Best things to do in Hanoi: Ultimate guide for first-timers

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Hanoi, Vietnam is the most chaotic place I’ve ever been, and I loved every minute of it. The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a bustling city full of people, history, culture, food, shopping, nightlife, and more. Whether you want to explore historic sites, visit cultural gems, or eat your way around the city, there’s so much to see and do. With so much to choose from, this guide to the best things to do in Hanoi will help you plan your perfect trip to Vietnam’s vibrant capital.

Things to do in Hanoi: FAQs

Why should I visit Hanoi?

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the second largest city after Ho Chi Minh, with 8.5 million people and 7 million motorbikes. If you’re visiting northern Vietnam, there’s a good chance you’ll fly into or out of Hanoi, giving you the perfect excuse to spend a few days exploring all it has to offer. Hanoi is total chaos, but in the best way. There’s historic sites, cultural gems, coffee shops, and foodie spots on every corner, with motorbikes zooming by nonstop. Whether you want a few days to eat your way around or learn more about Vietnam’s history and culture, there’s something for you to do in Hanoi.

When to visit Hanoi?

The best time to visit Hanoi is during the cooler, drier months of fall and spring, from September to November and March to April. Fall and spring are great times to stroll around Hanoi’s Old Quarter in milder temperatures with beautiful fall foliage and spring blossoms. Winter (December to February) is also not a bad time to visit if you’re okay with chillier weather. Summer (May to August) can be quite hot and humid with occasional heavy rains, but you can explore Hanoi’s many indoor destinations if you’re stuck with bad weather.

How to book the best hotels & hostels in Hanoi?

The best booking platform for finding and reserving great hotels in Vietnam is Agoda. It’s owned by the same company as Booking.com but is based in Southeast Asia, making it great for finding any hotels you need. If you’re a backpacker staying in hostels, then Hostelworld is consistently the best hostel booking platform worldwide, and Vietnam is no exception. Book your Hanoi accommodations on Agoda today:

Don’t want to search for the best option, or just don’t have time? That’s what I’m here for! As a professional travel advisor, I’ve vetted or personally stayed at the suggested properties below.

Where to stay in Hanoi?

The best place to stay in Hanoi is the Old Quarter, a neighborhood full of history, French colonial influence, shopping, cafes, and restaurants. Basing yourself in the Old Quarter puts many of the best things to do in Hanoi within walking distance or a short taxi ride. No matter where you stay in the Old Quarter, you’ll be surrounded by great food options.

$$$: H Hotel Hanoi

$$: Hanoi Liliane Hotel & Travel

$: The One Hostel & Rooftop Pool Hanoi

How to book the best activities and excursions in Hanoi?

The best activity and excursion booking platforms for Vietnam are Klook and GetYourGuide. Both websites have thousands of trustworthy travel experiences with verified user reviews. I use Klook and GetYourGuide to book almost all my excursions in Asia, and you’ll find links throughout the article to great experiences I’ve personally vetted or experienced myself.

How to get around Hanoi?

If you stay in the Old Quarter, you’ll be able to walk to many of the best things to do in Hanoi. However, be warned that crossing the street in Hanoi is complete chaos. There are seven million motorbikes in Hanoi and it will feel like all of them are driving down the road at once, never stopping to let anyone go. You have to be assertive and go whenever there is the smallest gap, and the motorbikes will slow down or go around you. I felt nervous doing this, so I usually followed closely behind a local. And if you are at a pedestrian crossing with a green light, still be careful as most motorbikes go regardless of the red lights.

To get to the areas slightly outside of the Old Quarter, Grab will be your best friend. This is Vietnam’s version of Uber, and you can very easily and affordably call a motorbike or car to take you from place to place. There’s nothing like the feeling of being on the back of a motorbike in Southeast Asia!

How many days in Hanoi?

To get a good feel for Hanoi, I recommend spending three full days there. In this time, you can cover most, if not all, of the best things to do in Hanoi. If you’re on a tight schedule, two full days is enough to cover your top-choice attractions and activities. This is what I chose to do as I don’t like to spend much time in cities when I’m traveling. Check out my two-day Hanoi itinerary on Holicay, an interactive itinerary planner.

What’s a good Hanoi itinerary?

If you want to plan your perfect Hanoi itinerary, I’ve got you! Holicay, an interactive trip planning website, invited me to plan my Hanoi trip using their itinerary planner. To see my two-day Hanoi itinerary and conveniently build your own, check out Holicay.

Is Hanoi good for solo travelers?

Yes, Hanoi is an exciting and lively place for solo travelers. There are many hostels, such as The One, that are super nice and social. The hostels usually plan popular trips and tours for other guests to join along with social activities at night, making it easy to meet other travelers. The backpacking and solo travel culture in Vietnam is strong, so you’ll have no problem meeting people, getting around, and finding the best things to do. Hanoi is also very safe, being considered one of the safest Asian destinations for solo female travelers.

Where else should I go in Vietnam?

Hanoi is often the starting or ending point for many travelers in Vietnam, and there are so many of Vietnam’s best attractions in reach. If you’re an adventure-seeking backpacker, definitely do the Ha Giang Loop, a three to four-day motorbike tour of northern Vietnam’s mountains, valleys, villages, and rice paddies. The Ha Giang Loop was the highlight of my Vietnam trip (actually, my Southeast Asia trip overall!), and I met so many other people who had the same amazing experience. If motorbikes or backpacking aren’t your thing, Sapa has similarly stunning scenery but offers trekking excursions instead of motorbike tours.

From Hanoi, you can also easily visit Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Ninh Binh. Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay are known for their towering limestone islands jutting out of emerald green water. They both offer the same scenery, but Ha Long Bay is more touristy and crowded. I recommend heading to Cat Ba, where you can depart for a more peaceful, less crowded Lan Ha Bay tour. Ninh Binh is known as “Ha Long Bay on land”, offering similar limestone karst scenery but nowhere near the ocean. This type of scenery is my absolute favorite, so I was in heaven in both of these places. Northern Vietnam is absolutely amazing, and Hanoi provides a great starting or ending point for your adventure.

For a 3-4 week adventure perfect for solo travelers and backpackers, check out my Vietnam itinerary.

Things to do in Hanoi

Now, let’s get into the best things to do in Hanoi!

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as the hub for Vietnamese military power for over 1000 years. While only a few historic buildings are still standing, there are lots of exhibitions where you can learn about wars and dynasties throughout Vietnam’s history. You can also climb into a fascinating underground bunker where the Vietnamese military took shelter from the bombing of Hanoi during the Vietnam War.

Temple of Literature

A historic temple dating back to 1070, the Temple of Literature was Vietnam’s first university and is a great example of traditional Vietnamese architecture. There are tranquil courtyards, ancient stone steles, and exhibitions where you can learn about Vietnam’s academic and Confucian history.

Hanoi Train Street

One of the most unique things to do in Hanoi, Train Street features train tracks that run right between rows of homes and cafes. You can eat pho or drink beer as trains pass just inches away! Please note that sometimes this road shuts down because of tourists being unsafe. It’s a real train track and you can get hurt, so listen to the locals when they ring the train bell and tell you to get out of the way. For a free souvenir, put your bottle cap on the tracks before the train comes!

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Hoan Kiem Lake is a peaceful escape from the bustling city. Stroll around the lake, take in the scenery, and cross the beautiful red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple. On the weekends, the streets around the lake are closed and turn into a lively area with cultural experiences, live music, souvenir shopping, and street food.

St. Joseph Cathedral

This neo-Gothic cathedral, built in 1886, was one of the first notable buildings built by the French colonial government in Indochina. It’s an architectural gem with impressive stained-glass windows and twin bell towers. If you want to go inside, dress modestly or they will give you something to cover up with.

West Lake & Tran Quoc Pagoda

West Lake is Hanoi’s largest lake and a beautiful place to stroll, cycle, or enjoy water activities. Located slightly outside of the Old Quarter, it’s more peaceful than Hoan Kiem Lake. While you’re there, you can visit Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple at Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Ho Chi Minh Museum and Mausoleum & One Pillar Pagoda

If you’re interested in Vietnamese history, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and its surrounding area are essential things to do in Hanoi. The Mausoleum is where revered leader Ho Chi Minh’s body rests, and the museum gives you the opportunity to learn about his life and legacy. Also on the premises is the One Pillar Pagoda, a unique Buddhist temple built on one stone pillar to resemble a lotus blossom. This area is very meaningful to the Vietnamese people and has security and dress code regulations to enter. Make sure to cover your shoulders and knees out of respect.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology offers an in-depth look at Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups through artifacts, exhibitions, and reconstructed houses. If you’re interested in Vietnamese culture, it’s a great place to get a deeper understanding and respect for the country’s diverse cultures. It’s located outside of the Old Quarter, but you can easily get there with a 15-minute motorbike or taxi ride.

Try egg and coconut coffee

Hanoi has a world-class cafe culture, and there’s no better way to refuel or wind down than with some of its signature egg and coconut coffees. Egg coffee is a delicious concoction made by whipping egg yolks and condensed milk together until it’s a light foam that tops the coffee. Coconut coffee takes condensed milk and coconut cream and blends it with strong Vietnamese coffee. If you don’t drink coffee, another popular option is egg hot chocolate or coconut chocolate, the same idea but on top of a hot or iced chocolate base. Here are some great cafe options in Hanoi:

• Loading T Cafe: this 1930s architectural gem was recognized by the New York Times for its delicious coffee
• Blackbird Coffee: regarded by many as the best coffee in Hanoi with single origin Vietnamese coffee
• The Note Coffee: a unique cafe covered in sticky notes where you can leave your own message on the walls

Take a cooking class

Learn to make traditional Vietnamese dishes and get hands-on with the local culture by joining a cooking class. You’ll start the class by choosing your dishes as a group and shopping for ingredients at the local market. Then you’ll start cooking, led by a Vietnamese chef but getting plenty of chances to join in on the process. After a few hours, your well-deserved meal will be ready and you’ll go home with the recipes to recreate on your own. My class made pho, bun cha, tofu with tamarind sauce, and egg coffee, all of which were delicious! Don’t worry if you have dietary restrictions, just let the tour know in advance and they will cater to you. Book your Hanoi cooking class here.

Go on a food tour

Hanoi is famous for its street food, and a food tour is a great way to discover favorites like pho, bun cha, and banh mi along with lesser-known local dishes. Join a guided tour to discover the best places in the city, try hidden gems, and learn about the culinary history and cultural impact of each dish. If you have dietary restrictions, the tours will help you communicate your needs and find options that work for you. Join this Old Quarter food tour to discover local delicacies with a local guide and the additional option to visit Train Street.

Watch a water puppet show

Water puppetry is a traditional Vietnamese art form dating all the way back to the 11th century. You can catch the beautifully unique show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, where puppets bring Vietnamese folk tales to life on the water. There are live musicians and vocalists who really bring the show to life. Book your discounted water puppet show tickets here.

Hanoi Beer Street

If you want to experience Hanoi’s nightlife, head to Ta Hien, also known as Beer Street. This bustling street is lined with bars, restaurants, and cafes where you can enjoy local beer in a vibrant atmosphere. The average price of a bottle here is just 10,000 VND – that’s $0.40 USD! It’s especially lively on the weekends, when there’s live performances and bustling bars, clubs, and pubs.

Hanoi is pure chaos in the best way possible. Whether you’re a history buff, culture enthusiast, or foodie, there’s so many ways to fill a few days of exploring. With so many options to choose from, this guide to the best things to do in Hanoi has broken down exactly how to spend your time in this lively city. To see my Hanoi itinerary and plan your own, check out Holicay for a FREE interactive trip planner.

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