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We Travel With Loveletters to the places we love
Letter No. 28Written in July 2026

Hanoi, Vietnam

Dear Hanoi on a Rainy Morning

Reading time
3 minutes
Hanoi street rain umbrella
Photo: Bohdan Phúc Đan, CC BY-SA 4.0

Dear Hanoi, on a rainy morning,

When it rains, you do not stop. Riders pull on ponchos in bright colours, stalls move under awnings, and steam rises from pots of broth.

Your summer rainy season brings sudden heavy downpours, often followed by sunshine.

This letter is about wet weather, warm bowls and getting around.

West Lake Hanoi
West Lake Hanoi. Photo: Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

What we love

  • ♥Rain under an awning

    A bowl of bún chả or pho under a shop awning while the rain hammers down is one of the city's pleasures.

  • ♥West Lake

    The largest lake in the city, calm and grey in the rain, ringed by pagodas and cafés.

  • ♥Coffee shops

    Egg coffee, a creamy Hanoi speciality, is a good companion on wet days.

What we'd tell a friend

What to bring
A lightweight poncho, quick-dry shoes or sandals, and a waterproof bag for electronics.
Flooding
Some streets flood briefly in heavy rain. Avoid wading through deep water.
Getting around
Ride-hailing cars are easier than motorbikes in heavy rain.

This is general guidance. Prices, timetables, opening hours and entry rules change, so please check the official sources below before you travel.

Handle with care

When sheltering under a shop awning, buy something if you can, and do not block the entrance.

Before you go

Open West Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam in Google Maps ↗

Hanoi, the rain did not stop you, so it did not stop us. Pass the chilli.

With love,

The WTWL Team

Written July 2026

Spotted something out of date? Send us a correction.

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