Despite being one of Asia’s fastest growing cities, Hanoi still exudes plenty of old-world charm. Walk around the city – especially in the Old Quarter – and you’ll see its French, colonial and Communist history come to life in its street signs, food, and architecture. The picturesque Ha Long Bay is just a few hours away. Most locals keep it pretty low-key and hang about mixed bars and gay-friendly or gay-owned establishments. That said, there is a growing demand for more openly gay businesses as Vietnam’s attitudes towards gay people slowly evolve.
Come and experience a city in transition – even with a modest gay scene, there’s still a lot this Vietnamese capital has to offer.
Language spoken | Vietnamese
Population | 8 million
Best time to visit | Sep-Nov, Mar-Apr
LGBT discrimination | Low
Equal age of consent | Yes