Fly from London Gatwick to Hanoi with Air China from approximately £360–£369 return. The lowest fares were found with Mytrip through Skyscanner UK. A 23 kg checked bag is included, with one protected connection in Shanghai each way.
One stop each way via Shanghai
Honest Dino Score: 8.2/10
Each date button opens a prepared Skyscanner UK search. The lowest fare is normally displayed with Mytrip from approximately £360–£369 return. Compare the final total, baggage allowance and fare restrictions before paying.
- Air China flights throughout the itinerary
- One protected connection each way
- 23 kg checked baggage included
- Cabin baggage shown in the search
- Meals shown on all flight sectors
- Third-party booking rather than airline-direct purchase
The headline price is excellent, but confirm the same itinerary, payment total, baggage, change conditions and transit information on the final page.
- Gotogate shown from approximately £374
- Trip.com shown from approximately £379
- Trip.com carried a higher displayed seller rating
- Compare support and fare-change conditions
- Check that baggage remains included
- Choose the seller that best matches your priorities
Paying slightly more may be reasonable for travellers who prefer a different provider, but the lowest Mytrip price remains the strongest headline value.
The connection length is reasonable, but the transfer takes place early in the morning after an overnight long-haul flight. Arrival in Hanoi at 11:00 is convenient.
The evening departure preserves most of the final day in Hanoi, but the connection stretches across midnight and the London arrival is very early.
£360–£369 return with a 23 kg checked bag is excellent value for travel from London to Hanoi, particularly when the itinerary is booked as one protected ticket.
The outbound reaches Shanghai at 05:45 after an overnight flight. The return connection runs from 22:25 until 01:40. Neither wait is excessively long, but both happen when passengers are likely to be tired.
Journey times of 17h45 and 18h40 are acceptable for this price, but noticeably less convenient than a direct flight or a shorter one-stop itinerary.
Confirm the exact terminal, protected connection, baggage-through-check procedure, passport requirements and current China transit conditions for your nationality before paying.
Seven prepared date combinations are available from September to October 2026. All use the same reference schedule, subject to airline changes.
Prices and availability can change. Confirm the final seller, total price, baggage allowance, seat selection, meals, connection terminals, baggage transfer, transit conditions, fare rules, passport validity and Vietnam entry requirements before paying.
A very low full-service fare with a 23 kg checked bag and sensible connection lengths. The early-morning outbound transfer, late-night return transfer and long overall journeys stop it from reaching the high eights.
From approximately £360–£369 return, this is a strong-value London–Hanoi deal.
The baggage allowance and one-ticket routing are good, but the Shanghai transfer hours make the trip more tiring than the connection lengths initially suggest.
The honest final Dino Score is 8.2/10.
£360–£369 return is exceptionally competitive for London to Hanoi with checked baggage.
A 23 kg checked bag is included, substantially improving the headline price.
The 2h40 and 3h15 waits provide reasonable margin without becoming excessively long.
One transfer starts at 05:45 and the other runs across midnight, making both journeys tiring.
17h45 outbound and 18h40 return are acceptable, but still long for a one-stop itinerary.
Hanoi arrival and departure are useful, but the transfers and early London arrival reduce comfort.
Mytrip offers the lowest price and a strong displayed rating, but it remains a third-party booking.
Seven options provide useful choice, although availability is concentrated in a short period.
The trip lengths support Hanoi plus Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh or a broader Vietnam itinerary.
The low fare and baggage allowance comfortably outweigh the inconvenient transfer hours.
London–Hanoi from approximately £360–£369 return is an excellent price, especially with a 23 kg checked bag included and one protected connection each way. The Shanghai waits are not excessively long, but they occur at uncomfortable hours: 05:45 on the outbound and across midnight on the return. Mytrip provides the lowest fare, while Trip.com was shown from around £379 for travellers preferring a different provider. Honest Dino Score: 8.2/10.
Hanoi is a backpacker favourite, but it is also one of the best-value cities in Asia for travellers who want to upgrade their stay. Even visitors with a higher accommodation budget can be genuinely impressed by the quantity of excellent 4-star and 5-star hotels available at very low prices, with some 5-star properties advertising rooms from around £50 per night. In short: in Hanoi, you really can treat yourself like a king or queen without spending a fortune. For this deal, our pick is the 5-star, 9.6-rated Lucien Hanoi Lakeside Hotel & Rooftop.
Lucien Hanoi Lakeside Hotel & Rooftop
If you want to stay right in the heart of Hanoi while still enjoying a more premium experience, Lucien Hanoi Lakeside is a very strong pick. The appeal is obvious: a prime Hoan Kiem / Old Quarter location, excellent guest feedback, and the kind of hotel features many travellers do not expect at this price point — including a rooftop pool, spa facilities, gym access and a more upscale overall feel.
In the sample search attached, the property was shown from approximately £223 total for 4 nights including taxes and charges. That works out at around £56 per night total, which is seriously impressive for a 5-star property rated 9.6/10 in such a central part of Hanoi. For travellers who want to balance value, comfort and location, this is exactly the kind of Southeast Asia hotel that makes people smile.
How long should you stay in Hanoi?
Ideal for a first taste of the city. You can cover the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, the French Quarter, street food highlights, cafés and a few key cultural sights without rushing too much.
The sweet spot for most travellers. This gives you time to enjoy Hanoi properly and still add a classic side trip such as Ninh Binh or an overnight Ha Long Bay / Lan Ha Bay cruise.
Great if Hanoi is part of a wider North Vietnam adventure. You can pair the city with Sapa, Ha Giang, Cat Ba or several smaller excursions while still keeping a comfortable pace.
Best areas to stay in Hanoi
- Old Quarter / Hoan Kiem: best all-round choice for first-timers, walkability, food, atmosphere and sightseeing.
- French Quarter: a little calmer and more polished, with wider streets, nicer hotels and easy access to Hoan Kiem.
- Ba Dinh: a good option if you prefer a slightly quieter base near major monuments and embassies.
- Tay Ho / West Lake: more residential, expat-friendly and relaxed, ideal if you want cafés, restaurants and a slower feel.
- Near Hoan Kiem Lake: best if you want to be central but with a slightly more premium hotel mix.
- Outer districts: usually cheaper, but less atmospheric for a short first visit and not as practical for sightseeing.
Where to go next after Hanoi
Probably the easiest and best-value next step. Limestone scenery, boat rides, viewpoints and temples make it a perfect contrast to Hanoi.
The classic add-on after Hanoi. Good if you want a bay cruise, island scenery and a slower seaside break.
Choose Sapa or Ha Giang for mountain scenery and a more adventurous trip, or fly onward to Da Nang / Hoi An for beaches and historic towns.
You are already on the deal page, so you can search hotels directly here. Compare Lucien Hanoi Lakeside with other options in Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem, the French Quarter and Tay Ho / West Lake. Recheck final price, exact location, breakfast inclusion, cancellation terms and room type before booking.
Hotel prices in Hanoi can vary depending on season, room type, breakfast inclusion and cancellation flexibility, but the city is widely known for offering unusually strong accommodation value. The “from around £50 per night” figure is a broad starting point for selected well-rated 5-star hotels, while the Lucien Hanoi Lakeside sample shown here was approximately £223 for 4 nights in the attached search. Always confirm the final total and booking conditions before booking.
Complete Your Trip
Flights and accommodation are the big pieces — now make the journey smoother. Below are three useful extras for this trip: activities, mobile data and airport transfers.
Find tours, day trips, food experiences and activities to make this trip more memorable. A useful place to compare things to do before you travel.
Land with mobile data ready and avoid searching for SIM cards or relying on airport Wi-Fi. A simple option for staying connected while travelling.
A useful option for airport transfers, especially when arriving late, travelling with luggage or landing somewhere unfamiliar for the first time.
Need help finding the best flight for your trip?
For €15, Dino can personally research flight options for your trip — including alternative routes, nearby airports, baggage rules, layovers, airline quality and possible hidden costs.
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