Hanoi Laundry Guide for Tourists & Expats (2026)

Hanoi is built for travelers who travel light. Hostels stack the streets, the food sweats grease into shirts, and 75-85% summer humidity guarantees you’ll need a wash within 48 hours of landing. Good news: the city has more cheap, English-friendly laundry options than almost any capital in Asia.

This guide covers the eight best Hanoi laundry shops by name and address, what they charge in 2026, where to find self-service laundry Hanoi at 3am, and how to avoid the $18 hotel-laundry trap. Walking distances are measured from major backpacker hostels. Every price was cross-checked against TripAdvisor reviews dated 2024-2025 and local shop listings.

Hanoi Laundry at a Glance: Prices, Turnaround, and Why Hanoi is Different

Hanoi welcomed 33.7 million visitors in 2025, including 7.82 million international arrivals (VietnamPlus, 2025), and the laundry market scaled with it. Local Old Quarter shops charge $1/kg, same-day service is standard, and English signage is nearly universal within a 600m radius of Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Hotel pricing is the outlier, often 3-5x higher.

What makes Hanoi different from Bangkok or Hoi An is density. There are 15,316 laundry shops nationwide as of 2022, with 96% being small independents (VietnamPlus, 2022), and the Old Quarter holds one of the country’s highest concentrations. Walk five minutes in any direction from the Lake and you’ll pass three.

The defaults that surprise first-time visitors:

• Per-kilogram billing. Standard everywhere. Per-item billing is a hotel trick.
• Same-day is normal. Drop before noon, pick up by 6-8 PM. Express 2-hour shops exist.
• Free pickup over 5kg. Most Old Quarter shops will collect from your hotel.
• Cash or QR. MoMo and bank QR are accepted at modern shops; street ladies are cash only.

For broader country context, see our Vietnam laundry guide.

Top 8 Laundry Shops in Hanoi (Old Quarter Focus)

The eight shops below are the most consistently reviewed Hanoi laundry shop options in the Old Quarter, all within 700 meters of Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Selection criteria: verified address, English-language service, TripAdvisor or Google rating above 4.4 where available, and same-day or 24-hour turnaround. Prices are 2026 rates checked against multiple traveler reports from 2024-2025.

1. Hanoi Laundry Lady Shop, 42 Hàng Đường

Address: 42 Hàng Đường, Hàng Đào ward, Hoàn Kiếm District
Hours: 24/7
Price: ~25,000 VND/kg (~$1) starting; same-day available
English: Yes, full English website at hanoilaundry.com
Why it stands out: The only major Hanoi shop running 24/7. Useful if your night-bus dumps you in the Old Quarter at 4am with a backpack full of Sapa mud. They publish prices in English online, which is rare.

2. Giặt Sấy Worldwash Laundry, 15 Phủ Doãn

Address: 15 Phủ Doãn, Hàng Trống ward, Hoàn Kiếm (near St. Joseph’s Cathedral)
Hours: 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM daily
Price: $1-$1.50/kg (~25,000-40,000 VND)
English: Yes
Rating: 4.6 stars
Why it stands out: Worldwash honors specific requests like no perfume or fragrance-free detergent, which most Old Quarter shops won’t. Travel-blog editorial coverage cited a guest who “honored my request for NO PERFUME.” Good for sensitive skin.

3. Paris Laundry, 36 Hàm Long

Address: 36 Hàm Long, Hàng Bài ward, Hoàn Kiếm
Price: ~40,000 VND/kg (TripAdvisor traveler “Annie”, 2024)
English: Yes (French-Vietnamese boutique style)
Why it stands out: Slightly upscale finish quality, more careful folding, suited for delicate fabrics or business shirts. Pricier than the budget cluster but still cheaper than any hotel in town.

4. Anna Booking Office (laundry partner), 50 Ngõ Huyện

Address: 50 Ngõ Huyện, Hàng Trống ward, Hoàn Kiếm (next to St. Joseph’s Cathedral)
Hours: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Price: $1/kg, same-day
English: Yes
Rating: 4.5+ on TripAdvisor
Why it stands out: Doubles as a tour-booking office, so the front desk speaks tourism English. A 2014 TripAdvisor review (still cited) reported “same-day service, and clothes really got cleaned” at 20,000 VND/kg. Walk-up convenient if you’re staying near the Cathedral.

5. Hanoi Laundry Toơn, 246A Hàng Bông

Address: 246A Hàng Bông, Hoàn Kiếm
Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
English: Vietnamese “GIẶT” sign with English support
Rating: 4.9 stars on Facebook
Why it stands out: Family-run, the kind of place where the owner remembers your name on day two. Highest rating on this list. Limited hours mean it’s not for late-night drop-offs.

6. Fresh n Clean Laundry, 2A Tạ Hiện

Address: 2A Tạ Hiện, Hàng Buồm ward, Hoàn Kiếm (the Bia Hơi beer-corner)
Hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Price: ~$1/kg (~25,000 VND)
Rating: 4.7 stars
Why it stands out: Position at the famous Tạ Hiện beer street corner means it’s directly across from where most backpackers spend their nights. Drop your laundry before dinner, pick up clean clothes the next morning. Hard to beat the location-to-price ratio.

7. 2 HOURS LAUNDRY, 11 Hàng Vải

Address: 11 Hàng Vải, Hoàn Kiếm
Hours: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Price: Express premium (expect 50-60k VND/kg)
Rating: 4.8 stars
Why it stands out: Two-hour express turnaround, the fastest in the Old Quarter. Pay the premium when you have a sleeper-bus departure that night and a soaked rain jacket from this morning’s downpour.

8. LAUNDREE, 29 Nguyễn Siêu

Address: 29 Nguyễn Siêu, Hàng Buồm ward, Hoàn Kiếm
Format: 2-hour self-service combined with a Vietnamese-coffee café
English: Yes
Why it stands out: The most digital-nomad-friendly option. Run a wash cycle, grab a cà phê sữa đá, take a Zoom call, fold clean clothes. Reviewer note: “Very kind staff, quick” via TrulyVoyage editorial. Pairs especially well with a coworking-day plan.

Reading the signs: Vietnamese laundry shops post the word GIẶT (pronounced “yat”) on the storefront. Add SẤY (“dry”) and you have wash-and-dry. KHÔ means “dry-clean.” Memorize those three and you can find laundry in any Vietnamese city without speaking the language.

Hanoi Laundry Prices in 2026: Per-Kg, Same-Day, Hotel Premiums

Local laundry service Hanoi rates start at 20,000 VND/kg ($0.80) for street ladies and top out at 125,000 VND/kg ($5) at five-star hotels, a 6x spread for the same kilogram of clothes. The pricing math depends on three variables: shop tier, turnaround speed, and whether billing is per-kg or per-item. Per-item billing is where travelers get burned.

Standard 2026 price tiers

One TripAdvisor traveler from Wellington, NZ (“lissie45”) reported being “Charged us US$18!” by a four-star hotel for one bag, classic per-item billing. Always ask for the per-kg quote before handing over the bag.

Inter-city comparison (Vietnam laundry prices 2026)

Hanoi sits roughly equal to HCMC and slightly cheaper than Hoi An, where tourist density inflates prices. Hue is the cheapest major Vietnamese city for laundry. The same-day premium of 30-50% holds across all cities.

Self-Service & “Coin” Laundry in Hanoi

Hanoi has more self-service laundry Hanoi capacity than HCMC, with 24/7 spots like SPro at 10 Hàng Nón running token and QR-payment machines. The catch: there is no actual coin laundry Hanoi. Vietnam phased coins out of circulation in 2011, so every “coin laundry” you see online is really token, MoMo, or front-desk-paid.

Best self-service spots in 2026

• SPro Self-Service Laundry, 10 Hàng Nón, Hoàn Kiếm. Open 24/7. Wash 40,000 VND per 10kg load + Dry 10,000 VND per 10kg. The default option for Old Quarter backpackers and the cheapest per-load math in town.
• Koi Wash Coin Laundry, 16B Hàng Gà, Hoàn Kiếm. Open 24/7. Free detergent and softener included. Load-based pricing. A TripAdvisor review described it as “always clean and well-maintained,” conveniently located near Keypad Hotel.
• Sesa Coin Laundry, multiple Hanoi branches. Many run 24/7. Token/QR payment.
• LAUNDREE, 29 Nguyễn Siêu, Hoàn Kiếm. Combo self-service plus Vietnamese coffee café. Best for working remote during the cycle.

First time at SPro: a step-by-step walkthrough

1. Walk in. SPro is staffed during the day, so first-timers can get help. After 10 PM the place runs unattended on QR signage.
2. Weigh and load. 10kg max per machine. Stuff in your dirty clothes, close the door.
3. Add detergent. Most self-service spots include detergent or sell sachets at the counter for 5,000-10,000 VND.
4. Pay. Scan the QR code on the machine with MoMo or your bank app. 40,000 VND for the wash. Vietnamese banking apps and MoMo work fine; international cards generally don’t.
5. Wait 30 minutes. Modern front-loaders complete a cycle faster than US machines.
6. Move to dryer. Pay another 10,000 VND. Dry cycle is 25-30 minutes.
7. Total: ~$2 for one full backpacker load. Walk out, total time 60-70 minutes.

Cash backup: If you don’t have a Vietnamese banking app, bring small VND notes and ask at the front desk. Most self-service shops accept cash payment for tokens during staffed hours (roughly 8 AM – 10 PM).

For honest expectations, self-service in Hanoi is rougher than in Tokyo or Seoul. Machines are well-maintained but the décor isn’t fancy. You’re paying $2 instead of $20 for the same outcome.

Old Quarter Walking Map: Closest Laundry to Each Backpacker Hostel

The Old Quarter packs at least 8 streets with laundry shops within a 600-meter radius of Hoàn Kiếm Lake, putting laundry Hanoi Old Quarter within a 5-minute walk of every major backpacker hostel. Below are the nearest options for the three biggest hostel brands. Walking distances measured via Google Maps in early 2026.

Old Quarter Backpackers (Mã Mây Street)

• Fresh n Clean, 2A Tạ Hiện. Under 2 minutes walking. Closest budget pick.
• Hanoi Laundry Lady Shop, 42 Hàng Đường. About 4 minutes. Use this one for late-night drop-offs (24/7).
• 2 HOURS LAUNDRY, 11 Hàng Vải. About 6 minutes. Use for express turnaround.

Hanoi Backpackers Downtown (Hàng Buồm / Mã Mây area)

• Anna Booking Office, 50 Ngõ Huyện. Roughly 3 minutes.
• Worldwash, 15 Phủ Doãn. Roughly 5 minutes. Use for fragrance-free requests.
• LAUNDREE, 29 Nguyễn Siêu. Roughly 4 minutes. Self-service plus café.

Vietnam Backpackers Hostel

• In-house laundry: Vietnam Backpackers offers door-to-door service at $1/kg directly from reception. A TripAdvisor reviewer from Auckland called it “$1 USD per kg… done immaculately.”
• Anna Booking Office, 50 Ngõ Huyện. Roughly 3 minutes if you’d rather walk.

Staying outside the Old Quarter?

If your hotel is in Ba Đình, Tây Hồ, or near the Opera House, the laundry density drops sharply. Two reliable options that cover all of central Hanoi:

• Japan Laundry HN (industrial park in Hoài Đức): citywide pickup booking, Japanese-grade tiered service. Online booking only.
• Hanoi Laundry Lady Shop: free pickup over 5kg from most central districts, 24/7 contact via their English website.

Per traveler “Marta S.” (TripAdvisor, Nov 20, 2025): “Rapid turnaround, laundry completed in under 24 hours with complimentary hotel pickup and delivery.” Standard Old Quarter behavior.

Monsoon, Tet & Common Mistakes Hanoi-Specific

Hanoi’s May-September monsoon humidity hits 75-85%, peaking at ~79.5% in August-September (VietnamOnline), which means clothes hung outdoors literally won’t dry. The single most important question to ask any Hanoi laundry shop in summer: do you use industrial dryers? If the answer is “we hang them outside,” walk away.

Monsoon-season mistakes (May-September)

• Air-dried laundry stays damp. 75-85% humidity defeats line-drying.
• Mildew smell on return. A telltale sign your shop didn’t use a dryer.
• Fix: Confirm “máy sấy” (dryer machine) before paying. Industrial-dryer shops cost the same.

Tet 2026 closures

Tet (Lunar New Year) 2026 falls on February 17, 2026. Most Old Quarter laundry shops close for 5-7 days around Tet. Family-run shops (Hanoi Laundry Toơn, Paris Laundry) tend to close longer than chains (Worldwash, Hanoi Laundry Lady). If you’re traveling in mid-February, build laundry into your schedule before Feb 14 or after Feb 24.

Other common traveler mistakes

• Per-item billing. Always ask: “per kilo or per item?” before handing over the bag. The Wellington traveler mentioned earlier paid $18 per load because they didn’t ask.
• No itemized slip. Reputable shops count items on a slip when you drop off. If they don’t, count yourself.
• Mixing dry-clean items. Wool, silk, and structured jackets need KHÔ (dry-clean), not GIẶT (wash). Separate them.
• Hotel laundry without a quote. Hotels charge 3-5x and bill per item. Even budget hostels mark up to 50,000 VND/kg.
• Trusting “express” without time confirmation. “Express” can mean 2 hours, 6 hours, or “today.” Get the pickup time in writing or photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does laundry cost in Hanoi?

Local Old Quarter shops charge 25,000-40,000 VND/kg ($1-$1.60) for standard 24-hour wash and fold. Same-day adds 30-50%. Five-star hotels charge up to 125,000 VND/kg ($5), and four-star hotels with per-item billing have been reported at $18+ per load (TripAdvisor traveler “lissie45”).

Where can I do laundry in Hanoi Old Quarter?

Look for the Vietnamese word GIẶT on storefronts. The densest streets are Hàng Đường, Hàng Bông, Tạ Hiện, Hàng Vải, and Phủ Doãn. Reliable picks: Hanoi Laundry Lady (42 Hàng Đường, 24/7), Worldwash (15 Phủ Doãn), Anna at Ngõ Huyện, and Fresh n Clean at 2A Tạ Hiện.

Is there self-service laundry in Hanoi?

Yes. SPro at 10 Hàng Nón runs 24/7 with token and QR machines (40k wash + 10k dry per 10kg load). Other options: Koi Wash at 16B Hàng Gà, Sesa branches across the city, and LAUNDREE at 29 Nguyễn Siêu (combo with café). Vietnam dropped coins in 2011, so all “coin laundries” use cashless payment.

Do Hanoi laundry shops offer same-day service?

Yes, same-day is standard at Old Quarter shops if you drop off before noon. Pickup is typically 6-8 PM the same day. Same-day adds a 30-50% premium, so expect 40,000-60,000 VND/kg. For 2-hour express, use 2 HOURS LAUNDRY at 11 Hàng Vải.

Is hotel laundry in Hanoi safe?

It’s safe in terms of clothes coming back clean, but it’s expensive. Hotels charge 3-5x local shops and often bill per item rather than per kilogram. One TripAdvisor traveler was billed US$18 for a single load at a four-star hotel. Always ask for a per-kg quote, or send your laundry out to an Old Quarter shop with hotel pickup.

What’s the closest laundry to Hoàn Kiếm Lake?

Three options sit within 500 meters of the Lake: Q-Laundry at 27 Hàng Cân, Anna at 50 Ngõ Huyện (next to St. Joseph’s Cathedral), and Worldwash at 15 Phủ Doãn. All offer same-day service and English-speaking staff. Q-Laundry was praised by a Sydney traveler for “very good quality service” within minutes’ walk of the Lake.

How long does laundry take in Hanoi?

Standard turnaround is 24 hours at the $1/kg rate. Same-day service runs 6-8 hours if dropped before noon, with a 30-50% premium. Express 2-hour service exists at shops like 2 HOURS LAUNDRY. Self-service is the fastest at 60-70 minutes total wash + dry.

Can I get laundry picked up from my hotel?

Yes. Free Old Quarter pickup and delivery is standard for orders over 5kg at most local shops. Hanoi Laundry Lady, Worldwash, and Anna all offer pickup. Citywide pickup outside the Old Quarter is available from Japan Laundry HN via online booking. Confirm 1-2 hour pickup windows in advance.

Is laundry in Hanoi dry properly during rainy season?

It depends on the shop. May-September humidity is 75-85% and air-drying alone won’t work. Reputable shops use industrial dryers (“máy sấy”) and return clothes fully dry. Cheaper street ladies and budget hostels sometimes hang laundry outside, which leaves a damp, mildew smell. Always confirm dryer use in summer.

What’s the cheapest laundry option in Hanoi?

Street “laundry ladies” charge 20,000 VND/kg ($0.80), the rock-bottom rate. They take cash only, speak Vietnamese, and turnaround is next-day. The trade-off is no English receipt, no itemized slip, and unreliable dryer use in summer. Self-service at SPro (~$2 per full load) is the next-cheapest option.

Do Hanoi laundromats use detergent I can trust for sensitive skin?

A few do honor specific requests. Worldwash has been confirmed in editorial coverage to honor “no perfume” requests, and most modern self-service spots include hypoallergenic detergent. If your skin is highly sensitive, bring your own sachet from home or buy fragrance-free detergent at any Hanoi Circle K or VinMart for ~30,000 VND.

Will my clothes come back fast or get lost?

Loss rates at reputable Old Quarter shops are very low based on aggregated TripAdvisor and Google reviews. Best practice: count items on the drop-off slip, photograph the slip, and keep your receipt. If something goes missing, the shop typically refunds at 5-10x the per-kg rate per item. Skip street ladies if you’re packing anything high-value.

Heading South After Hanoi? HCMC Laundry Pickup with Tiệm Giặt 1988

Most travelers don’t stop in Hanoi. After Old Quarter beers and a Sapa overnight, the trail bends south to Hoi An, Da Nang, and Saigon. If your itinerary lands you in Ho Chi Minh City, the same $1/kg economics hold, but pickup logistics are very different. HCMC’s traffic and 24-district sprawl make hotel-pickup laundry a much better fit than walk-in shops.

That’s the gap our shop fills. Tiệm Giặt 1988 runs door-to-door HCMC laundry pickup service across central Saigon (D1, D3, Bình Thạnh, Phú Nhuận, Tân Bình). Free pickup and delivery, English support over WhatsApp, same-day available, transparent per-kg pricing.

• Per-kg pricing from 25,000 VND/kg ($1). No per-item surcharges.
• Same-day return if booked before 10 AM weekdays.
• Free hotel pickup across central HCMC, 30-60 minute window.
• Industrial dryers, fully dry returns even during May-October monsoon.
• 4.9-star Google rating from 522 reviews as of 2026.

WhatsApp: +84 888 648 338. Message us your hotel address, your check-out time, and a rough kilo estimate. We’ll quote, pick up, wash, dry, fold, and deliver back to your reception desk before you leave for the airport.

Safe travels through Hanoi. The next time you need a wash south of the Hai Vân Pass, you know where to find us.