Hanoi Hotel Neighborhoods Compared: Old Quarter vs French Quarter

First-time in Hanoi and torn between the Old Quarter and the French Quarter? Here’s the decisive answer: choose the Old Quarter for walk-to-everything sightseeing, street food, and lively markets; pick the French Quarter for quieter nights, elegant boulevards, and upscale hotels. Both sit around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, so you’re central either way, but the feel and price bands differ. Community trip reports consistently describe the Old Quarter as compact and highly walkable to major sights [1], while the French Quarter is calmer, with wider streets and a higher concentration of upper-end properties that are priced higher on average [2]. Families and light sleepers can still enjoy Old Quarter access by booking higher floors or rear-facing rooms; if tranquility is the top priority, the French Quarter wins. Read on for a fast decision flow, at-a-glance contrasts, and booking strategies tailored to your travel style. This guide uses Travel Beyond Boundaries’ neighborhood-first framework to help you decide with confidence.