bigtravelbuzzWelcome to Hanoi, where the roads are king! Experience delicious street food around every corner and watch trains rush behind cramped houses and traffic merge from all directions. Don’t miss the energy and vibrancy of this addictive Vietnamese city. So plan to spend 2-3 days exploring all the things to do in Hanoi.
Things to do in Hanoi
Although Hanoi is not Vietnam’s largest city, it has established itself as the country’s capital. As a result, there are many things to do in Hanoi.
1. Hanoi Bike Tour
Join his bike tour and zip through the backstreets of Hanoi Old Quarter. Hanoi His Backstreet Tour is a great tour using his vintage Minsk bike for the journey. Enjoy the surroundings on the back of these bikes while crossing famous bridges and stopping at authentic markets.
A knowledgeable tour guide provides local knowledge and lots of information about Hanoi and its history. This tour also takes you through green areas, in contrast to the busy mornings of big cities. This tour covers most of the city’s highlights and is one of the most fun things to do in Hanoi.
2. Leave a note on The Note Coffee
There are lot of excellent cafes here, but for The Note Coffee, you have to create a special “note”. This cute little café usually invites you to leave handwritten notes on colorful sticky notes on the blank wall.
Hence the name ‘The Note Coffee’, a three-story building whose walls are completely covered in colorful notes. Read other visitors’ notes and be sure to leave your own!
Open daily from 6:30am to 10:30pm
3. Hanoi Old Quarter
No visit to Hanoi is complete without seeing the Old Quarter. This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, dating back 2000 years.
Expect old houses lining narrow streets, locals tote their goods, and traffic crossing from every street.
Tips: When crossing the road, enter the road slowly and cross straight to allow traffic to flow safely around you.
4. Hanoi Railway Road
Narrow side streets lined with shanty town houses and cafés are lined with railroads that run twice a day. This world-famous Train Street is one of the most surprising things about Hanoi.
I used to be able to sit in front of a cafe and feel the air pressure when the train was inches away from my body. However, due to new security measures by local authorities, this is no longer allowed. You can see the trains when you arrive at the station, but the café on the platform is closed. It is advisable to check with the hotel as train times change frequently.
Mon-Fri: 6am, 7pm
Saturday and Sunday: 6am, 9am, 11:20am, 3:20pm, 5:30pm, 6pm, 7pm, 7:45pm, 8:30pm, 9pm, 11 pm
5. Let’s have coffee!
You may not know that Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer in the world. The coffee craze began during the French colonial period and has grown steadily ever since. For this reason, he is less than two steps away from the wonderful cafes where Vietnamese locals gather to enjoy a hot beer.
Tips: Try a typical Vietnamese egg coffee made with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk and Robusta coffee. Sweet goodness of sugar!
Here are some of our favorite cafes in Hanoi.
- Loading T Cafe
- hidden jewel coffee
- notebook coffee
- Kong Cafe
6. Dine at the Hanoi Night Market
If you’re visiting Hanoi for the weekend, be sure to visit the night market in the Old Quarter. They sell everything from pottery to clothing. Also, this is a very common practice in northern Vietnam, so be sure to bargain for the best price.Finally, enjoy some great street food at one of the many stalls. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 18.00 to 00.00.
7. French Luxury Street (Phan Dinh Phung Road)
Phan Dinh Hung Street is undoubtedly one of the city’s most spectacular streets. Its wide streets, lined with overhanging trees, are very different from the rest of Hanoi and its small backstreets. Stroll the boulevards and admire the impressive mansions and old French villas as the sun shines through the shady trees.
8. Long Bien Bridge
Long Bien Bridge is an iron bridge that connects Hoan Kiem and Long Bien districts. Unfortunately, the bridge fell victim to many bombings during the war. As a result, it has been left to decay and refurbished.
Currently, only pedestrians, cyclists, mopeds and trains use the bridge, with most traffic using other routes across the bridge. For this reason, you can admire the industrial beauty of the orange rusted pillars built around the old railway tracks.
9. St. Joseph’s Cathedral
It is the oldest church in Hanoi and very different from other buildings in the city. The Gothic style is very impressive from the outside, but it’s worth a peek inside for a taste of medieval Europe, especially since admission is free.
Tips: I’m hungry? Enjoy coffee and snacks at La Place Café with a balcony on the square overlooking the church.
10. Hanoi trompe l’oeil murals
Trompe L’Oeil Murals is a community art project painted on the railroad arch of Hung Hung Street. This project was launched to commemorate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Vietnam. A “trompe l’oeil” is a visual illusion within artwork, and these murals are just that!
The artwork depicts acts of local life so that the artwork fits into the everyday happenings of the city. The visual illusion and 3D elements of paintings allow people to interact with art by taking pictures and posing as if they were part of it.
11. Hoan Kiem Lake
Head to Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn to watch the sun rise over a sea of fog. Sit among the trees and watch the locals enjoy a morning tai chi or yoga session. good!
As a result, Hoan Kiem Lake feels like a spiritual oasis in the chaos of the city. Even better, it’s right in the middle, so you’re never far away!Don’t miss one of Hanoi’s most famous activities he. Yushan Shrine
The Ngoc Mountain Temple is a stunning Vietnamese pagoda in the middle of the lake. Named after the “Bridge of the Rising Sun,” it is painted red and is depicted on many postcards. Cross the bridge and enter the pagoda between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
Entrance ticket cost:
Adult ticket – 30,000/student – 15,000 VND (0.75 – 1.5 USD). Free for children under 15 years old.
Thang Long Water Puppet Show
On the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake is the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, where you can see the ancient tradition of Vietnamese puppetry performed in puddles.
12. Halong Bay Day Trip
One of the natural wonders of the world and his one of UNESCO status, Halong Bay is a must-see on any trip to Vietnam. It features limestone karsts rising out of the sea between beautiful bays and lush greenery.
Take a boat tour to watch locals fishing from floating settlements or kayak along the bay’s many white-sand beaches. Halong Bay is just a few hours east of Hanoi by bus and is a great place for a day trip. Most Hanoi accommodations offer excursions to Halong Bay as part of their service, so check with your hotel about the options they offer.
Tips: Halong Bay has become more and more bustling in recent years. Lan Ha Bay is another great, lesser-known option nearby.
Arrive in Hanoi and surroundings
It is one of the easiest places to travel in Vietnam as Hanoi is the capital.
International flight
Noi Bai International Airport serves international flights from all over the world to the city. It takes about 1 hour from the airport to the old town by public bus/shuttle bus or taxi. It’s because of the traffic in the city.
Domestic flight
Domestic flights also depart from Noi Bai to other destinations in Vietnam. Note the departure airport for domestic flights as there are other airports in Hanoi. Other transportation
Hanoi is also well connected to the rest of the country by public buses and trains. If you continue your journey, you can even catch a public bus across the border to Laos or Cambodia.
Walking around
Once in Hanoi, getting around is relatively easy. Use apps like Grab to rent taxis and bikes to travel between destinations. It is best to choose a motorbike over a taxi as it is easier to avoid traffic jams. Choose a hotel or guesthouse in the Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem and explore the main attractions on foot.
Hanoi restaurants
Hanoi is world famous for its great street food. The options are endless and travelers eat some of the best food of their lives here. From piping hot pho to banh mi sandwiches, there’s street food for everyone. Here are some of our favorite restaurants in Hanoi.
- Hanoi Night Market
- Pizza 4 p.s.
- Hanoi Social Club
- no water 25
- Hoang Restaurants
- Mrs Tran
- Thun’s kitchen
Where to stay in Hanoi
Prices in Vietnam are still cheap. Therefore, the quality of Hanoi guesthouses and hotels is very high for the money you pay. Sit near the Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem Lake for a walking tour of all the things to do in Hanoi.
There are also some nice neighborhoods like Tay Ho that offer great options. However, you have to ride a motorbike to get to the center.
Best travel time in Hanoi
Unlike the rest of Vietnam, Hanoi is very seasonal. This means that winters can be very cold and summers can be very hot and humid. Therefore, spring (February to April) or autumn (October to November) is recommended.
Tips: Avoid public holidays like TET. Most shops and restaurants are closed and services are severely limited.