Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
A Hanoi landmark since 1901, Sofitel Legend Metropole blends French-colonial heritage with Vietnamese history, a garden pool, serious dining and a famous wartime bomb shelter in the heart of the old city.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi opened in 1901 and remains one of Southeast Asia’s most storied grand hotels. Its address beside the Opera House and within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake places the property at the meeting point of colonial Hanoi and the modern capital.
Rooms are divided between the historic Heritage Wing and the more neoclassical Opera Wing, creating two distinct styles within the same hotel. The Heritage Wing reopened after a major renovation in 2023, while the Opera Wing is undergoing discreet phased refurbishment through late September 2026 and remains operational.
The courtyard swimming pool sits within palms and historic façades and is open year-round. Metropole Fitness, spa services and the interior garden create a surprisingly tranquil retreat given the central location.
Le Beaulieu serves refined French cuisine, while Le Club, La Terrasse and angelina provide brasserie, café, jazz and cocktail experiences. The hotel is also associated with the invention of Vietnamese egg coffee by a former bartender in 1946.
Sofitel Legend Metropole is best for travelers who want a hotel to function as a living historical document. Its bomb shelter, famous guest list, Path of History tour and enduring place in Hanoi society give it a depth few luxury hotels can match.