A buzzy city in the northern part of Vietnam, Hanoi is a captivating mix of history, culture, and modern city living. There are temples and pagodas, water puppets and delicious coffee, and rivers, lakes, and magic turtles. Street food is a highlight, although there are also first-rate restaurants for travelers who prefer a sit-down meal somewhere quiet. And while there is a multitude of things to do in Hanoi, the city is small enough that three days is enough to enjoy all the highlights. But, there’s also a chance you’ll want to stay longer after a few hours of sightseeing in Vietnam’s incredible capital city.
Day 1: Explore the Old Quarter & Hoan Kiem Lake
If you’re in town early—and you should be, if you’re only spending three days in Hanoi—then you should have ample time for sightseeing upon arrival. Get to know the city by diving into its heart in the Old Quarter. The historic labyrinth of 36 streets is a flurry of energy and noise; there are street vendors, colorful French colonial architecture, charming cafés and shops, speedy scooters constantly swerving, and tourists snapping photos of all the action. It’s best to set aside a couple of hours to explore the Old Quarter, North Hoan Kiem, and nearby attractions.
Vietnamese Coffee
Renowned for its excellent brew, Hanoi has plenty of cafés, from tourist-friendly hipster spots to lesser-known haunts. Most are excellent, but Café Giang is a must-try in the Old Quarter. The famous coffee shop is practically an institution in the city, coming up with the original egg coffee and serving locals and tourists in Hanoi since 1946.
If you have a little more time, you can even enroll in a coffee-making class to learn and appreciate more about the art of making filtered coffee.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
Few people outside Vietnam are familiar with water puppets, a creative Vietnamese tradition that originated in Hanoi nearly a thousand years ago when intense flooding led Hanoians to stage puppet shows right in the water. Catch a show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater in the Old Quarter to witness this unique form of entertainment. Each show lasts about an hour, so shouldn’t eat up too much of your time.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the most charming spots in Hanoi to watch the sunset when it’s not as hot as midday and the orange sun paints the water in pretty hues. Locals and tourists alike gather to walk, jog, bike, and eat by the shores. It’s also a good spot for photographers who can snap pictures of the water, Turtle Tower, Ngoc Son Temple, and the iconic Huc Bridge.
The lake’s name means “Lake of the Returned Sword,” after the legend of gods giving Emperor Le Loi a special sword to drive the Chinese away from Vietnam. After the war, a magical turtle is said to have taken back the sword in this very lake. Hanoians still say that spotting a turtle in Hoan Kiem is a lucky sign.
Hanoi’s Street Food
Walking around the busy streets of the Old Quarter will get you hungry pretty soon. Luckily, Hanoi is arguably the best place in Vietnam for street food. Foodies will be delighted at the array of cheap and tasty treats readily available everywhere in the Old Quarter, including fan favorites like bún cha (pork meatballs with noodles) and banh mi (Vietnamese baguette). Thirsty? Enjoy a cold beer at Ta Hien Street, affectionately dubbed the “beer street.”
Hanoi Weekend Night Market
If you’re in the city on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, check out the Weekend Night Market. It’s one of the fun and touristy things to do in Hanoi, with a dizzying range of goods from cheap toys and clothes to beautiful handcrafted products from all over Vietnam. Tourists who are in Hanoi on a weekday can visit Dong Xuan Market instead, a shopping center also located in the Old Quarter.
Day 2: Visiting Hanoi’s Cultural Attractions
Now that you’ve gotten a feel of the city streets, it’s time to explore the museums and monuments to gain a deeper appreciation of this Vietnam destination. For such a small-sized city, there’s a wealth of cultural sites in Hanoi—we recommend starting early, so you can see everything on your personal bucket list. Some tourists prefer walking everywhere, but others opt to ride motorcycles, taxis, or cyclos (the Vietnamese version of a rickshaw). There’s also the option of taking the double-decker bus for a hop-on hop-off Hanoi tour.
Temple of Literature
Although it’s called a temple, the Temple of Literature is actually the first university in Vietnam. It dates back to 1,000 years ago, during the founding of Hanoi city. The temple is a pleasant place to start the morning, where there are picturesque courtyards and gardens that you can explore in less than an hour.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex
Ho Chi Minh is a revolutionary and politician, Vietnam’s most important national hero and one of the world’s most iconic communist leaders. For many Vietnamese people, it’s tradition to visit his embalmed body in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The mausoleum is only open in the morning, so it’s best to make this one of your first stops of the day if you want to go inside. After visiting “Uncle Ho’s” remains, the other sites on the complex are also worth a look: Ho Chi Minh Museum, Stilt House, Presidential Palace, and One Pillar Pagoda.
Thang Long Imperial Citadel
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 11th-century Imperial Citadel used to be the political center of Vietnam. Much of the 18-hectare complex was destroyed in the 19th century, but there are still plenty of fascinating buildings, monuments, gates, and even bunkers to explore. Tourists will learn a lot about Vietnam’s tumultuous history while visiting notable historic sites in the Citadel, including Kinh Thien Palace, Flag Tower, and Princess Pagoda.
West Lake
After a whirlwind day exploring Hanoi’s sprawling historic and cultural attractions, relaxing at the serene West Lake is quite a relief. This is probably the best sunset spot in Hanoi, so try to time your visit as the day is winding down. There are two pagodas that you can enter in this area: Tay Ho Pagoda and Tran Quoc Pagoda. Then, enjoy a pleasant dinner in one of the many restaurants overlooking the West Lake. Some of our recommendations are Bep Java Restaurant and 6 Degrees Café.
Day 3: Relax in the French Quarter
After starting the day with a cup of coffee—of course—visit the French Quarter for a little more sightseeing before leaving the city. This beautiful Hanoi neighborhood is quite refined, with spacious streets that feel worlds away from the cramped chaos of the Old Quarter. French colonial buildings line the boulevards and there is a good mix of boutique shops and elegant restaurants to explore. There are also a handful of notable tourist sites in and near the area, including Hoa Lo Prison, the National Museum of Vietnamese History, and the beautiful Opera House.
Hoa Lo Prison
If you only have time to see one more tourist site before leaving Hanoi, then make it this one. Hoa Lo Prison’s many names speak volumes of its long history. Built in the 19th century by French colonists who called it Maison Centrale, it was established to imprison, torture, and execute Vietnamese caught fighting for independence. During the Vietnam War, Hoa Lo also held American prisoners who sarcastically dubbed it “Hanoi Hilton.”
Le Beaulieu
Cap off your Hanoi holiday with style and treat yourself to a decadent French meal. Located in the five-star Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, Le Beaulieu opened its doors in 1901, making it the first-ever French restaurant in Hanoi. This award-winning bistro is renowned for its expertly crafted French cuisine, impressive wine list, and sophisticated interiors.
Possible Day Trips From Hanoi
Fell in love with the city and now you’re staying an extra day or two? There are plenty of things left to do in and around Hanoi. For one, you’ll never run out of cafés and street food to sample. And there may be sites in the city that you may have missed during your first three days. But if you really want to make the most of your vacation, take a day trip to one of the many tourist attractions near Hanoi.
Trang An
Featuring grottos, caves, limestone karsts, and spectacular natural scenery, Trang An Complex is a popular day-trip destination. Hop on a boat tour and float gently in caves and towering cliffs in the area.
Perfume Pagoda
Haven’t had your fill of pagodas in Hanoi? The magnificent Perfume Pagoda is a collection of Buddhist temples and shrines built on Huong Tich Mountain. The complex is a renowned pilgrimage destination and especially popular during the springtime when flocks of travelers visit the sacred site.
Ha Long Bay
Many travelers visit Vietnam to see Ha Long Bay, and it’s easy to cruise to this postcard-pretty UNESCO World Heritage Site from Hanoi.
Feel like exploring more of Vietnam? Head to KKday for more tour ideas outside of Hanoi. Enjoy!
