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The Perfect Hanoi Itinerary (2024) Travel Guide for Vietnam’s Capital

August 1, 2023 by Bino 1 Comment

Vietnam’s capital may be known more than anything for its chaotic and motorbike-filled streets but I have to say that Hanoi remains to be one of my favorite Southeast Asian capitals. There is something about the city that always puts it at the back of my mind as a destination I’d want to visit again and again, with a different Hanoi itinerary each time. It may be the excellent food or the fascinating history or simply the pulsating and distinctively Vietnamese energy. Whatever it is, each visit to Hanoi always leaves me with new finds and restaurants that I won’t hesitate recommending to friends.

For those looking to visit, I have come up with this suggested Hanoi itinerary. Depending on whether you intend to visit Ha Long Bay and Tam Coc, this itinerary is something you can execute in as little as 2 days if you’re coming here only for the weekend or up to 4 days if you intend to make it a short getaway.

the pulsating energy of hanoi

General Tip: In Hanoi, a common scam occurs with some taxi drivers at the airport where they claim the hotel you booked has closed. This is a trick to get you to stay in another hotel where they can get commission. To avoid this, you can ask your hotel to pre-book your transport or you can book one yourself here .

Heading to Central Vietnam? Check out this suggested itinerary for Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang

Table of Contents

Day 1 – Old Hanoi

Hoan kiem lake.

hoan kiem lake

Start your Hanoi itinerary by obtaining your bearings at the Lake of the Returned Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake), the focal point where touristic activities in Hanoi are concerned. How the lake came about is the stuff of legends. In the morning, you will find locals doing tai-chi at the park encircling the lake. There is a pagoda in the middle of the lake – an often photographed structure – as well as the Ngoc Son Temple in the northern side which you can cross over to via a red bridge. Opening hours: 8:00 to 18:00, daily / Admission: 30,000 dong (adult)

French Quarter

french quarter of hanoi

Afterwards, head east towards the French Quarter . You will find this area of Hanoi calmer, with plenty of small parks, charming turn-of-the-century hotels as well as buildings dating from the French period such as the post office. The neoclassical Hanoi Opera House in particular, is a fine example of the French influence. The building was modeled after the Palais Garnier in Paris.

Old Quarter

hanoi old quarter

By early afternoon, the cramped streets of the Old Quarter starts to buzz with life and that’s a great time to head there to see how local commerce is done. The area offers a beguiling mix of stores housed in old shophouses. The streets are named according to the types of shops found there – there is a street for jewelry (Hang Bac); a street for shoes (Hang Dau) and so on. You can easily spend the entire afternoon here, which is not a bad idea. Bach Ma Temple , said to be the oldest in Hanoi, is located here. Make sure to stop by Cha Ca La Vong (daily 11AM to 2PM, 5PM to 9:30PM) for lunch.

souvenirs along the old quarter of hanoi

For cheap souvenirs, head to Dong Xuan Market or head to Tired City for some cool and totally non-kitschy t-shirts, scarves, postcards and art prints made by local artists. They have a few outlets but the biggest one is in Hang Gai.

If shopping is not your thing, you can check out some really local experiences such as conical hat making, calligraphy, pottery and even coffee appreciation with Backstreet Academy . For foodies, you can go on a 3-hour food tour of the Old Quarter where you get to visit various eateries specializing in different dishes.

egg coffee from loading t cafe

In the late afternoon, you can head out of the Old Quarter and head southwest to see the imposing St. Joseph’s Cathedral with its neo-gothic façade. Within its vicinity are a number of charming cafes. Loading T Cafe (daily 8AM to 6PM), set in a crumbling mansion, is particularly atmospheric for its vintage interiors as well as semi-open balcony that overlooks the street. Go for a cup of Hanoi’s famous egg coffee which is made with whisked egg white, condensed milk and a little bit of sugar for a truly frothy coffee experience!

Day 2 – Monumental Hanoi

Imperial citadel.

hanoi citadel

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (daily except Monday, 8AM to 5PM) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to the public. There isn’t much to see here these days so I would only rate it as an optional stop. But if you ever decide to make a visit, try to combine it with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum as it’s within the same area.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

ho chi minh mausoleum

Try to beat the queues and venture to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum in the morning (weekdays are better). It’s free to enter. Do note that the venue is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Opening hours: 7:30 to 10:30 / Admission: Free

Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda

presidential palace of hanoi

From here, it’s a short walk to the Presidential Palace , Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House as well as the One-Pillar Pagoda . The latter’s exceptionally small size makes it one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Vietnam. As there is a good number of tourist attractions within the area, it’s often crowded here so try to avoid the weekend and public holidays if possible. Opening hours: 8:00 to 17:00, daily

Lunch at Quan An Ngon

quan an ngon

It would be midday by the time you finish, just in time to take a cab ride to Quan An Ngon (daily, 7AM to 9:30PM) for lunch. The venue takes you on a quick culinary tour of Vietnam. While it’s possible to order from the menu, there are stalls that allow you to have a peek at various dishes before you order. If you have a limited amount of time to spend in Vietnam, I’d recommend coming here to allow you to quickly sample the country’s varied specialties in one sitting.

Temple of Literature

temple of literature

From Quan an Ngon, it’s around a 10 minute walk to the Temple of Literature . The spread of Confucianism in Vietnam is perhaps never more apparent than here. During imperial times, only the most gifted scholars were able to study here and the venue offers a good peek of life in the imperial era. The sprawling complex is filled with courtyards, pavilions and ponds and showcases the extent of Chinese influence in Vietnam. Opening hours: 8:00 to 17:00, daily / Admission: 30,000 dong (adult)

Shopping and Cafes at Tay Ho

tran quoc pagoda

Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the chic district of Tay Ho or West Lake, one of the up and coming neighborhoods of Hanoi filled with plenty of local designer boutiques, some of the city’s best international restaurants as well as hipster cafes. Aside from being Hanoi’s expat enclave, many dining and drinking establishments also choose to set up shop here due to the lakeside views. The Tran Quoc Pagoda which is found in a small peninsula jutting out from the narrow strip of land separating West Lake and Truc Bach Lake, makes for a picturesque sight early in the morning or towards sunset when the calm waters create a mirror reflection. Otherwise, for a great bird’s eye view of the twin lakes, Summit Lounge – the rooftop bar of the Pan Pacific Hanoi – is the place to go.

Sky High Views at Sky Lotte Observation Deck

sky lotte observation deck

For a bird’s eye view over Hanoi, you can head to Lotte Center for the Sky Lotte Observation Deck . At 65 floors up, you can spot some of the city’s landmarks from the viewing gallery. A highlight here is the Skywalk where visitors get to walk on the floor is made of glass. Best time to visit is around 5 to 6PM – it’s a great place to catch the sunset. You can get discounted tickets here .

Home-style Dinner at Tam Vi

When the Michelin Guide did its inaugural awarding of Michelin stars in 2023, one of the first establishment to earn the accolade in Hanoi was Tam Vi (11AM to 2:30PM/5PM to 9:30PM) – a traditional restaurant serving home-style meals hidden in an alley off Nguyen Thai Hoc. Star dishes here include Crab Soup with Spinach, Vietnamese Ham with Periwinkle Snails as well as the Caramelized Pork with Egg. This is a worthwhile dinner venue as the cuisine is decidedly Northern Vietnamese and quite different from what you’ll get in Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang. Reservations are recommended. I tried reserving for a same-day table and could only get a slot at 8PM.

Day 3 – Ha Long Bay & Other Excursions

Ha long bay (day trip or overnight option).

ha long bay

Most people who visit Hanoi also make their way to Ha Long Bay . For booking of these tours, you can check out Vietnam tours which offers various excursions from Hanoi. While going to Ha Long Bay is practically a “yes” for most, the main decision you’d likely be facing is whether you should stay overnight in Ha Long Bay or just make it a day trip?

An overnight stay in Ha Long Bay will definitely enable you to visit more spots and you can climb the jagged peaks of some of the islands as well on a longer cruise to get a bird’s eye view of the bay (for example, in Titop Island). This is something you would not be able to do on a day trip though if you are really lacking in time, there’s little other choice.

If you decide to go for a day trip, you can expect a few hours’ cruise along the bay, a seafood lunch, some time for kayaking and exploring a cave called Thien Cung Cave. You can book the Ha Long Bay day tour here .

If you decide to go for an overnight cruise, you can expect the same highlights from the day tour plus around 2 more caves, a nice view point from Titop Island, an additional dinner and breakfast plus a likely cooking class.

Tam Coc / Hoa Lu

If you have already been to Hanoi before and are looking for a different day trip option, a journey through the river valleys of Tam Coc / Hoa Lu is also worthwhile. The landscape is lush and the experience is quite fun as you ride a small bamboo boat down the river surrounded by limestone rock formations. Aside from the boat ride, a typical day tour includes climbing up Mua Cave for a scenic view of the river, surrounding rice fields and mountains.

Perfume Pagoda

A third option for excursions originating from Hanoi is the Perfume Pagoda . Situated some 60km away from Hanoi, the Perfume Pagoda is one of the country’s most important religious sites. To get here from Hanoi, travelers will need to take a roughly 70 minute car ride to a village followed by a 45 minute or so boat ride down the Yen River to a temple complex. From here, a path leads to another temple as well as a cable car station.

perfume pagoda

Visitors can either take the cable car or hike up to the Perfume Pagoda itself which is situated in a cave. The entrance to the cave is rather dramatic – it is said to resemble a dragon’s mouth and is decorated with Chinese text.

A typical Perfume Pagoda day tour includes round trip transport from Hanoi, a guide and lunch but not the cable car ticket as it is up to the visitor’s discretion whether they’d want to hike or take the cable car. You can book this tour here .

Travel Tips for Hanoi

In this age of uncertainty, you might wish to get travel insurance. If you reside in Singapore, check out Starr Travelead , one of the cheapest travel insurance. They have a promotion that comes with S$10 cash rebate that helps to offset the insurance cost.
Do note that Hanoi has a pronounced winter season from November to February. A jacket would come in handy. If you visit during these months, there’s a possibility you might not even see any sunshine. On the other hand, July and August is a very humid time in Hanoi. Even if it just says 30 to 32 degrees celsius in the thermometer, you’ll sweat buckets.
You can pay in USD in some places including shops, restaurants and other tourist-oriented establishments. This does not apply to the small eateries or groceries. Most hotels will be able to change USD to Vietnamese Dong at competitive rates.
For those who constantly need to be online, you can purchase local sim cards upon arrival at the airport.

Where to Stay in Hanoi

I’ve been to Hanoi twice and a hotel I can personally recommend is the La Sinfonia del Rey Hotel which conveniently overlooks Hoan Kiem Lake. Rooms are incredibly sleek and I found the clouds painted on the room’s ceilings to be quite relaxing. For a slightly cheaper option, you can check out La Mejor Hotel located in the Old Quarter. Alternatively, you can use this aggregator HERE to compare for the best prices for hotels in Hanoi with just one look.

Getting Around: GRAB is a cheap, safe and reliable way to get from point to point within Hanoi. Most trips between the various city attractions should not cost more than $5.

Entry Requirements: Certain nationalities may require a visa to enter Vietnam. It’s better to check beforehand. For visa services, you can try Vietnam Visa .

Reader Interactions

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November 4, 2017 at 8:35 pm

Thanks for sharing the good travel blog about two days itinerary for Vietnam. It is really beautiful country, You must visit one time in your lifetime.

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The PERFECT 3 Days in Hanoi Itinerary [2024 Guide]

Last Updated: January 22, 2024

If you’re planning a trip to the Vietnamese capital, read on for the perfect itinerary on how to spend 3 days in Hanoi.

To say that Hanoi has had a tumultuous history is a vast understatement. French colonialism, Japanese occupation, and the war with the United States all resulted in massive damage to the city.

After the devastation of the American War (as it’s known here), Hanoi once again became the capital of a unified Vietnam.

These days, it’s a bustling capital city that’s home to nearly 8 million people.

The city known as the Paris of the East has a lot to offer travellers. With 3 days in Hanoi, you can check out the museums, parks, lakes, markets, and much more.

In between all of the sightseeing, you can fill up on mouth-watering Vietnamese food.

The country’s famous coffee will keep you going during the day, while its dirt cheap draught beer will fuel your nights out.

Now that you know a bit about the city and travelling there, let’s get this show on the road with a Hanoi 3-day itinerary.

READ MORE: Be sure to include these awesome things to do in Hanoi during your visit!

Table of Contents

Morning – Free Walking Tour

Midday – lunch and coffee break in the old quarter, afternoon – hoan kiem lake, evening – dong xuan market, night – bia hoi, 8am – say hello to uncle ho at ho cho minh mausoleum, 9am – ho chi minh museum and stilt house, 11am – one pillar pagoda, 11:30am – tran quoc pagoda in west lake, afternoon – choose your own adventure, temple of literature, thang long imperial citadel, check out a museum, water puppet theatre, night – old quarter bar hopping, 8:30am – museum of ethnology, 10am – vietnam women’s museum, 12pm – hoa lo prison, 1pm – take a cooking class, the best time to visit hanoi, getting around hanoi, vietnam, best budget accommodation – hanoi central backpackers hostel, best mid-range accommodation – golden legend diamond hotel, best luxury accommodation – sofitel legend, best restaurants in hanoi, vietnam, how to spend a perfect 3 days in hanoi itinerary.

Strap yourself in and down a couple of Vietnamese coffees for an epic travel itinerary for Hanoi!

Here’s what I recommend you get up to on your first day here.

The best way to kick off your 3 day Hanoi itinerary is joining a free walking tour. Spending a few hours exploring the city on foot is a fun and informative way to start your trip.

Local students lead these tours to practice their English and share their city with visitors. It’s the perfect introduction to the city and a great way to meet people.

There are a few different options for free walking tours. The most popular is the half-day tour of both the Old Quarter and the French Quarter. Tours start at either 9 AM or 2 PM.

While the Old Quarter tours are indeed free, it’s customary to leave a tip for your guide if you enjoy the tour.

Even though the tour will give you your bearings and a good introduction, I highly recommend getting lost in Hanoi’s Old Quarter at some point during your trip!

If you prefer a personal guided tour of the Old Quarter, check out this one on Klook . It gets rave reviews!

READ MORE: Check out our complete guide to travelling in Vietnam !

That walking tour is sure to leave you hungry, which is a good thing. After all, one of the best parts about visiting Hanoi in 3 days is indulging in the local cuisine!

The Old Quarter is full of street food vendors and local restaurants.

Whether it’s a banh mi sandwich from a street corner or a piping hot bowl of pho , you can’t go wrong with Vietnamese grub.

Best of all, eating out is super cheap here. Even if you eat out for every meal during your 3 days in Hanoi itinerary, you still won’t break the bank.

Seriously – it’s possible to fill up for just a buck or two here in the Old Quarter!

If you’re feeling a bit sleepy after the tour and lunch, Vietnamese coffee is just what the doctor ordered.

My recommendation is to find a cafe with a terrace so you can order up a cup and watch the chaos of the city unfold on the busy streets below.

Even though you’ll see it on the walking tour, it’s worth it to do some solo exploration of Hoan Kiem Lake near the Old Quarter.

The name means Lake of the Returned Sword, and there’s an interesting legend behind it…

As the story goes, a god sent a special sword to the emperor Ly Thai To that he used to defeat the invading Chinese. One day when he was boating on the lake, a turtle came and asked for the sword back.

The emperor returned the sword to the turtle, hence the name of the Hoan Kiem Lake. There’s even a Turtle Tower out in the lake in honour of the legend!

There’s plenty to do around the Hoan Kiem Lake, including taking a walk on the Rising Sun Bridge over to the Jade Mountain Temple . It’s a good place to relax for a bit after a busy day.

Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of Hoan Kiem Lake, though, is the epic people watching. Young Vietnamese kids rip it up on their skateboards while the elders practice a bit of tai chi .

On a lap around the lake, we saw couples taking wedding photos and a band shooting a music video among other things.

Taking in the sights around the lake is definitely a must on your 3 days in Hanoi.

If you enjoy perusing local markets when you travel, then you’ll definitely want to check out Dong Xuan . This is the largest covered market in the city and it sells just about everything under the sun.

Housed in a 4-story Soviet building, this sprawling market has clothing, souvenirs, electronics, flowers, and even pets.

There’s also a wet market area where you can buy fresh produce, fish, meat – you name it.

If you’re spending 3 days in Hanoi over the weekend, stick around here to check out the night market that goes on in the street.

It’s a great place to sample more local food and catch some cultural performances.

After a very busy start to your 3 day Hanoi itinerary, it’s time for a drink! While you can find fancy cocktail bars here, I recommend starting your evening off with some bia hoi .

If you’ve never heard of bia hoi before, it’s a crisp, light beer that’s ubiquitous in Vietnam.

Kegs are delivered to small bars daily, so it’s always fresh.

In addition to being rather refreshing, bia hoi is also incredibly cheap. A glass of it usually costs about USD$0.25.

Order up a few of these and some snacks and you’ll only spend a couple of dollars.

Nightlife in Hanoi is a bit tame, as things shut down around midnight.

That’s not a bad thing, though, because we still have a lot to pack in to your 3 days in Hanoi!

Hope you didn’t drink too many bia hois last night, because we have a big day planned for today!

This wouldn’t be a proper guide on what to do in Hanoi in 3 days without including Uncle Ho. That is, Ho Chi Minh – the beloved revolutionary and politician who served as president of North Vietnam.

If you’re so inclined, you can visit the preserved body the famous leader at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Vietnamese people line up in droves every day to pay their respects to the former leader.

Whether you decide to actually go inside or not, it’s still worth it to check out the building and see the crowd lined up with their flowers.

You can also see a changing of the guard ceremony here in the morning.

One thing you should definitely add to your 3 days in Hanoi itinerary is a trip to the nearby Ho Chi Minh Museum.

The museum is full of artifacts and photographs detailing the life of Uncle Ho. It also has some rather odd exhibits, such as one with giant plastic fruit.

I’m not sure what that has to do with Ho Chi Minh, but it’s interesting nonetheless!

You can complete the Ho Chi Minh trifecta by visiting his former stilt house .

Head to the Presidential Palace’s visitor entrance to follow the path here to see the gardens, pond, and the famous house.

While you’re in the area, you might as well make a quick stop at the One Pillar Pagoda. This Buddhist temple was built to resemble a lotus – the national flower of Vietnam.

It’s a beautiful temple and all, but the crowds here can be overwhelming.

After dealing with them all morning, you’ll likely make this a short stay just for the nice photo opp.

Just a 30 minute walk from One Pillar Pagoda is Tran Quoc Pagoda.

It is more than 1500 years old and is the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi. Tran Quoc Pagoda is located on a small island in Hanoi’s West Lake.

It is a picturesque landmark in Hanoi. The sight of Tran Quoc Pagoda reflecting in the West Lake is a huge draw for photographers.

READ MORE: Check out our guide to all the epic things to do in Vietnam !

After grabbing some lunch and a coffee in the area, it’s time to choose your own adventure!

That’s right, folks – there are lots of options for what to do in Hanoi with 3 days. So many that you just can’t fit them all in.

Here are a few ideas for how to spend the afternoon on your 2nd day in the Vietnamese capital:

This Confucian temple is definitely one of the most famous sights in Hanoi. You’ll know immediately by the swarms of tourists here.

Built back in 1070, this was the site of the first university in Vietnam. Over the centuries, thousands upon thousands of the country’s finest scholars have passed through here.

Around the beautiful temple grounds, you’ll see lots of stone turtle steles with names engraved on them.

This honour was reserved for only the most successful scholars.

Chances are you’ll also see Vietnamese students, who flock here to pray for good grades.

Another option is the Imperial Citadel. Dating back to the 11th century, this became the 900th UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.

The Imperial Citadel was the centre of political power in Vietnam for nearly 13 centuries. Unfortunately, much of it was destroyed in the late 19th century.

Excavation efforts have been ongoing and there’s quite a bit you can see here now. Plus, tickets only cost about $1.50 so it’s well worth it just to check the place out.

In this part of Hanoi, Vietnam, there are a few different museums you could check out.

One is the Vietnamese Military History Museum where you can see old equipment like fighter jets and tanks. Anyone interested in Vietnam military history can broaden their minds here.

After the Vietnam Military History Museum, check out the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

Set in a 3-story colonial building, it features art from a wide range of historical periods.

This is the premier art museum in all of Vietnam so it’s well worth visiting.

After another yummy dinner of Vietnamese food, head to the Thang Long Theatre . Here you can catch a performance of traditional water puppetry, an art form that dates back to the 11th century.

Although the show is entirely in Vietnamese and you won’t understand any of it, this is still a fun way to kick off your evening.

Plus, tickets to the Water Puppet Theatre only cost about $3 so why not?

It’s been a jam-packed 3 days in Hanoi itinerary so far. If you’ve got any gas left in your tank, night two is the perfect time for some cheeky bar hopping in the Old Quarter.

Kick the night off with a few cheap bia hois in the street then just see where the night goes.

You may end up sipping cocktails on a rooftop, dancing to live music, or singing your heart out at karaoke. Anything can happen in Hanoi’s Old Quarter!

You’ve almost made it to the end of our Hanoi itinerary! You’re doing well, but it’s not over yet.

If you didn’t stay out partying too late, you’ll want to start your third and final day off at the Museum of Ethnology.

This museum is quite the hike from the Old Quarter but it’s well worth it.

Did you know that Vietnam is home to 54 different ethnic groups? It’s OK… I didn’t, either. This museum will school you on them all with some fascinating exhibits.

While there’s a lot to see and learn inside the museum, the outside area alone makes it worth the trip.

Here you’ll find replica houses from all across the country.

Perhaps you stayed out a bit too late and had a few too many the night before. It’s alright. If you don’t feel like travelling across the city, you can just visit the excellent Women’s Museum near the lake.

This is a very comprehensive and impressive museum that focuses on the role of women throughout the country’s history.

You can easily spend a few hours here taking it all in.

One place that’s included on just about every Hanoi 3 day itinerary is the Hoa Lo Prison.

Ironically known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” this was built by the French colonists to hold political prisoners.

During the war with the US, the prison was used to house POWs.

One of the most famous guests at the Hanoi Hilton was the late John McCain – former US Senator and presidential candidate.

After spending 3 days in Hanoi feasting on amazing Vietnamese food, why not learn how to make it yourself?

With your last afternoon in town, you can take a cooking class !

BONUS – Booking ahead of time ensures you won’t miss out on the tour, and get the best price too! And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount code “NOMADS10” on the website when checking out, you’ll get $10 off your first booking!

Most cooking classes include a market tour where you’ll pick out the freshest ingredients.

Then it’s off to the kitchen to prepare some famous Vietnamese dishes.

Best of all, you’ll get to bring the recipe and your newfound cooking skills home to impress your friends and family!

Hanoi Itinerary Travel Guide

Now that you know what to do with 3 days in Hanoi, I’m going to share with you a bunch of other tips.

If you want to know where stay, when to visit and how to get around, read on….

Since it’s in Southeast Asia, you might think that it’s warm all the time in Hanoi. That’s actually not true, as winters can get quite chilly here.

Between December and February temperatures can get down to 10 degrees Celsius.

On the other hand, summer in Hanoi can be super hot with temperatures hitting 40 from time to time. This is also the rainy season, so you can expect frequent downpours.

The best time to visit Hanoi is either in the spring between March and April or in the fall between October and November.

In these months you’ll have the best chance of pleasant temperatures and clear skies.

When planning your 3 days in Hanoi itinerary, you’ll also want to check the calendar of Vietnamese holidays.

The most important one is Tet, which is the local New Year.

Tet is the Lunar New Year, which is also celebrated in China. At this time, travelling in Vietnam can be quite intense. Tickets sell out well in advance and places are packed with people on the move.

For visitors, the best ways to get around Hanoi are on foot or by taxi.

There’s no metro system here and the bus system can be quite confusing if you don’t understand Vietnamese.

If you’re staying in the Old Quarter, you can walk to most points of interest. You might need the occasional taxi to get to more far-flung places.

Even though they have meters, many drivers will try to negotiate a flat fare with you.

There’s no more Uber in Hanoi (I know – sad face), but you can download Grab, which is a similar app.

You must have a local phone number to use this service, though.

One very Vietnamese way to get around is by xe om (motorbike taxi). You just hop on the back of their bike and go, which is nice for weaving in and out of the chaotic traffic.

Once again, you may have to negotiate the fare in advance.

There are also cyclos all over the city, which are pedicabs that seat two people.

The cyclo drivers here are notorious for quoting inflated prices and ripping tourists off, so I’d skip this unless you really want the experience!

Where to Stay in Hanoi, Vietnam

There’s really not a whole to say on this topic, as a majority of travellers choose to stay in the Old Quarter and for good reason.

You have everything you need here and it’s a fun place to base yourself.

There are tons of options for accommodation, shopping, dining, and nightlife in this area.

Staying here, you can easily access Hoan Kiem Lake as well as many great markets and museums.

Other options include Ba Dinh, which is where you’ll find many of the most popular attractions in the city.

Staying here makes it easy to visit Ba Dinh Square and all the landmarks that surround it.

If you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet in this bustling city, the lakeside Truc Bach neighbourhood is a good choice.

There are lots of awesome restaurants and bars in this very scenic part of the city.

If you’re looking for a great option on a budget in Hanoi, then check out the Hanoi Central Backpackers Hostel .

You can score a bed in a dorm here for as little as $6 a night, so you’ll have more cash for sightseeing and going out.

This is also a super fun hostel to stay at. They host nightly events like quizzes and pub crawls.

They also organize the famous trip to Castaways Island in Halong Bay and other awesome travel experiences.

Perhaps a dorm in a party hostel isn’t exactly your vibe. Thankfully there are lots of great mid-range hotels in Hanoi, like the Golden Legend Diamond .

Located in the bustling Old Quarter, this hotel puts you right in the middle of all the action.

Rooms here are comfortable and well-equipped, and you also get a nice free breakfast included.

Looking to splurge for your 3 days in Hanoi? Then check yourself into the epic Sofitel Legend .

In addition to the super fancy rooms, you also get a heated outdoor pool, a well-equipped fitness centre, and a luxury spa.

There’s a great complimentary breakfast here, and you can also indulge in afternoon tea and Happy Hour.

Essence – The current #1 restaurant in Hanoi on TripAdvisor, this place cooks up food from three different regions of Vietnam and has rave reviews.

Hoang Cuisine – This is one of the most highly ranked restaurants in the city, serving up fresh and tasty local dishes.

Hanoi Social Club – A hip cafe with healthy options, including vegan and gluten-free choices.

Bun Cha Ta – This is the place to go to try a Hanoi specialty. Bun cha is grilled pork with vermicelli noodles, spring rolls, and veggies, and it’s delicious!

Hung Snake Restaurant – If you’re up for an adventure, take a day trip out to Le Mat. Also known as “Snake Village,” you can find this restaurant cooking up snake in a variety of ways.

While all of these restaurants are great, make sure you eat at some random, unnamed street food stall at least once during your 3 day Hanoi itinerary.

You just can’t beat sitting on a plastic stool, slurping up your noodles and enjoying a cold one!

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INSIDER HANOI ITINERARY for 2024

Hanoi is alive with energy. The vibrant streets emanate with the constant hustle and bustle of motorists and loud traffic. The Vietnamese capital is popular amongst backpackers and offers an incredible cultural immersion created through decades of change, with many dark times and social adversity.

The capital of Vietnam is considered as one of the oldest capitals in the world with has a history dating back over a thousand years ago. Emperor Ly Thai To moved the capital here in 1010 with the name of Thang Long, meaning rising dragon.

Hanoi is now home to over 7 million people, making it the second largest city in Vietnam. With so many sights and sounds at every moment, this city can feel like a lot to take in. There are countless museums, temples, pagodas, and parks to discover.

If you’re wondering what to do in Hanoi, you’ve come to the right place. I have put together this Hanoi trip Itinerary to help you navigate the overwhelming senses of this fast-paced and fascinating cluttered yet functioning city in order to make the most of each Hanoi attraction.

A Little Bit about this 3-Day Hanoi Itinerary

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Hanoi is a city of incredible history, cute architecture, amazing food, and the warmest hospitality you will find in South East Asia. It has something for every traveler, from relaxing lakes, ornate temples, incredible museums, and some pretty weird and unique theatre…which I’ll get on to later. Whatever you do for fun, you’ll never run out of things to do in Hanoi!

Whether you’re spending one day in Hanoi or planning an unforgettable 3 day Hanoi itinerary, there are some phenomenal options jostling for a spot on your list! I’d personally suggest taking at least three full days to explore the city, and if you have more time, you can certainly stay a week and not get bored.

If you want to see all of the important landmarks you will be hard-pressed to fit it all in within 24 hours, but if you pay a private driver you could manage, but that’s expensive and stressful. So do yourself a favour and set more time aside.

In this 3 day Hanoi itinerary, you’ll find three days packed with history, culture, and adventure. But don’t worry, you won’t have to rush from A to B, trying to fit everything in.

I’ve chosen the ideal daily structure, added times, routes to get there and suggestions on how long you should spend at each spot. Of course, you can add your own spots in, swap things around, or even skip some places. Use this itinerary as inspiration instead of a fixed plan to get the most out of your trip!

3 Day Hanoi Itinerary Overview

Day One: Old Quarter | Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple | Ancient House | Bach Ma Temple | Dong Xuan Market | O Quan Chuong | Long Bien Bridge
Day Two: Mausoleum | Military History Museum | House on Stilts | One Pillar Pagoda | Museum of Ethnology | West Lake & Tran Quoc Pagoda | Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
Day Three: St Joseph’s Cathedral | Hoa Lo Prison | Hanoi Opera House | Ta Hein Night Market | Perfume Pagoda

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Hanoi is a large and busy city so finding somewhere to stay can be a difficult task when you don’t know where you’re going. Depending on what you’re looking for, there are many options.

From centrally-located hostels for backpackers visiting Hanoi to hotels and Airbnbs further afield that offer a bit more peace, there are heaps of amazing places to stay. I’ve outlined the general areas to give you more insight into where you’d like to base yourself for your holiday in Hanoi.

The Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem) is probably the area to stay in Hanoi, as it is right in the middle of the action. It’s the ideal place if you can handle the noisy streets and enjoy the constant hustle and bustle of city living.

The nightlife is thriving all around this area, and there are plenty of street food stalls to delve into some great authentic Vietnamese food with ease. You’ll be able to find something around this area for any budget.

Ba Dinh is Hanoi’s downtown. It is a bit further away from the madness, offering a more peaceful base but is still close to attractions like Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature and the One Pillar Pagoda.

This area is ideal for travelers who’d like somewhere they can escape the crowds who don’t mind having fewer restaurants and nightlife options. You’ll need a slightly higher budget for staying around Ba Dinh on your Hanoi holiday.

Tay Ho, or Hanoi West Lake, is another more peaceful area than the Old Quarter. This area is great for foodies and peace-seekers. It’s packed with great restaurants and a few Buddhist temples and offers a more romantic atmosphere with the best sunset views in Hanoi. You’ll need a higher budget to stay in this area and there are fewer accommodation options.

Hai Ba Trung and Dong Da districts are two other less popular options. They are near Hoan Kiem district which is the center of the city so it’s still easy to get around and they have the added bonus of being cheaper areas of Hanoi to stay in than the other 3 areas mentioned above.

Best Hostel in Hanoi – Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel

This hostel is conveniently located in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. It’s the perfect place for Hanoi backpackers to explore from and has a common terrace and free beers every day from 6 pm to 6.30 pm!

Best Airbnb in Hanoi – Central space with a great atmosphere

This beautiful flat combines a modern western vibe with an old-school Vietnamese class, just like Ba Dinh itself. The place is a stone’s throw from a number of museums, and the Imperial Palace. Getting to and from the city center will be a breeze from this place, and it’s only a short walk to the old quarter

Best Budget Hotel in Hanoi – Classic Street Hotel

This traditionally Vietnamese decorated hotel is affordable and boasts a great location just 5 minutes walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. They also offer free Wi-Fi and an on-site Vietnamese restaurant!

Best Luxury Hotel in Hanoi – Acoustic Hotel & Spa

Acoustic Hotel is a superb centrally located hotel with a fitness center and free bikes! The property also has a bar and restaurant serving local cuisine, and all rooms include a desk and Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV. Free buffet-style breakfast is served daily.

Your first day of this 2-day itinerary in Hanoi will be spent getting to know your surroundings and the general geography of the city, with a couple of the most memorable and exciting sites to see in Hanoi.

9:00 AM – Explore the Old Quarter

The starting point in this Hanoi guide is the Old Quarter; the soul of Hanoi and the rhythm of local modern life in the city. It can seem like a bit of a maze with around 36 streets of the market and food stalls in a labyrinth of ancient streets, once inhabited by traders serving the nearby citadel.

The best way to explore The Old Quarter is by following a Hanoi guide along with the Medicine, Headstone, Tin, and Silk streets on foot. The area is always humming with life, so be ready to dodge scooters and prepare yourself for a bit of a sensory overload! This really is the quintessential Hanoi.

The Old Quarter is the immersion point of Hanoi. Taste the local dishes like Bat dan or Pho (Noodle soup) or specialty coffees like ca phe sua da (iced coffee) on “Coffee street”. Head to “Silk street” to peruse the boutiques, ceramics, and silk prints, or take a break Hanoian style on the low-slung plastic stools along the pavement, watching the daily maelstrom.

Insider Tip: Haggle, bargain, and battle for anything you’re interested in buying! Don’t just accept the first price.

Cost – Adults: Free!
Getting there: Take a Grab bike to the Hoan Kiem Lake and walk from there.
How long should I spend there: You could spend 1-2 hours walking the streets, trying a Vietnamese coffee or Bahn Mi…or 2.

10:00AM – Stroll Through Dong Xuan Market

The French government first opened the Dong Xuan Market in 1889, centrally located in the Old Quarter as the place for locals and tourists to visit and to purchase goods.

It offers the perfect place to go in Hanoi to experience everyday life, browsing everything from groceries to clothing. If you aren’t looking to buy anything you can simply walk around having a look at all the different items.

The Dong Xuan Market is also a great outing for a weekend in Hanoi.

Cost – Free, with lots of goodies to purchase.
Getting there: it’s in the Old Quarter
How long should I spend there: 1-2 hours should be enough time.

12:00PM – Visit Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Hoan Kiem Lake, or The Lake of the Returned Sword, is one of the Hanoi landmarks and is the scenic centre part and greatest tourist attraction in Hanoi. It provides the perfect place to get away from the frantic pace of the city and spend some time in peace and quiet with beautiful natural surroundings.

The Lake surrounds the Ngoc Son Temple, which was built in commemoration of the 13th Century leader Tran Hung Dao. He was renowned for his bravery in the battle against the Yung Dynasty along with scholar Van Xuong and Confucian master Nguyen Van Sieu.

The island that the temple is built on is known as Jade Island, and so the temple is known as “The Temple of the Jade Mountain”. It’s connected to the mainland by the iconic Huc Bridge or the Rising Sun Bridge (a charming Vietnamese scarlet painted wooden bridge that makes a great place to photograph at night).

Legend has it that the emperor was once given a magical sword that helped him to defeat the Chinese Ming Dynasty which brought about the return of the Golden Turtle God to the Lake. The temple houses ancient artifacts including ceramics and a preserved 250kg giant turtle found in the Lake.

Cost – Free to explore the Lake
Getting there: It’s in the Old Quarter.
How long should I spend there: It will take less than an hour to walk around it.

2:00PM – Walk Through the Ma May Ancient House

This Hanoi itinerary takes you to this ancient Hanoian house – a step back in time. Come and discover the history of Hanoi and see pictures dating back to the late 19th Century. The ancient house has been restored many times but still maintains most of its old features.

The two main parts of the house are connected by a square in the middle of the yard that was designed to moderate the air and provide a cool breeze and sunlight into the house. The street-facing room was originally used for selling goods, with the rooms on the next floor used for hosting guests and worshipping ancestors.

You’ll discover the typically yellow-colored walls, like most Hanoi houses, with all the furniture and decor in good condition. The ancient house is a must-see in Hanoi and a fascinating walk through history to experience the ancient beauty of Hanoi life. There are also some traditional Vietnamese decor items and souvenirs to purchase.

Cost – USD $1
Getting there: it’s a 7 minute walk from the Ngoc Son Temple.
How long should I spend there: Around 1 hour should be enough time.

3:00PM – Visit Bach Ma Temple

This 19th Century temple is one of the four royal palaces of Hanoi. Believed to be sacred and commonly used by locals and tourists as a place of worship to pray. The temple was built by King Ly Thai to honour Bach Ma.

The temple was moved to its location in the Old Quarter from Long Do Mountain in order to guard the east side of Thang Long. Legend has it that the name ‘Bach Ma’, translated to the White horse, refers to the construction of the temple.

The story goes that the King had been struggling with the construction of the temple as the walls kept collapsing. A white horse then outlined with its hooves the area that the King should build the temple, and so it was built.

The architecture is incredible, starting from the ancient wooden doors that open up to a beautifully decorated interior with a red-lacquered funeral palanquin. The temple houses a statue of the White Horse and a shrine dedicated to Confucius, as well as a Phoenix Altar for offerings to the four seasons.

Visiting the temple on this itinerary for Hanoi offers a great insight into the worshippers who come to burn incense and pray and the practice of the Hanoian beliefs.

Cost – Free!
Getting there: it’s a 5 minute walk from the last stop.
How long should I spend there: Around 45-minutes to 1 hour should be enough time.

4:00PM – See O Quan Chuong – An Old Gate

The incredible O Quan Chuong Gate is the only original city gate from the citadel on Thang Long to remain. It is an incredible place to photograph the elaborate Asian architecture and learn more about Vietnamese history.

The gate was originally built in 1749 and has withstood thousands of years of war and conflict. This ancient representation of architecture in Hanoi was originally used to open the east side of the city during the day and close it off to protect the citadel from theft and fire at night.

The O Quan Chuong gate was named after a chief of the army. It is a memorial to the Nguyen soldiers who fought against the French when they attacked Hanoi. The gate consists of the original architecture from the Nguyen Dynasty and has two floors and a watchtower.

The only remaining old gate of Hanoi is a fascinating and historical site to see as part of your itinerary for Hanoi. It features the inscription from O Quan Chuong marking the Thang Long capital, as well as proof of the struggle of the indomitable civilians against the foreign invaders.

How long should I spend there: Around 30-45-minutes.

6:00PM – Walk Across Long Bien Bridge

The Long Bien Bridge was constructed between 1899 and 1902, designed by the French but built by Vietnamese workers. It was heavily bombed by the Americans but remained intact with many of its original parts still intact. The bridge is maintained for its memory and historical significance as well as a crossing for trains and motor vehicles.

The bridge is a great historic place for tourists to explore, and with locals coming to shop at the open-air markets in the afternoons. Walk along the 2290m span across the river and experience the unique architectural, historic and cultural value. It’s also a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset, or just to admire the scenery.

Cost – Free
Getting there: it’s across the road from the last stop.
How long should I spend there: about 20 minutes to 30 minutes.

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The second day of your 2 days in Hanoi will be spent getting to know more about the history of the city.

9:00AM – Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is located in Ba Dinh Square and is one of the most visited attractions in Hanoi. This unique historical experience is a must when visiting Hanoi. The iconic and famous leader of Vietnam, also known as ‘Uncle Ho’, is preserved here in a glass case (albeit against his wishes). This makes for a fascinating and unique historical visit as part of your Hanoi itinerary.

There is a lot of security at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and tourists are expected to hand over their bags before entering. In the inner sanctum, you’ll find Uncle Ho’s preserved body under a glass sarcophagus that is guarded by four sentries at each corner of the post. The embalmed body is a fascinating sight and is extremely well preserved and donned in a khaki suit.

Visitors are expected to show respect upon entry into the Mausoleum, and any chattering or indecent movements and actions will be closely monitored by the guards. You’re also expected to dress respectfully, covering shoulders and legs and not wearing any indecent attire.

If you’re interested in learning more about Ho Chi Minh, you can visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum. The Ho Chi Minh Museum is located just around the corner from the Mausoleum and will take only a short while to visit, but I only recommend those with more time than 3 days in Hanoi because there are a lot cooler places and museums to see.

Insider Tip: Try to visit as early as possible because the crowds will invade the square around noon.

Getting there: it’s located in Ba Dinh, make your way here from your accommodation.
How long should I spend there: Around 30-45-minutes should be enough time.

10:00AM – See the House on Stilts

Uncle Ho commissioned this stilt house to be built for him to dissociate himself from the hated French Governor Generals who lived in the Palace. At this stop, you’ll walk from the Presidential Palace visitors entrance along with the gardens and fruit-bearing trees lining Mango Alley, to get to this very simple stilt house.

Uncle Ho lived a very modest and simple life. Propaganda often shows him wearing brown cotton clothes and sandals crafted from the same materials as his fellow countrymen. This is said to be to show empathy with the people and their struggles with the American bomb attacks.

The house on stilts is an interesting visit and is a fascinating historical exploration for your Hanoi itinerary.

Cost – USD $1.5

11:00 AM – Visit the One Pillar Pagoda

This Pagoda is said to represent a lotus flower rising up out of the water from an elegantly square-shaped lotus pond. This stop at one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples is a fascinating one and costs nothing which is perfect for the budget travellers exploring Vietnam !

It was built between the years 1028 and 1054 during the reign of Emperor Ly Thai Tong. The temple is constructed from a wooden base that supports a single stone pillar crafted into the shape of a lotus blossom. It is a symbol of Hanoi and is one of the most revered sights in the city.

Explore the surrounding tranquil gardens with benches to relax and absorb the scenery in perfect contemplation. Inside the pagoda, you’ll find a shrine dedicated to the Vietnamese Buddhist deity Quan Am.

The One Pillar Pagoda is said to have been built following a dream by a childless emperor. The temple stands in gratitude for the Goddess of Mercy following the birth of his son and is where the locals come to pray for blessings of fertility and health.

Insider Tip: the Dien Huu Pagoda is located close by and boasts a courtyard full of exquisite Bonsai trees.

Getting there: it’s around the corner from the last stop.

12:00 PM – Admire Artifacts at the Vietnam Military History Museum

This is probably one of the best museums in Hanoi and is an interesting step into history. Come and discover the museum full of Vietnam war artifacts and military paraphernalia. The actual building is built in the shape of a white lotus flower and built around the remains of a crashed jet plane!

Walk around the museum looking at the impressive collection of military orders, mementos, and photos of the communist party’s earlier achievements. It also houses the great revolutions and exhibits related to Ho Chi Minh’s political activities, and is one of the most fascinating Hanoi points of interest for all history buffs!

Getting there: it’s a 10 minute walk from the last stop.
How long should I spend there: Around 1-2 hours should be enough time.

2:00PM – Visit West Lake & Tran Quoc Pagoda

Spend your time at this stop walking around the scenic West Lake and visiting the oldest Pagoda of Hanoi. Come inside to discover the main temple some beautiful Buddhas and Bodhisattvas statues.

The Tran Quoc Pagoda is located on the East side of West Lake on a small peninsula. It is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi, existing for more than 1500 years.

Discover the history and architecture of this Buddhist center that is representative of the beautiful landscape and the peaceful Lake. This temple has great historic value and has changed names many times as representations of the different milestones of the country, now meaning “Protecting the country”.

Getting there: it’s a 30 minute walk from the last stop, or you can take a Grab bike.

4:00PM – Enjoy the Museum of Ethnology

There are 54 different ethnic groups in Vietnam, and this museum plays a major role in preserving cultural heritage and promoting socio-cultural diversity. It’s also a center for important ethnographic research and highlights the traditional Vietnamese ways of life.

Visitors are welcome to come and browse the vast research that’s on display here, and learn more about the incredible diversity in the city. From religious events to different symbolic rituals of varying Vietnamese ethnic groups, there is a great deal to learn from a visit to the Museum of Ethnology as part of your Hanoi itinerary.

Insider tip: on your way to the Museum of Ethnology from the last stop, you could swing by the Vietnamese Women’s Museum which tells a history of all the incredible women who have contributed to Vietnam’s history and culture. The Vietnamese Women’s Museum is not huge and takes a short while to see, so I would only recommend visiting if you have time.

Getting there: Take a Grab bike to the next stop, it’s a 1.5 hour walk.
How long should I spend there: Around 1-1.5 hours should be enough time.

7:00PM – Watch a Performance at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

The water puppet show is the ideal cultural destination for your Hanoi itinerary as it is the traditional performance of Vietnamese people and runs multiple shows daily. This world-famous Thang Long Water puppet show originates from an art form that dates back to the 11th century.

The tradition stems from a time when rice paddy fields were all flooded and the villagers would provide entertainment for themselves by standing in the waist-deep waters with puppets, and create a show.

The performances are accompanied by a Vietnamese orchestra playing traditional music and telling tales with operatic songs. The puppet show is a great way to learn about some interesting Vietnamese folk tales in a humorous way.

Cost – USD $4/$5
Getting there: Take a Grab bike back to the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. The theatre is by the lake.
How long should I spend there: The show is approximately 1 hour long.

Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel

This hostel is conveniently located in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Free Breakfast
24 Hour Reception

Three days is hardly enough! If you’re going to be staying longer, then here are some more ideas on what to do in Hanoi.

Temple of Literature

A beautiful and ornately decorated temple.
Has some stunning gardens surrounding it.
One of the most important historical landmarks in Hanoi.

The Temple of Literature is a temple dedicated to Confucious, sages, and scholars from the Lý Thánh Tông era. It also houses the Imperial Academy, Hanoi’s first National University. This stunning temple was built in 1070 and has a variety of pavilions, halls, statues, and stelae of doctors who offered ceremonies, study sessions, and exams.

The Temple of Literature is an important historical landmark in Hanoi. In fact, it is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese ??ng banknote. It is also the place of celebration just before the Vietnamese New Year where calligraphists will write wishes in Ch? Hán.

See St Joseph’s Cathedral

The oldest church in Hanoi
Built in gothic revival style, it’s one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Southeast Asia
The cathedral has 2 bell towers more than 100ft tall

St Joseph’s church was built in 1886 in a medieval gothic style that is said to resemble the Notre Dame of Paris. The whole building is about 5 stories high, with the most noteworthy features being the bell towers, elaborate altar, and stained glass windows.

This is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Hanoi. In order to erect the site, the French demolished Bao Thien Pagoda which stood in its place. This pagoda was an important one that dates back to the 12th century.

On the little plaza in front of the cathedral, you’ll find a statue of a figure holding a child in one hand with a long cross in his right hand. Entry via the main gate is only allowed during mass, and at other times can only be entered through the left side door of the church.

It is recommended that you check the opening times of the church before you go as they close during lunchtime. This is definitely one of the best places to visit in Hanoi if you have the time.

Explore Hoa Lo Prison

Learn about the sufferings of the Vietnamese revolutionaries who were confined in Hoa Lo Prison
Intended to make an example of Vietnamese agitators for independence by the French colonial administrators
An interesting insight into the colonial history of Hanoi

Visiting the Hoa Lo Prison is an eye-opening and fairly daunting experience. You’ll see the shackles on the walls and floors that held the prisoners down, where they were often beaten by the guards.

The prison was nicknamed the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ by US prisoners of war during the American war – the name was intended ironically as it was squalid and overcrowded (so the ‘Hanoi Travelodge’ would be more befitting!).

The prison was built by the French between 1886 and 1901, with an additional renovation in 1913. Executions were often carried out at the prison with a mobile guillotine, which is still on display at the prison near the prison’s death row.

Visit Hanoi Opera House

An incredible historical and artistic building
See some amazing performing arts at an exciting show
Discover Vietnamese artists at this great venue!

The Hanoi Opera House is one of the most fascinating examples of colonial architecture in Vietnam. It is a great addition to any Hanoi itinerary. It was built from 1901 to 19011 and was inspired by ancient Greek architecture and the Paris opera house.

Visiting the Hanoi Opera House is a wonderful way to observe the flourishing art in Hanoi. From Vietnamese artists who are living their dreams by performing at this opera house that is the oldest and most representative form of artistic expression in Hanoi.

The building itself is so impressive that it’s worth going to see even if you don’t plan on watching one of the performances! If you do, shows cost USD $17 and host high-quality art programs that live up to international standards.

Browse Ta Hein Night Market

Vibey night market
Great street food and restaurants
A lovely place to visit in the evenings with loads of people visiting every day!

Whilst staying in Hanoi, it would be a pity to miss out on this awesome night market that attracts a huge number of people to shop and eat every night. The crowds are often mostly made up of young people and it’s a great place to socialize and experience Hanoi at night time.

There are plenty of restaurants and food stalls to choose from and bars that serve guests with a variety of different drinks. This is the perfect place to gather with friends in the evening and enjoy the vibrant lifestyle of Hanoians.

Perfume Pagoda

One of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam!
The place where locals go to pray for wishes to come true
Discover the stalactites and stalagmites that have been named after the different blessings they can bestow

The Perfume Pagoda is located 60km outside of Hanoi, but if you have the time it is definitely worth the visit. This pagoda is a sacred site that is highly revered by Vietnamese people who come to pray for their wishes to come true!

Surrounding the pagoda and cave is a maze of incredible Buddhist temples that have been built into the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich and are an incredible sight to see.

The surrounding area is just as beautiful with a spiritual kind of beauty filled with streams and tropical plants, as well as temples. There are many pagodas here to visit, each offering a different shrine and individual blessings of good luck!

Be sure to come and make your wishes come true by receiving good luck from the stalagmites and stalactites found in these scenic caves with incredible natural surrounds. From January to April, the pagoda is particularly busy due to the Chua Hunong festival, which is great to check out if you are around during those times.

Train Street

A great place to get some unique photos.
A good spot to try Vietnamese coffee.
One of the most unusual places to visit in Hanoi.

Train Street is one of the more unusual places to visit in the city. It’s a small, narrow street lined with cafes, boutique stores, and bars. Through the middle of the street is a railway line, which is often used by trains.

When visiting train street, you can sit on a small fold-up chair and sip a Vietnamese coffee and watch as the locals and tourists occupy the train line, only to rush to move it to one side when a train comes by.

There isn’t much to see and do there other than drink coffee and take photos, but it is certainly one of the most unique attractions in the city.

You can find train street in the C?a ?ông, Hoàn Ki?m district.

It’s important to consider the weather when planning a trip to Hanoi. Hanoi is located in the North of Vietnam and doesn’t have the typical tropical weather system. They have 4 seasons in one year – Spring (February to April), Summer (May to August), Autumn (September to October), and winter (November to January). I have gathered all this information so you know what to pack for your holiday in Vietnam’s capital.

The best time to be looking to travel to Hanoi is generally in Autumn or Spring when the weather is more pleasant with milder temperatures but not too cold or rainy. The rainy season is from about May to September when there is fairly consistent rainfall that may affect your holiday in Hanoi.

The winter months are colder than the typical tropical climates with temperatures sometimes falling below 10ºC (50ºF) with dark and foggy conditions to be expected. Hanoi has high humidity year-round. Use these Hanoi travel tips to plan when to visit Hanoi!

Hanoi travel is relatively easy on foot when exploring the Old Quarter and sights and landmarks around the Lake and central Hanoi. There are some beautiful walking routes that you can take to see the best of Hanoi and to take in all the sights and smells of the city.

If you’re heading to a destination a bit further afield, there are a couple of options. If you are comfortable driving a scooter on busy roads, this is the easiest and cheapest way to get from point A to point B.

Grab is the local taxi service, similar to Uber, that is easily accessible by downloading the app on your phone and can be used from anywhere. It’s relatively cheap and avoids major taxi scams.

If you’d like to take public transport, the bus system is a great affordable option and goes to most major landmarks or parts of the city. Cycling is another great option for an active and cheap way of seeing Hanoi. You can also join a Hanoi walking tour to see the best of the city on foot.

I’ve compiled a useful 2-day itinerary for Hanoi to help you start off your stay exploring the best places and seeing the coolest things. If you’ll be backpacking around the city for longer and are looking for suggestions for a 3-day itinerary for Hanoi and beyond, there are some more ideas listed on how to spend your time.

Vietnam is safe for tourists , and Hanoi is considered a very safe place to visit on your trip. Generally, the biggest danger you’ll face in Hanoi is crossing the street and dodging scooters on the busy streets on a daily basis!

Violent crimes are uncommon, and although occasionally petty theft like pick-pocketing may occur when the opportunity arises. This can often be avoided by being aware of yourself and your surroundings.

If you’re going to ride a motorbike around Hanoi, just be sure to wear a helmet and drive with caution. Don’t jump on the bike after a night out drinking, and be sure to lock up your scooter or pay to park it with an attendant to avoid theft.

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Find out what people want to know when planning their Hanoi itinerary.

How many days in Hanoi is enough?

2-3 days in Hanoi is the ideal amount of time to see the highlights of the city.

Is 5 days in Hanoi too long?

If you are in Hanoi for longer take the time to visit places like Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh.

Is Hanoi worth visiting?

For sure, it’s the bustling, historic and endlessly fascinating capital of the country with epic street food and amazing architecture.

Is Hanoi better than Saigon?

It’s personal choice, but Hanoi is more charming in many ways than Saigon which is a lot busier and more built up.

Hanoi offers the perfect combination of tradition and modernity. Now, you’ll be able to really get to know Hanoi armed with this valuable Hanoi travel guide. Thanks to us you’ll really experience the authentic way of Vietnamese life along with the history that has shaped their culture, beliefs, and fascinating architecture.

Now you know what to do as a 3-day itinerary in Hanoi, you’ll enjoy spending your time exploring ancient temples or pagodas and experiencing the peaceful and calm feeling that exists amongst the busy and noisy streets of Hanoi. At war sites or museums, you’ll get to learn about the long yet tragic history of Vietnam and how this has shaped the lives of the people.

Hanoi is a frantic city of hustle and bustle, yet has so much to offer in the way of spirituality and traditional beliefs from the kind and giving people who live there. Enjoy hearing the sounds, tasting the foods, and making the most of your trip to Hanoi, this incredible capital of Vietnam!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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A Singaporean's Adventures at Home and Abroad

Hanoi in 2 days: The Best Itinerary

Two days in Hanoi? Isn’t that too short? That was what the hotel receptionist said.

Well, blame it on the weather forecast I’ve been reading months before our arrival. August is considered one of the hottest and wettest months in North Vietnam with frequent showers and storms. Not suitable for hiking in Sapa or visiting Halong Bay . Guess what? I had none of that , except an hour of a sudden flash pour on our last evening, just before dinner. Luck maybe?

That aside, two days in Hanoi city sat just nice with me, now that I’ve long completed my trip. My travel buddy and I managed to see all the must-sees and eat all the must-eats before we boarded the one-way night train to Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park for our Hang Son Doong biggest cave expedition . Besides, Hanoi is so accessible from Singapore that I’m bound to return to explore the rest of North Vietnam.

In this post, we’ll explore the attractions I’ve been to ✨in detail✨ and how I structured them, the eventual cost of my trip, the places to stay in Hanoi, and trips beyond Hanoi .

Hanoi Thang Long Citadel and Flag Tower - RooWanders

I last visited Hanoi in Aug 2023. This post contains affiliate links that cost nothing to you but support my blog! It may also be updated periodically. Cheers!

Map of Attractions

For my itinerary, I segregated the areas of interest into two parts – those around the lake and close to where we stayed for Day 1; and those slightly further away for Day 2. If you were to study the map below, you’d understand what I meant.

We stayed in one of the budget boutique hotels within walking distance of the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. More about accommodation here .

The hotel has a breakfast spread, which we happily fueled up on before starting our exploration.

Egg Coffee at Cafe Giang

Our first stop for Day 1 was to have some delicious egg coffee at Cafe Giang , probably the most famous cafe with over 10,000 reviews on Google in Hanoi.

Well, turns out the cafe is the origin of Vietnamese Egg Coffee or ca phe trung in Hanoi. History has it that when Vietnam faced a milk shortage in the mid-1940s, a local named Giang experimented with buttery yolks and sugar to replace the milk in coffee. His prototype became a best-seller in the hotel he worked in, and soon, Giang left his job and became an entrepreneur – setting up a cafe selling his secret coffee drink. His daughter continued his legacy with novel creations like egg cocoa and egg mung bean coffee.

Cafe Giang is unlike modern cafes with glass walls and Instagrammy backdrops. Instead, it is like a secret kept from the public eye with only a small round shop sign that could have easily been missed from all the other colourful shop signs around it. You walk through a long tunnel to get to the two-storey tall cafe. The interior is especially rustic with plants but no built-in air con. There is a small partitioned area fitted with portable air coolers.

For our orders, we had both versions of egg coffee in hot and cold for comparison for a total cost of 70k dong . I was expecting a real raw egg beaten into my coffee, like Kopi Ka Koi Nrng in Singapore and Malaysia. Instead, what came was a foam on the coffee that tasted like custard. Apparently, the egg in ca phe trung is whipped with condensed milk and layered on top of strong coffee. Hot ca phe trung tasted a lot more complex/ flavourful with a stronger coffee intensity that pairs well with the sweetish egg foam.

Temple of Literature

With coffee in our tummies, it’s time to explore the other attractions in Hanoi! We called for a grab from Cafe Giang to the Temple of Literature for 46K dong .

The Temple of Literature, founded in 1070, is Vietnam’s first university . The temple taught Confucianism for over 700 years to hundreds of nobles, scholars and mandarins until the capital was moved to Hue in 1779. Despite the numerous conflicts and wars fought in Vietnam, the temple retained its architectural charm and beauty and has now become not just another tourist attraction, but also a place for joyous graduate photoshoots and earnest – or desperate – prayers from students. Most importantly, it is a valuable artefact of a place of learning .

It cost 30k dong for a ticket and another 50k dong for an audio guide . Prepare to spend at least an hour wandering through the five courtyards and reading the informational boards. Having watched enough Chinese historical dramas, the school and teaching styles are rather similar to the schools of ancient China, as depicted by those dramas . There are Chinese characters on signages, on stone stelae and in books.

The temple is open for visits from 8 AM – 5.30 PM . Please dress conservatively.

If you’re short of time and would like to get a guided transfer tour, check out this tour which includes the water puppet show , or this day tour which includes the highlights at an affordable price and with excellent reviews .

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long dates back to the 7th century under the new dynasty governed by Emperor Ly Thai To. Emperor Ly moved the capital from Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh) to Dai Lai (Hanoi). He built his palace over the foundations of a discarded Chinese fortress and renamed the capital Thang Long , meaning rising dragon.

Thang Long Citadel survived beyond the Ly dynasty as the centre of governance, serving a handful more dynasties for the next 700 years , until the capital was shifted south to Hue. With Thang Long no longer the capital of the empire, the citadel gradually came into neglect and destruction from various wars and unrest: French Colonial power; the Imperial Japanese Army; and the Vietnam War.

Hanoi Thang Long Citadel Main Gate - RooWanders

Of the many courtyards and buildings within Thang Long, the Central Sector is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the cultural values it held across the centuries. That aside, what truly intrigued me was the underground bunkers constructed in 1967 by the Vietnamese People’s Army. The bunkers served as the headquarter of the army and contained numerous artefacts like radios, wall-length maps and aircraft notice board.

Compared to the Temple of Literature, there were visibly less crowds in Thang Long. Amenities were lacking, and several buildings were behind scaffolds. It’s a long walk from the main entrance to the end of the compound. Tickets cost 30k dong , and audio guides are at 50k dong. The Imperial Citadel is open every day except Monday from 8 AM – 5 PM .

Lunch at Cha Ca Thang Long

The sun was high above our heads when we left the Imperial Citadel. I swear I could have scrambled an egg on my head!

We crossed a garden and rows of shophouses to reach respite – a delicious fishy lunch at Cha Ca Thang Long .

Cha Ca dates back to the days when the Vietnamese were fighting against the colonial French. A family named Doan in Hanoi’s Old Quarter cooked fresh fish for patriots holding secret meetings in their house. Their one dish became so popular that it turned into a business. Competition entered the scene, and soon, a whole street began selling the same dish . The street was later renamed Cha Ca Street to honour the famous fish dish.

The original century-old restaurant ( Cha Ca La Vong ) is still present but with less decorative reviews. Cha Ca Thang Long that we visited happened to be nearby. We later discovered that this restaurant is also popular amongst locals, as we sat by the door and people-watched while cooking our fish.

I love seafood, especially fish! Our table set-up consisted of a fiery portable stove in the middle, plates of vermicelli , small saucers of peanuts, chilli and fish sauce , plates of spring rolls with dipping sauce , and a basket of spring onions, basil and dill . The server came with a hot-oiled pan containing turmeric-marinated snakehead fish chunks .

He showed us the eating procedure : fry the fish with the herbs; grab some of the fried mix and put it in your bowl containing some vermicelli; layer the concoction with fish sauce and peanuts and chilli; and put it all in your mouth. I absolutely love the experience! Or maybe I was too hungry.

We had ice-cold Vietnamese tea. Lunch cost 401k dong for two .

Hanoi Train Street

Afternoons in August are ridiculously hot, and we beat the heat by moving from one shelter to another: round II coffee break at Hanoi Train Street.

It is not possible to visit Train Street without patronising a cafe . Some form of payment is needed; a coffee or smoothie isn’t that expensive. I had another egg coffee for comparison, while he had a mango smoothie. Total cost: 90k dong for two .

There are two visible entrances to the train street, and both are patrolled by the police , with one or two cafe staff wandering around. We went with one of the staff who brought us through a back door of a shophouse that led to the tracks. Unless you know the locals living on that street well, there’s really no way to visit for free.

You could have lunch or dinner along the street, and catch the sight of a passing train in the evenings on weekdays or practically the whole day on the weekends. Check the train schedules beforehand to be sure!

Hoa Lo Prison relic

We left the Train Street and walked to the last agenda of the day – Hoa Lo Prison.

Hoa Lo Prison is a sad place documenting the lives of prisoners imprisoned by the French colonists during the Indochina War. While the exterior of the prison-turned-museum is painted a cheery yellow, the interior is dark and gloomy.

Almost all materials used to build the prison – from the bricks to the glass shards lined on top of high walls – were shipped from France. Both men and women were kept segregated in the prison, with a bigger and more depressing portion for men.

Of all the chambers we’ve been through, there were three that left a strong impression on me:

A huge chamber with men shackled on tilted planks . The tilted boards make it impossible for the men to lie down for long. Their captors had also set up a rudimentary squat toilet at the front of the chamber to humiliate anyone using it. In summer, the chamber became an oven with putrid stench from the pail containing excrement. In winter, it became frigid cold.
Solitary cells with the same slanting boards housing just one prisoner. The prisoner gets the same stuffiness/ cold, and no light or human interaction.
An almond tree. I’m not sure if the living almond tree in Hoa Lo is the almond tree that has seen years of tortured men. It was mentioned that the tree provided respite to the poor men, giving them branches for pencils and flutes and young leaves as medicine against diarrhoea and dysentery.

The museum has a clear path to follow, with bite-sized information fed to us throughout the experience. After the French left, the prison was used to house captured American pilots during the Vietnam War. According to the information boards and TV documentaries, the Vietnamese Army wanted to show a contrast in treatment. They demonstrated kindness to the pilots, which may have softened the pilots’ resolve to fight and altered the war.

Prepare to spend two hours in this place, especially if you’ve gotten an audio guide. Tickets cost 30k dong , while audio guides are more expensive at 100k dong .

Ice cream at Kem Trang Tien

After two hours in Hoa Lo, it was time for something light and sweet. Kem Trang Tien – a local dessert place selling ice cream – is an ice cream parlour beyond my expectations! It was huge with many stations selling different varieties of frozen desserts. There’s even a motorbike parking lot at the back.

Trang Tien Ice Cream shop began in 1958 at the same spot where it is now – 35 Trang Tien Street. The business has blossomed into a trustable local ice cream brand favoured by Hanoians with copycats mimicking their ice cream or logo. It was packed with people when we were there on a weekday afternoon.

We had one soft serve and a popsicle each for 15k dong and 12k dong respectively.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Kem Trang Tien is near Hoan Kiem Lake, and the best way to get to our next destination (St Joseph Cathedral) was to walk around the lake.

Hoan Kiem Lake Park is like fresh air in a congested and polluted city. We saw joggers, brisk walkers, and the elderly doing Tai Chi in the late afternoon. If time is by your side or if visiting the following places interests you, there is a temple ( Ngoc Son Temple ) on an island in the lake, connected by a bright-red bridge ( The Huc Bridge ), which makes for striking photos.

The Lake was initially called an unrefreshing name Luc Thuy, which meant Green Water. But legend has it that an ancient king changed that name to Hoan Kiem one day when he was out on a boat.

A mystical golden turtle appeared and asked for the return of the king’s treasured sword to the Dragon Lord. Turns out the sword was carved from a rod fished out of the lake. While the king had grown fond of this sword – he named it Thuan Tien or harmonious heaven – that led him to numerous victories, he gave it away without hesitation. Soon after, the king named the lake The Lake of The Returned Sword . This legend was featured in one of the plays in the Water Puppet Show.

St Joseph Cathedral

St Joseph Cathedral is the biggest and oldest church in Hanoi, established by the French in 1886. Locals like to call it The Big Church .

Here’s an interesting story: The Cathedral was built on top of what was once the biggest and grandest bronze Buddist pagoda in Vietnam during the 11th century. The 13-level tall bronze tower – Bao Thien Pagoda – was an architectural feat of its time. However, the tower cannot withstand storms. It went into several rounds of repairs until it was finally abandoned and then demolished to build the cathedral.

St Joseph Cathedral is designed to be like Notre Dame in Paris, with intricate beautiful tall glass windows and high domes. Dress modestly for the Cathedral. It’s a nice and calming place to rest from the hot afternoon sun.

Dinner at Pho 10

We hopped over from the Cathedral for a delicious bowl of pho at Pho 10 . As its name suggests, there are 10 appetising pho options to contemplate. Don’t spend too much time on it; go straight with the Special Pho . At 90k dong per bowl, it contains all cuts of beef.

We happened to snatch a table for two before the dinner crowd. A long queue materialised outside the small shop by 6 PM, and could only get longer until dinner time was over.

Water Puppet Show

We bought our tickets before heading to Cafe Giang in the morning, but you could order yours online here .

The Thang Long Water Puppet Show is a must-watch in Hanoi as part of the cultural experience. Choose one of the timings available (3.30 PM, 4.10 PM, 5.20 PM, 6.30 PM, 8.00 PM) and the ticket class. Tickets are priced at 100k, 150k and 200k dong based on the proximity of the seats to the stage.

Go with the 200k dong and choose the frontmost rows for the best view. Seats are cramped, and you really don’t want the head of the person in front of you blocking the entire 50-minute show .

The show would be wholly in Vietnamese , so an audio guide would be ideal unless you’ve read about Vietnamese folklore beforehand. Get them from the reception between the shows at 50k dong each. I won’t go in-depth about the shows and be a spoiler. Be prepared to be amazed by the performances, and marvel at the labour and ingenuity behind the construction of each puppet.

That day was our last day in Hanoi. We checked out early and left our baggage at the reception. One thing I liked about this boutique hotel was its top service . They told us we could shower and rest in their lobby before leaving to catch our night train.

Coconut coffee at Cong Caphe

For our first coffee run on Day 2, we had delicious iced coconut coffee ( 65k dong ) at Cong Caphe on Hang Dieu Street.

Cong Caphe is a franchise with many stores scattered across Vietnam. What made this cafe stand out from the rest is its attention to detail .

The designs within the cafe centred around Communism, with walls painted a prominent greyish-green and war-era propaganda posters plastered over them. Along with the Russian books on antique shelves were old communist flags and trinkets that could have been from a museum.

Even the staff wore attires resembling youth brigade – a minimalist forest-green attire from the cap to the apron, including the shirt and pants.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

We spent the next half of the morning strolling through the exhibitions in the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology . I’m not so much of a museum person – more of mountains – unless it is specific like Hoa Lo Prison or the War Remnant Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.

What I found interesting in this museum is the real-life communal houses in its architectural garden . Seeing the miniatures or the replicas indoors pales to visiting the live ones as a guest.

Nonetheless, this ethnology museum gives a good overview of the minority groups living in Vietnam and their relations to the rest of Southeast Asia.

Tickets cost 40k dong each, and the museum is open every day except Monday from 8.30AM – 5.30 PM. We took a grab from Cong Caphe to the museum for 80k dong – a 6 km journey that took almost 30 mins!

Lunch at Banh Gio Miss Beo

I was famished by the time we left the museum. Before we called for a Grab to drop us near the cluster of attractions we wanted to visit that day – we had to eat . But there aren’t any recommended eateries near the museum, and those eateries around the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum are either selling non-local fare or restaurants that charge a premium price.

After much scrutiny of Google Maps from my smallish phone, we decided to drop off at Banh Gio Miss Beo , a small eatery with an unremarkable interior. Grab cost 68k dong.

I’m so glad we chose this eatery for lunch because they served steamed rice cakes with minced meat alongside ham, sausages and cucumber slices. That’s something you don’t usually find in Vietnam. And it was really cheap – 40k dong – the price of a Banh Mi in the Old Quarter. Unlike the 40k dong Banh Mi, this rice dumpling fills the belly. Iced Vietnamese Tea was 3k dong .

Eating in this shop was a local experience as no one spoke English, the menu wasn’t in English, we sat on tiny plastic stools and ate from the same tiny plastic stools, and the customers who sat around us all spoke Vietnamese.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

Our next stop was to cross a bridge/ road to a small isle in Lake Ho Tay or the West Lake of Hanoi. Tran Quoc Pagoda – which occupies the small island – is the oldest living pagoda in Hanoi . Built in 545, the pagoda is even older than the Temple of Literature.

The position of the pagoda over a beautiful lake makes it an ideal place for royalty back then to visit for sightseeing or celebrate festivals like Tet. If you time your visit right, you could catch the golden glimmers of sunset from the lake with the pagoda at the front.

Visiting the temple and pagoda is free. It is open every day from 8 AM to 4 PM. Dress conservatively.

Quan Thanh Temple

Between HCM Mausoleum and Tran Quoc Pagoda is another temple built in the 11th century. Quan Thanh Temple is a Taoist Temple and an important religious site for Hanoians during festivals. But we had been saturated with temples in Vietnam and those back home to fully appreciate another one.

The temple is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM. Entrance cost 10k dong .

HCM Mausoleum

I was expecting the glass tomb in the mausoleum to be open, and we could have sneaked a peak of – and pay our respect to – President Ho Chi Minh. However, the place was under maintenance, which was really a pity.

Visiting the Mausoleum is free, but not the Presidential Palace and Uncle Ho’s Stilt House. For both attractions, the ticket cost 40k dong .

Only a small part of the area was open for visitation, and the Stilt House has a metal walkway built around it to preserve the house. Visiting both places would be ideal on a guided tour as very little information was available.

Hanoi Uncle Ho's Stilt House - RooWanders

The Presidential Palace and Mausoleum is open every day from 7.30 AM – 4 PM with a 2-hour lunch break in between, except Mondays.

One Pillar Pagoda

The One Pillar Pagoda is another sacred temple built in the 11th century during the Ly Dynasty. Legend has it that the reigning king dreamt of a bodhisattva, who brought him to sit on a lotus. The king has his dream interpreted by a master monk, who advises a temple built in the same manner as a lotus on a pond. And that’s how the one-pillar pagoda was conceived. It has eight wooden beams supporting it over the stone pillar, resembling the eight petals of a lotus flower.

However, the temple was badly damaged during the wars, leaving only the stone pillar intact. What we’re seeing now is a replica built in 1955.

Visitation is free everyday from 8 AM – 5 PM.

Massage/ Spa

We wound up the city exploration with a relaxing massage in one of the many shops around our hotel in the Old Quarters. I cannot remember which exact massage place I went to, but some reputable ones around the area include Orient Spa , La Belle Vie Spa , and Serene Spa .

Budget around 800k dong for a 90-minute full body massage.

Dinner at Bun Cha Dac Kim

After a quick wash-up in the hotel, we were out in the street looking for dinner. Our last meal in Hanoi was at a Michelin-star Bun Cha restaurant.

Bun Cha Dac Kim on Hang Manh Street has only a few tables in the original shop. The business has gone so well that they have now extended to include stools along the pavement, more seats on level 2, and another shop opposite the original one. As it was pouring by the time we had dinner, crowds had not yet formed, and we were able to find a seat on level 1.

Our shop has only three items on its menu – nem cua be (crab spring roll) for 80k dong ; bun cha (grilled meatball) for 70k dong ; or a combination of both for 120k dong . The mains are paired with soup, a plate of vermicelli, and salad.

I’m not a small eater, but even one set of bun cha was too much for me. The first dozen bites were delicious when meat patties were paired with the soup and garlic mix, and maybe a drizzle of fish sauce over vermicelli. Towards the end of my meal, it started to get a bit too greasy. My buddy had the combi – one of his crispy nem cua be became mine! – and even he, a big eater, cannot finish everything.

Train Station

Dinner was so filling that we had one less worry: we wouldn’t go hungry for the night train to Phong Nha!

Our grab from the hotel to Ga Hanoi was 46k dong . Train tickets were booked online. Read more about my Vietnam Sleeper Train experience here!

Before our two-day Hanoi expedition, my travel buddy and I flew in on an afternoon with an evening to get acquainted with the city first.

Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport

As a Singaporean or someone holding a passport belonging to a country in ASEAN, you do not need a visa. For the rest, depending on your country, you may have to arrange for a letter days before, and then apply for a visa on arrival with that letter. Some may be able to skip the letter or go with an evisa.

Either way, the queue to clear immigration is notoriously long, so visa or not, it’s still one to two hours waiting to clear the checkpoint.

Noi Bai is quite a distance away from Hanoi City Centre. Our journey with Grab took 50 mins over 27 km, and cost 315k dong .

Dinner at Xoi Yen

For our first dinner in Hanoi, we had Xoi Yen – a sticky rice meal paired with sides. We ordered a sticky rice bowl ( 20k dong ), a turmeric sticky rice bowl that comes with fried shallots and mashed mung beans ( 20k dong ), and three sides: mixed ( 45k dong ), chicken with mushroom ( 30k dong ), and pork belly ( 22k dong ). Drinks were corn milk ( 18k dong ) and lemon tea ( 20k dong ).

I’m not a fan of fried food or meaty and oily dishes, and the sticky rice was a little too dry, so this meal wasn’t as memorable. But it’s still worth an experience!

30Shine Salon

This is a man-only hair and facial salon, and he needed a haircut. 30Shine Salon has many outlets all over Hanoi. A hair wash, facial and cut package cost 420k dong . It was a real bore for me for the next hour while he enjoyed his facial…

Old Quarter Night markets

We ambled through the night markets and bought a few pairs of hippy loose long pants. While the daily Old Quarter night market and the weekend-only night market are both big, they sell similar items: shoes, clothes, toys, bags, suitcases, and souvenirs. You could grab some street food too, but I wouldn’t want to risk it on my first night!

The roundabout by Hoan Kiem Lake is closed during the weekends for the weekend night market, with buskers performing and vendors selling balloons and lights.

Getting Around Hanoi

Grab is your best friend when travelling long distances under the punishing hot sun. It’s reliable, and you could rate the driver at the end of the trip – further incentivising the driver’s performance. You don’t have to worry about being overcharged, and calling for a private car is fast.

To use Grab , download an app and either charge an amount into your account first or tie it to your bank card.

Since we were two travelling together, we always went with a car. If it’s just one person, you could book a scooter like I did in Ho Chi Minh City .

We walk whenever we can for short distances. Crossing the busy roads can be daunting, but fear not as long as you pay attention to the traffic lights, cross zebra crossings whenever they are available, or look at the incoming traffic while walking slowly across the busy road, all should be fine.

Running across the road or doing sudden movements is dangerous and increases your chances of getting hit.

Unless you are a seasoned scooter driver in Southeast Asia, this is highly not recommended. Have your insurance and international licence sorted out first.

Accommodation

Choose to stay around the Old Quarter, and you’ll be within walking distance from all attractions. Otherwise, a taxi/ grab is needed to get you to the attractions. Think of the jams!

Old Quarter Budget Backpackers. For the budget solo backpackers, consider staying in Hanoi City Backpackers Hostel or Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel . Both hostels have excellent reviews and reasonable prices. For ladies preferring females-only rooms, Old Quarter or Little Charm Hostel are the answer. Both hostels have spacious and clean beds that some reviewed as feeling like staying in a hotel!

Old Quarter Boutique Hotels. There’s healthy competition amongst the small hotels in the Old Quarter, so prices stay competitive and advantageous for travellers. For my trip, I stayed at Classic Street Hotel . My room was a little older, which meant a cheaper price ( 1270k dong for 2 nights ). I don’t mind my rooms as long as they are clean and quiet. The staff were very attentive, and the breakfast spread was generous. It was also easy to access the attractions and Old Quarter from our hotel. Other choices include Hanoi Siva Luxury Hotel and Eliana Signature Hanoi Hotel . If I were to return, I might try the newly opened Eliana.

5-star Hotels. If you want something posh with a dab of old colonial design, go with the Grand Hotel du Lac Hanoi . This 5-star hotel is situated just beside Hoan Kiem Lake and is highly rated for its service and beautiful interior. Oriental Jade Hotel is another contender a few streets from the Grand Hotel. It has a rooftop pool and 100x more reviews. If you must stay in an international hotel, an extravagant Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is conveniently located below Hoan Kiem Lake. Pan Pacific Hanoi is above the Old Quarter, by the West Lake – a strategic place for beautiful sunsets over the lake!

We didn’t buy any SIM as my Singapore telco plan could connect to the Vietnamese telco at a small price. Anyway, wifi is plenty in cafes, eateries, and accommodations, so there’s no need for a big data plan.

You could grab an esim online for dirt cheap. Just google.

Trips beyond Hanoi

Hanoi is an excellent starting base for travels around North Vietnam. When I return to Hanoi for my North Vietnam adventure, I’m going to explore Halong Bay, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh and Sapa. This might be how I structure my plan, which somehow fits into a two-week-long trip :

Halong Bay. At least an overnight cruise like what I did at Doubtful Sound in New Zealand . I’ll have a great time relaxing amongst the emerald waters and towering limestone islands.
Ha Giang. Maybe 4 days around Ha Giang on a bike, either behind a friend who rides or with an easy rider .
Ninh Binh. Our night train passes Ninh Binh after 2 hours. Ninh Binh is Vietnam’s first capital. Might have to dedicate at least two days there, or take a long day trip from Hanoi . Some call Ninh Binh the Halong Bay on land for similar towering limestone mountains.
Sapa. Many have claimed Sapa as overhyped and touristy. But the tallest mountain in Vietnam – Fansipan – is there…Perhaps I’ll do a multiday village trek instead of climbing Fansipan since there’s a direct cable car up . Judging by the photos from the web, Sapa looks vaguely similar to my trip in the Philippines mountainous region Ifugao . 4-5 days depending on the trek?

For my first trip to Hanoi this time round, we took the night train to Phong Nha , spent some days in Hang Son Doong , chauffeured a ride through DMZ to Hue , and then a travel bus from Hue to Hoi An , and flew home from Danang.

Cost of My Hanoi Trip

In total, we spent 7500k dong (about S$420) for two, because my travel buddy was deprived of a good haircut, and bought four trendy attires – notice the hippy pants he’s wearing in the photos! – from a boutique shop. The clothes alone were 2000k dong (S$110) 🤣.

If you were to shop less, walk more, have no massage, and stay in a budget hostel, the overall cost would go down even more. But for everything we have accomplished, S$100 ( 1800k dong ) per person per day is a very comfortable budget.

And that’s it for my ✨ comprehensive ✨ 2-day itinerary in Hanoi. You could lengthen the itinerary by spacing the attractions and adding a relaxing massage, a spa or both. For those with more days to spend around Hanoi, consider taking an overnight trip to Halong Bay or Ninh Binh. For those looking for urban attractions, a theme park and a giant mall are located about 30 mins away from Hanoi centre.

Tell me how your trip went and if my itinerary helped below! 😁

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3 Days in Hanoi Itinerary (2024) for Culture & Food Fans!

Table of Contents

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Welcome to my Hanoi itinerary! After writing 5,000 words on Hanoi food and coffee alone, it’s clear I have A LOT to say about Vietnam ’s capital. If it’s your first time and you’re keen to suss out the top things to do during 3 days in Hanoi, as well as the best eats, coffees, hotels, hostels and day trips, keep reading.

HANOI ESSENTIALS E-sim data plan Copy of Lonely Planet Vietnam Getting there: flight ( Skyscanner ) / train / bus 12GoAsia Pre-book your Hanoi airport to city transfer Accommodation: Booking.com // Hostelworld Tours: GetYourGuide Essential reading: 101 Southeast Asia travel tips

How long to spend in Hanoi?

I’ll never tire of Hanoi. Teaming with scooters, reaching to the skies and bubbling with life, noise and street food, it’s one of the most interesting and overwhelming cities I know, and a must for your Asia bucket list . It’s not a place that could leave you without an opinion. Love it or hate, you’ll remember it forever while it won’t stop to remember your name. Like a bucking bronco, you’ll either enjoy the ride or it’ll send you flying (literally – I’ve narrowly escaped too many scooters collisions!) I want to spend forever but the average visitor spends around 3 days in Hanoi often as part of a bigger Southeast Asia itinerary . There are plenty of museums and cool neighbourhoods so 2 days would be tight. While you might want to spend 4 or even 5 days exploring quirky corners in the Old Quarter, you’ll also want to explore other parts of Northern Vietnam. For that reason, 3 days in Hanoi is optimum .

Related read: The ultimate 2 week Vietnam itinerary & my Northern Vietnam itinerary

Where to stay in Hanoi

There are so many places to stay during 3 days in Hanoi that you’ll be spoiled for choice. Obviously, the Old Quarter is the best for convenience and local life, but I also liked staying above quirky Hanoi Train Street . A couple of my favourite places to stay in Hanoi include the following.

Hostel: For a comfy hostel in central Hanoi, I recommend Nexy Hostel . Rooms have cosy bunks with privacy curtains, and there are private options decorated with unique Hanoi wall murals, plus there’s a roof terrace, cafe and games room. Check availability from US$7 .
Budget hotel: With a welcoming front desk and air-conditioned rooms, budget travellers can’t go wrong with Hanoi Holiday Hotel . It’s centrally located and has an onsite ATM and spa. Check availability from US$19 .
Mid-range: Hanoi Garden Boutique Hotel & Spa is a charming Old Quarter Hotel with gorgeous rooms and artwork, plus a stellar breakfast and spa onsite. Check availability from US$28 .
Splash-out: Seeing the Hanoi sights from La Sinfonía Majesty Hotel is seriously special and best enjoyed from the sky-high restaurant or rooftop bar, which has a 360-degree view. The opulent interior blends classicism with modernism for a stylish but rejuvenating stay, and the spa and concierge services are superb. Check availability from US$70 .

Browse all Hanoi accommodation on Booking.com and Hostelworld .

3 day Hanoi itinerary

Let’s get stuck straight in. Later, I’ll run through how to get around, where to stay and what to eat. Let’s go…

Hanoi itinerary day 1 – Old Quarter & Hoan Kiem Lake

The description above about bucking broncos and scooter collisions? Pretty much about Hanoi’s Old Quarter. For such a busy and hectic place, there’s buckets of charm. From steaming cups of coffee to hidden temples, you’ll find quirky corners once then never see them again. A hundred people could go wandering and have totally different experiences. It’s a wonderland out there! Did you know many of the streets in the Old Quarter are named after what they used to sell (and in many cases still do)? Hàng Bạc was once the area of silversmiths and is now packed with jewellery shops, while Han Gai is famed for its silk and tailoring, and Lan Ong sells medicinal products. Have a wander around – it’s busy but a lot of fun.

Breakfast – banh cuon

Begin your 3 days in Hanoi with a local breakfast. My favourite Hanoian breakfast dish is banh cuon . Steamed rice batter is wrapped around a mix of pork and wood ear mushrooms and served with chilli, and fish sauce to dip, as well as a generous handful of herbs. In the Old Quarter, you’ll find banh cuon cooked fresh on hot plates at modest restaurants and street stalls for around 30k VND.

Pull up a little red stool and dig in!

Related activity: small group Hanoi street food tour by foot or private tour with cyclo driver

Coffee in the Old Quarter

If you’re the kind of person that can’t function without coffee, you’re reading the right Hanoi itinerary. Check out my guide to the best cafes in Hanoi , a topic I worked selflessly and tirelessly to research 😉 In the Old Quarter, I’d recommend Loading T coffee shop set inside a repurposed French mansion and Cafe Dinh , a hidden-away cafe serving egg coffee, the most famous Hanoian beverage. This cafe is a mission to find so find it in my guide to the best egg coffee in Hanoi .

Other things to do in the Old Quarter

Wander the various old guild streets and try to work out what they’re famous for.
Go for a cheap beauty treatment. Massages in Hanoi are cheap!
Shopping! You can buy souvenirs here from gorgeous painted coconut shell bowls to silk scarves, decorated notebooks and clothing. Don’t forget to haggle.
Head inside pretty Bach Ma Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in the city.
Admire Joseph’s Cathedral, a neo-gothic cathedral and place of worship for 4 million catholic Vietnamese people (who knew?)

The French Quarter

Hanoi’s French Quarter is a picture of colonial grandeur. With oh-so-Asian scooters buzzing by, it’s a bizarre and intriguing sight to see. Don’t forget to gawp at the sunny yellow Opera House, or even come back later in the evening for a Cirque du Soleil-style show with talented local performers. Pay 600k a ticket.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is the beating heart of Hanoi. Every day (and especially at weekends), locals come to the shores to chat, exercise and relax. They pounce on you in the friendliest way possible, keen to practise their English and check you’re having a great time. Nestled in the centre of Hoan Kiem is the Turtle Tower , a poignant landmark for the Vietnamese. Its history is part fact and part myth, dating back to the days of Chinese rule and the fight for Vietnamese independence. Leader, Le Loi, was paramount in the bloody war and was said to have been handed a magic sword from an underwater dragon king which helped him defeat the enemy.

Later, it was taken by a turtle who swum it to the bottom of what subsequently translates as the ‘Lake of the Restored Sword’. Real-life turtles genuinely do appear in the lake today, much to everyone’s excitement. Don’t miss Hanoi’s most visited Temple, Ngoc Son , is on an island in Hoan Kiem Lake. Cross the pretty red bridge to reach it and admire views across to the Turtle Tower. Useful info: Entrance is 30,000 VND and opening times are 8am-6pm.

If you’re hungry again and want to sample more food in the Old Quarter, I would suggest bun cha or banh mi. Bun cha is my favourite Vietnamese dish, smoky pork balls bathed in a tangy broth with veggies and a side of rice noodles to dip. You can order it with ‘nem’ which are crispy, meat-filled spring rolls to dunk. Eat it at Bun Cha Nem at 6 Ngõ Trạm Street . Banh mi is a globally famous dish that can be tried at Banh Mi 25, a touristy joint that deserves the hype. From meaty baguettes to mushroom and tofu, there’s something for everyone, plus it’s cheap as chips. Just order two… no, scrap that, five! Check out my guides to Hanoi street food and finding the best banh mi in Vietnam .

Afternoon – Temple of Literature

My favourite temple while visiting Hanoi was the Temple of Literature. This is the site of Vietnam’s oldest university – it even features on the 100k banknote. It became a university 1,000 years ago and has survived various wars and disasters. Early graduates had their names engraved on a stone which can still be seen today. The Temple of Literature (local name, Van Mieu Mon) is a beautiful, chilled place to spend a couple of hours. Entry is 30k VND.

Evening – Water Puppet Show

If watching shows is your thing, may I recommend the Water Puppet Theatre . If you like having a clue what’s going on, may I recommend avoiding the Water Puppet Theatre. Originally a show for local children, this is now a tourist favourite that many people will ensure you is a must for 3 days in Hanoi. You probably won’t follow the plot (is there a plot?) but it’s a bit of a novelty if you’ve got time on your hands while visiting Hanoi. You can buy tickets for the 50-minute show on the door or online for $9. It’s right beside Hoan Kiem Lake.

Hanoi Night Market

If you’re visiting on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you can check out Hanoi Night Market which can be found in the heart of the Old Quarter. As well as street food from Vietnamese to Korean and fresh smoothies and juices, it’s one of the best places to shop for crafts, arts and souvenirs.

Bia Hoi Junction

Essential to any Hanoi itinerary is a trip to Bia Hoi Junction at the corner of Ta Hien and Lương Ngoc Quye . Locals and tourists alike flood the streets, perched on red stools and sipping pints of bia hoi, otherwise known as fresh beer. This local drink is brewed on site but don’t think that makes it any weaker – a few too many pints will give you a very sore head the next day. It will definitely be worth it for an evening at Bia Hoi Junction especially as a pint can set you back as little as 5k VND (that’s 17p to Brits!).

Hanoi itinerary – day 2

Provided you didn’t drink too much beer hoi the night before, we’ve got a day of culture and cool neighbourhoods coming up.

Morning – Hanoi museums

The Women’s Museum : this is one of my all-time favourites, telling the story of Vietnamese women from the issues they face to their successes and bravery throughout Vietnamese history. You could easily spend a half-day as there’s plenty to see. Entrance is 30k VND and the museum can be found near the Old Quarter. Hoa Lo Prison : this is another important stop during three days in Hanoi. It’s where political prisoners were kept during French rule and US prisoners were kept during the war between Vietnam and America. During this second period, it became nicknamed the Hanoi Hilton despite its bleak living conditions.

While this museum has a dark history, it’s important in understanding Vietnam’s most important political events. You can visit from 8am-5pm seven days a week (apart from a lunch break from 11.30am to 1.30pm daily). Entrance is 30k VND. Thăng Long Imperial Citadel : this historic site, museum and park is another place to visit if you have time. You can easily spend 2-3 hours wandering around and learning about the history of Vietnam. Entry is just 30k VND. Military History Museum – dedicated to Vietnam military history, this is a fascinating stop for history buffs displaying everything from artefacts to aircraft.

Afternoon – Truc Bach and Tay Ho

I’d suggest leaving the Old Quarter behind and continuing your Hanoi itinerary to an area called Truc Bach . This ties in well with a tasty lunch because Truc Bach is famous for one specific Hanoian speciality. Set beside Truc Bach Lake, the commercialised corner of the neighbourhood is home to a giant floating Highlands Coffee boat where you can sip cold drinks or hire a swan pedalo to cruise around the lake. Alternatively, pay a visit to the much less touristy side where a relaxed community resides on Truc Bach island . Not only can you see how the locals live but you can head to Phở Cuốn Hương Mai restaurant known for serving pho cuon, tasty rice batter rolls filled with pork and served with chilli, lime and fish sauce to dip.

You can also try pho chien phong, deep-fried rice batter served with meat and veggies. This no-frills restaurant is busy and authentic: the real deal! After lunch, you can use my Truc Bach guide to explore the neighbourhood. The best thing to do nearby is check out Tran Quoc Pagoda , the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi known for its lakeside views and sunny yellow pagodas. It’s free to visit.

Other things to do in Truc Bach:

Wander over the ornate bridge to pretty Đền Thủy Trung Tiên , also known as the Temple of the Dog.
Sample tasty and affordable food at State-Run Foodshop Number 37 , a ration-themed restaurant with quirky military memorabilia on the walls.
Look out over the lake where US senator John McCain crashed his plane during the war with the US.
Visit cute cafes like Lang Thang Coffee & More.

West Lake / Tay Ho

For the late afternoon, head to West Lake, the biggest lake in Hanoi with a 17km shore length. Sunset from the banks is a reason to visit alone. West Lake translates into Vietnamese as Tay Ho which is the name of the district beside it. This is where most of the Westerners who work as English teachers live. It might not sound highly cultural but an influx of stylish bars, cafes and restaurants have sprung up as a result. My favourite is Maison de Tet Decor which is a coffee shop and restaurant in a giant yellow repurposed mansion with gorgeous lake views. You can have a coffee or beer looking out over the lake for the perfect end to the day. I wouldn’t blame you for returning the following morning for a delicious brunch. For dinner, I hear great things about Bao Wow with its Instagrammable ‘I licked it so it’s mine’ sign. As well as great Asian food with plentiful veggie options, they stay open late and turn into a bar.

Hanoi itinerary – day 3

Ho chi mausoleum.

For your final day in Hanoi, I would suggest checking out the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and a few other attractions nearby. Despite being a bit morbid, the body of the first Communist leader of Vietnam preserved in a glass case is an iconic site in Hanoi. Visit for just 10k VND from Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday. While in the area, you can swing by One Pillar Pagoda . This isn’t the most impressive temple in Hanoi in my opinion but entrance is free and it doesn’t take long to walk the grounds and ponder how the pagoda stays upright with just one leg. From Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda, you’re nearby another of my favourite areas in Hanoi…

This neighbourhood may be little-known to tourists but it’s well worth a visit. The sleepy old-fashioned flower neighbourhood is one of the oldest in Hanoi, dating back 1,000 years. It doesn’t take long to explore so I’d recommend spending an hour or two wandering the streets and checking out local life, using my Ngoc Ha guide for further info.

Final night – explore the bars

The Hanoi nightlife scene has a bit of everything from smoky, grimy clubs to fancy bars and local beer streets. You’ll notice that everything officially gets shut down by the police at midnight but there’s usually a way around this. People initiate lock-ins, plus outdoor clubs spring up at weekends just a few out of miles out of town. Be sure to check out:

Polite & Co

Hanoi’s most stylish bar is without a doubt Polite & Co . With a speakeasy theme, it’s quirky from the offset and boasts a range of creative and unusual cocktails. The ‘around the world’ menu offers coffee cocktails from Ethiopia, chai-infused Indian options and maple syrup liquors from Canada. We opted for Vietnamese classics. Mine was flavoured with sticky rice and ice cream while my friend Lola’s stole the show and wore a mini rice hat.

Ne Bar has all your usual cocktails as well as some you’ll need to dare your friends into trying. Following a strong drink at Polite & Co, I was coerced into drinking both a pho cocktail and a fish sauce cocktail. Despite sounding bizarre, both were refreshingly aromatic: icy cold flavoured with chilli and lime. I’d forgive you for sticking to a mojito though.

Other things to do in Hanoi

Since I’ve spent much longer than 3 days in Hanoi, I have a few other favourite corners. If you have extra time or don’t fancy something mentioned above, for example admiring the embalmed body of a communist leader, swap any of these into your itinerary for Hanoi. Check out my guide to all the best Hanoi hidden gems .

Take a craft class

Watercolour painting class 3 day itinerary Hanoi

From ceramics to cooking and even knife making, there are loads of ways to get engrossed in traditional professions while visiting Hanoi. One of my favourite afternoons was spent at a watercolour painting class where I got to unleash my creative side (which admittedly didn’t go very well due to my lack of talent) and take home the most beautiful piece of artwork that my instructor had painted himself. Browse craft classes in Hanoi .

Take a cooking class

To try your hand at making the local cuisine, a cooking class is a fun option. Several tour companies will pick you up at your accommodation, take you shopping at the local market, then help you prepare a meal in ambient settings. Book a cooking class from $40 .

Long Bein Market

For a cultural but quite gritty and exhausting addition to your Hanoi itinerary, set your alarm for 4.30am and head to Long Bein Market beside the bridge of the same name. This is where local traders sell fresh goods so that restaurant staff can have them cooked and on the table by the opening time of 9am. I woke up at 4.30am and called a Grab scooter to spend an hour walking around in flip flops getting very muddy and almost having my feet run over by in the bustling market. If you’re keen to see the real Hanoi, this is it. You can also see the colourful 6km Hanoi Mosaic Wall running along outside when the sun comes up.

Dong Xuan Market

While lots of tourists visit Dong Xuan Market , it’s big and busy enough that it remains a local experience and an insight into hectic Hanoi. If you don’t fancy waking up at the crack of dawn for Long Bein Morning Market, this is your best bet. Grab your camera and explore the indoor and outdoor sections overflowing with fruit, spices, drying squid and many other items you’d rather admire than actually buy.

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Focussing on the 54 ethnic minorities in Vietnam, this museum aims to preserve their cultural heritage by showcasing their cultures, regions and practices. The site is massive – as well as your usual clothing and artefacts, you can see and full-size homes in the grounds, and visit a whole exhibition on water puppet theatre. Entrance is 40k VND.

How to get around Hanoi

It’s easy to explore the whole Old Quarter by foot , you’ll rarely have to take any form of transport. For heading further afield to Truc Bach, Tay Ho and Ngoc Ha, the quickest and cheapest option is to take a Grab scooter, the Asian version of Uber but on scooters. Call one on the app and within 2 minutes, a driver will whiz up with a spare helmet for you and you’ll jump on the back. You can also order cars but, given hectic Hanoi traffic, scooters are by far the quickest option. If there’s two of you, I’d suggest ordering separate Grab scooters . When you’re coming from Noi Bai International Airport, you’ll obviously need a car for your luggage. Some expats in Hanoi hire or buy their own scooter but I wouldn’t recommend this unless you’re a real pro. The traffic is so hectic that it could be dangerous. Local buses also run and the routes are mostly marked on Google Maps. These cost practically pennies!

Day trips from Hanoi

With so many things to do in Hanoi, I don’t see how anyone could ever get bored. If you have a fourth day to add to your Hanoi itinerary, I would highly recommend…

The best day trip from Hanoi is Ninh Binh, a gorgeous countryside region just a two-hour drive away. Actually, I’d recommend catching a bus and staying overnight but if you’re tight on time, $48 will get you a fun and all-inclusive return day trip . The popular attractions in Ninh Binh are the Tam Coc cliffs and boat rides, as well as the numerous temples in the countryside. Read about how to plan a Ninh Binh day trip here.

The Perfume Pagoda

Also known as the Huong Pagoda, this stop is a series of Buddhist shrines and temples set into the mountains. It takes around two hours to reach from Hanoi and most visitors arrive via a day tour . I’ve never been myself as some people say it’s a bit of a tourist trap but I’ll leave you to make your own decision.

Bat Trang Pottery Village

Porcelain pottery has been made in Hanoi for seven centuries and provides a livelihood for countless residents. A visit to Bat Trang allows you to shop for souvenirs and visit the factory to learn about the rich history of Hanoi handicrafts. Take a day trip from Hanoi and arrive via a tour , local bus or taxi.

Where next?

After your Hanoi itinerary, you’re in a fantastic position to explore more of Vietnam’s most incredible attractions. To best explore, check out my Northern Vietnam itinerary . Must-see spots include…

Ha Long Bay

If you do one thing outside of Hanoi, make sure it’s Ha Long Bay . I’ve now been twice and I’d love to do it all again. Book a tour in any Hanoi agency and you’ll get picked up and driven to the harbour where you’ll board a cruise. The itinerary will include caves, kayaking and climbing viewpoints. Some people manage to do Ha Long Bay as a day trip though as it’s a three-hour drive each way that sounds pretty tiresome. I’d recommend taking a two-night cruise with the second night on Cat Ba Island. On the way to Cat Ba, you make it further into the bay (past the busy, touristic mouth) and see more local life. Browse GetYourGuide’s overnight Hanoi cruises including meals, kayaking and guides.

Magical little Sapa is a misty hilltown I had the pleasure of visiting for the first time recently. The main activity is trekking the rice terraces with a local guide who will take you to some of the most picturesque spots. The highlight for me was meeting the minority hill tribes who have their own unique languages and forms of traditional dress. Like Ha Long Bay, you can see Sapa in a short period of time if necessary. You can take a sleeper train from Hanoi , stay in Sapa Town and explore independently, or take a multi-day tour. Browse tours in any Old Quarter travel agency or book in advance . I took this 3 day tour with a homestay ( 2 day trip also available) or you can opt for a hotel stay instead.

Going down the coast?

Many people visit Hanoi at the beginning of their Vietnam trip. Once your 3 days in Hanoi are up, use my Vietnam travel itinerary to plan your trip. There’s so much to see and do in Vietnam so I’d recommend at least a month if you have time.

Spending time in other SE Asian countries? Read my 3 month Southeast Asia itinerary

Recap of my other Hanoi posts

What to eat in Hanoi
The best coffee shops in Hanoi
Hidden & lesser known places in Hanoi
Truc Bach area guide
Ngoc Ha area guide
Where to drink egg coffee in Hanoi

Thanks for reading my Hanoi itinerary!

Looking for more Vietnam inspo? Check out my blogs…

Central Vietnam posts:

Solo travel in Vietnam
The ultimate Hoi An itinerary
The best Hoi An cafes
Where to eat vegetarian food in Hoi An
A complete street food guide to Hoi An
Co-working cafes for digital nomads in Hoi An
Hue Abandoned Waterpark
How to spend 2 days in Hue
Phong Nha National Park travel guide
Quy Nhon travel guide – Vietnam’s hidden gem

Southern Vietnam posts:

A complete Saigon itinerary
How to take a Mekong Delta day trip from Saigon

See you next time for more adventures,

For more content, follow me on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

Ps. Liked my 3 day Hanoi itinerary? Pin it for later!

VIETNAM QUICK LINKS Getting around by air – it’s easy to get between cities by flight. I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. You can also use the ‘to anywhere’ feature if you’re flexible on where you’re going. Stay connected with E-sim data plans that don’t require delivery or collection; just scan the QR code. In my opinion, Lonely Planet offer the best guidebooks. Get the latest Lonely Planet Vietnam . For Vietnam buses and trains , I use 12GoAsia . The search feature allows you to compare prices and durations. I use Booking.com for accommodation. They have the best range of hotels and self-catering apartments, plus you can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. For activities, I use GetYourGuide as they have a huge range of affordable tours. Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

2 thoughts on “ 3 Days in Hanoi Itinerary (2024) for Culture & Food Fans! ”

Planning to visit Vietnam your veg/vegan restaurant at Hoi An information will help me a lot Thanks do you have this information for Hanoi ,Ho Chi Minh, Ha Long cities

Hello! I’m so glad you found it helpful. Sorry I don’t have vegan guides to those cities unfortunately!

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4 days in Hanoi itinerary | The perfect Hanoi city guide

The city of a million motorbikes. Of deliciously toasted bahn mi baguettes bursting with flavour. And of a lake reflecting thousands of multi-coloured lights of every shade. Hanoi is the heartbeat of Vietnam, and a capital city that you just can’t miss. But with so much to see and do, where should you start? We’ve broken it all down for you based on our own experience in the city, to creating what we hope is the best 4 days in Hanoi itinerary.

Why choose Hanoi?

If you’re going to visit Vietnam, Hanoi has to make your travel itinerary. Even if you’re already made up your mind (and you really should), here are a few good reasons to add Hanoi to your list:

It’s Vietnam at its finest. Buzzing streets, incredible food markets, easy to access attractions and so much to do that you’re almost spoiled for choice.
The food. Oh, the food. Whether it’s snacking on bun cha , slurping icy coconut coffee or burning your fingers on steaming hot spring rolls, Vietnam offers some of the best fare in South East Asia, if not the globe.
It’s connected. Some of the fastest wifi speeds in the region alongside the sheer convenience of ride-hailing apps like Grab make Hanoi an attractive choice for digital nomads and savvy travellers alike.
It’s cheap as chips. After travelling in South East Asia for 6 months solid, we were surprised that Vietnam ended up being one of the most affordable countries we visited.

Our 4 days in Hanoi itinerary

What should 4 days in Hanoi look like? Our tried and tested itinerary for exploring Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city:

Day 1: Old Quarter / Drink Coconut Coffee / St Joseph’s Cathedral / Eat Bahn Mi / Go shopping
Day 2: Street food tour / Phung Hung Mural Street / Dong Xuan Market
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum / Note Café / Water Puppet Show
Day 4: Cooking Class / Hoa Lo Prison / Hoan Kiem Lake

Getting in from the airport

Chances are you’re landing into Hanoi by air, since there aren’t too many border crossings into the city. So make sure you check out the best deals for your flights with Skyscanner . Based on that, there are a few ways to get into the city centre:

By shuttle : Definitely the most affordable way to get from the airport is to use the shuttle bus, that goes to the Hanoi Old Quarter. When you leave the airport you’ll find a kiosk advertising tickets which costs 40,000 VND (about 1.35 GBP / 1.75 USD per person). It drops you near to Hoan Kiem Lake which is near the Old Quarter, taking about 45 mins (maybe longer if there is bad traffic). The buses depart every 30 to 45 minutes.

By taxi: The simplest way to get from Noi Bai International Airport to the city centre is by taxi. Instead of taking a traditional taxi, we highly recommend you download Grab, the ride-hailing app similar to Uber, which is usually cheaper than metered cabs. The ride will still be pricey – probably around 400,000 VND (approx. 13.50 GBP/ 17.25 USD). If you are taking a normal taxi, make sure they use the meter or at worst agree the fee upfront!

Getting around Hanoi

Hanoi’s city centre is pretty walkable for most – we spent our days mostly on foot but we’re relatively fit 30-something travellers. We’d recommend walking most places so that you get a feel for the city. However, there are other options for getting around:

Motorbike Taxis (Xe Om): We just sang the praises of Grab for the airport transfer and we’ll continue here. You can hail motorbike taxis on Grab which should cost about 20, 000 VND (0.66 GBP/ 0.90 USD) for a short trip. There are also the traditional motorcycle taxis that lurk around most city corners – remember to agree the cost before departing.

Taxis: Hail these off the street and use the meter – you’re looking at about a base price of 10,000 VND (0.33 GBP / 0.45 USD) and about 5,000 VND (0.15 GBP / 0.20 USD) per km. As above, use the Grab app to book a cheaper ride, with a guaranteed fare.

Bus : Liveried in bright red, yellow and white, the busses cover the bigger routes in the city, like the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and the Mausoleum. Only payable with cash, tickets are VND 5,000 – 10,000 (0.15 – 0.33 GBP/ 0.20 – 0.45 USD)

Cyclo: Want a more authentic Vietnamese experience? You could get into a cyclo but – to be honest – we wouldn’t recommend it. It’s not expensive (about 20, 000 VND / 0.66 GBP / 0.90 USD for an hour) but it’s a tight squeeze. You could use a cyclo to do an Old Quarter tour though, but not really for getting around.

Where to Stay

Hanoi is crammed with great places to stay, to suit every budget. One word of advice – only trust Hanoi hotel reviews from platforms like Agoda , rather than Tripadvisor reviews. The latter are known to be ‘bought’ in Vietnam and therefore not reflective of the property’s value. Here are some of our preferred Hanoi hotels:

Budget : Centrally-located Little Charm Hanoi Hostel is great for backpackers as it has good, clean rooms, convenient lockers and friendly staff.

Mid-range : In a great location in the Old Quarter, we like Hanoi Trendy Hotel and Spa . You get good bang for your buck here: well-sized, air-conditioned, nicely decorated rooms but at a bargain price.

Luxury: Top of the pile is undoubtedly the Intercontinental Hotel Hanoi West lake . This hotel provides a welcome break from the manic streets of Hanoi and they even have ‘over-water rooms’ on the lake. Their sunset bar is set on its own island on the lake, really an incredible experience.

Travel Insurance for Vietnam

Got your travel insurance booked? We promise to never push a brand or product we don’t personally use, and the travel cover from Safety Wing is a policy we don’t just use, but we highly recommend. They offer some of the most flexible policies, amazing customer service and are affordable too.

Check out the latest travel insurance prices with Safety Wing here.

Day 1: Wandering the Old Quarter, visiting churches, shopping and eating

Explore the Old Quarter

What better way to explore Hanoi than on foot? Get your sneakers on and traipse the streets of the Old Quarter. You’ll find yourself lost in a warren of stores, cute little cafes and local Hanoi people going about their daily business.

It’s a great mix of colonial architecture and more modern stores; showing Hanoi history throughout the ages.

Drink a Coconut Coffee

Vietnam is pretty famous for its egg coffee. But, for us, the real star of the Vietnamese caffeine line-up is the coconut coffee. This icy dream fuses condensed milk, coconut milk, smooth coffee and ice to create a lip-smackingly delicious drink. The best place to get one is Cong Caphe , a chain of coffee shops dotted throughout the city. Luckily, there is one across from your next location: St Joseph’s Cathedral.

St Joseph’s Cathedral

Built in the late 1800’s, this towering cathedral is meant to resemble Paris’ Notre Dame and, to be frank, this Vietnamese landmark feels almost out of place in crazy Hanoi. An oasis of calm, you’ll love this Gothic Revival cathedral and can even enter it for free. Just go to the right-hand side for the entrance.

Insider Instagram tip: Want to get the below shot for your Instagram feed? Take the street to the right of the cathedral, walk 200m and you’ll find two gorgeous little wall murals that make a great shot. Sometimes there are cars parked in front of them, but perhaps you’ll be lucky like us!

Picture of girl sitting at a photo wall in Hanoi Vietnam

Eat a Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich)

So it’s probably lunch time by now. And you HAVE to try the famous Vietnamese sandwich, the banh mi . Essentially think of the most delicious French baguette and marry it with Vietnam’s unique flavours and you’ve got a gastronomic match made in heaven. Plus, they are cheap as anything in Hanoi. Our favourite place to eat them is at An Cafe along with one of their signature milkshakes.

Shopping – Made in Vietnam

Belly full of bahn mi ? Head over to the old town and snag yourself a bargain. You might know that many international brands like North Face are made in Vietnam; and you’ll find them at rock bottom prices in little stores around the town. Wanting to go a bit more upmarket? Head to ‘Silk Street’ or Hang Gai street for gorgeous dresses, scarves and shirts.

Day 2: Eating street food, admiring street art and visiting a local market

Do a Street Food Tour

By now you’ve tasted the coffee and the sandwiches but there is so much more to explore when it comes to Vietnam’s amazing street food. The best way to taste it all (well, a lot of it)? A street food tour.

Generally a food tour in Hanoi takes you round the fresh markets and a host of the best street food stalls and vendors in the city. Main attractions include bun cha, a favourite of former US President, Barack Obama! If it’s good enough for Obama, it’s good enough for you, right?

These tasty pork patties are served in a slightly spicy soup alongside rice noodles and fresh lettuce, and you put them together yourself.

You’ll probably also taste delicacies like banh cuon, steaming rice rolls full of minced pork, wood ear mushrooms and shallots or slurp the best pho in Hanoi , another Vietnamese soupy dish. Looking for something a little sweeter? Usually desserts include things like jackfruit and yoghurt or fresh fruit with condensed milk and crushed ice.

There are quite a few options for food tours in Hanoi but we always revert to trusty Get your Guide – we know their Hanoi street food tour is a winner!

Phung Hung – Mural Street

You’ve tasted the best food, why not take in a bit of art? Hanoi has a Mural Street called Phung Hung Street. It was once famous for selling motorbikes (there’s an old motorbike as part of the art), but it is now is a great location to get some street art photos. So, if you are keen on street art, this is a good place to go.

Girl standing in front of mural wall in Hanoi Vietnam

Dong Xuan Market

Maybe you got your shopping fix in yesterday. But why not try a more authentic market today and do more shopping in Hanoi? A ten-minute walk from Phung Hung street is the Dong Xuan market. This is Hanoi’s largest indoor market and here you can get everything from fresh fruit to souvenirs, clothing to electronics. Generally at very low prices, but just make sure you bargain anyway. Keep in mind – like many markets in South East Asia, this market is a little grubby. But it’s all part of the experience, right?

Open: Friday, Saturday and Sunday – 7.00am to midnight, Monday to Thursday – 7.00am to 6.00pm

Train Street *partly closed*

At time of writing, the Train Street had just closed to tourists, hopefully soon to reopen. We believe it’s still worth a visit to look at this renowned street, as parts of it are still accessible even though the train doesn’t go through it. It does have police guard now so you might not be in luck when you arrive.

If you aren’t aware, the Hanoi Train Street is a working railway line which you are able to walk along, with residents selling everything from fruit to souvenirs. We loved heading there and taking a seat in one of the railway side cafes, slurping our mango shakes and waiting for the train.

Picture of girl on Train Street in Hanoi, Vietnam

We’re all awaiting its re-opening.

Day 3: Visit the Mausoleum, post notes at the Note Coffee and see a water puppet show

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

This morning get on down to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the resting place of former Vietnam leader Ho Chi Minh. Make sure you get there early – the place can get particularly busy which makes sense as it’s an important place for the Vietnamese people.

You’ll be able to see Ho’s body embalmed and encased in a glass sarcophagus. More than this, if you arrive early, you might see the changing of the guards at the mausoleum.

Picture of kids in front of the Ho Chi Minj

Insider Tip: You will have to hand over bags and cameras before entering the mausoleum, so best to leave as much behind as you can. Also, the mausoleum is closed for maintenance each year – make sure you check beforehand. Lastly, there is a strict dress code so cover up if you want to enter.

Open: Tuesday to Sunday – 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday – 8.00am to 11.15am

Note Coffee

We’re in love with this gorgeous little eatery, located near the Old Quarter and the lake. Why? The Hanoi Note Coffee shop is papered in post-it notes – they cover every available surface in the café; whether chairs, walls or even the ceiling! The notes are written by patrons and you’ll be encouraged to write your own snappy sonnets and stick them up.

We could spend many an hour here reading the funny, sad and generally interesting notes around the place. More than that, they turn out a mean iced tea and a flaky, warm, chocolatey croissant that has this writer salivating as she pens this…

Girl sitting in a cafe full of post-it notes

Open: Daily 6.30am to 11.00pm

See a Water Puppet Show

It’s a must-do on any Hanoi itinerary – checking out a water puppet show. This ancient show dates back to the 11 th century when villagers would put puppets on their fishing rods, to distract themselves from the flooding of their rice paddies.

Nowadays you’re not seeing the show in a rice field but rather in a theatre which has a central water pool. Set to rousing music, you’ll see short little plays based on Vietnamese legends that will have you captivated.

This is a popular activity so make sure to get tickets in advance. You can buy your tickets here .

Day 4: Taking a cooking class, visiting the Hoa Lo prison and watching the sun set at Hoan Kiem Lake

Learn the art of Vietnamese cuisine in a cooking class

It’s your final day in Hanoi and – like us – you probably don’t want to leave. So let’s make your last day in the capital one to remember and one that you can take home with you.

What better way to do that than to learn how to recreate some of the fabulous dishes you ate in Hanoi? We’re recommending you do a cooking class and learn the intricacies of Vietnamese cuisine for your own kitchen.

We recommend this cooking class , which fills up quickly so make sure you book in advance.

Visit the Hoa Lo Prison Museum (Hanoi Hilton)

This museum, known by some by it’s slightly tongue-in-cheek nickname, the Hanoi Hilton, showcases the terrible suffering of the Vietnamese under the colonial French government.

The prison itself was bulldozed in the 1990’s but the museum still showcases some of the relics from the previous complex including a gruesome guillotine. This is a more sobering side of Vietnamese history so be prepared for a more sombre visit.

Hoàn Kiếm Lake

If you haven’t been there already, we suggest you take a stroll from the Note Coffee to this lake, as the sun starts to set. Around 6.00pm every night you’ll see Hanoi locals winding down from their day at points alongside the water’s edge.

Whether it’s groups of ladies doing dance or aerobics classes, elderly gents practising their Tai Chi or a cross-section of cultures taking a jog around its perimeter, it’s a fascinating place to spend the evening.

You’ll also be rewarded with some great shots. The bright, multi-coloured lights bounce off the water to create some incredible reflections. Make sure you have your camera handy! The Hoan Kiem area also boasts some of the best bars in Hanoi , including Skyline and Bar +84.

More things to do in Hanoi

Don’t like our itinerary above? We couldn’t cover everything in just 4 days in Hanoi, so have a long list of other fun things to do in Hanoi. Swap out some of our suggestions with these:

Want to see more of the city? Do a free Hanoi city tour, run by local students.

Looking for a bit more culture? You could visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Temple of Literature or check out the Opera House.

Interested in museums? Wander the halls of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum or the Museum of Ethnology.

Want to admire temples? You could visit the One Pillar Pagoda, Ngoc Son Pagoda or the Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Enjoy being on 2 wheels? One of the lesser-known ways to explore Hanoi is via bicycle! Check out this great Hanoi Highlights tour .

Got a weekend in Hanoi? Every weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) Hanoi’s Old Quarter turns into a buzzing night market full of roadside stalls and food hawkers.

Interactive 4 days in Hanoi itinerary Map

Bonus: Day trips from Hanoi Vietnam

Whether you’re trying to find out where to travel from Hanoi or just looking for a few ideas for day trips, here are some places you could add onto your itinerary, within easy distance of the city.

If you love trekking and quieter hillside towns, Sapa is for you. Set over the rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley, Sapa (or Sa Pa) has loads of hikes and guided tours . You can take a boat trip on Lake Sapa, travel the Tram Ton Pass, check out the Silver Waterfalls and walk the Valley, the gem of Sapa and the Tonkinese Alps.

If you want to head there from Hanoi, you can take a private transfer or do a 2 day bus tour.

Just need to book a bus to Sapa? Check out the handy tool below.

Halong Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay

The limestone karsts of Halong Bay are world famous but, if it was up to us, we’d suggest you head to Bai Tu Long Bay instead. The quieter cousin to Halong Bay, you’ll only find yourself with a handful of other cruises, in a more serene atmosphere.

We’ve written an entire rundown of what you can expect in our Bai Tu Long Bay guide but, in short, you could book a berth with a company like Paloma Cruises , who offer pick up and drop off between Hanoi to Halong Bay.

Ninh Binh (or Tam Coc)

Arguably our favourite place in all of Vietnam, Ninh Binh is a very special location. Called the ‘Halong Bay on land’, Ninh Binh (or rather the small nearby town of Tam Coc), has some spectacular landscapes. Cruise down the Trang An river and explore the caves, get a local boatsman to row you with their feet down the Tam Coc river or hike up Hang Mua to see the epic viewpoint, or the cave below.

You can get a full day trip out to Tam Coc with Get your Guide.

Picture of girl looking at the viewpoint from Hang Mua Cave in Tam Coc Vietnam

We’ve actually got more information on all of the above bonus towns in both our 10 days in Vietnam itinerary as well as our extended 3 weeks in Vietnam travel guide , if you’re like some further reading.

What camera equipment and other gear do we use?

We’re living proof that you don’t need the most expensive gear to travel the world and take good photos. Here are some of our must have items that make it into the packing list for all our travels.

Main Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
Drone: DJI Mavic Air – Fly More Combo
GoPro: Hero 7 Black
GoPro Dive Case: Go Pro Housing
GoPro Case: Smatree GoPro Carry Case – Small
Packing Cubes: Eagle Creek Packing case
Backpack: Osprey Farpoint 70
Powerbank: Anker Powercore
Phone: Xiaomi Mi 9
Hard drive: Transcend Slim Storejet 2TB
Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad 720s
Headphones: Bose Quiet Comfort 35
Wifi Hotspot: GlocalMe G4

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to go to Hanoi?

Definitely spring, which runs from February to April and autumn/fall which is October and November. Expect humid weather most of the year, or very high rainfall in summer and winter.

Is Hanoi safe to travel?

Absolutely – it’s generally rare to see serious crimes against travellers. That said, exercise caution after dark and watch out for pickpockets in busier streets.

Is 4 days in Hanoi enough?

In our opinion, yes. There are so many incredible places to explore in Vietnam so if you spend 4 days in Hanoi, hopefully you have a few more days to allocate to another amazing town.

We hope you enjoyed our 4 days in Hanoi Vietnam itinerary? Did we miss anything? Let us know what to do in Hanoi in the comments or get in touch !

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Super extensive post! We LOVED Hanoi 🙂

Thanks guys, glad that you found our Hanoi itinerary useful! We can’t wait to go back to Hanoi and Vietnam soon…

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16 unique things to do in Hanoi

Sep 26, 2021 • 9 min read

JANUARY 21, 2018: People eating at a street café in the old quarter of Hanoi.

From street food to the respite of Hoan Kiem Lake, here are the best things to do in Hanoi © Daniel William / Shutterstock

Visiting Hanoi is like hopping through a time tunnel: beyond congested roads flanked by modern skyscrapers, ancient temples and multi-storey pagodas rub elbows with French colonial mansions in the labyrinthine Old Quarter.

Both stubbornly traditional and forward-looking, bustling Hanoi largely resisted the light-speed advancements that are sweeping across the rest of the nation, and the city often confounds first-time visitors. This list of the top things to do in Hanoi can help you hit the ground running and make perfect sense of the best that Vietnam 's most historical city has to offer.

Explore Hoan Kiem Lake

uc Bridge over the Hoan Kiem Lake .The wooden red-painted bridge connects the shore and the Jade Island on which Ngoc Son Temple

Opening like a tear to the east of the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake offers some freshwater and green respite to Hanoi's hustle. On its northern edge, the Ngoc Son Temple sits on a small island connected to the shore via the scarlet Cau The Huc bridge. Early in the morning, the lakeside fills with residents practicing tai chi, and on weekends, the 7pm to midnight traffic ban gives the area a funfair vibe.

Dive into the Old Quarter

A street scene with many customers sat at stools outside a restaurant on the edge of the road. Vietnamese flags (red with a yellow star) hang along the street.

Explore Old Quarter effortlessly with GetYourGuide. Book your tour today .

Located in Ba Dinh district near the business area, Hanoi's Old Quarter is the city's busiest attraction, and it’s an unmissable attack to the senses. Buzzing motorbikes maneuver around people in large conical straw hats pushing carts laden with goods along streets lined with French colonial buildings. Come right after sunrise when the light casts ethereal hues over the century-old facades, and find only the most industrious locals busy setting up shop for the day. Signing up for a walking food tour with a local is another good way to explore the quarter’s 36 streets and the best dishes that represent them.

Hunt for the best bun cha

If the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain chose to treat Barack Obama to a taste of this quintessential bowl of grilled pork, herbs and noodles, Hanoi’s bun cha must really be quite special. Bún Chả Hương Liên , the hole-in-the-wall restaurant where the duo dined in 2016, has become legendary, but the fun is going around town scouring for worthy competitors. Two good places to start are Lotte Center Hanoi in Ba Dinh and Bún Chả Ba Duc in Quan Ba Dinh.

Watch a water puppet show

Musician playing traditional instrument at a water puppet theatre

Vietnamese water puppetry originated in the 11th century from the flooded paddy fields of the Red River Delta, and visitors shouldn't miss this unique local form of art when in Hanoi. Expert puppeteers maneuver wooden figurines tied to long poles over pools that serve as liquid stages, using water splashes to choreographic three-dimensional effect. Hanoi’s most famous Water Puppet theater is Thang Long in the city center, hosting up to five multi-lingual shows per day.

Marvel at St. Joseph Cathedral

Standing guard between the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph Cathedral is one of Hanoi's most iconic architectural landmarks. Built in 1886, its neo-Gothic style is modeled after Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral. It's the oldest church in Vietnam's capital and serves the city’s small catholic population. Visitors can enter the church’s hall only during mass, which takes place at 6:15pm daily on weekdays and seven times per day on Sundays.

Learn to cross the road

A red flag with a yellow star in the center hangs low over a street packed with motorcyclists

Crossing through street traffic in Hanoi is a real cultural adventure and a way to get in tune with the city’s rhythms. To the untrained eye, Hanoi’s constant flow of cars and endless lines of motorbikes may look like an impenetrable wall of deadly chaos, but the trick is to be slow, steady, and predictable. Drivers are very much used to dodging pedestrians as they approach, and honking is just a polite way to signal when someone is near. The hardest part is grasping the courage to step off the sidewalk and start walking... especially for the first time.

Drink the world’s cheapest beer

Hanoi is home to bia hoi , touted as "the world's cheapest beer" because it’s sold for between 5000 and 7000VND per glass (US$0.22 to 0.31). Made from fermented maize, bia hoi is served and consumed by the roadside while patrons sit and chat casually on low plastic stools. Hanoi’s busiest drinking spot is the Beer Corner — the intersection between Tha Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen in the Old Quarter — a whole road crammed with red plastic chairs, locals, tourists and the echo of their bragging rights.

Try as much banh mi as you can

Vietnamese woman preparing street food in a baguette

Born in Saigon as a simple working-class sandwich stuffed with pickled vegetables, cilantro, French ham and home-made pork liver pate, bahn mi is sold from street carts as a hearty breakfast or midday meal. From humble beginnings, it has risen to become a proper foodie obsession, particularly among foreign tourists and overseas Vietnamese, who even started reproducing the heavenly bread at home. The whole of Hanoi is a fair bahn mi playground, with stalls and shops dishing it up at every corner. One of the best is Bahn Mi 25 in Hoan Kiem District, which also offers vegan and vegetarian options.

Try ostrich meat in Son Tay

Believe it or not, ostrich farming has become one of North Vietnam's most profitable enterprises. The Ba Vi mountains near Son Tay, a favorite weekend getaway for Hanoi locals, are a popular spot to try the meat of the African bird while in Asia. It's usually served fried, as a meatloaf, or boiled with vegetables in a hot pot. If exotic meat doesn't appeal, Ba Vi's homegrown hill chickens, fried with fresh peppers, are the best alternative.

Check out the music and art scene

From DJ nights to jazz and alternative rock bands, Hanoi’s nightlife has a few well-established venues basking in music and arts. Since 2010, Hanoi Rock City has hosted live bands, electronic and experimental music, art events and a regular open mic night on Wednesdays. Savage in Tay Ho District opened in 2016 to quickly rise as the city's electronic music club of choice, where both resident and international DJs come to spin the best house and techno beats.

For real strings and shiny brasses head to Binh Minh Jazz Club in the Old Quarter, where a selection of good whiskey pairs to live local jazz ensembles on most nights. The Hanoi Social Club in Hoan Kiem also regularly hosts arts events, besides being a favorite all-day meeting spot to socialize over coffee and beers.

A path leads to a huge decorative gateway with a red pagoda-style roof in manicured gardens

Find calm at the Temple of Literature

Hidden by a walled compound sheltering five separate courtyards, the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) was built in 1070 under the Ly Thanh Tong dynasty to honor Confucius. The complex also served as Vietnam's first national university. Today, the temple is not just one of Hanoi's most striking, but also a perfectly quiet place to take a break from the city's constant activity. Whether strolling in one of its five perfectly-manicured gardens, or paying homage to Confucius' philosophy at his dedicated altars, the Temple of Literature is an oasis of quiet introspection.

Explore the Temple of Literature effortlessly with GetYourGuide. Book your tour today .

Visit Vietnam’s Museum of Ethnology

Completed in 1997, this museum pays respect to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. It’s particularly handy for those short on time and interested in anthropology: the staggering collection of 15,000 artifacts and 42,000 photographs on display give a quick and comprehensive ethnographic tour of this highly diverse nation. The gardens host a life-sized outdoor collection of traditional houses from Vietnam’s most prominent ethnic groups.

Have an egg coffee in the Old Quarter

Egg yolk coffee, or ca phe trung , is a mixture of espresso with sugar, condensed milk and egg yolk. Invented in 1946 while trying to make cappuccino, the whisked egg yolks were used as a surrogate of the then scarce milk. That trick established this frothy, savory and uniquely Vietnamese brew as a real national success.

Ca Phe Trung can be found in a number of cities across Vietnam, but Cafe Giang in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is where it all started, and where the inventor's son still dishes up the original recipe today. The Note Cafe is also worth a visit, not just for its coffee, but for its very photogenic walls plastered with thousands of hand-written messages left by customers from all over the world.

Learn about Do Paper at Zó Project

Tucked to the south of Hanoi’s West Lake , Zó Project ’s tiny boutique focuses on unique handmade products realized with Vietnamese Dó paper ( giấy Dó ). Produced manually following ancient techniques from the bark of the endemic Rhamnoneuron balansae tree, this heavy-duty, fibrous paper is believed to be able to last up to 800 years. Established in 2013 by Tran Hong Nhung, the social enterprise Zó Project aims at preserving the art of Dó paper-making by working closely with the only two families of traditional artisans left in the village of Bac Ninh, 25 miles (40km) northeast of Hanoi.

The front of a train engine on the rails that run along a narrow street lined with shop fronts

Have a glass of rice liquor by Train Street’s narrow tracks

Since 2018, sitting with a drink on either side of the narrow railway passage on Tran Phu road in the Old Quarter has become some kind of tourist rite of passage in Hanoi. Known as “Train Street” , the homes along this 300m (984ft) stretch of city rail line turned into feel-good cafes and started spilling tables and serving drinks way too close to the passing trains. The street’s constant surge in popularity forced authorities to try to close the shops down in October 2019 to avoid accidents, but Train Street's cafes have kept operating discreetly. The best time to visit is probably when no trains are approaching: without the crowds, one is freer to observe how real local life unfolds on both sides of this narrow city rail track.

Escape to Tam Coc’s rice terraces

One of the most popular day trips from Hanoi is to the Unesco-inscribed Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh province , about three hours from the capital. Think jade-green valleys backed by limestone karsts flanked by the meandering channels of the Red River Delta.

The village of Tam Coc and its viewpoints that dominate ever-changing shades of paddy fields are as popular as taking a slow boat ride along the Ngo Dong River. Spending at least a night here makes it easier to enjoy the scenery without the crowds. Don't forget the Mua Cave viewpoint, a sweaty 486-step climb to the top of an imposing limestone mountain, where an altar to Goddess of Mercy Quan Am dominates the valley and the snaking river below.

You might also like: Where to get the best street food in Hanoi Life on the tracks: my 2 years living on Hanoi Train Street 10 best places to visit in Vietnam

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Things To Do in Hanoi Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog

Last updated on April 5th, 2024

Here’s our Hanoi itinerary for how to spend 1, 2, or 3 days in this charming historical city. We will share with you our tips, must-visit attractions, and what to do in this Hanoi travel guide blog.

Dotted with centuries-old architecture, beautiful lakes, and tranquil Buddhist pagodas, Hanoi is one of the most popular cities to visit. It is a vibrant city that you either love or hate. Although Hanoi is rapidly developing with many shopping malls and luxury hotels, the downtown area is still keeping its traditional culture. It is loud, chaotic, overwhelming with motorbike-packed streets, and unique with its own culture. A true tourist destination.

When visiting Hanoi , it is best to just spend a day wandering around the area and getting lost in the small streets and alleys. You can just stroll around the French colonial Old Quarter, browse through outdoor markets and shops, try local food from the street food vendor, or have a cup of Vietnamese coffee at a local coffee shop. It is an experience to be taken slowly and enjoyed.

If it’s your first time visiting Hanoi , then I hope this Hanoi travel guide blog helps you make the most of your time in this lively city. We will cover how to get to Hanoi, the transport options from the airport to downtown, where to stay, and useful travel tips and information. Let’s check out this awesome Hanoi itinerary for 1, 2, or even 3 days in Hanoi.

Table of Contents

Hanoi Travel Guide

This Hanoi travel guide is comprehensive and long. As always, let’s break things up into sections by section to make things easy in this handy Hanoi travel blog!

Hanoi, also written as Ha Noi is the capital of the Vietnam and second largest city in the country. It is a rich culture with influences of French, Chinese, and Southeast Asian. Being the major hub for Northern Vietnam, Hanoi is the ideal place to set up your base when visiting the attractions such as Sapa, Ninh Binh, and UNESCO heritage site Halong bay.

The Vietnam currency is VND and popularly called “Dong”. Though USD is acceptable in Vietnam, it is advisable carrying the VND especially if you want to buy stuff or food from small shops and street vendors. Besides, hotels mostly can accept credit cards but many cafes only cash.

The majority of people in Hanoi are sincerely friendly , enthusiastic, and with a great sense of humor. In the service industry, you will be impressed by how the customer service did their job and cares for you. They can speak English even though some may not fluently. However, many people on the roads don’t know how to speak English, but communication is not an issue (hand and sign) as tourists are very common in Hanoi.

How Many Days Should I Plan to Stay in Hanoi

You can plan a one-day stay in Hanoi or can even set aside a couple of days to properly explore this city. But generally, we recommend staying at least two days. That way you have enough time to see the main attractions in Hanoi and continue to explore some of the beautiful attractions nearby.

Spend three days in Hanoi if time is permitted. There are plenty of tourist attractions, cool bars, nice restaurants, and great cafes offering panoramic views over the city.

We spent totally 3 days and 2 nights in Hanoi. Firstly, we arrived at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport and arrange our transportation by taking the overnight train to Sapa. After this, we came back to Hanoi for another 3 days of visit in this charming city. We also have a day trip to Halong Bay to end our Northern Vietnam trip before flying back to our home country.

Best Time To Visit Hanoi

The best time to visit Hanoi is in the Fall, from around the end of September till November, followed by Spring (March to May). During this time, the temperatures are ideal and pleasant. It is best to walk around in the vibrant city. Expect more tourists and higher hotel prices around that time.

Summer (from June to August) is the hottest and most humid time of the year. Not only that, the middle of the year is considered the rainy season in Hanoi. So it is not the best time to visit Hanoi and avoid these months if you can.

While December is still a great time as the weather is cool. However, the temperatures can fall to around 10ºC in January and February.

Traveling To Hanoi

For international visitors, most likely Hanoi will be the point of arrival if you are visiting Northern Vietnam. The Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is one of Vietnam’s 2 major international airports. It is extremely busy, serving thousands of travelers everyday, from both internationally and domestically flying to Hanoi.

Many domestic flights are well connected with other cities within Vietnam. There are countless daily flight connections between Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh, and Hanoi. Those domestic flights are very frequent and extremely affordable. Remember to check baggage allowances as this may increase the cost with the hefty luggage cost included.

Besides, there are many low-cost carriers within South East Asia. Flying internally or from nearby countries is an incredibly good value. Be sure to research flights and prices for a great deal especially if you are on a tight budget. You can search for cheap flights from Skyscanner .

Getting To Hanoi Downtown from Airport

You’ll need to arrange for transfers to your hotel from Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport. The airport is about 25 km from downtown Hanoi. Listed below are the different ways you can get to your hotel from Noi Bai airport:

Airport Taxi – This will be the most expensive option and easy to get scam. Make sure to look for a meter taxi or agreed with a good price before you depart. It will take you around 30 minutes to reach.

Private/Shared Transfer – This is the most convenient way of getting to your hotel from the airport but it’s also one of the most expensive. Klook offers airport transfers from Noi Bai to your hotel in downtown Hanoi. You can pre-book a private comfortable air-conditioned car with hotel drop-off ahead of time for around – Best Offer.

Public Bus – You can take Public Bus Number 17 or the Hanoi Airport Bus Express (Bus Number 86) to get downtown. It is the cheapest option but you will need to get a taxi from the bus stop to the hotel. Not a good option for visitors to Hanoi.

Grab Car – When it comes to South East Asia, we highly recommend using the e-hailing service, Grab. Similar to Uber, you just need the app and internet inside Hanoi Airport to book a ride. Grab also support Grab motor in Hanoi but this option is only suitable for the light traveler.

Getting Around in Hanoi

Hanoi is a very walkable city. Rather, we would say that you need to walk around to experience the vibe of this vibrant city. The city’s packed streets, local market, and beautiful architecture can best be seen while walking.

The majority of the attractions are located in the downtown area and within walking distance. On this suggested Hanoi itinerary, you can easily walk around for the whole day. You can also spend an additional one more day in if you prefer to slow down the pace. A better way to get around Hanoi is to get a cyclo ride tour as you will be directly in the street life.

Alternatively, get the ride on Hanoi Hop-on Hop-off Bus to see the best sights in the city! The easiest way to get around and see the major attractions in Hanoi.

If you need to travel farther away, just use the Grab or Grab Motor. It’s the Southeast Asia version of Uber and super easy to use!

Best Place To Stay

Hanoi is a travelers paradise. There is an enormous amount of great hotels and hostels all over the city. We recommended base yourself centrally in old quarter to ease on your Hanoi itinerary planning. Staying in qol quarter is easy to get around for attractions, food, and entertainment.

Here is few option with different budget range for staying in Hanoi Old Quarter:

Luxury : Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel is the best luxury hotel in Hanoi. But rest assured, even the most luxurious accommodation in Hanoi is affordable! The hotel is centrally located with beautiful rooms and comfy beds. Most importantly, the price is reasonable.

High-range : Acoustic Hotel & Spa is the popular affordable luxury Hotel in Hanoi . The location is pretty convenient and right on the border of the Old Quarter. It is walking distance to the train street and weekend market with lots of eateries along the way.

Mid-Budget : Ja Cosmo Hotel and Spa is a surprisingly affordable boutique hotel. Located in the heart of Hanoi Old Quarter, it is easy walking distance to visit the attractions nearby and find food even at night.

For more accommodation option, be sure to read our Ultimate Guide for Where To Stay in Hanoi .

Things To Do in Hanoi itinerary

Hanoi is highly dense with people and full of motorcycles . You can easily explore the city on foot or try a cyclo tour to travel around all the streets with famous attractions. It is a real treat by wandering around and watching the locals and activities. Be careful or you can get lost!

The following Hanoi itinerary is action packed if you are only have limited one day in Hanoi. You are freely to adjust based on your interest and available in the city.

Things To Do in Hanoi Itinerary :

Start with relaxing stroll at Hoan Kiem Lake

Ngoc Son Temple and Turtle Island

Wandering in hanoi old quarter, hang bac street, train street, have a cup of vietnamese coffee, try local vietnamese street food, enjoy nightlife at ta hien street, hanoi night market.

Hanoi Travel Guide : For excursions, I would recommend the Hanoi Sightseeing Motorbike Tour as you will be directly in the street life. Your driver will stop at the most interesting spots or on demand to save your steps. Most importantly, you can enjoy the picturesque and beautiful chaos. A fun and non-forgettable experience.

Relaxing Stroll at Hoan Kiem Lake

Centrally located in the middle of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is literary the oasis in the heart of the city . The lake is located in a lovely setting and is strangely peaceful. It is a nice place to relax, run around, or have your coffee to get some break from the hustle-bustle of the city.

Every morning, locals love spending their time here doing exercise, taking aerobic or tai-chi lessons, jogging around the lake, or just enjoying nature in calm and serene surroundings. While in the nighttime, the lake looks stunning with the bridge illuminated in flaming red. You must take your camera here to capture the astounding beauty of the lake and the activities around the lake.

There are many hotels, restaurants, and bars surrounding the lake. From Old Quarter it is an easy walk to Hoan Kiem Lake. Worth a quick 30 minutes stop and have a drink during your visit to Hanoi.

There are a few historical temples and buildings around the lake that are worth coupled during your visit to Hoan Kiem Lake.

At the north end of the Hoan Kiem Lake is an arched red wooden pedestrian bridge leading to Jade Island which houses the Ngoc Son temple . It was an 18th-century pagoda that was originally built during the Tran dynasty (1225-1400) but was last restored in 1865. It venerates Van Xuong, the god of literature, as well as La To (a physician) and Tran Hung Dao, a 13th-century leader who fought successful wars against the Nguyen.

While at the northern end of the Lake is a small island where a small tower called Turtle Tower is located. According to legend, Hoan Kiem Lake is the home to a mythical turtle who is a Vietnamese legend’s hero. The tower was built to honor the magic turtle that still guards the sword. Enormous turtles still lived in the lake until now.

Walk the lush trail surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake and visit its Ngoc Son Temple. There is a small entry fee but worth paying it to cross the picturesque red bridge and enter the temple.

Hanoi Travel Blog - Wandering in Old Quarter

Next on the Hanoi itinerary is the infamous Hanoi Old Quarter . Basically, you’re not coming to Hanoi if you didn’t visit the old quarter! The Hanoi Old Quarter is the main attraction of the city and it is one of the top places to visit on your Hanoi itinerary. As a first-time tourist, you can truly enjoy Vietnam culture in this old and quaint part of Hanoi. It does give a very nostalgic feeling of how life could be those days.

Hanoi Old Quarter is quaint, historically interesting, and chaotic! There’re 36 dense streets in the area and every square meter is turned into a little business or shop and the energy pumps are non-stop. Each street name begins with “Hang” for Street, followed by the specific business or item located on the street for purchase, such as Hang Can for stationery or Hang Dau for shoes.

There have too many amazing things and you can find practically everything here with all types of products selling in the old quarter. It is very chaotic but very well-organized. From local produces, fruits, vegetables, silver jewelry, shoes, wallets, and clothes, up to shoe repair, you’ve got everything in the Old Quarter. If you wish to buy souvenirs for home, then this is the perfect place for that. Remember to bargain for a good price!

Among all the streets in the area, The vibrant Hang Bac Street is an excellent introduction to the Old Quarter. Like all the streets in Hanoi, Hang Bac is cluttered and chaotic. It is the busiest street situated in Hanoi downtown packed with shops, restaurants, bars, people, and lots of motorcycles.

In fact, Hang Bac means “Silver Street” but these days you can find all kinds of things and all kinds of shops. The street offers something for everyone from fine high-end fashion and home boutiques, to jewelry, to convenience stores. A great place to meet with locals from all walks of life and a great way to get to know the people. Be careful and watch out for the motorcycles while you are walking on this street.

Situated in Old Hanoi Quarter, between Le Duan and Kham Tien street is the famous Hanoi Train Street . The train street is a unique attraction where visitors can watch a train speeding through the street on both sides of houses at a meter distance. People will shut down their homes and activity paused while the train went by but then back to business as usual. One of the most popular spots in the city and should not miss when coming to Hanoi.

If you wanted to catch the train passing by , make sure to do some research before getting here. Still, the train schedule is hit-and-miss and not a train was as per the timetable. But you can still roughly rely on the train schedule we got from the official website:

Weekday: 19:00, 19.45, 21.30, and 22:00.
Weekend: 6:00, 9:00, 11.20, 15.20, 17.30, 18:00 pm, 19:00, 19.45, 20.30, 21:00, and 23:00

When visiting Hanoi train street, it is best to find a place to sit down and take a drink at one of the cozy places along the train lane. All the cafes have great views so any place would be great. Just chose one, sat down, ordered some coffee, and waited for the train came.

It is fun when the train finally passes by. During this time, all the owners shouted to warn all tourists to stand within the safe zone. Listening to the last-minute scramble and loud whistler to clear the tables and chairs to make sure the train line gets empty. Truly a unique experience when the train passes very close, only a few inches away by while drinking fantastic Vietnamese coffee.

Definitely worth seeing this once and make sure to pack this spot into your Hanoi itinerary.

Hanoi itinerary - Have a cup of Vietnamese Coffee

For a coffee lover, don’t miss the Vietnamese coffee in Hanoi. The charming Hanoi has some of the best tastier cafes and coffee shops. It is worth wandering around and getting lost in the city while ending with a cup of Vietnamese coffee in one of the authentic coffee shops.

We highly recommended sampled delicious egg coffee . It is an egg custard densely foamed up and served on top of black coffee. It may sound disgusting but it tasted extremely delicious.

Hanoi itinerary - Try Local Vietnamese Street Food

The walking tour of the Old Quarter was an enlightening experience especially coupled together with the local food that you can indulge in. Along your Hanoi itinerary, you can check out one of the many western cafes and restaurants or try some food from the local street food dealers.

Find out on a fun food tour in Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Most of the famous Hanoi local foods are located in Hanoi Old Quarter such as Pho Bat Dan, Tao Pho, Bun Cha, salted apricot, Braised fish, Squid cake, and many more. It is truly an adventure to try street foods. The street food is very good and diverse but the price is very different from shops so remember to ask the price before ordering. Eat till you drop!

Related Read : Hanoi Food Guide – What To Eat and Drink in Hanoi .

Ta Hien Street, which literally means beer street is the best street for enjoying the complete nightlife of Hanoi. The street is just only 200 meters long, Ta Hien Street is one of the most crowded streets I have been to in Hanoi filled with tourists and locals alike. There are many bars and street vendors where you can find a variety of Hanoi street foods with an ice-cold beer.

Most drinking is just done outside sitting on a small-sized plastic chair right on the street, having beer and food while people watching. The food and drink are slightly more expensive than in other places in the old quarter.

We had the authentic Vietnamese hotpot in one of the BBQ setup restaurants here. The food was delicious and the price is also reasonable. Most importantly, we enjoyed the atmosphere here. A perfect place where you can come and enjoy the atmosphere as well as the food and the drinks.

During the nighttime, the Hanoi Old quarter will be limited to motorcycles and cars so it becomes a good place to walk around. It’s very interesting to explore Hanoi at night with a lined of street foods scattered around the area.

Apart from that, don’t miss the Hanoi night market if you are visiting Hanoi during the weekend. The night market near the north side of the lake is a must-visit attraction with hundreds of vendors and street artists. You can walk around and enjoy a stroll in the street. There is often live music and performances make it very happening. Highly recommend you come to Hanoi on the weekend to take part in the atmosphere of the night market and walking street.

Other Attractions in Hanoi Downtown

There are a lot of attractions and small temples everywhere in the city which is really interesting. We didn’t have enough time to explore those attractions. You can plan it if you are interested.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hanoi – A late 19th-century neo-Gothic Revival church with 31-meter-high twin bell towers. The cathedral is the oldest church in Hanoi and was constructed by the French government in 1886. It not only serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi but welcomes everyone to come, attend and experience.

Temple of Literature is an amazing place with precious history, culture, and structure. Dedicated to Confucius, the temple was built in 1070 and was reconstructed during the Trần dynasty (1225–1400) and in the subsequent dynasties. It hosts the Imperial Academy where royal members studied in the past. This is also considered the first national university in Vietnam. Best place to learn about the history and culture of Vietnam since the 10th century.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the dominating structure dedicated to the hero of the nation. It serves as the final resting place for this revolutionary leader. A place to understand more about the History of Vietnam and what the people have gone through.

The famous Thong Long Water Puppet show is located in Old Quarter area right next to the Hoan Kiem Lake. The puppets are moved from under the water in a show that showcases the pillars of Vietnamese way of life, culture and even religion. There are several shows daily, make sure to reserve your Water Puppet Show Ticket in advanced.

How To Plan Hanoi Itinerary

There are so many things to do in Hanoi that it is hard to decide where to begin. Hanoi is a great base when traveling around Northern Vietnam. With 1, 2, or 3 days in the city, you can explore it beyond the typical tourist attractions.

On your Hanoi itinerary, we recommended spending at least one full day exploring the Hanoi downtown area at Old Quarter.

Started the day with great Vietnamese egg coffee at a local coffee shop in the Old Quarter. Spend some time touring around Hoan Kiem lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and Turtle Island. Followed by wandering around the areas and other interesting attractions in Old Quarter such as St Joseph Cathedral. If you are feeling hungry, stop by for a great lunch at one of the restaurants selling local cuisines. Continued with wandering around the area such as train street, Hang Bac Street, and other vibrant streets in the old quarter. A great day in Hanoi!

If you’d like to explore the ancient city, you can easily slow down your pace and explore Hanoi for more days. Alternatively, you can have a tour of Halong Bay which is about 3 hours from Hanoi. Spent at least one day to enjoy the serene and picturesque of Halong Bay.

Tour Depart from Hanoi

The stunning Halong Bay is a major tourist attraction and a must-see stop on your Hanoi itinerary. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to emerald waters and infinite towering limestone isles, islets, and caves topped by lush rainforests.

We recommended getting to Halong bay by joining a tour as the transportation is not well-connected. This is the most popular day trip from Hanoi with many people departing to Halong Bay every day. A not to be missed attraction if you are visiting Hanoi!

Related Read : A Trip To Halong Bay: Ultimate Travel Guide Blog

For a day trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi, here is our recommendation:

Small Group Halong Bay Day Tour from Hanoi [Route 1] – Most Popular!
Halong Bay Deluxe Cruise from Hanoi [Route 2]

Consider to enjoy the serene Halong Bay with multiple-days tour:

All-Inclusive 2 Day/1 Night Cruise in Halong Bay – Reputation Customer Review in TripAdvisor !
5 Stars Halong Bay Cruise with private balcony and bathtub .

Some other popular day trips departed from Hanoi for consideration:

Day trip to an ancient capital: Hoa Lu – Tam Coc Day Trip
Experience beauty of nature: Bai Dinh – Trang An – Mua Cave Tour

Final Hanoi Travel Tips

Hopefully you don’t feel too overwhelmed by all of the things we have discussed above.

The traffic and humanity are overwhelmingly congested . The sound of car and motorcycle horns every few seconds adds to the hustle and bustle of the place. It’s very challenging crossing the roads as cars and motorcycles can appear from any direction. Stay alert and enjoy the charm.

Food and drinks are cheap overall . You can indulge and learn more about Vietnam’s local cuisine in Hanoi. No matter your dietary requirements, you’ll be able to enjoy the food very much.

If you plan to do a tour, we recommend you compare prices on Klook and Viator – a TripAdvisor company . Both are reputation companies I can vouch for!

How many days should I spend in Hanoi? If possible, try to allocated at least one day to discover the bustling Hanoi downtown area.

Is Hanoi safe for tourists? Hanoi is a relatively safe city to travel to. The city is generally safe but some areas should be avoided, such as parts of Hanoi filled with clubs and bars that are usually filled with suspicious individuals. Be cautious and avoid these places late at night.

Is Hanoi worth the visit? I must say, you wouldn’t be disappointed at all by visiting Hanoi! From beautiful centuries-old architecture, and delicious Vietnamese food to smiling locals, you’ll find no lack of things to do in Hanoi.

Overview: A Visit To Hanoi

All in all, Hanoi is an amazing destination for all types of travelers, regardless if you’re interested in sightseeing, temples, gastronomy, a great night market scene, art, and everything else in-between.

We hope our suggestions help you plan your Hanoi itinerary. I’m hardly an expert on Hanoi but I do hope that you find this Hanoi travel guide useful. Hanoi is truly amazing and around every corner is something new.

On our Hanoi itinerary, we sampled delicious street food, tried the disgusting yet tasty egg coffee, and enjoyed strolling around the streets absorbing the hustle and bustle. We stayed at the Acoustic Hotel & Spa and fell in love with the convenient and all that it has to offer. Many great restaurants and interesting attractions are within walking distance. Highly recommended.

Lastly, if you need more travel inspiration for Northern Vietnam, here you can find the best articles to plan your trip including Sapa, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay.

A Trip To Halong Bay: Ultimate Travel Guide Blog
Where To Stay in Hanoi: Best Areas and Hotels
Hanoi Food Guide: Where and What To Eat

Traveling to Sapa:

Things To Do in Sapa Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
Where To Stay in Sapa: Best Hotels and Homestays

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Hanoi Travel Guide: All you Need to Know for First Time Visitors

Zimmin Around the World

Hanoi is the capital and second largest city in Vietnam. With its rich culture, complicated history, and unique identity, Hanoi is a must visit destination for any traveler. Hanoi is an easy city to explore and is very welcoming to foreigners and first time visitors. This Hanoi travel guide is designed for first time visitors so that anyone can navigate the chaotic streets of Hanoi as we did on our first visit. From must visit attractions to dining experiences, and insider tips, this guide includes all you need to know for a first time visit to Hanoi.

**This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support!

Table of Contents

Applying for an E-Visa

For some countries, it is required to apply for a Visa before traveling to Vietnam. There are multiple countries that are exempt from needing a visa to enter Vietnam.

My website, should not be used to apply for a Visa, this portion is just my personal experience with applying for a Visa. I hold citizenship from a country that required an eVisa.

The process is straight forward and there are multiple websites that can be used to obtain an eVisa to enter Vietnam.

eVisa Vietnam has a lot of helpful information on applying for an eVisa.

There are multiple Visa options as well that can be applied for depending on length of stay.

Our experience applying for an eVisa was not particularly great. We applied online, paid the fee, and signed in all the required information about 2 weeks prior to visiting Vietnam. About a week later, we received an email that our Visas needed to be updated. There was no description on what fields needed to be updated. We quickly redid the application and submitted the eVisa again. I got another email about 4 days before our trip that the Visa was denied again.

In panic, I contacted our hotel, the Hanoi Imperial Hotel and told them that I was unable to get my Visa approved in time. Without hesitation, the hotel told me that they could take care of it for us (of course, there was a fee) and within a day, both Jill and myself had our eVisa for Vietnam.

Advice on Applying for an eVisa for Vietnam

Apply for the eVisa well in advance to ensure there is enough time to update the visa in case it is send back.
Fill out the information properly and double check required fields are filled in.
Pay attention to the photo upload requirements. I downloaded a passport photo app on my phone.
If all fails, contact your hotel and see if the staff can take care of the Vietnam eVisa. You’ll pay extra but it is worth the peace of mind.
Double check the eVisa website if your country is listed as exempt from needed a visa to travel to Vietnam.

Where is Hanoi?

Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam. Located in northern Vietnam, Hanoi is about 100 km from shores of the South China Sea. Hanoi is situated in the Red River Delta.

The country of Vietnam shares its border with three other countries: Cambodia, China, and Laos.

Travel to Hanoi

Beside overland or by sea, the best way to reach Hanoi is through the air. Most people visiting Northern Vietnam will land at Noi Bai International Airport.

Noi Bai is about 35 km to the north of Hanoi. Drive time to and from Noi Bai International Airport from the city center can take anywhere from 40 60 minute depending on traffic.

From Okinawa, we flew to Seoul and caught a flight with Asiana Airlines from Seoul to Hanoi. Asiana Airlines is one of our favorite 5-star airlines.

Once at Noi Bai International Airport, unless you have a private transfer I’d recommend hailing a cab. We booked pick up and drop off to and from the airport through our hotel. We stayed in the Old Quarter and the price for a private pickup was under $25.

Where to Stay

If staying in Hanoi, it is recommended to stay within the Old Quarter. The Old Quarter is a great pedestrian friendly district in Hanoi with tons of great options for restaurants, cafés, entertainment, nightlife, and attractions.

We booked the Imperial Hotel & Spa Hanoi via Agoda . To be honest, within our price range, there were so many options it was hard to just pick one. Hotels in Vietnam are cheap but that doesn’t mean the quality is cheap. For under $100 you can find luxurious hotels that make you feel like a celebrity! Again, after doing our research on Agoda we booked our hotel at the Imperial Hotel & Spa and we can’t recommend this hotel enough!

Imperial Hotel & Spa

The Imperial Hotel & Spa is a fabulous hotel situated in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Within walking distance from major attractions like Den Ngoc Son, Ho Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre we highly recommend the Imperial Hotel & Spa .

Prior to our trip to Vietnam, we had difficulties obtaining our E-Visa. We contacted the hotel and they took care of the E-Visa process for us. We also booked airport transfer and the driver was there on time to pick us up and drop us off. A hotel staff met us out front to guide us to the hotel entrance.

The staff politely opened the door for us, made us a welcome tea, and went over important information regarding the hotel, Hanoi, and safety. The front counter had a travel agent that can book trips. We booked our Hanoi Countryside on a Motorbike Tour through the hotel and it was one of the better tours we did while traveling Vietnam.

The rooms at the Imperial Hotel & Spa were very nice. Somewhat basic yet comfortable and spacious. The morning breakfasts were one of my favorite parts of staying at the Imperial Hotel and Spa. The menu changed daily and everything on the buffet was fabulous.

Imperial Hotel & Spa had a spa area on the same floor as the restaurant. Here you can book various spa treatments and massages. We did a full body massage here and it felt great after a long day of exploring.

On our final day in Hanoi, our flight was at midnight. We explored Hanoi that day. Worried we’d be sweaty after walking all day, our plan was to freshen up a bit at the hotel bathroom. Before we could even sit down, the staff offered the spa area for us to shower and change clothes.

Imperial Hotel & Spa , was one of the best hotel experiences I’ve had while traveling the world. I’d love to come back!

Website and Address Below:

Hanoi Imperial Hotel & Spa 2RJX+FW Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam

Mopeds and Moped Safety

For a city with a rough population estimate of 8 million people, there are about 5-6 million mopeds in Hanoi.

One of my favorite things to do in Hanoi was to just stand there on the sidewalk and watch the mopeds drive by. The locals in Hanoi were very innovative when it came to packing items and materials on their mopeds. I’ve never seen anything quite like it! I was also surprised by the amount of people and animals that the Vietnamese can fit on a single moped. I saw one moped with 5 people riding on it.

To us, it appeared that there were not many traffic rules when it came to driving in Hanoi. Mopeds were driving in every direction. Amongst the chaos of mopeds were pedestrians, cyclists, and cars driving on the same roads.

As a pedestrian, at first crossing the roads in Hanoi looks almost impossible. I promise you it gets easier after the first day. By the end of the week, Jill and I were confident and felt very comfortable crossing the streets.
Tips for first time visitors when crossing the street, include to be confident, relax, and be vigilant. Walk slow and just keep moving forward. Drivers are aware you are there and will go around you.
If you want to rent a moped, I recommend trying to rent one outside the city and drive in rural areas before venturing into Hanoi. I feel like it takes skill and a brave soul to attempt to ride a moped in Hanoi.
I had a few moped drivers come up to me while I was standing there and try and sell drugs. I simply declined and they drove off without any issues.

Things to do in Hanoi

If visiting Hanoi, you won’t run out of things to do. From historical landmarks to leisure strolls around Hanoi’s Old Quarter. This Hanoi travel guide provides some of the must do attractions and places to see in Hanoi, especially for first time visitors.

For additional recommendations, I have a post on 18 Amazing Things to do in Hanoi

Hanoi's Old Quarter

Every Hanoi Travel Guide will recommend visiting Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Personally, not only do I recommend visiting the Old Quarter, but also booking a hotel here.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is centrally located and close to many attractions and restaurants. We found the Old Quarter to be very pedestrian friendly and perfect for families.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter has many French style buildings that are unique and beautiful to include the St. Joseph’s cathedral.

Hanoi Train Street

This narrow alleyway in Hanoi is famous and well known because of the close proximity of the railroad tracks to houses, restaurants, and shops. Passing trains come literally within feet of buildings and people.

Although a popular destination and exciting for tourists to see, Hanoi’s train street is an active railway and does pose potential dangers.

If interested in visiting the Hanoi Train Street and curious when the trains arrive, here is an updated Hanoi Train Street Schedule .

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

When visiting Hanoi, one of the most popular attractions is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. This mausoleum was erected as a memorial to Ho Chi Minh.

Ho Chi Minh’s preserved body is located within the mausoleum and is open to visitors.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is free to visit and open from 8:00 am until 11:00 am.

Keep in mind, there are strict rules when visiting, such as covering up and chewing gum is not allowed.

Hoa Lo Prison

Hanoi’s Hoa Lo Prison otherwise known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” is a popular attraction to visit in Hanoi.

Hoa Lo Prison was built in the late 1800’s by the occupying French. The purpose of the prison was for political prisoners. During the Vietnam War, this prison was used to keep US Prisoners of War.

“Hanoi Hilton,” was a name given to the prison by US Prisoners of War.

Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is a temple near the Citadel and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

This temple dates back to the year 1070 and is a Confucian Temple.

Plan on spending at least an hour at the Temple of Literature as there are many buildings within the complex that are worth exploring.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel

Thang Long Imperial Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Hanoi.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel is a series of buildings in a complex that was built around the 11th century. The Citadel was built during the Ly Dynasty as the seat of power.

For first time visitors, you can walk the grounds of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, visit the museums within the grounds, and go to the archaeological site across the street.

Thang Long Water Puppet Show

One of the most surprising attractions in Hanoi was the Thang Long Water Puppet Show. Prior to visiting Hanoi, I read about the puppet show but had no real desire to visit.

Thankfully, our second to last night we were looking for something to do to kill a few hours and decided on going to the Thang Long Water Puppet Show.

The puppet show was performed in a theater at the Old Quarter. Multiple performances took place during the hour long performance. All acts of the show were performed in a pool of water and the themes varied based on historical folklore and stories.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

A not miss attraction in Hanoi is the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This pagoda is located on a small island on West Lake. The pagoda dates back 1,500 years.

This was my favorite pagoda during my trip to Hanoi. The unique architecture, vibrant colors, and stunning location made the Tran Quoc Pagoda one of my favorite places to see in Hanoi.

Recommended Places to Eat in Hanoi

Hanoi is renowned for its culinary scene, from cheap street food to high end dining. Most people know Vietnamese food mainly because of Pho and Banh Mi sandwiches, but there is so much more to Vietnamese cuisine then these two dishes. We definitely tried both Pho and Banh Mi sandwiches’, many times and these dishes were excellent. We also tried dishes like Bun Cha and Pho Tran.

Jill and I took a food tour the same day we landed in Hanoi. We decided we wanted to get a decent understanding of the food here and how to properly visit restaurants and order. I must say, I am very glad we started our trip with a food tour as it made us more confident and knowledgeable when it came to the food scene in Hanoi.

A brilliant food dish that was created by French influence that is both very cheap and satisfying is the Banh Mi. Banh Mi is basically a sandwich using fresh baguettes and ingredients. Packed with fresh vegetables and yummy meats, Bahn Mi sandwiches are both refreshing and delicious!

Banh Mi Pate – Our original plan was to g to Banh Mi 25 as it was recommended by the hotel. We got there and it had lines of tourists. Felt a tad touristy to me, so we walked around the corner and stumbled upon a tiny outdoor vendor that was making fresh Banh Mi on the streets. Tiny chairs were set out in front of is open kitchen. The Pate Bahn Mi was delicious! At a price of 25k Vietnamese Dong or about $1, you can’t beat that!

Banh Mi 38 – This was our first Banh Mi experience in Hanoi. We sat on tiny plastic stools at a table that my knees hovered over. The table was sticky, definitely would not pass an inspection in the US or Europe, but I loved it! I ordered a Banh Mi with pulled pork and it was near perfection, the crispy baguette, tender meat, and refreshing vegetables, made for a perfect late night snack.

Bun Cha is one of Hanoi’s iconic dishes and consists of grilled pork, cold vermicelli noodles, and a broth to dunk the noodles in.

Bun Cha Dac Kim – This is a multi level Bun Cha restaurant that was very popular with both locals and tourists. They serve huge portions of Bun Cha, so come hungry!

Bun Cha Huong Lien – The famous Bun Cha restaurant were Anthony Bourdain sat down with former President Barack Obama. We ordered the Obama Combo and split it between the two of us. It’s nice to know that the price here has remained the same.

Phở Gà Khánh Béo – We stopped at Phở Gà Khánh Béo while on our food tour. This was the first stop and here we tried dry Pho. Basically, it’s Pho but without the broth. The dry Pho was very good, refreshing, and the ingredients all paired perfectly.

Other Vietnamese/Western Restaurants Worth Trying

Pizza 4P’s Bao Khanh – Seriously, one of the best brick oven pizzas I’ve had in a long time was at Pizza 4P’s. This pizza restaurant was outside the Imperial Hotel & Spa and was always packed full of people. The pizza here is quality with outstanding toppings and combinations. I had a half and half pizza. One half was gyros and the other was curry chicken. Both sides were excellent, everything from the flavor to the texture was perfect. As a bonus, they have craft beer here as well! I get it, you want to try Vietnamese food while in Vietnam, but it’s worth going to Pizza 4P’s.

Nem Nướng Nha Trang Quế Hoa – Nem Nướng Nha Trang Quế Hoa was another stop on our food tour. This restaurant was busy, chaotic, dirty, but the food was absolutely delicious. This was Jill’s favorite restaurant out of the ones we visited on our food tour. We had a huge platter (pictured above) full of veggies, meats, and rice paper. You use the rice paper to wrap up your ingredients and dunk it in the sauces provided. Super refreshing, filling, and satisfying!

Chay Trúc Lâm Viên – If you are looking for a vegetarian restaurant in Hanoi, Chay Trúc Lâm Viên offers a great variety of vegetarian dishes. We actually ordered way more then we needed because everything on the menu looked great. I had a mushroom cashew dish and it was fabulous!

Coffee in Hanoi

I heard Vietnamese coffee was good prior to visiting, but I had no idea about the variety and styles of coffee. I tried traditional Vietnamese coffee but also tried and fell in love with egg and coconut coffee.

Briefly, egg coffee is a strong espresso coffee with egg yolks in it. The sweetness of the egg breaks up the bitterness of the coffee.

The coconut coffee is a refreshing blend of coffee with condensed milk and coconut milk. Generally served cold, this is the perfect caffeinated drink for those brutal hot summer days in Hanoi.

As listed in my Favorite Cafés in Hanoi post here are my favorite cafés that I visited while in Hanoi.

Hidden Gem Coffee
Melbie Café and Bakery
Xofa Café and Bistro

I have a detailed post on some of my favorite cafés visited in Hanoi: 5 Must Visit Cafés in Hanoi for Coffee Lovers

Recommended Half Day and Day Trips from Hanoi

What’s a Hanoi travel guide without day trip recommendations? I feel like you need at least 3 days in Hanoi to scratch the surface and visit most of the notable attractions. If planning to visit Hanoi more then three days, I recommend half day/full day tours from Hanoi to see more of what Vietnam has to offer.

Below you will find half day/day trips from Hanoi that we took and highly recommend.

Ha Long Bay

One of Vietnams most famous attractions, Ha Long Bay is a must visit destination and popular day trip from Hanoi.

Roughly 2.5-3 hours from Hanoi is the scenic and unique landscape of Ha Long Bay. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay is famous for its limestone karst formations that tower over the picturesque waters below.

Ha Long Bay consists of 1,600 – 2,000 islands in the bay. Most islands are uninhabitable but many do include attractions that are generally included in full day tours.

We booked this Ha Long Bay Full Day Cruise through Viator and everything worked out perfectly.

The Ha Long Bay Day Cruise included a fabulous lunch on the cruise ship, a trip to the overlook on top of Ti Top Island for the best views of Ha Long Bay, we kayaked in a secluded cove, and walked through Surprise Cave.

If interested, we booked this tour: Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour: Kayaking, Swimming, Hiking, & Lunch

One of my favorite day tours from Hanoi was to Ninh Binh . Picture Ha Long Bay but on land. A Large valley with towering karst formations as far as the eye could see.

We booked this Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour From Hanoi through Viator .

Ninh Binh was a solid 2 – 3 hours drive from Hanoi. Our tour started off with a brief stop at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital before making our way to hike Dragon Mountain for that iconic Ninh Binh photo, where you see the river cutting through the mountains. We then had a 8 course meal lunch and set off on bicycles to Bich Dong Pagoda. Our tour wrapped up with a final attraction that included a somewhat relaxing boat ride down the Ngo Dong River.

I booked the Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour From Hanoi and highly recommend this tour.

Motorbike Tour: Exploring Hanoi's Countryside

Looking for something adventurous to do in Hanoi that doesn’t involve venturing to far from the city? I highly recommend a motorbike tour through Hanoi’s countryside .

We booked this Vietnam Backstreet Tours by Minsk Motorcycle through our hotel and it was one of the most fun half day tours I’ve ever done. We were picked up at our hotel by two locals on motorcycles.

Trust me, I would never ride a moped in Vietnam unless maybe there was no traffic and pedestrians.

Either way, the motorbike tour was a great way to experience driving one the streets of Hanoi on the back of a motorcycle.

We didn’t just cruise through Hanoi, we departed the city and drove through the countryside to Bat Trang, a famous pottery village.

We booked this Vietnam Backstreet Tours by Minsk Motorcycle and highly recommend it.

For more information, I have a post written about our half day motorbike tour: Off the Beaten Path: Exploring Hanoi’s Countryside on a Motorbike .

Common Questions When Visiting Hanoi

How Many Days to Visit Hanoi? I’d recommend a minimum of two days but feel you need at least 3 days to explore the city. Tack on more days if you plan on doing day trips from Hanoi.

Is it safe to travel to Hanoi?

Absolutely, just watch out for mopeds and be vigilant when it comes to crossing the road. In regards to crime, apparently it is not all that common in Hanoi especially with foreigners. Like any city, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.

What do I need to know before traveling to Hanoi?

I’d recommend doing your research and come up with a game plan on what you would like to visit in and around Hanoi. Hanoi or Vietnam in general is very cheap. Meals ran us anywhere from $1 to $6 a person. Pay attention to when you travel to Hanoi. The summers can be brutally hot and humid. Bring plenty of clothes to change in to.

Tips When Visiting Hanoi

Refresher on pedestrian safety when crossing the streets in Hanoi. Pay attention and be vigilant. Cross the road slowly, with confidence, relax, and move forward.
Be mindful of what you eat in Hanoi. Although the food is great everywhere, some of the sanitary conditions might not be up to western standards and the food preparations can cause sickness. A general tip I learned when I first visited Guatemala was to only eat fruits that you have to peel. Try not to eat fruits and vegetables that are washed, and don’t drink water unless it’s bottled. Also, don’t drink beverages with ice.
I was stopped a few times standing on the sidewalk and mopeds drivers came up to me asking if I wanted to buy what appeared to be drugs. Simply decline their offer and they should drive off.

Hanoi is an exciting city that offers a nice variety of things to do, historical attractions, and natural beauty. From strolling around Hanoi’s Old Quarter and drinking unique coffee to visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and exploring temples, Hanoi truly does offer something to everyone. A minimum of two days is a must when visiting Hanoi, but it is recommended to tack on a few extra days, especially if planning some day trips from Hanoi. This Hanoi travel guide for first time visitors was written based on my first time experience traveling around Hanoi for a week.

Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store . 📸

Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇻🇳

Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖

For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com

Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁

Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor . If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.

In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘

I recommend checking with Rental Cars .

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Hanoi Travel Blog and 3 Day Itinerary

Hanoi travel blog: “Hanoi is the closest city across the bridge. It’s an hour away from Bắc Ninh.”

My childhood friend had brought it up on various occasions before landing at the Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi). His family stayed in Bắc Ninh, Vietnam.

We landed in Hanoi at midnight and drove straight to Bắc Ninh. While this Hanoi travel blog is also a Hanoi 3 Day itinerary, we didn’t visit one day after another. We stayed at Bắc Ninh and would rush after public buses early in the morning to Hanoi.

Some days were day trips we had booked like Halong Bay. Other days were touring the city itself. Call it a juxtaposition but the city had a soothing bustling liveliness to it. The river through Long Biên, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Ho Chi Minh’s home itself.

Table of Contents

Hanoi Travel Blog: A Sketch in Words

Hanoi, like many parts of Vietnam, is prosperous with its history, retail markets, and cafes. While Ho Chi Minh city is inevitably bigger than Hanoi – in size and diversity, there are some things unique only to Hanoi that make it a must-visit in Vietnam. With the plentiful things to do, at least spend 3 days to get around.

Unless you’re on a package trip, you’ll see that unlike even in the capital city, most don’t speak English. Saigon says otherwise in Southern Vietnam.

hanoi 3 day itinerary, hanoi backpacking itinerary

Like Chinatown in Singapore or Old Manali street , most travelers’ eyes run along the crowded uneven lanes of Old Quarters when in Hanoi. The alleys open down to Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and then the Hoan Kiem Lake.

During the day, modern Vietnam’s light shines with cars zooming through 4 adjacent road lanes passing by the lake. Vietnam’s ever-popular places like the Water Puppet show and Ngoc Son temple stand here. And then the age-old Quarters for local eateries and endless coffee cafes.

The nights, however, look different in the very same spot. As dusk sets in, locals begin to pop out on to the streets. Those 4 road lanes get shut for vehicles and the whole city’s residents flock in night after night to get a breath of fresh air.

Acoustic guitar shows, boys’ dance crews and fangirl phones’ held up, old people simply taking a stroll, families dancing to music in the rooms between the crowd, ice cream stalls, and the list goes on. It’s quite a sight to experience.

Hanoi Travel Blog: Budget Accommodation Guide

The only mistake we made in Vietnam was booking private rooms on popular booking sites that cost a good deal. Undeniably, they were comfortable but cost too much for a backpacker.

Hanoi is the capital of the country and a major travel destination, there are dozens of compact backpackers hostels to pick from. For a people person, a party-goer, a backpacker hostel on Old Quarters is a paradise. It was for us too.

We stayed at the Old Town Backpackers Hostel that connected straight to a noisy local street. It was a decent stay for the price.

A reasonable average bed per night costs anywhere between VND 130, 000 and 170,000. For those new to backpacking, most Old Quarters hostel entrances’ are on narrower alleys between buildings. While hotels are expensive, they’re also troublesome to communicate as most who stay here are Vietnamese.

With backpackers hostel, you’re bound to meet staff and other travelers that finally speak English here – thus making these hostels a safe haven for the evening. I highly recommend using HostelWorld for booking your Hanoi stay.

Make sure to book your hostel in advance as Hanoi is always a busy hub. So check out HostelWorld below and don’t miss out on deals today!

Check out hostels on HostelWorld!

Hanoi 3 Day Itinerary

Places like the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and his house are must-visits. But when it comes to trying coffee, and exploring Old Quarter streets, feel free to be versatile. Here’s a bit of how we spent our 3 days in Hanoi, and a view of what a Hanoi 3 day itinerary looks like:

Day 1: Land at Noi Bai International Airport

Like most airports, the Noi Bai International Airport lies on the outskirts of the city. The most comfortable way to get to Hanoi (or directly to your accommodation) is with a taxi. No doubt, it’s expensive, but language becomes a huge barrier.

Since we landed in Hanoi over midnight, it was our only option. It costs anywhere between 350,000 and 450,000 VND depending on your destination in Hanoi. Download Grab for taxis when in Vietnam as local taxis get extremely expensive. Moreover, language becomes a huge barrier for non-native speakers.

Be ready to get your phones out for translation anywhere you go from here.

The cheapest option, however, is a bus shuttle. One is an Express Airport Shuttle (Bus no. 86) operating between 7:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. with the Hanoi Railway station as its last stop. Costing around 45,000 VND, they’re cheap and reliable. Keep in mind they only accept cash here.

For those aware of the routes in Hanoi (or those more adventurous), public city buses from the airport are another option. It is much cheaper than the shuttle and there are multiple buses from the airport to different parts of the city.

Hanoi travel blog : Since my friend had lived around Hanoi for quite a while while going to the airport, we inevitably took the local bus 17 from Long Bien straight to the airport. Surprising to me, it cost us only 10,000 VND per person! You should know that local city buses are quite spacious. air-conditioned and comfortable in Vietnam today.

How to Get around Hanoi

Public buses are the most budget-friendly option to get around Hanoi. Not to mention, the buses are air-conditioned and comfortable. But understanding the routes and communicating is a bit of a hustle.

Hanoi is a tourist-friendly city, there are multiple ways to get around to places. Grab taxis are an affordable option as local taxis can get unreasonably expensive. Another option, especially for small groups, is making use of the infinite city day tour options.

Like the Singapore City Tour Hippo Bus, Hanoi has its own traveler-friendly city tour buses at pretty good prices. Unfortunately, I wasn’t aware of these tours earlier. Having visited the city already, here are some of my favorite picks of day tours that cover the must-visits of Hanoi. I personally use Klook.com for the best deals.

Insider Travel Tip: Klook.com is a trusted site for booking attractions in most parts of Southeast Asia and personally my favorite. As partners of Klook, our readers get better deals and you get to book all attractions for travel in one place.

Pay a Visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum

The capital city is most popular for its historical sites. There are simply so many to visit that we couldn’t visit some popular ones as well. But to begin with, I’d highly recommend beginning with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum.

As the name suggests, it preserves Ho Chi Minh’s real body and it’s quite fascinating to visit. The only downside when I visited was that it was closed for maintenance for the months of June and August. What we weren’t aware of, was that the Mausoleum is closed for two months every year in order to preserve the remains of the body.

Anyhow, my friend suggested it to be a must-visit in Hanoi. We had even left Bắc Ninh early to adhere to the strict visiting schedule of the Mausoleum. It is usually open only in the mornings like 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on selected days of the week.

Please refer to updated sites like VinWonders for timing details before you go.

Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum

Luckily, amidst the same compound walls housing the Mausoleum were the Presidential Palace (a French Colonial Palace), the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and a Buddhist Temple popularized as One Pillar Pagoda.

While the Mausoleum was free, the Presidential Palace where Ho Chi Minh himself resided (between 1954 to 1969) cost VND 25,000 for foreigners. Being free for locals to enter, a staff lady stood at its entrance judging other ethnicities.

hanoi presidential palace, hanoi things to do

Our brown skin didn’t help much. But the building, antique cars Ho Chi Minh drove in, and the stilt houses beyond the lake, and glass panes to let peek into the comforts of Vietnam’s beloved leader back then were worth it. Unfortunately, the Presidential Palace isn’t open to walk in.

Our next stop was the Ho Chi Minh Museum to which we had already bought tickets (VND 30,000 for foreigners). But we took a step detour to the One Pillar Pagoda temple (Diên Hựu tự). People flocked around here taking pictures of the structure rising amidst an average-sized square pond.

I took a couple of pictures yet we didn’t realize its importance. There were concrete stairs built up to its entrance but that was it. Now writing this article I realize that the pagoda – Pagoda of Extended Blessings – was built on a single pillar back in 1049!

Hanoi 3 Day Itinerary Travel tip: For those interested in Vietnam’s war history, I recommend getting a guide. If not all, most artifacts, writings, and labels in the Ho Chi Minh Museum are in Vietnamese. Most of the time, we guessed through pictures and artifacts without an idea of what they meant.

Feast at Hanoi Train Street

Most already know of this infamous Hanoi street. To those who don’t, remember that narrow alley street with a track between the colorful cafes? It’s this one!

Fun fact, it was never intended for tourism. It’s a full-fledged train passing just steps from resident’s homes after all. While it’s dangerous, it is equally a wonder-striking sight to see when the train passes.

Hanoi travel blog : We sat at one cafe for coffee and couldn’t help getting tons of pictures while at it. It’s exactly how it appears in the pictures – picturesue. Unfortunately, we couldn’t catch sight of a train while here, and apparently the next train was due hours later.

A heads-up for the train street – go along with one of the local vendors around this area that are looking to take you to the train street. If you go without company as a tourist, you’re mostly bound to be pushed off the street.

Yep, you heard that right. You see, local citizens with the cute shops here own these areas around the train street. Walking on a railway track is illegal, the shop vendors here run a monopoly. Thus, it isn’t free to visit – it’s best to get coffee or a meal at some place here.

Expect yourself to spend anywhere around 2 hours here.

Check out the Hoa Lo Prison Relic

Among the historic places, Hoa Lo Prison is the last stop for the day. The Hoa Lo Prison which once was the functional Hanoi Hilton today stands as a museum preserving the hallways and corridors with figures of how people lived in these dark rooms.

With the figures with melancholic expressions, the tales of brutal torture of the prisoners, and execution tools on the exhibit the place does get eerie. But it portrays the dark days of French Colonization until 1954 and the Vietnam war where Americans war prisoners were held here.

As the etymology goes, the French Colony prison turned into a torture prison for American pilots shot down in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Ultimately being named the Hanoi Hilton by the American Navy.

We didn’t have the time to visit it but it’s no more than 10 minutes walk from the Hanoi Train Street (700 meters).

Experience the Thang Long Water Puppet Show

For the evening, a water puppet show in Vietnam is a must-visit, an ancient tradition that began in the 11th century here. Yes, the whole term water puppetry originated in Vietnam.

Though I experienced a glamourous theatre show in the capital city of Vietnam with comfortable seating, authentic water puppetry wasn’t like this. It dates way back and was started by local farmers to celebrate paddy harvests. The only difference is the puppeteers performing in waist-high waters.

Hanoi travel blog : The harmony of the traditional musical instruments, the voices, and the puppets setup with fireworks at times were nothing short of perfection. The only downside was we didn’t understand a single word – the whole one-hour show was in Vietnamese.

The stories depicted here, like any puppet show, are folk tales and have morals. Though it cost a good VND 100,000 to 200,000 depending on seating, every penny was worth it. Regardless of language, it’s an amazing show but I do recommend getting the translation headphones at the reception.

Make sure to prebook your show. When we booked, only 2 seats were left out and we didn’t have much choice for availability. Instead of offline booking, one way to save time is to reserve your tickets online. Use our recommended partner Klook.com for ticket booking.

Spend the Evening at Ta Hien Beer Street

Ta Hien Beer Street, simply known as Hanoi/Old Quarter Beer Street makes for the night life of Hanoi. Be it the locals or tourists, everyone ends up here for a beverage and an evening luncheon.

The very same streets of Old Quarters that remain calm during the day become a cheery crowded place with portable karaokes, bars, restaurants laid out on the street, and massage parlors.

From one of the crossroads, you’ll see the bustle following down all four narrow lanes. Even the little restaurants that were hidden way between alleys were busy. Alcohol’s pretty affordable, the vibe is there if not the language – what else could one ask for on a holiday evening?

Exploring and walking through the streets, we too settled down to a road vendor trying to get us to sit at his restaurant.

Day 2: Have Egg coffee at Old Quarters

Sorry for not mentioning coffee earlier, Vietnam’s known for coffee! It wouldn’t hurt to spend a little on coffee wherever you go. There are tons of coffee spots in Hanoi if not Old Quarters.

I’d be only a nuisance if I recommended my favorite coffee shop here, as there are tons to try out there. And trust me, any traveler you meet is bound to tell you theirs too. So it’s best you take a walk out there and see where it takes you.

But being human myself and for this Hanoi travel blog, here’s my favorite – the Hanoi Coffee Station. It’s a little hard to find – it lies above another store by the road towards Hoan Kiem Lake. The egg coffee here is a must-try here.

For day 2 of the Hanoi 3 Day itinerary, have a heavy breakfast before you begin your day. Hanoi Coffee Station, popular among the backpackers community, has amazing breakfast options to try. Everything we ordered was simply finger-licking good and satisfying!

Hop on a Cyclo Tour

Remember those 3-wheeled pedal cycles? The French Colony introduced them as cyclos and they became popular among foreigners as well as locals. However, the rickshaws were a failed attempt.

While the cyclos aren’t really needed today with Vietnam’s development, it’s preserved for tourism. Various vehicle brands cruise 4-lane roads today. While it’s no more than a slow tour around the heart of the city, it covers a great area which would otherwise take a long while by walk.

They’re quite fun to look out at, but we didn’t hop into any. We preferred walking on instead. It isn’t a must – when you’re here, you might as well hop on.

Here’s another article for you to read: Perfect Batam Travel Guide

Walk the Ngoc Son Temple (Hoan Kiem Lake)

Hoan Kiem Lake itself with the Turtle Island (turtle tower) is an attraction enough. But that larger island on the northern end with a bright red bridge connecting to it is an extra. The Ngoc Son Temple.

Hanoi travel blog : We paid the entrance fee and entered, not really expecting much. Nor was there much to expect. But it was before us when we entered a low-ceiling room with two turtle figures that seemed to be made of concrete. There was a legend with an English translation of the stories of the turtles.

Spoiler alert, these turtles weren’t concrete – they were real preserved turtles that once resided in the very lake! Enclosed carefully behind glass panels, the turtles’ glossy finish made it hard to believe, but here it was!

The history itself was quite a fascinating read. There was a shrine before the turtle room overlooking the lake beyond, but the turtles’ were the best part. Make sure to have a look when you’re here.

Visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda

Similar to the Ngoc Son temple, the Tran Quoc Pagoda is a Buddhist temple island on the West Lake. Except West Lake is much much larger than Hoan Kiem Lake.

Also, there are multiple temple elements here apart from the main Pagoda structure and lots of greenery around here.

With the temple being 1500 years old, it’s a sacred place among the Vietnamese and many come here on various occasions of the year. You’re lucky if you witness any of them. One such occasion I found fascinating was when they released small animals like fish, turtles, and birds free into the lake.

Though the temple is free to visit, it is a 10-minute drive from Old Quarters.

Don’t miss the Temple of Literature

The last of the ancient spiritual places in Hanoi (though I already picked a few out) is the Temple of Literature. For those who find historical places in Hanoi interesting, another pick is the Imperial Citadel Thang Long.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the remains of the main structure that dates back 1000 years and belongs to the ancient capital city. I picked the Temple of Literature as it possesses equally jaw-dropping architectural preserves.

The following day is a whole-day itinerary to visit Halong Bay from Hanoi. Thus making it difficult if not impossible to visit both of these spots. Nevertheless, for those who wish to visit both, make the best of squeezing in.

Temple of Literature, built around 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, began for the prince – then the nobles, and the elites of the nation. It later spread to accepting the bright minds of the nation. Forgive me, but with literature and philosophy being of personal interest, I daresay I’m biased in picking this place.

It costs VND 30,000 for adults and VND for children and the disabled. It takes around an hour to get around the structures.

Stroll Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street

Trust me, we were itching to get back to the Old Quarters nightlife. I bet you’ll be too! The Hoan Kiem Lake Walking street is only a short walk from Beer Street. Not to mention, you’ve already been here before.

Once for the Water Puppet show and the other for Ngoc Son Temple the same morning. But the evenings here, especially weekends, are something else. It appears as though the whole capital gathers here for a fresh breath of air. Music, laughter, people dancing in nostalgia, and cute coffee dates by the lake.

The tiny portable shops, food vendors, and colorful lights only make the place bright with hues. Old Quarters Beer street is surely a happening place. But this is more of a relaxed crowd with families, kids, ice creams, and bright balloons.

Similar to the Old Quarters streets, the roads are shut for vehicles and all the lanes stretch out for these markets, artists of all sorts – dancers, guitarists, and even painters.

Walk the whole stretch to the Gucci corner store at the end of the lake. But be sure not to tire yourself. The next day needs you to be up early.

Day 3: Plan a Day Trip to Halong Bay!

In this Hanoi 3 Day Itinerary , if you have a day planned separately for Halong Bay, that’s amazing! You get to spend another day just in the city of Hanoi. But assuming most travelers are new to Hanoi, here’s everything to know about Halong Bay.

When I visited this place, I didn’t bother checking up on what really was this spot. In fact, that’s most of how I traveled to Vietnam . I don’t recommend doing so, but for Halong Bay – it’s best you blindly book a 1-day package trip through an agency and go on the adventure.

A package trip is the best budget option in this case as Halong Bay is a good 2.5 to 3-hour ride away from Hanoi city. Prices vary with agencies and services offered.

For a hustle-free booking, use a trusted site like Klook.com for day-package trips from Hanoi.

Travel Tip: Here are some of my favorite day-package trips from Hanoi that are definitely worth the budget. From Hanoi – Halong Bay, Trang An, and Bai Dinh are the best places for day tours. Pick your preferred package below on Klook.com for the best rates.

A single shot of the landscape gives you an idea but also makes for its spoiler. So it’s best keep your eyes and ears away till you make it on that boat. Most 1-day packages are inclusive of a luncheon, the Thien Cung and Sung Sot Caves or Surprise Caves, a long Kayaking session, and trekking up Ti Top Island.

They don’t focus on hardcore caves exploration, or even actual hiking. It’s more of steep walks on concrete steps. Yet, the views are dreamy.

Hanoi travel blog : Halong Bay was one of my favorite of Vietnam. On that lucky day, the weather was perfect, most of the company we had were Indonesians. Me and my friend, who grew up in Indonesia , mingled along speaking Bahasa Indonesian and spent the whole day together.

They were all older than us (we’re only 22 after all) but still jolly and up for all the activities. They still talk with us from time to time. Instagram is handy. It was overall a good day.

Why Halong Bay? It isn’t a bad idea to spend another day at more historical sites in the city, but Halong Bay being neither too large to stay at, nor too small to miss, it makes for a perfect itinerary from Hanoi.

Apart from this, there are quite a handful day trip package options from Hanoi. You’ll see that most common pickup point is the Hanoi Opera house in the morning. To recommend, another alternative day trip from Hanoi is Trang An in Ninh Binh – another recognized World Heritage Site.

Between Halong Bay and Trang An, I wouldn’t be able to pick one.

Is the Sapa tour worth it? There are trips to Sapa as well, but that’s another story. For Sapa, I’d recommend keeping it aside from your Hanoi 3 Day Itinerary . It’s best to stay in Sapa at least for 2 days to have a better experience.

Tailpiece to Hanoi Travel Blog

We had 3 days to spend in Hanoi but not consecutively. Still, we could make it to most these places. While we focused more on the itinerary when in Ho Chi Minh, we stayed a little laid back in Hanoi.

For 3 days, it honestly isn’t possible to cover all of Hanoi. The beauties of the city are endless. It’s best to take your time and experiencing whatever you visit to the fullest. Don’t miss on the must-visits like the Ho Chi Mih mausoleum, the Hanoi Train Street, Water Puppet Show and Old Quarters.

But the rest are all a gamble. I’ll make another post on tips when traveling Hanoi for making the best of time and budget. For now, this makes for a rough sketch for a Hanoi 3 Day Itinerary.

Tell me about your Hanoi stories below. I’d love to hear. Happy traveling!

Manas Patil

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Hanoi Travel Guide

Vietnam's small and vibrant capital lies at the heart of the northern Red River Delta, and is a city of lakes, leafy boulevards and open parks with a French colonial feel. Hanoi was founded in 1010, and became the centre of government for the Indochina Union under French rule in 1888. In 1954 it became the official capital of independent Vietnam.

Today ancient crumbling buildings dating from the 11th century lie scattered among grand French colonial residences, while shrines and monuments to Vietnam's first president, Ho Chi Minh, sit in the shadow of modern high-rise buildings. The streets of the Old Quarter preserve age-old customs, where trade takes visitors back half a century, and temples, pagodas and monuments reflect the historic character of Vietnam.

Although a city of historical importance, as well as the social and cultural centre of Vietnam, it is a surprisingly modest and charming place, far slower and less developed than Ho Chi Minh City in the south. Hanoi has retained its appealing sense of the old world, despite the onset of a brisk tourism trade in 1993, absorbing the boom of hotels, travellers' hangouts, and the gradual infiltration of western-style food and fashions into the once inaccessible city.

As the early morning mist rises from the serene Hoan Kiem Lake, tracksuit-clad elders perform the slow movements of tai chi, like park statues coming to life. Streets fill with activity, mopeds and bicycles weave among pedestrians, while cyclo drivers (three-wheeled bicycle taxis) clamour for attention, and postcard vendors cluster around tourists like bees sensing an open honey pot.

Hanoi is fast becoming one of the most enticing and interesting cities in Asia. As a cultural centre there are traditional water puppet shows, music and dance performances. It is also a good base for excursions to the beautiful Halong Bay, or into the Hoang Lien Mountains inhabited by several hill tribes.

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January 2017 – Hanoi Trip Report

We took the complimentary hotel shuttle to Ho Chin Minh Complex where the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum , The Presidential Palace , The One pillar pagoda are all located.

There were some shops by the One Pillar Pagoda and we did some souvenir shopping there.

We walked along the Ho Chin Minh mausoleum along the length of the street. After reaching the President Palace we turned back.

It was time for lunch and we hailed a cab back to the hotel. Cabs are very cheap in Hanoi and a very good means of transportation in the city.

Late afternoon we took the hotel shuttle to Hoan Kiem lake and walked around the neighborhood.

From Hoan Kiem Lake we walked to Old Quarter and after doing some window shopping, we ended up at Gia Ngu restaurant . We had some traditional Pho soup for dinner there. After that we did some souvenir shopping at the Old Quarter and then took a cab back to the hotel.

The main reason I added Hanoi to our itinerary was to visit the Halong Bay . Ideally, one should book multi-day Halong Bay cruise so as to really enjoy the scenery with leisure. However, due to lack of time, I had booked a day trip from Hanoi with Vietnam Awesome Travel (from Tripadvisor Reviews ). It takes about 4 hours from Hanoi to Halong Bay but I found that Vietnam Awesome Travel Tour company offered a premium experience on a luxury van that used a newly built (and very expensive) highway that cut the journey time to 3 hours. Our van picked us up from Hanoi Opera House at 9:00 AM and we reached Halong Bay just before 12 PM.

After boarding the boat, lunch was served. There was a variety of items such as shrimp, calamari, fish, Chinese egg roll and rice.

While we were eating lunch, the boat departed from the docks and made its way to the limestone cliffs in Halong Bay.

After about an hour, we approached Ba Hang floating village where bamboo boats with a rower were waiting to take us on a ride below some of the caves.

The tours are timed such that the ships reach the floating jetty at a time when there is high tide. During low tide the water around the caves gets shallow enough that the boats will not go through them to the lagoon.

After about a 30 minute boat ride, we were back on the ship.

Our next stop was a cave tour at Thien Cung cave (Heavenly Cave).

There are some parts of the cave tour that require climbing several steps of steep stairs and so might not be suitable for those who have mobility issues.

After getting back to Tuan Chau terminal, it was another 3 hour uneventful journey back to Hanoi. It was a long but very exciting and memorable day on our Halong Bay tour and should never be missed if you are in South East Asia. I was lucky that I had finally checked off this destination from my bucket-list.

We were pretty tired by the time we reached hotel and went to bed soon after. Next morning we had an early morning flight to Singapore, our last stop on this itinerary.

Seeing The World In Steps

A singapore travel blog what's life when you only stay in the country you are born in, spontaneous: intercontinental hanoi landmark 72 junior suite review.

by SeeingTheWorldInSteps
Posted on 06/10/2022

I played with fire and got burned

The motto of this spontaneous Hanoi trip. That is how this stay and trip came about. A little background story before I go into the review. I make plenty of tentatively hotel bookings whenever I find good rates or promo sales. Either I make it there and score a deal or I cancel it. This is the first time that I got burned as I did not cancel the booking past the deadline as I was down with COVID back in July and forget to do so. The hotel refused to waive the penalty for no show and charged my card on file. After some liaising, they have allowed me to keep the deposit for a future stay. This is how the trip came about. The deal wasn’t as good anymore when I book it for the second time around but it is still better than losing out on everything. When I first booked, the hotel was going for around 110 or 120 USD with a 100 USD F&B dining credit! Which is what lures me into trouble in the first place. The hotel is located in one of the newest buildings in Hanoi but away from the historic quarter. It is located in the Landmark 72 building and takes up levels 62 to 72. This is the highest hotel in Hanoi.

Booking Process & Pre Arrival

I book an IHG Luxury and Life rate for this stay. For my stay, the base level standard room cost about 145 USD including taxes per night. By booking a Luxury and Life rate, I will also get to enjoy extra benefits such as a 100 USD credit, breakfast and guaranteed late check-out at 2pm. Sadly, for this property, they offer club access rather than the 100 USD credit. It will be another good opportunity to try out the IHG Platinum status. I was upgraded one level according to the rate to a Club InterContinental room and then further upgraded to a Junior Suite on account of my Platinum status. InterContinental Hanoi Landmark 72 features 359 rooms and suites spread across 9 categories.

Checking In

I arrive shortly after 2pm. It took about 30 minutes to get from the airport and it cost me around 300K VND. I wasn’t expecting it to be that expensive in Hanoi. That is about 20 SGD. As the name suggests, the hotel is located in a building with 72 floors. It is a mixed residential and office building with the ground floor being a reception area. the hotel does have its driveway and a bellboy is on hand to usher guests and help with the bags. They do have a waiting area by the ground floor just in case guests would like to have a sit while waiting for their ride or something.

I was ushered to the lobby which is on the 62nd floor and was greeted with a lovely view upon exiting the elevators. I appreciated that the bellboy gave some information about the hotel during the encounter and did not just stand in silence. Something that I would wish more luxury hotels could do. It feels like you are among the clouds given how high up you are. Check-in was prompt and fast. I was warmly welcomed and thank for being a platinum member. They have confirmed that I will be in their Junior Suite and late check-out was automatically extended till 4pm in general for club guests and above here. Another set of elevators brings you from level 62 to the hotel guest rooms. After check-in, the associate very kindly ushered me to my room.

The lobby has tons of other settings and it is extremely spacious and open with high ceilings. This is also one of the best spots for catching the sunset. It is a crowd favourite to come here and have high tea by the lobby during sunset. You have an unblock view given how high up you are. The lobby is very airy with an atrium kind of feel where it is open up from the 62nd floor all the way to the 71st floor.

Junior Suite

I was assigned a Junior Suite on the highest floor available on level 70, suite 7015 to be exact. It is located in the corner and quite a walk from the elevator. It is located behind a set of double doors and this is always a good sign. The suite can be connected with another room next to it to convert into a two-bedroom suite for bigger groups.

The suite is super spacious and despite this being the lead in the suite category, the Junior Suite measures an impressive 92 sqm. If this is a Junior Suite it makes me wonder how huge the full suite is. The suite has a little entrance way and then you turn right to enter the main space of the suite. I love the decor and it is one of the more modern designs. This feel like a one-bedroom suite instead. It is so spacious to the point that it felt a little bare and this is immediately apparent at the entrance. A little long rectangular bench would be perfect and useful for wearing your shoes or something too.

The suite comes with a half bath which is located on the left. It always comes in handy especially when you have guests over or in big groups. Furthermore, this is a hotel dedicated to business travellers. It will definitely be practical.

In the corner. you can find a round shape dining table alongside two chairs. Great for dining in or getting takeaway food.

I love the openness of the living room area which is mainly in a squarish configuration and it’s spacious. The view is excellent and expansive. Being so high up you get a lovely unblocked view of Hanoi. This is my favourite part of the room. I do wish that the sheers and blinds are electronically controlled here.

You can find a spacious sofa set that can easily seat 4 to 5 people along the wall. It surrounds a coffee table and left on it is a welcome amenity consisting of a fruit platter as well as a personalised welcome note. A rather weak amenity for a hotel of this calibre and the fact that it is left uncovered got me on my nerves.

Opposite the sofa set, you can find the minibar set up as well as the high-quality large high-definition Samsung Smart TV. no surprise for the brand here. It is of superb quality and comes with a huge number of cable TV channels. One of the best TV I had in a hotel and of a good size for this suite. At the corner, you can find a lily espresso coffee machine with some capsules provided. I really appreciate having an actual coffee machine in the room rather than those instant coffee sachets. In the cabinet below, you can find all sorts of glassware, packaged tea, a kettle and a fully stocked mini fridge.

The living room and the bedroom are separated by an actual door which is always my ideal setup. It meant that I could work or lounge in the living room to avoid disturbing my partner when they are resting. The bedroom is lovely and very cosy. It comes with equally an amazing view of the surrounding area as well. The night view is gorgeous too as the lights come on. I had an amazing rest on the plush king-size bed in the middle which provides great back support and the pillows were plush. I appreciate that they are not mushy and additional ones can be requested from housekeeping to have your pillow fort. The sheets are high quality and smooth.

On both sides of the bed, you can find nightstands where outlets are easily found as well as controls for the lighting. I appreciate that they had some USD outlets installed even on one side of the bed. That is very much appreciated in a hotel of this era.

By the side of the bedroom, you can find armchairs that offer some additional seating in the room.

Alongside the wall, you can find a spacious wardrobe that comes with everything that you might need inside from a safe to bath slippers as well as a built-in luggage storage area. This would be sufficient for any length of stay to another portable rack that you can use for fitting larger suitcases. An ironing kit can be found inside the wardrobe too.

The working desk can be found in the corner of the room and it is a comfortable spot to work from. It came equipped with a proper ergonomics office chair. I love that all sorts of outlets can be found here within reach and they had ports for HDMI and are all nicely designed to allow you to connect your devices without much fuss. Wi-Fi is easy to connect and the speed is very fast.

The main bathroom is very spacious and comes with all sorts of amenities. Everything from mouthwash to a toothbrush is provided. The toilet and shower room are found in separate rooms and the bathroom comes with his and her sinks. There is also a cosmetic mirror installed and a hairdryer to be found below the shelf.

There is both a standing shower and a bathtub. They are located in the same room with a view as well. This configuration is great as you can shift over to the shower from the tub without getting water dripping all over the place. Toiletries provided are from Byredo Bal D’Afrique scent and in large pump bottles. I do prefer the Mojave Ghost scent. Water pressure is excellent although temperature control can be better. The showering room comes with an amazing view of the surrounding area. But I felt that they shouldn’t use frosted glass for the lower part of the bathroom as that blocks out the view when you are soaking in the tub. Turndown service is offered in the evening.

Fitness Centre

The gym is located just next to the club lounge on the 71st floor. It is on the smaller side but thankfully they still have an exclusive space for hotel guests, unlike the pool which is shared with the building. It does come with an amazing view of the place and plenty of natural light. It does feel comfortable to work out and should fit the needs of business travellers.

You can find pieces of gym equipment from treadmills to bikes. There is even a yoga room. the fitness centre is open 24 hours. Towels and water are provided.

The hotel doesn’t have its own pool but instead, it is shared with the building and part of the landmark 72 development. This is used by the residents here as well. It is not exclusive and you do not have any poolside service or anything. It is like a typical condo pool.

The pool is located on the 7th floor. It is not that easy to find with the lack of signs. I feel that this is one of the cons of the hotel. It is said that hotel guests can also enjoy access to the Fitness Centre, Yoga & Zumba Classes, Table Tennis, Tennis Court, Indoor Mini Golf, Sauna & Hot Tub, all at the Health Club. The pool is open from 6am to 9.30am daily.

Club InterContinental

The hotel boasts the largest Club InterContinental Lounge in South East Asia and yup, this is the largest club lounge that I have ever been to in my entire life. The lounge is gorgeous and spacious is an understatement here. It boasts floor-to-ceiling glass panels and high ceilings. The view is one of the selling points of this area. I love that they have segregated it out with some panels to make it looks less sparse. I was warmly welcomed in by the staff and had my choice of seating. The lounge was well staffed which at quiet times became rather awkward.

There are also two meeting rooms here for guests’ use.

The view is expansive and they have a good sunset view in the evening. I love coming here at sunset with the open bar.

The lounge has three services a day. The lounge is open from 6am to 10pm. Breakfast is served from 6am to 10.30am, afternoon tea from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and evening cocktails from 6pm to 8pm. I love that you can also invite one additional guest to join you for the presentations. This must be the first time I have seen such a policy. Here are the menu for afternoon tea.

I check out the afternoon tea on my first day here. Besides what is on the menu, you also have some small selections by the buffet like that you can help yourself to. Service is excellent and drinks orders are taken and served by the staff. Most items are brought in a tiered stand and it looks so good. This is as good as a paid afternoon tea you have outside. Everything is tasty and check out the sheer amount of items. Even have one bite each, you will be stuffed. I love the cakes and the Vietnamese local pastry.

The staff are very engaging and good at offering advice. They even recommend and offer to make me one of the Vietnamese coffee to try.

Evening cocktail starts from 6 to 8 pm and undoubtedly, it is materially more busy than afternoon tea. You can see all of the Korean Samsung employees coming for dinner. However, with the sheer space available here. It still never gets uncomfortable. You should not miss it as the lounge boost one of the most memorable sunset views in Hanoi. Come early to get one of the seats by the window for sunset. I’m impressed by the evening cocktails and drinks menu. They have like Macallan on offer. Sadly no champagne in sight.

Food-wise, Besides the à la carte menu you also have a very extensive buffet lineup. You can find some bread, cheese, a salad bar, cold dishes and some sushi. Some of the drinks are also self-service. There are plenty of items on offer. This is a dinner replacement. Check out some of the dishes including a spicy seafood soup and chicken souvlaki. What surprise me if that they have Korean ramen and porridge live station. That got to be a first for me. They do have a lot of Korean guests and as such plenty of items in the hotel are catered for them. Well, Macallan or cocktails with ramen. That’s a good match!

I tried a couple of different drinks throughout my stay including both the local cocktails and the Pinot noir. Everything is excellent. The drinks from the buffet line are different from those on the menu.

The food items from the menu are freshly made and take some time to arrive after ordering.

On my second night, we try the Galbi which was excellent. The meat was fork tender and goes very well with some sparkling wine or ramen. Yes, Korean again.

Breakfast at 3 Spoons Restaurant

Breakfast is served at 3 Spoons Restaurant which is located on the 62nd floor towards the other end of the lobby. Breakfast service is from 6.30am to 10am on weekdays and till 11am on weekends. It was a feast. As a club guest, I can choose to have breakfast both in Club InterContinental or the main restaurant. The main restaurant is the one that you should be going to. I was down for breakfast and it was crowded on a Sunday. I was warmly welcomed and ushered in by the waitress. I love that they gave me a little introduction to the buffet lineup and different areas, seeing that it is my first time here.

They also have a quick-to-go counter in front of the restaurant where you can grab some coffee or tea and pastry if you are in a rush.

Immediately ahead, you have a cold counter where you can find a huge selection of freshly cut fruit, juices, salad and sushi. The fruit and juices selection is downright impressive. This might be even more impressive than the one I had in Waldorf Astoria Bangkok. I love fruits. Holy heck, they even have whole coconuts and sugarcane on offer. I had so many drinks during breakfast. Hot drinks are available and ordered from the staff. They do a mean cup of coffee and you can also take the chance to try out some Vietnamese Coffee.

On Sunday, they also do a mango special where they have fresh mangos and mango juice on offer. They were so sweet and juicy. I would be satisfied with making myself a fruit salad for breakfast. Weirdly, I can’t find any OJ on the counter. Perhaps, they are too mainstream. They are available upon request though.

Here are some pictures of the food. It is a very good selection. Similar to the concept, you have some Korean selections from the og ramen to Korean-style grilled pork and rice.

There is a whole big ham and numerous western dishes as well as the typical breakfast favourites such as hashbrowns, bacon and sausages. I will let the pictures do the rest of the speaking. The selection changes day to day as well. You can also order french toast and waffles, typical stuff.

As in Vietnam, you will more or less find a Pho live station where piping hot bowls of pho are made upon ordering. I love pho and you can do a chicken or beef version. I love that they serve you with all the trimmings as well. Chilli paste and lime on the side as well as dough sticks to soak up the broth.

At the far end of the restaurant, you have the pastry corner which is located in separate rooms. Inside you can find all sorts of bakes, cheese and yoghurt. Everything looks so good and fresh. There is also some continental selection here.

It’s a great breakfast and one of the best that I had. It is worth waking up for and I look forward to eating daily. On weekdays, it is a lot quieter with most of the Samsung employees at work.

An excellent stay of great value. It will be even better if I had managed to stay under the previous rate of 100 USD. This is the better one, out of the two hotels that I stayed in Hanoi. Hanoi has plenty of dated properties and as such, this is a refreshing option for travellers. I will certainly recommend this place if you are ever in this part of the world. It might not be the cheapest but offers great value, especially when booking a luxury adviser rate. It did feel weird somehow as the hotel has a huge contract with Samsung and as such the property felt like a dedicated hotel to Samsung employees. Everything in the hotel is almost tuned towards serving them, from breakfast to club offerings. I somehow feel that the club lounge is almost like private dining facilities for them. Ramen and Soju, unlimited offerings. The location isn’t ideal for the usual tourists since it is rather far out from the historical district but with public transport being easily accessible and not that pricey. That is not a huge concern. I doubt that I will ever be back again since Hanoi is rather boring but I would love to visit Ha Long Bay once in my life and this will be a great place to stay before or after the cruise. It will also depend if I still hold IHG Platinum status then.

Hanoi, Vietnam: Throwback Trip Report, Part III

by Andy | Jun 13, 2014 | Asia , Travel , Trip Reports , Vietnam | 28 comments

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

I arrived late at night to Hanoi aboard a Dragonair A330. It was a short flight, and like I mentioned in my last post I was so exhausted that I fell asleep when I first sat in my seat and had to be lightly shaken awake by the flight attendant after we had landed. I had pre-arranged a taxi and I strongly recommend this, as the touts are out especially late at night and, as a caucasian, I kind of stood out.

I used Hilton points to book a stay at…you guessed it…the Hanoi Hilton. No, not that one. They incredibly have a Hilton hotel in Hanoi, but they call it the Hilton Hanoi Opera to get away from the mental image of staying in a POW camp on your stay. The room was spacious and large, and I immediately resumed my slumber, ready for the next day.

I awoke bright and early surprisingly not as jetlagged as I thought I would be and made my way up to the Executive Club before my tour guide arrived. There is a fantastic organization in Hanoi called HanoiKids. It is full of Vietnamese university students who are licensed as tour guides. They don’t charge anything for a tour (just that you cover the guide’s taxi and meals during the tour) and refuse tips (I made a donation to their organization). All they ask is you speak English with them and have conversations. These students want to learn English badly, I love the ingenuity of starting an organization that puts them in front of countless native speakers to practice their craft.

My tour guide’s name was Carnation, and she picked me up at the hotel lobby. Carnation was a sweet girl who spoke English very well. I’m not sure she was used to a brash Texan with a red beard and packing a load of sarcasm, but we had an absolute blast.

Hanoi is a massive city that has long been the cultural capital of the Vietnamese people. Most people today associate it with the Vietnam War, and there are still remnants of that terrible time (for all countries involved) years later. It is still a Communist country today, but the sort-of “light Communism” you’ll find in Beijing. That said, there is still propaganda around Hanoi, especially around the war.

The first place on our tour was the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh. We took a taxi over there (they are incredibly cheap in Hanoi but you need to have the address written down by your hotel, as few cab drivers, if any, speak English), stepped out, and were immediately humiditied in the face.

This is how humid it was.

Ok, in truth that might actually be fog on my lens, but it was really humid and quite hot. It was also a couple of days before Vietnamese Independence Day (the call it National Day), so the lines were longer than usual. I guess the term for how I felt was “conspicuous” as I’m about 6’1″ and fairly barrel-chested. I’m almost certain I was the only caucasian in the area that day, which put me quite a bit taller than most and made me stick out a bit. Carnation asked if I wanted to see Ho Chi Minh’s cadaver, and no I did not. She asked why not, and I didn’t really want to get into the politics, so I made up an excuse that seemed to appease her. She settled for me taking a picture of the mausoleum.

From the mausoleum area we went over to the Ho Chi Minh complex. This features the spartan “stilt house” where Ho allegedly lived from the mid-1950’s until his death in 1969. Ho Chi Minh is still revered in Vietnamese society today, the result of quite a bit of “Uncle Ho” propaganda during the second half of the 20th century.

Presidential Palace

The first thing you see in the complex is the bright yellow Presidential Palace. It was built by the French in the early 1900s to serve as a reminder to the Vietnamese that the French were their rulers and they better listen. Once the French were kicked out at Dien Bien Phu. The palace was given to Uncle Ho to live in, but he said he preferred his little stilt house.

Ho’s Office (notice the portraits above the desk)

Ho had an office near a garage full of his cars, some of the finest Soviet cars available. From the garage area we walked out to the carp lake that sat between us and the stilt house.

Carp pond near Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House

It really was quite beautiful, and offered a nice respite from the noise and commotion in Hanoi. As you can see, there were enormous lines of people waiting to see the Stilt House. Somehow, because I was a tourist and/or American, Carnation was able to take me to the front of the line ahead of probably 1000+ people. I didn’t argue.

“Uncle Ho’s” Stilt House

The Stilt House was as advertised: a house on stilts. It had two rooms and a lot of the items Ho Chi Minh was alleged to have used still in their proper places in the rooms. Underneath the house was an open-air conference room of sorts.

Garden, with random singing of what I’m assuming are patriotic songs on the left

We left the complex and started walking over towards the One Pillar Pagoda

Street life in Hanoi

We arrived at the square that contains the pagoda, which is revered as a tourist attraction but some skip it as it’s not that interesting to some. It’s built on one pagoda to represent a lotus. The lotus represents purity to the Vietnamese people because they are so beautiful and pure yet they grow out of muddy waters. So out of the filth comes perfection. The pagoda is where many newlyweds go to ask for a blessing (child).

One Pillar Pagoda

We then made our way to the Ho Chi Minh museum, which I did not like. I did not like seeing pictures of Americans with their hands in the air surrendering to North Vietnamese soldiers. It’s nothing personal towards the Vietnamese and I understand it’s part of history, it’s just not something I wanted to see.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

The museum had the feeling of a propaganda museum to me so we didn’t spend too long there. Our next stop was the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s oldest university.

Temple of Literature

The Temple was founded in 1070 and used to be the royal university, where knowledge was pursued by the royals as well as selected commoners. It was a beautiful facility.

It’s a tourist attraction for Vietnamese just as much as people like me, so everyone was out there enjoying the nice weather/humidity amidst the general patriotic feeling around National Day.

There were all sorts of artisans making their crafts at the Temple.

What’s she doing?

Oh. Not bad.

Once we entered I think the third courtyard (each of the five courtyards has a different significance), we saw the stones atop the turtles.

These stones contain the names of graduates of the university. They’re on top of turtles, which hold a very deep significance to the Vietnamese.

The temple featured altars to Confucius and the university leaders in one of the courtyards. Around these status were intricately carved brass drums.

Now, this was all really nice, but remember this used to be a university. Even though it’s no longer a university, students still come here to study for tests and/or ask for good luck. Students will throw money onto the rooftop and if it stays on the roof they will get a good grade. This led to all sorts of random money being thrown on rooftops. I took out a US dollar bill and tried to throw it in such a way that it would land on the roof and give me excellent luck on whatever test I had coming up. The dollar promptly caught wind and descended politely and non-good-luckishly to the ground, where a random kid grabbed it and ran off. Oh well.

It was fun seeing groups of Vietnamese out and about and enjoying each other’s company.

Either a big bell or four students about to be crushed

The nature around the Temple of Literature made for some nice scenery as well.

After a brief car accident (details later), we made our way in a different taxi over to the Museum of Ethnology.

The Museum of Ethnology is a beautiful complex chronicling the historic tribes and groups that make up the Vietnamese culture. The exhibits were great and informative. Outside of the museum, though, is where the great parts were, including a water puppet theatre.

Water puppets at Museum of Ethnology

Water puppets are a form of theatre unique to Vietnam (I think). They’re one of the must-sees in Hanoi, according to the internet (I agree). We caught the tail end of the show and moved on to where they had rebuilt the types of houses some of the early tribes lived in.

The Long Houses were particularly interesting. Family units lived together, and whenever a son/daughter would get married, they would just add another room on to the end of the house, making it that much longer.

Then there was a clay house that was mixed in with some dung. It reminded me of Robin Hood: Men in Tights, what the character Latrine’s name used to be.

After all of the museuming I was pretty beat, so we stopped at a neighborhood restaurant and grabbed some lunch. Carnation was really patient with me and showed me how to eat all of the food and then laughed at how pathetic I am with chopsticks. But that’s ok, there was beer.

The beer was unique, however. They serve the beer with a cup of ice, and you pour the unchilled beer over the ice. Me of course, not wanting to water down the beer, drank it faster that way.

After lunch we headed back towards the center of town, i.e. Hoan Kiem Lake.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is very close to the Old Quarter of Hanoi and is a place where locals and tourists alike gather to meet friends, practice Tai Chi, and, in my case, have mobs of schoolchildren come up to you and ask to take pictures with you. From Hoan Kiem we went to see St. Joseph’s Cathedral, originally built by the French in the style of Notre Dame.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral

After this, my tour wound down and it was time for Carnation to say goodbye. Like I said, she was great and represented a wonderful organization. If you go to Hanoi, you must get in touch with HanoiKids at www.hanoikids.org .

Overall I think Hanoi was a fine city and I’d go there again. Things were very cheap (the beer was cheaper than the water) and the people were just about all friendly. In the Old Quarter is an expat area with hordes of backpackers making their way around the world so there’s an incentive to keep prices down in certain areas. There are also nice luxury hotels (including the Hilton) that are to more of a Western standard.

Up next, making my way to Halong Bay!

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Travel Off Path

New Report Reveals The 7 Cheapest Travel Destinations For 2024

Posted: April 19, 2024 | Last updated: April 19, 2024

Traveling isn't a cheap hobby! Between flights, accommodation, and entertainment, the costs can quickly add up. But having a tight budget doesn't mean that you can't travel overseas: You just have to pick the right destinations. So where should you go? These are the 7 cheapest travel destinations for 2024 according to a new report from <a href="https://www.wethrift.com/articles/most-affordable-travel-destinations/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wethrift</a>:

7. Bangkok, Thailand

If you're looking for your own patch of tropical paradise, then Bali is the perfect place to be. The 6<sup>th</sup> cheapest travel destination for 2024, Bali boasts delicious and affordable cuisine, beautiful beaches, and a wide range of cultural attractions. It's a great place to relax and unwind. Average accommodation prices are just $75 per person, but it is the food and drink that are particularly affordable here. You should expect to spend an average of just $1.76 for a meal and $2.38 for a drink, meaning that it will cost less to fill your belly than to have a beer!<br>

6. Bali, Indonesia

If you're looking for an affordable relaxing beach resort then Hurghada is one of the best options and is also the 5<sup>th</sup> cheapest travel destination right now. Hurghada is a busy resort town on Egypt's Red Sea Coast and is best known for its abundance of all-inclusive hotels, as well as for the quality of the diving and snorkeling. Above the water, enthusiasts travel from all over the world for the windsurfing here. Usually, these activities don't come cheap, but the average cost of attractions in Hurghada is just $55 and you can grab a drink for just over a dollar. Accommodation is a little pricier, at $95 per night, but the quality of the accommodation here is high.

5. Hurghada, Egypt

One of the most culturally rich destinations in Turkey, Istanbul is also my personal favorite. It is currently the world's most visited city and the fourth most affordable. Attractions can be a little pricey here, especially since the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque introduced an admission fee at the beginning of the year, but access to the famous Blue Mosque is still free. Perhaps the most affordable aspect of a stay in Istanbul is public transport, which costs just 41 cents per journey, and a meal costs just $8.56. Accommodation standards in the city are high, although rooms tend to be a little smaller than in other European cities. Expect to pay an average of $89 per night.

4. Istanbul, Turkey

3. Cairo, Egypt

Hanoi has long been a popular spot for digital nomads and backpackers looking for a cost-effective place to live and explore and this report shows that it's a great spot for tourists on a budget too. Public transport here costs as little as 29 cents per journey, and the average hotel stay is just $41 per night. Hanoi is a vibrant and bustling city. The Old Quarter is the best spot for travelers on a budget, but the whole city is affordable. Boasting centuries-old architecture and rich culture, there's so much to see and do here.

2. Hanoi, Vietnam

It might not be a conventional mainstream tourist destination, but the cheapest travel destination for 2024 is New Delhi in India. Exploring this culturally fascinating city is incredible affordable with attractions such as Lotus Temple, Visit Lodhi Gardens, and Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah available for free. Entrance to the National Museum is just $5.96, meaning that even paid attractions are affordable too. Street food options and vibrant food markets are plentiful here and you can enjoy a full meal for as little as $2.41 a meal. The average cost of a journey on public transportation in the city is just 35 cents. Obviously we're aware that flying to New Delhi doesn't come cheap. But even if you break the bank on flights to India, you'll find there are big savings to be had when you arrive. <div class="wp-block-post-author__content"> <p class="wp-block-post-author__name"><a href="https://www.traveloffpath.com/author/tor-brierley/">Tor Brierley</a></p> <p class="wp-block-post-author__bio">Tor has been writing for more than 20 years and has visited 25 countries (and counting!) She specializes in European and family travel and never says no to new adventures.</p> </div> <strong>↓ Join Our Community ↓</strong> The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/traveloffpath" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Travel Off Path Community FB group</strong> </a>has all the latest travel news, conversations, and Q&A's happening daily!

1. New Delhi, India

Tor Brierley

Tor has been writing for more than 20 years and has visited 25 countries (and counting!) She specializes in European and family travel and never says no to new adventures.

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is it worth it?

we dont have much time, we wanted to do something for one day.

maybe a small hike and see the village.

anybody has done this ?

When one's health is more important than duty. 3:15 pm
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Visa 11:30 am
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Fansipan Train and Cable car Tickets 8:00 am
Still confused about Fansipan 7:11 am
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5 year visa exemption certificate fee today
E-visa entry port today
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하노이 1-1편 2박3일간 꽉차고 알찬 여행 vlog 하노이맛집/ 그랩후기/ 5성급호텔/ 하노이풍경/ 하노이먹방/ 똑같이 따라 다니면 무조건 성공여행 어쩌면 다큐
HANOI CITY TRIP PART 2 WALKING TOUR HANOI, VIETNAM COFFEE CLASS AND PHO
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[TRIP REPORT] Vietnam Airlines : En classe economy vers Hanoï

COMMENTS

Visiting Hanoi Thoughts & Review I One Mile At A Time
Loved your trio report on Hanoi. I was there in June 2023 for 6 nights. Agree it's crazy! The key is to keep moving. Don't stop. You will get used to it after a day. La Siesta Ma May is a phenomenal hotel in the centre of the Old quarter. Met Restaurants are fantastic for Vietnamese food. 5 star ratings on google.
3 Days in Hanoi: The Perfect Hanoi Itinerary
July 29, 2023. A visit to the beautiful southeast Asian nation of Vietnam would not be complete without a bit of time in its capital city of Hanoi. Bursting with history and culture, Hanoi is both a city embracing the past and moving into the future. For those planning a trip through Vietnam, Hanoi is the perfect place to get a feel for what ...
The Perfect Hanoi Itinerary (2024) Travel Guide for Vietnam's Capital
To get here from Hanoi, travelers will need to take a roughly 70 minute car ride to a village followed by a 45 minute or so boat ride down the Yen River to a temple complex. From here, a path leads to another temple as well as a cable car station. perfume pagoda. perfume pagoda.
The PERFECT 3 Days in Hanoi Itinerary [2024 Guide]
With 3 days in Hanoi, you can check out the museums, parks, lakes, markets, and much more. In between all of the sightseeing, you can fill up on mouth-watering Vietnamese food. The country's famous coffee will keep you going during the day, while its dirt cheap draught beer will fuel your nights out. Now that you know a bit about the city and ...
3 Days in HANOI: ULTIMATE Itinerary for 2024
INSIDER HANOI ITINERARY for 2024. Hanoi is alive with energy. The vibrant streets emanate with the constant hustle and bustle of motorists and loud traffic. The Vietnamese capital is popular amongst backpackers and offers an incredible cultural immersion created through decades of change, with many dark times and social adversity.
3-Day Hanoi Itinerary: Best Places to Visit
Sweet, savory, crunchy, and a little tangy, bun bo nam bo is a delicious dish that I think most people will enjoy. Recommended to my by a local, Bach Phuong is known for serving some of the best bun bo nam bo in Hanoi. Address: 67 Hàng Điếu, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam. Operating Hours: 7:30AM-10:30PM, daily.
Hanoi in 2 days: The Best Itinerary
The Thang Long Water Puppet Show is a must-watch in Hanoi as part of the cultural experience. Choose one of the timings available (3.30 PM, 4.10 PM, 5.20 PM, 6.30 PM, 8.00 PM) and the ticket class. Tickets are priced at 100k, 150k and 200k dong based on the proximity of the seats to the stage. Timing.
3 Days in Hanoi Itinerary (2024) for Culture & Food Fans!
3 day Hanoi itinerary. Hanoi itinerary day 1 - Old Quarter & Hoan Kiem Lake. Breakfast - banh cuon. Coffee in the Old Quarter. The French Quarter. Hoan Kiem Lake. Lunch. Afternoon - Temple of Literature. Evening - Water Puppet Show.
4 days in Hanoi itinerary
Our tried and tested itinerary for exploring Hanoi, Vietnam's capital city: Day 1: Old Quarter / Drink Coconut Coffee / St Joseph's Cathedral / Eat Bahn Mi / Go shopping. Day 2: Street food tour / Phung Hung Mural Street / Dong Xuan Market. Day 3: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum / Note Café / Water Puppet Show.
One Day in Hanoi, Vietnam: Itinerary & Where to Go in 24 Hours
The cultural and historic sightseeing tour of Hanoi isn't over after the palace. Your next stop on this 24-hour Hanoi itinerary is the Imperial Citadel. Follow the road directly in front of the palace for two blocks and turn right when the road ends. You'll see the citadel standing at the end of the block.
Best things to do in Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake is the perfect relaxing thing to do in Hanoi ©Panom/Shutterstock. Opening like a tear to the east of the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake offers some freshwater and green respite to Hanoi's hustle. On its northern edge, the Ngoc Son Temple sits on a small island connected to the shore via the scarlet Cau The Huc bridge. Early in the morning, the lakeside fills with residents ...
The Perfect 3 Day Hanoi Itinerary: Pagodas, Pho, and Epic Day Trips
3 day Hanoi Itinerary: 72 hours of crazy Traffic, pho, and 50 cent beer. Vietnam City Guides. Oh Hanoi…. I've found that among travelers, this a "you either love it or hate it" kinda city. Now, I get it. I really do. The city seems cramped, noisy, and extremely busy. Chaotic, if you will. You live in constant fear that the next time you ...
Things To Do in Hanoi Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
There are a few historical temples and buildings around the lake that are worth coupled during your visit to Hoan Kiem Lake. At the north end of the Hoan Kiem Lake is an arched red wooden pedestrian bridge leading to Jade Island which houses the Ngoc Son temple.It was an 18th-century pagoda that was originally built during the Tran dynasty (1225-1400) but was last restored in 1865.
Hanoi Travel Guide: All you Need to Know for First Time Visitors
One of Vietnams most famous attractions, Ha Long Bay is a must visit destination and popular day trip from Hanoi. Roughly 2.5-3 hours from Hanoi is the scenic and unique landscape of Ha Long Bay. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay is famous for its limestone karst formations that tower over the picturesque waters below.
Hanoi, Vietnam: All You Must Know Before You Go (2024)
Autumn and Spring: In autumn (around September to November) and Spring (in March and April), Hanoi's weather is at its best. In winter, Hanoi is quite cold with temperatures falling below 10ºC (50ºF). In summer, things get hotter, with temperatures averaging around 28-35ºC (82º-95ºF). Hanoi has high humidity year-round.
Hanoi Travel Blog and 3 Day Itinerary
A package trip is the best budget option in this case as Halong Bay is a good 2.5 to 3-hour ride away from Hanoi city. Prices vary with agencies and services offered. For a hustle-free booking, use a trusted site like Klook.com for day-package trips from Hanoi.
THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Hanoi
Things to Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: See Tripadvisor's 1,216,058 traveler reviews and photos of Hanoi tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in April. ... Ninh Binh Day Trip: Hoa Lu-Trang An-Mua Cave, Buffet,Cycling,Boat. 733. Full-day Tours. from . $54. per adult. Ban Gioc Waterfall 2 Days 1 Night From Hanoi. 332. Bus Tours.
Hanoi Travel Guide
Hanoi Travel Guide. Vietnam's small and vibrant capital lies at the heart of the northern Red River Delta, and is a city of lakes, leafy boulevards and open parks with a French colonial feel. Hanoi was founded in 1010, and became the centre of government for the Indochina Union under French rule in 1888. In 1954 it became the official capital ...
Hanoi Tour Top
Hanoi Train Street Tour. 10. Walking Tours. 2 hours. Hanoi strain street tour stands out for its focus on authenticity, cultural immersion, variety of locations, expert guides…. Free cancellation. Recommended by 100% of travelers. from. $20.
January 2017
Day 2: Tuan Chau terminal, Halong Bay. The main reason I added Hanoi to our itinerary was to visit the Halong Bay.Ideally, one should book multi-day Halong Bay cruise so as to really enjoy the scenery with leisure. However, due to lack of time, I had booked a day trip from Hanoi with Vietnam Awesome Travel (from Tripadvisor Reviews).It takes about 4 hours from Hanoi to Halong Bay but I found ...
Spontaneous: InterContinental Hanoi Landmark 72 Junior Suite Review
The motto of this spontaneous Hanoi trip. That is how this stay and trip came about. A little background story before I go into the review. I make plenty of tentatively hotel bookings whenever I find good rates or promo sales. ... Posted in Hotel Reports, Trip Reports Post navigation. Prev Joyride: Hilton Garden Inn Bali Ngurah Rai Airport One ...
Hanoi, Vietnam: Throwback Trip Report, Part III
Hanoi, Vietnam: Throwback Trip Report, Part III. by Andy | Jun 13, 2014 | Asia, Travel, Trip Reports, Vietnam | 28 comments. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. I arrived late at night to Hanoi aboard a Dragonair A330. It was a short flight, ...
Itinerary Advice
Itinerary Advice. Dec 29, 2023, 5:12 AM. Save. Hi, my partner and I are visiting South East Asia in April. We intend to start in Hanoi, go on to Siem Reap and end in Thailand. We're in our 30s and enjoy exploring, this will be our first time in SE Asia. We will have 5 nights in Hanoi and our proposed itinerary is as follows: •Wednesday 10th ...
New Report Reveals The 7 Cheapest Travel Destinations For 2024
The post New Report Reveals The 7 Cheapest Travel Destinations For 2024 appeared first on Travel Off Path. More for You Donald Trump Gets Bad Legal News From D.C.
Tim Cook arrives in Vietnam
Apple CEO Tim Cook arrived in Hanoi Monday morning for a two-day business trip to meet notable content creators and app developers on App Store. Cook said upon arrival he was excited to meet with content creators, students and customers in Vietnam and learn about the way they use Apple's products.
Vietnam Forum
Sapa One day tour from Hanoi 1:52 am; Temperatures at Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay 1:36 am; Tips on a day trip to Ninh Binh 12:23 am; How to travel between hotels 10:47 pm; 16 Hours Layover in HCMC / SGN 10:29 pm; Trip to Vietnam 10:26 pm; Just got back 9:06 pm; Trying to post pics and itinerary and I'm not using Dropbox 7:07 pm; August 2024 Tips 5: ...

The Perfect Hanoi Itinerary (2024) Travel Guide for Vietnam’s Capital

Day 1 – Old Hanoi

French Quarter

Old Quarter

Day 2 – Monumental Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda

Lunch at Quan An Ngon

Temple of Literature

Shopping and Cafes at Tay Ho

Sky High Views at Sky Lotte Observation Deck

Home-style Dinner at Tam Vi

Day 3 – Ha Long Bay & Other Excursions

Tam Coc / Hoa Lu

Perfume Pagoda

Travel Tips for Hanoi

Where to Stay in Hanoi

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INSIDER HANOI ITINERARY for 2024

A Little Bit about this 3-Day Hanoi Itinerary

3 Day Hanoi Itinerary Overview

Unlock Our GREATEST Travel Secrets!

Best Hostel in Hanoi – Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel

Best Airbnb in Hanoi – Central space with a great atmosphere

Best Budget Hotel in Hanoi – Classic Street Hotel

Best Luxury Hotel in Hanoi – Acoustic Hotel & Spa

9:00 AM – Explore the Old Quarter

10:00AM – Stroll Through Dong Xuan Market

12:00PM – Visit Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

2:00PM – Walk Through the Ma May Ancient House

3:00PM – Visit Bach Ma Temple

4:00PM – See O Quan Chuong – An Old Gate

6:00PM – Walk Across Long Bien Bridge

9:00AM – Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

10:00AM – See the House on Stilts

11:00 AM – Visit the One Pillar Pagoda

12:00 PM – Admire Artifacts at the Vietnam Military History Museum

2:00PM – Visit West Lake & Tran Quoc Pagoda

4:00PM – Enjoy the Museum of Ethnology

7:00PM – Watch a Performance at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel

Temple of Literature

See St Joseph’s Cathedral

Explore Hoa Lo Prison

Visit Hanoi Opera House

Browse Ta Hein Night Market

Perfume Pagoda

Train Street

How many days in Hanoi is enough?

Is 5 days in Hanoi too long?

Is Hanoi worth visiting?

Is Hanoi better than Saigon?

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Hanoi in 2 days: The Best Itinerary

Map of Attractions

Egg Coffee at Cafe Giang

Temple of Literature

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

Lunch at Cha Ca Thang Long

Hanoi Train Street

Hoa Lo Prison relic

Ice cream at Kem Trang Tien

Hoan Kiem Lake

St Joseph Cathedral

Dinner at Pho 10

Water Puppet Show

Coconut coffee at Cong Caphe

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Lunch at Banh Gio Miss Beo

Tran Quoc Pagoda

Quan Thanh Temple