Hanoi vs San Francisco - City Size Comparison

Is Hanoi Bigger Than San Francisco?

Yes — Hanoi is 27.8x larger than San Francisco by area. Hanoi spans 3,359 km² (1,297 mi²) while San Francisco covers 121 km² (47 mi²) — a difference of 3,238 km². You could fit San Francisco inside Hanoi approximately 27 times.

About Hanoi

Vietnam's capital with over a thousand years of history. Known as "The City of the Ascending Dragon", Hanoi covers 3,359 km² with a population of 8.1 million. The city was established in 1010. Hanoi is known for Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Old Quarter (36 Streets), Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Hanoi Metro.

Hanoi's Old Quarter has been a trading hub for nearly 1,000 years, with each street historically dedicated to a specific trade

About San Francisco

A cultural and financial center in Northern California. Nicknamed "SF", San Francisco has an area of 121 km² and is home to 0.9 million people. Its history stretches back to 1776. Visitors come for Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Cable cars, and much more. Getting around is easy with the BART & Muni.

San Francisco's 121 km² makes it one of the smallest major US cities by area

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the San Francisco metropolitan area covers 6,984 km², which is 2.1x larger than greater Hanoi at 3,359 km². The Hanoi metro area is also more populous, with 8.1 million people compared to 4.7 million.

Population Density

Hanoi has a population density of 2,397 people per km² — a moderately dense city. San Francisco, with 7,190 people per km², is a densely populated city. San Francisco is noticeably denser, packing 3.0 times more people per square kilometer.

Climate & Time Zone

Hanoi has a humid subtropical climate while San Francisco experiences Mediterranean conditions. Summers are notably different: Hanoi averages 30°C compared to 17°C in San Francisco. When it's noon in Hanoi, it's midnight in San Francisco — a 15-hour time difference.