5★Flight
≈ 2 h 30 m
CCU → HAN, non-stops limited; check schedules
Airport
HAN
Noi Bai International Airport
Best time
October to December and March to April
check the season before booking
Stay
3 to 4 nights
+2 for Ha Long Bay
Country
Vietnam
check entry rules
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) serves Hanoi, and non-stop flights from Kolkata take about 2 h 30 m where they run, though non-stops are limited or seasonal, so check schedules before booking. Most travellers stay three or four nights, using the Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem as a base. October to December and March to April are the most comfortable months.
Getting from Kolkata to Hanoi
By air
Flights leave from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) near Dum Dum, about 17 km north-east of central Kolkata. Allow 45 to 75 minutes by road to Park Street depending on traffic, or use Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro station on the Yellow Line. Non-stop services to Hanoi are limited or seasonal, so many itineraries connect through Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur; confirm terminals and timings with the airline.
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) sits well north of the city, and the drive into the centre takes time, so allow for traffic. Metered taxis and ride-hailing apps are the usual ways in, and airport buses run towards the centre. Change a small amount of cash on arrival and check the current transfer options at the airport information desk.
Other options
There is no direct train or bus between Kolkata and Hanoi. Overland routes run through Myanmar or north-eastern India and involve long journeys and border permits that change, so flying is the practical choice. Check current visa and border rules with the official portals before planning.
Where to stay in Hanoi
Old Quarter
The busiest base for first visits: narrow streets, street food, markets and most guesthouses within walking distance of the lake.
Hoan Kiem
Central and slightly calmer, around the lake and the old commercial streets; good for travellers who want to walk to major sights.
West Lake (Tay Ho)
Quieter, expat-leaning area with open water, cafés and more space; suits longer stays and travellers who prefer calm to crowds.
Ba Dinh
Broad colonial-era boulevards, museums and government buildings; suited to travellers who want order, wide pavements and a slower pace.
Top things to do in Hanoi
- Hoan Kiem Lake walk: A small lake in the centre of the city, ringed by a path that is busiest at dawn and dusk. Ngoc Son temple sits on an island reached by a red bridge.
- Old Quarter streets: The old guild quarter is now a dense grid of shops, food stalls and traffic. Walk early in the morning before the motorbikes build up.
- Temple of Literature: A Confucian temple and Vietnam's first university, with courtyards, stone stelae and quiet gardens. Allow an hour or more.
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: The embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh lies in a granite mausoleum on Ba Dinh square. Opening days and hours change, so check official notices.
- Water puppets: A traditional performance with puppets worked in a pool of water, with live music. Shows run in the Old Quarter; book ahead.
- Dong Xuan Market: The largest covered market in the city, on the edge of the Old Quarter, with food stalls, household goods and fabric.
- Long Bien Bridge: A cantilever bridge over the Red River, damaged in the war and still carrying trains, bikes and pedestrians. Best at sunrise.
- Vietnamese coffee: Egg coffee, strong drip coffee with condensed milk, and pavement cafés on almost every corner of the centre.
Three days in Hanoi
- Day 1: Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem: Start at Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn, cross the red bridge to Ngoc Son temple, then wander the guild streets of the Old Quarter. End with a water puppet show and dinner near Dong Xuan Market.
- Day 2: Ba Dinh and museums: Walk the wide boulevards of Ba Dinh, see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, then take coffee in the French Quarter. Opening days at the mausoleum change, so check official notices.
- Day 3: West Lake and the Red River: Ride out to West Lake for temples, cafés and open water, then cross Long Bien Bridge in the late afternoon light. Add a day trip to Ha Long Bay or Cat Ba if you have another day.
Extend with a night on Ha Long Bay or Cat Ba, or take a train south to Hue and Hoi An. Check timetables with Vietnam Railways before booking.
Best time to visit Hanoi
October to December is the most comfortable window, with cooler, drier days after the monsoon. March to April is the second good spell, warm and generally dry before the summer heat. May to September brings high humidity and heavy rain, and Hanoi winters can be cool and damp. Check forecasts before travel and allow for haze and poor air on still winter days.
Getting around Hanoi
- Walking: The Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem are compact and best on foot, though pavements are often used for parking and cooking.
- Ride-hailing apps: Cars and motorbike taxis booked through apps are the easiest way across districts; metered taxis need the meter switched on.
- Airport transfer: Airport buses and taxis run between Noi Bai and the centre; confirm current options at the airport on arrival.
Hanoi vs Kolkata: what feels different
Hanoi is cooler in winter and less humid than Kolkata in the same months, with a distinct cold season from December. The food is lighter and less sweet: noodle soups, grilled pork with rice noodles, and coffee rather than tea. Traffic is dominated by motorbikes rather than yellow taxis, and the city feels quieter in its old streets. Vietnamese is the everyday language; English is common in hotels and cafés but less so in markets.
Before you go
- Documents: Indian passport holders can usually apply for a Vietnam e-visa; check the official Vietnam immigration portal well before travel and carry a printed copy.
- Money: The Vietnamese dong is the local currency. Cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants, but carry cash for markets, street food and taxis.
- Language: Vietnamese is the everyday language. English is common in hotels and visitor areas; a translation app helps in markets and at bus stations.
- Health: Check current vaccination advice with a doctor before travel and drink bottled water. Pharmacies are easy to find in the centre.
Hotels in Hanoi
Hotels from the IMPT hotel database in Hanoi’s main areas, listed by star rating (5-star first, then 4-star) and guest score. No prices are shown here: each button opens live availability for your dates in the IMPT app, and every booking removes one tonne of CO₂.
5★
5★InterContinental Hanoi Westlake by IHG
West Lake (Tay Ho), Hanoi · 5-starGuest score 4.7/5 · 5956 reviewsSee live price
5★
5★Fte Ba Dinh Hotel
≈ 3 km from West Lake (Tay Ho), Hanoi · 5-starGuest score 4.6/5 · 570 reviewsSee live price
5★Grand K Hotel Suites Hanoi
≈ 5 km from Ba Dinh, Hanoi · 5-starGuest score 4.3/5 · 333 reviewsSee live price
4★LUMI Hotel & Apartment
≈ 2 km from Ba Dinh, Hanoi · 4-starGuest score 4.7/5 · 73 reviewsSee live price
4★Garco Dragon Hotel 2
≈ 7 km from Hoan Kiem, Hanoi · 4-starGuest score 4.2/5 · 167 reviewsSee live price
3★Garco Dragon Hotel
≈ 7 km from Hoan Kiem, Hanoi · 3-starGuest score 4.2/5 · 167 reviewsSee live price
3★FAQ
Are there direct flights from Kolkata to Hanoi?
Non-stop flights from Kolkata to Hanoi run only sometimes: services are limited or seasonal and schedules change from one season to the next. The flight takes about 2 h 30 m where a non-stop operates. Many travellers connect through Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Check current dates with the airline before planning.
Do Indian passport holders need a visa for Vietnam?
Indian passport holders can usually apply for a Vietnam e-visa before travel, which is issued online. Rules, permitted entry points and validity periods change, so read the official Vietnam immigration portal before booking anything. Carry a printed copy of the approval with your passport, and check the rules again close to departure.
What is the best time to visit Hanoi from Kolkata?
October to December is the most comfortable window, with drier, cooler days after the monsoon. March to April is the second good spell, warm and generally dry before the summer heat. May to September is hot, humid and wet. Hanoi winters can be cool and damp, so pack a layer. Check forecasts before travel.
How long should you spend in Hanoi?
Three or four nights covers the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ba Dinh and West Lake at an easy pace, with time for coffee and street food. Add a night or two for a Ha Long Bay or Cat Ba trip, or more if you plan to continue south to Hue and Hoi An by train.
Where should you stay in Hanoi on a first visit?
The Old Quarter suits first visits: narrow streets, markets, street food and most budget and mid-range places within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake. Hoan Kiem is central and a little calmer. West Lake (Tay Ho) is quieter and roomier, while Ba Dinh has wide boulevards and museums.
How do you get from Noi Bai airport into Hanoi?
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) lies well north of the centre. Metered taxis and ride-hailing apps are the usual ways in, and airport buses run towards the city. Allow time for traffic, especially in the evening. Change a little cash on arrival and confirm current options at the information desk.
What food should you try in Hanoi?
Pho, bun cha, banh mi, grilled seafood and strong coffee with condensed milk are the staples. Egg coffee is a Hanoi speciality. Eat where the locals queue, at stalls and small restaurants in the Old Quarter and around Dong Xuan Market. Vegetarian options exist but are less common; ask clearly.
Is Hanoi walkable for travellers from Kolkata?
The Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem are compact and flat, and most central sights are within walking distance. Pavements are often used for parking, cooking and shop displays, so you walk in the road at times. Cross steadily and slowly at a constant pace; motorbikes generally flow around pedestrians. Ride-hailing apps help for longer hops.
What should you pack for Hanoi in winter?
December and January in Hanoi are cool and can be damp, with drizzle and occasional haze, so bring a light jacket, a jumper and a rain layer. Summer months need light cotton, sun protection and an umbrella for downpours. Comfortable shoes matter for walking in the Old Quarter.
More from Kolkata
Sources: airline schedules, official tourism and immigration authorities. Times are approximate; check before you travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.