Top of Hanoi

Top of Hanoi is the city's highest rooftop bar, set on the open roof of Lotte Center Hanoi, a 65-storey tower in Ba Dinh district. The building was completed in 2014 and its top floor stands at about 267 metres, making it the third tallest building in Vietnam. The bar occupies the highest level, which has no roof, so you drink and dine in the open air with a complete, all-round view of the city.

The view is the reason to come. From the top the whole city spreads out below you in every direction, and after dark the lights of Hanoi stretch to the horizon. Arrive before sunset to see the view in daylight and stay as the city lights come on; that transition is the best part of a visit. Weather matters, as the bar is completely exposed: low cloud, haze and rain can spoil the view, so check the forecast and choose a clear evening if you can.

The bar serves a range of drinks, and an open-air kitchen prepares brasserie-style Western and Asian dishes, so you can make a full dinner of it rather than just a drink. Prices are higher than at street level, as you would expect for the setting, but a single drink at sunset is an affordable way to experience it. Opening hours are listed as 5pm to midnight.

Lotte Center Hanoi also houses Lotte Hotel Hanoi on its upper floors and the Hanoi Sky observation deck on the 65th floor, so the building can be combined into one visit for those who want to see the view by day and by night. Dress neatly, as this is a hotel venue, and bring a light layer on cooler or windy evenings, as it can feel noticeably fresher at the top.

The tower is at 54 Lieu Giai Street in Ba Dinh, west of the historic centre, so most visitors arrive by taxi or ride-hailing app. It pairs well with an afternoon at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Imperial Citadel or the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, all in the west of the city. It suits couples, groups of friends and anyone who wants a dramatic overview of Hanoi before or after exploring it at street level.