Department of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/. The information on this page was verified on 14.09.2026.

In short

• Plan your trip from October to December: dry, cool and clear.
• From Almaty there are only connecting flights, the journey takes from 12 hours.
• Exchange money in the city's jewelry shops, the rate there is more favorable.
• Keep small bills: cards and change are not available everywhere.
• Stay in the Old Quarter — the main places are within walking distance.