Picolo recommends · Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
White shutters, a quiet pool behind the façade and Hanoi's scooters rushing past outside: the city's grand old hotel, still open since 1901.
Step through the doors of the Metropole and the noise of Hanoi drops away. The white French building has received guests for well over a century, and the corridors, the shutters and the pool courtyard still carry that era with them.
Under the garden lies a shelter used during the Vietnam War, and guests can join a tour down into it. Outside, the opera house, Hoan Kiem Lake and the lanes of the Old Quarter are all within walking distance.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
No hotel in Vietnam tells the country's story quite like this one. It is where you stay if history matters to you, and it puts most of Hanoi within reach on foot.
This is a classic, not a design hotel, and prices reflect its fame. The historic wing has the atmosphere, while the newer wing gives you more space, so decide which matters more before you book.
What you get
- Outdoor pool in the courtyard
- Bamboo Bar beside the pool
- Guided tour of the wartime shelter
- Restaurants on site
- Classic hotel service
A day at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
- Morning
- A walk around Hoan Kiem Lake while locals do their exercises.
- Midday
- Noodle soup in the Old Quarter, a few streets away.
- Afternoon
- A cool drink at the Bamboo Bar when the city is at its hottest.
- Evening
- The shelter tour, then dinner without leaving the hotel.
Location
Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, Vietnam
Open in MapsQuestions about Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
How old is the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi?
The hotel first opened in 1901, which makes it one of the oldest hotels in Vietnam still in use.
Can you visit the bomb shelter at the Metropole Hanoi?
Yes. The hotel runs guided tours of the wartime shelter under the grounds, which give a sober glimpse of Hanoi during the Vietnam War.
Which wing should I choose at the Metropole Hanoi?
Choose the historic wing for period character and the newer wing if you want a larger, more modern room.
Other hotels nearby
InterContinental Halong Bay Resort
For a night on land with Ha Long Bay outside the window.
Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
Our editors pick every hotel themselves, and most of them we have stayed at. No hotel can pay to be included or ranked higher. When you book through our links, Hotels.com pays Picolo a small commission. It never changes the price you pay, and it never decides what we write.
