Avoiding a Noisy Room in Hanoi Old Quarter
A few questions before booking can decide whether you sleep or lie awake.
To avoid a noisy room in the Old Quarter, ask for an inner room at the back, on a middle or upper floor, with double glazing. Then put those requests in writing before you book. The room decides your night more than the district does.
What makes a room noisy?
Four things add up.
- The street: motorbikes, vendors and bars start early and finish late.
- The side of the building: a street-facing window lets in far more than a courtyard or light-well window.
- The floor: low rooms hear the street at its loudest, while upper rooms hear it as a hum.
- The room fittings: thin glass, a rattling air-conditioner and a thin wall between rooms add their own noise.
How do street-facing and inner rooms compare?
| Question | Street-facing room | Inner or back room |
|---|---|---|
| Night noise | Highest | Lowest |
| View | Street life | A wall or courtyard |
| Natural light | Better | Dimmer |
| Best for | Heavy sleepers | Light sleepers, couples |
A street view is nice for an hour. A quiet back room is nice for eight.
Which floor should you choose?
A middle or upper floor puts you above the loudest part of the street. Narrow buildings may have no lift, so ask first. If anyone in your group struggles with stairs, a lower inner room is a better trade than a high noisy one. Our guide to stairs and walking questions explains what to ask.
What should you ask before booking?
Send three short questions in one message:
- Which direction does the room face?
- Is the glass double-glazed, and is there an air-conditioner that runs quietly?
- Is there a bar or night market on this street, and can you give me a room at the back?
Ask for the answer in writing and keep it. If the reply is vague, it is a sign to look at another hotel.
Is the area the real problem?
Some streets are quieter than others, and the nearby lanes change from block to block. If you cannot sleep through noise at all, consider another area. The French Quarter and West Lake are calmer, as set out in Where to stay in Hanoi.
What can you do on the night?
- Keep earplugs in your bag. They cost little and help.
- Close the curtains and run the air-conditioner on a quiet setting.
- Tell the desk politely if the room is not as described, and ask to move.
For the wider picture, read Hanoi Old Quarter: is it the right place to stay and the Hanoi city guide. More advice is in Hotels and places to stay.
Send us the hotel you are looking at and the dates, and we will tell you which questions to ask about the room before you pay.
Common questions
Is it possible to sleep well in the Old Quarter?
Yes, if you choose the room well. The same hotel can have a loud street-side room and a quiet inner one. Ask for a room away from the street and from the stairwell, avoid the lowest floors, and bring earplugs as a backup. Noise is the room's problem more than the area's.
Is a high floor always quieter?
Usually quieter from the street, but check the lift. Many Old Quarter buildings are narrow with steep stairs, and some have no lift. A high room with no lift is a poor deal for grandparents or heavy luggage. Ask how many flights there are and whether a lift runs.
What questions should I ask the hotel about night noise?
Ask which direction the room faces, whether the window is double-glazed, and whether there is a bar or night market on that street. Ask for a room at the back, and ask the hotel to note it on your booking. A clear reply in writing is better than a promise at the desk.
What if the room is still too noisy when we arrive?
Tell the front desk the same evening, politely, and ask for another room. Hotels can swap rooms if one is free. If the hotel is full, ask to move the next day. Keep your booking message handy so you can show what you asked for.
Keep planning
Send us the hotel you are looking at and the dates, and we will tell you which questions to ask about the room before you pay.