Hanoi Journey Information: The Finest Issues to Do, Eat and Drink in Vietnam’s Capital
We ended up in Hanoi thrice. Hanoi as a metropolis is nice, nevertheless, one of many foremost causes you retain coming again right here is as a result of it’s a nice hub to discover the North of Vietnam. Every time, we left our baggage and the lodge, and used Hanoi as a base for Ha Lengthy Bay, Cat Ba, Ha Giang and Sapa. This made it simpler to get round, and we might depart all our tailor made garments within the lodge. Hanoi itself is a big metropolis, the place you’ll in all probability focus most on exploring the Previous Quarter. It’s typically good for consuming and ingesting and it doesn’t want a strict itinerary filled with issues to do. This Hanoi Journey Information provides an summary on the issues to do and the place to eat and drink, all from our personal expertise.
Additionally take a look at our journey information about Hoi An (coming quickly).
My Trustworthy take: Hanoi in Quick
- Hanoi is just not a metropolis for ticking off sights. It’s a metropolis for consuming, ingesting espresso, and strolling slowly via the Previous Quarter.
- The meals scene in Hanoi is nice. Be sure to strive the Bun cha, have Pho on the road and benefit from the well-known egg espresso.
- Practice Road is value doing as soon as, however go for a drink quite than treating it as a vacationer attraction. Sit down someplace, order a beer, await the prepare.
- Beer Road is value a go to and a drink. Particularly the sq. and small craft beer bars are fantastic. Nonetheless, don’t count on something spectacular.
- Hanoi works extraordinarily properly as a base for the north. We got here again a number of instances in between our visits to Ha Giang and Ha Lengthy Bay.
- Keep in or very near the Previous Quarter. Wherever additional out and also you lose the convenience of wandering.
- The Seek Sophie Vespa tour into the countryside was a real spotlight because it confirmed a very completely different facet of Hanoi that most individuals miss
What number of days do you want in Hanoi?
In two or three days, you may go to all highlights in Hanoi. This provides you sufficient time to eat properly, stroll via the Previous Quarter, go to prepare avenue and do a half-day journey out of the town.
In case you are utilizing Hanoi as a base for the north, which we’d suggest, you’ll naturally accumulate extra evening throughout a number of stays. You get to know the town extra steadily, and also you all the time have someplace acquainted to return after different locations.
For a northern Vietnam itinerary, Hanoi might match like this:
Keep 1: 2 nights, with 1 full day in Hanoi. Then head to Ha Lengthy Bay for two to three nights and get again.
Keep 2: 1 or 2 nights, earlier than leaving to Ha Giang and Sapa
Keep 3: 2 to three nights to correctly see Hanoi, do a day journey, earlier than heading dwelling or persevering with your travels.
In case you can, use the identical lodge, as leaving a part of your baggage makes touring simpler.
Find out how to get to Hanoi?
Hanoi has an Worldwide Airport, which can be de foremost gateway for the north of Vietnam. Most worldwide flights join via the bigger hubs in Asia. Examine the best flights to Hanoi right here. Moreover, inside Vietnam, there are in a single day trains, buses and home flights, connecting the bigger cities in Vietnam. We arrived to Hanoi from Ninh Binh and we made our method up from Hoi An.
From Hanoi airport, you will get a Seize taxi to the Previous Quarter, which takes round 40 to 50 minutes and prices roughly 250,000 VND (€8) in 2026. Be sure to not take the unofficial taxis within the arrival corridor, however use Seize.
The place to remain in Hanoi?
The perfect place to remain in Hanoi is within the Previous Quarter. That is the place you discover meals all over the place, it has the very best vibe and you’ll be in strolling distance from most stuff you wish to do. We stayed at San Premium Hotel throughout our a number of stays. The workers is pleasant and the lodge is in a very good location, simply the breakfast was a bid mediocre. If we’d be reserving Hanoi once more, we’d search for one thing barely nearer to the Hoan Kiem Lake space, which provides you even simpler entry to the lake and eating places. Motels which might be value contemplating are for instance Hoan Kiem Legend Hoi An, Aira Boutique, Salute Premium Hotel, Golden Rooster Hotel.
Finest issues to do
- Previous Quarter
- Hoan Kiem Lake
- Practice Road
- Vespa tour to the countryside
- Van Mieu
- Beer Road
- Incense Village
- Wellness
Eating places & Bars
- Bun Cha Ta
- Pho Bo Duong Tua
- Hebeca Roastery
- The Word Espresso
- Hidden Gem Cafe
- Pizza 4P’s
- Hanoi Social Membership
- Whats up.Hanoi
Motels & Lodging
San Premium (€60)
Hoan Kiem Legend Hoi An (€60)
Aira Boutique (€165)
Salute Premium Hotel (€75)
Golden Rooster Hotel (€45)
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The perfect issues to do in Hanoi
1. Stroll the Previous Quarter
The Previous Quarter is among the causes most individuals come to Hanoi, and the place the place you’ll naturally spend most of your time. It’s a chaotic grid of streets, the place each avenue traditionally sells one kind of fine. You continue to see this within the Previous Quarter, the place streets are filled with flower stands, wooden stands and others. In Cling Ma, you’ll find the lanterns and paper items. In Cling Gai, you’ll find retailers that promote silk and Cling Bac is targeted round silver. In hindsight, we didn’t spend sufficient time in Hanoi exploring the Previous Quarter, and we should always have paid extra consideration to all of the completely different streets.
Need to know extra concerning the tradition and historical past of Hanoi? This can be a great walking tour to book.
2. Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
Hoan Kiem Lake is a big lake on the southern fringe of the Previous Quarter, and makes up the middle of the town. Strolling a full loop across the lake takes about twenty minutes and is a pleasing stroll. The crimson bridge on the north of the lake, results in the Ngoc Son Temple. We didn’t go in, as we noticed loads of temples, however it’s a good factor to do to study and see extra about Hanoi. There may be an entrance price.
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3. Practice Road
Practice Road is THE exercise in Hanoi, and one of many causes vacationers are visiting Hanoi. The exercise, why persons are most excited. There are quite a lot of latest talks, in 2026, that prepare avenue is about to be closed by the federal government. To clarify, prepare avenue is a avenue, surrounded by little bars, the place a prepare is passing round 5 instances a day.
There are two foremost spots to go to prepare avenue. The extra well-known spot is within the Previous Quarter, whereas the second spot, is quieter and usually thought-about the higher expertise. Espresso 1990 is a good cafe to navigate to on the southern half.
Our trustworthy take: we ended up at Practice Road by chance quite than planning. We walked previous, because it was across the nook of our lodge and set down for a beer. Apparently, this was 45 minutes earlier than the prepare got here. This felt like a pleasant option to do it, as we weren’t pressured for the arrival, had an important seat as we have been simply having a beer and so forth. Examine the prepare instances upfront although, as they run at particular hours. They may have delays, so hold that in thoughts.
4. Vespa Tour into the Hanoi Countryside
One of many issues that become a spotlight throughout our time in Hanoi, was a Vespa tour exterior the town. We booked this journey with Seek Sophie and have been picked up at 7:30 from our lodge and returned by midday. An ideal morning, the place you discover the countryside surrounding Hanoi and escape the enterprise.
The tour takes you away from the visitors and into the rice fields, to some smaller villages within the sub urbs and quieter roads and markets not visited by many vacationers. It covers the Vietnamese historical past alongside the best way and go to some temples. Additionally, it features a native lunch, together with the very best blissful water we head. It’s not a sightseeing tour, because it ism ore about driving and the landscapes than visiting particular vacationer points of interest.
In case you are spending greater than two days in Hanoi, that is an expertise value doing. You can book your tour here.
5. Temple of Literature (Văn Mieu)
The Temple of Literature was the primary nationwide college in Vietnam and is among the finest preserved historic websites within the nation. The complicated covers a number of courtyards, with lotus ponds and historic buildings. We didn’t make it right here ourselves, nevertheless it is among the highest-rated points of interest in Hanoi, so must be a part of an inventory together with the very best issues to do. Attempt to get right here early to keep away from bigger teams.
6. Beer Road
Beer Road, formally Ta Hien Road, is simply north of the lake and a widely known night vacation spot. The streets and surrounding space fillup with vacationers. Attention-grabbing reality: it’s not formally allowed to take a seat on the streets right here. This implies, that when the police is available in, the road cleans up shortly. If you wish to have a relaxed expertise, be sure that to choose a spot the place you’re formally allowed to take a seat, or one of many rooftop bars.
Our trustworthy expertise is that the craft beer bars on all corners have been barely disappointing. The beer is ok, however nothing outstanding. Beer avenue is concerning the vibe, not concerning the drinks.
7. Go to the well-known incense village
The village Quang Phu Cau (40 kilometers from Hanoi) is among the well-known locations for pictures in Vietnam: the incense village. This village has been making the incense sticks for over a century, and the sticks are painted in vibrant colours, with crimson because the dominant colour.
The village has change into a vacationer attraction, and visiting with out native context, generally is a little bit of a disappointment. Due to this fact, to get native explanations and see some extra locations within the village, it’s best to go along with a tour. A tour typically takes half a day.
At the present time tour takes you to the incense village from Hanoi.
8. Wellness: Hair and Nails
One of many underrated causes to spend time in Hanoi: the wellness scene. The mix of high quality and value for the wellness remedies is wonderful. We went to Nha Spa at 75 Cling Ma for a mixed remedy: a hair wash, therapeutic massage and pores and skin remedy. All of them have been wonderful, and it was such a spotlight to be pampered for nearly 3 hours. An ideal option to finish our Vietnam journey. I did my nails at The Backyard Nail Spa, which was additionally an important expertise!
Utilizing Hanoi as the bottom for Northern Vietnam
That is maybe probably the most helpful factor to learn about Hanoi: it’s a excellent base for the north, and due to this fact you would possibly go to Hanoi extra usually throughout your journey. For excursions in e.g. Ha Giang or Ha Long Bay, it is possible for you to to ebook transport from Hanoi. Moreover, you probably have restricted time, you might additionally go to different areas, equivalent to Ninh Binh as a day trip.
We additionally stored our large baggage and all tailor made clothes in our hotel between journeys. Most motels in Hanoi will retailer baggage, notably you probably have a future reserving with them as properly.
The perfect eating places and bars in Hanoi
Bun Cha: the one factor it’s best to eat in Hanoi
You would possibly know Vietnam due to the Pho and Bahn Mi, however there’s one other dish it is advisable strive: the signature dish of Hanoi. Bun cha is a dish with grilled pork patties and slices of pork stomach, served in a broth with rice vermicelli noodles and resh herbs. Actually, it is among the finest issues you’ll eat in Vietnam.
We ate the dish at Bun Cha Ta Hanoi, positioned within the Previous Quarter close to Beer Road. Two different spots the place you may have nice Bun Cha are Bun Cha 74 Cling Quat and Bun Cha Que Tre. All three are value attempting!
Pho on the streets
One other should eat dish is pho. We ate pho on the road twice at Pho Bo Duong Tua, avenue spot quite than a restaurant, however that’s the easiest way to eat Pho in Hanoi. A small plastic stool, quite a lot of herbs and served inside a few minutes. You possibly can have it as breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Espresso in Hanoi
Vietnam is known for its espresso. You undoubtedly should strive all of the native sorts of espresso like egg espresso, salt espresso, coconut espresso, white espresso and extra. It’s so good and I truthfully don’t get why we’re not promoting it in Europe but. These are some nice cofee locations in Hanoi, well-known for various causes.
Cafe Giang: The origin of egg espresso. The egg espresso was invented on this cafe, when the contemporary milk was scarce and the proprietor changed it with whipped egg yolk. And now, this egg espresso (espresso with a creamy foam made from egg yolk and condensed milk), may be very in style. To me, it felt a bit like creme brulee!
HEBECA Roastery: I went right here a number of instances and it was nice. Would extremely suggest because the espresso is wonderful and the workers is good. Nice for all of the specialty coffees.
The Word Espresso: In all probability probably the most well-known cafe in Hanoi. The place is roofed in post-it notes from guests, they’re EVERYWHERE. We went there and though the concept is nice, the espresso itself is overpriced and never that good. Nonetheless value seeing although, extra as an expertise than for the good espresso.
Loading T Café: A preferred cafe with youthful locals and vacationers, with a very good environment. Situated in a ravishing constructing.
Espresso 1990 (Practice Road) – a restaurant with nice critiques and top-of-the-line spots on southern Practice Road.
Hidden Gem Cafe Hanoi: one of many higher cafes within the Previous Quarter, with an incredible inside / decor. A restaurant that must be in your record!
Eating places in Hanoi
Pizza 4P’s: A series, however an incredible chain. Pizza 4P is the very best pizza chain in Southeast Asia and that is their Hanoi restaurant. They’ve wonderful pizzas and provide a half-and-half idea. You’ll want to ebook upfront, or simply present up and you may in all probability get a seat within the subsequent 1.5 hours.
The Hanoi Social Membership: A great choice for a extra relaxed sit-down meal, with a menu that features worldwide dishes.
Purple Bean Ma Might: Positive eating, if that’s one thing you want to do. The critiques are nice, because the meals is meant to be wonderful. The vibe set us off a bit bit (that’s why we didn’t go there ultimately).
Different choices are for instance Whats up Hanoi Restaurant, VIET Rooftop Bar or Hanoi Nook Restaurant.
To get a style of the very best meals of Hanoi, I might additionally suggest this Hanoi food tour.
The perfect motels in Hanoi
An trustworthy tip for motels in Hanoi? We now have seen that scores on Reserving are comparatively very excessive. In case you search for the lodge on Google Maps, it would present a complete completely different end result. Usually, I belief the critiques on a single platform, however when reserving in Hanoi, I’d suggest to double test.
Good locations to remain in Hanoi are for instance:
San Premium: We stayed right here every time we have been in Hanoi, as a result of it’s a nice base to discover the North. It’s strolling distance from the Previous Quarter and has AMAZING workers. I’d undoubtedly say it’s good worth for cash, as Hanoi isn’t the most cost effective metropolis of Vietnam. We paid about €60 an evening. If we’d be going to Hanoi once more, I’d nevertheless favor to be IN the Previous Quarter.
Hoan Kiem Legend Hoi An: A comparatively new lodge, proper within the Previous Quarter and therewith an ideal location. The lodge has all amenities you want and classy rooms. You possibly can already ebook an evening for €60.
Aira Boutique: In case you are on the lookout for a extra fashionable and stylish expertise within the metropolis, that is the place for you. The lodge additionally has a rooftop AND pool and an opulent vibe. Additionally, it’s positioned centrally. You possibly can ebook a room for €165 an evening. Costlier, however Hanoi is perhaps the beginning or finish of your journey. Which implies, the right metropolis to spoil your self!
Different choices with an important ranking are Salute Premium Hotel (€75 an evening) and Golden Rooster Hotel (€45 an evening).
Good to know earlier than you go
Getting round Hanoi: The simplest option to get round is by foot, and use Seize for something greater than strolling distance.
Strolling: The Previous Quarter is solely walkable. Most issues value doing are inside 15 to twenty minutes strolling of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Forex & ATMs: The foreign money is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). It’s best to have sufficient money on you, as most eating places and avenue meals are money solely. I like to recommend the HSBC ATM (subsequent to Hoan Kiem Lake) to keep away from extra transaction charges.
Site visitors: Hanoi visitors is intense. The perfect factor to do is stroll slowly and steadily, so motorbikes can movement round you. Essentially the most importantly is to not change your tempo oto a lot or cease all of a sudden. And attempt to cross the streets at visitors lights.
Connectivity: I like to recommend shopping for an eSIM upfront, to remain linked, particularly as you wish to test instructions, translate the menu and order a Seize. My private favorite eSIM is the Simify Vietnam eSIM. With IBT15 you get 15% off.
Regularly requested questions on Hanoi
What number of days do you want in Hanoi?
You want two to a few days to get pleasure from Hanoi. Subsequent to that, you would possibly spend extra nights right here, as Hanoi is the right base for northern Vietnam.
What’s the finest space to remain in Hanoi?
The Previous Quarter is the very best place, as that is the place you discover probably the most eating places and the vibe is sweet.
What’s should eat meals in Hanoi?
Bun cha is the particular dish to eat! This dish consists of grilled pork with rice vermicelli and dipping broth. It’s a lunch dish (though you might undoubtedly even have it for dinner) and finest eaten at a small native restaurant. Additionally, an egg espresso is one thing it’s best to strive, and why not on the place the place it was invented: Cafe Giang.
Is prepare avenue value visiting?
Sure, it is extremely cool to expertise. Nonetheless, be sure that to make it an expertise and take a bit longer as a substitute of shortly leaping in to see the prepare. Order a drink, loosen up, and await the prepare.
Is Hanoi good as a base for Vietnam?
Excellent. Ha Giang, Sapa, Ninh Binh and Ha Lengthy Bay are all accessible from Hanoi. Town is compact sufficient that returning between journeys doesn’t really feel like a chore, and leaving baggage at your lodge between legs makes logistics a lot simpler.
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