Hanoi is the lively capital of Vietnam and is a great introduction to the country because there is so much to do. You might get a bit of a culture shock because Hanoi is a pretty chaotic city. There is a street food stall on every street corner, the scooters whiz around you everywhere, but fortunately the cheerful locals are also an indispensable part of the street scene. During your visit to Hanoi, be sure to seek out the peace and quiet at one of the many temples such as this beautiful Temple of Literature. In this article you can read many more tips for fun things to do in Hanoi! 

How to travel to Hanoi?

Most people travel to Hanoi from Sapa , Ha Giang , Cao Bang , Halong Bay or Ninh Binh . Read below how to get there from these destinations.

What to do in Hanoi?

Hanoi has many different sights and something to offer for every type of traveler. The following things you should not miss in Hanoi in my opinion.

Stroll through the streets of Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi Old Quarter is the old centre of Hanoi and is a sight in itself. This part of the city is more than 1000 years old. You will find countless winding narrow streets with many coffee shops, street food stalls, cafés and restaurants. It is the place to wander around, visit a nice market or to eat delicious Vietnamese food. A well-known and busy street that you definitely want to take a look at is Ta Hien Street. Here it is pleasantly busy, especially in the evening. Live music often sounds from the small cafés and people dance until the early hours.

Phung Hung Street is a large street on the border of Hanoi Old Quarter. In this street you can find 19 beautiful colorful murals. The artworks show the daily life of Vietnamese people using the Trompe-L’oeil technique. The illusion is created that you are looking at a three-dimensional object and this makes the murals look super realistic.

Tip: Hanoi is full of scooters and it seems impossible to cross the road as a pedestrian. Make sure you walk at a predictable pace when crossing and you will see that the traffic anticipates you. Accidents happen when you do unexpected things like walking back or running. So never do this! If possible, cross the road at a safe crossing and try to walk with locals.

Taste Traditional Vietnamese Egg Coffee in Hanoi

Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer in the world after Brazil. In Hanoi, try the famous Vietnamese Egg Coffee . They use beaten egg yolk for a creamy layer on top of the coffee. Egg Coffee originated in the 1940s when there was a shortage of dairy products. Especially in Hanoi Old Quarter you will find many nice coffee shops where you can taste this special coffee. Below I list my tips for the best coffee shops in Hanoi.

Giang Cafe – This is the most famous cafe in Hanoi to taste the Vietnamese Egg Coffee. You can order the Egg Coffee both hot and cold and both taste delicious.
The Note Coffee – This trendy cafe is a must see in Hanoi. This building is completely covered with handwritten notes from travelers from all over the world, both on the outside and on the inside. It is fun to just peek inside, but even more fun to have a cup of coffee there and of course leave a note!
Hidden Gem Cafe – Hidden Gem Cafe also has a special interior because this creative coffee bar is completely furnished with recycled materials. You will be amazed!

Join the Hanoi bike tour

The bike is a great way to explore the vibrant city of Hanoi! The 3.5-hour bike tour by Baja Bikes starts in Hanoi Old Quarter, after which you cycle through beautiful embassy streets to a suburb of Hanoi. You will see the different sides of Hanoi and the enthusiastic guide will tell you all about the city. During the bike tour you will make several stops and there will be time to taste local snacks and admire a number of sights. For example, you will stop at the historic Long Bien Bridge and at Truc Bach Lake, where the world-famous American pilot John McCain crashed in 1967 and was overpowered by the Vietnamese. The guide will take all the time to answer your questions and share interesting facts. For example, did you know that many historic houses can be found just outside the city? Some houses are 300 years old.

Visit Hanoi Train Street

One of the most photogenic places in Hanoi is Hanoi Train Street. A train passes through the narrow streets of Hanoi several times a day. It is a spectacle every time because everyone has to quickly get out of the way as soon as the train approaches. This is an absolute must see when you are in Hanoi! Be careful because you are not allowed to just walk onto the track and pick a spot to sit down. You can sit on one of the terraces to order a drink and wait for the train to arrive.

Tip: Check with your hotel or hostel for the current train times as they can change quite often.

Stroll through the Weekend Night Market Hanoi

In Hanoi Old Quarter, a huge weekend market takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. Be prepared for crowds because it attracts many people, both locals and travelers. It is certainly fun to walk around the market, soak up the atmosphere and have a nice bite to eat. Besides food, you can also buy souvenirs, clothing, jewelry and other accessories. Remember that tough bargaining is part of markets in Vietnam. Of course, always do this with a smile because that is often how you get the best price. The Weekend Night Market Hanoi officially opens at 18:00 but because some stalls are not open yet, it is smart to go between 19:00 and 20:00.

Admire St. Joseph’s Cathedral

When you walk through Hanoi, you will not miss the French colonial influences. The St. Joseph’s Cathedral is a perfect example of this and can be found in Hanoi Old Quarter. The cathedral was built by the French during the occupation of Hanoi and was inspired by the Notre Dame in Paris. It is a meeting place for many Roman Catholics and it is a beautiful church to take a look inside.

Please note: Always ensure your shoulders and knees are covered when visiting St. Joseph’s Cathedral.

Taste the best street food in Hanoi with the food tour

Is Hanoi the starting point of your trip through Vietnam? Then it is extra fun to join the Streetfood Walking Tour . You will go with a small group and a guide to taste the different flavors of the Vietnamese kitchen. You will learn everything about the different Vietnamese dishes, snacks and drinks. Very useful for the rest of your trip through Vietnam! Are you a vegetarian or do you have allergies? That is no problem, but please indicate this under ‘remarks’ in the booking process. Make sure you start the tour with a good appetite.

Take a walk along Hoan Kiem Lake

In the middle of the always busy Hanoi you will find the large Hoan Kiem lake. This is a place where many locals escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a walk or a picnic. Don’t forget to visit the Ngoc Son Temple. The temple is located in the middle of Hoan Kiem lake and can be reached via a beautiful bright red bridge.

Tip:  The best time to visit Hoan Kiem Lake is from Friday to Sunday because the area around the lake is closed to scooters and cars.

Eat a Banh Mi sandwich

It’s time to get acquainted with traditional Vietnamese food and the Banh Mi sandwich is definitely part of that! Banh Mi is a delicious Vietnamese baguette with a savoury filling of meat, egg and vegetables. There are also vegetarian Banh Mi sandwiches available. These are often topped with cheese, avocado, mushrooms and/or tofu. Banh Mi 25 is the most famous place to score a delicious sandwich and they have many different sandwiches on the menu. Enjoy!

Visit Hoa Lo Prison Relic

It is interesting to visit the old Hoa Lo prison if you want to learn more about the events during the Vietnam War. Nowadays it is a museum but during the war this prison, right in the center of Hanoi, was used to lock up and torture political prisoners. When you visit the Hoa Lo Prison Relic you will see that the conditions in this overcrowded and grim prison were truly terrible.

Tip: It is possible to walk through the museum with an audio tour. Ask for this at the entrance.

See Hanoi from above at Sky Lotte Observation Deck

At 4 kilometers from Hanoi Old Quarter you will find the Sky Lotte Observation Deck . Get in the elevator and let yourself be taken to the 65th floor of this enormous skyscraper within one minute. Here you can enjoy a super cool view of Hanoi. It is extra fun to have a drink here during sunset. Then the view is even more spectacular!

Please note: Upon arrival, first take the escalator down. You will then end up in a shopping mall and here you follow the signs to the elevator that will take you to Sky Lotte Observation Deck.

Find peace and quiet at the Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature, also called Văn Miếu, is located in the middle of busy Hanoi and yet it feels like you are away from the city. Temple of Literature is an old university and built in the year 1070. The temple, dedicated to science and literature, is now a place where students come to study in peace. Due to the beautiful architecture, it is certainly one of the most beautiful sights of Hanoi. Walk through the five different courtyards and admire the beautiful prayer rooms.

Tip: After your visit, walk to the Gò Kim Chàu lake. This is opposite the Temple of Literature and is beautiful because of the various footbridges over the water.

Tips for good restaurants in Hanoi

In Hanoi you can eat delicious food at a street food stall on every corner of the street but there are also more than enough good restaurants to be found. I list my favorites.

Luk Lak – For delicious authentic Vietnamese food with a modern twist.
Muoi Tieu – Salt n’ Pepper Kitchen – Start your day well at Muoi Tieu because here you can have a delicious breakfast or lunch. Think of avocado toast, salads, croissants and various sandwiches.
Poké Hanoi – Create your own healthy poké bowl. It is located directly on the Hoan Kiem lake, so also nice to pick up when you want to picnic by the water.
The Hanoi Social Club – In this trendy and atmospheric restaurant you can go for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a homely atmosphere and they serve delicious dishes that are rich in vegetables.
Hanoi Food Culture – Atmospheric restaurant with original decor and nice staff. Here you will experience the best of Vietnamese cuisine!

Where to stay in Hanoi?

Hanoi is a huge city so it is logical that you wonder where it is nice to stay. The answer to this question is without a doubt Hanoi Old Quarter. Here you will find most of the sights but also all the nice restaurants, bars and hotels. Below you will find tips for the best hostels and hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter.

Our favorite places in Hanoi

In the middle of Hanoi Old Quarter lies the cozy Hanoi Buffalo Hostel and this hostel has everything for a nice stay. There is a swimming pool, a nice atmosphere, many activities are organized and you can easily meet other travelers. You can choose from a double room or a dorm. Both have air conditioning and the beds in the dorms have a lot of privacy. Are you looking for a small-scale, quiet and friendly priced hotel? Then Maison d’Orient Hotel is perfect. It is located in a side street, near the Hoan Kiem lake, which makes it very central but without the crowds. The rooms have air conditioning, a modern bathroom and a cozy interior. Hanoi Tirant Hotel is perfect if you are looking for affordable luxury in Hanoi. Besides the fact that the rooms look fantastic, the real eye-catcher of this hotel is the roof terrace. Here you can splash in the large swimming pool and enjoy a beautiful view, especially during sunset!