The Old Quarter is the easiest base for a first visit: you can walk to Hoan Kiem Lake, the night market and street food.
- Old Quarter: lively, lots of small mid-range hotels, noisy on weekend nights.
- Around Hoan Kiem Lake and St Joseph's Cathedral: quieter than the Old Quarter, still walkable to the centre.
- West Lake (Tay Ho): airy, many cafés and Western restaurants, good for longer stays; you need a ride into the centre.
- Ba Dinh: near the Mausoleum and Temple of Literature, quiet, fewer places to eat at night.
Note: the walking streets around Hoan Kiem Lake close to traffic Friday to Sunday evenings, so taxis may not reach your hotel door.