Explore the Old Quarter on Foot

The Old Quarter (Phố Cổ) is the beating heart of Hanoi and the single most essential experience in the city. This 2,000-year-old maze of 36 narrow streets was originally organized by trade guilds — Hang Gai for silk, Hang Bac for silver, Hang Ma for paper goods — and many streets still carry the spirit of their original craft today.

The best way to experience it is simply wandering on foot. Let yourself get lost — you'll stumble upon crumbling French colonial facades painted in faded yellows and greens, tiny Buddhist shrines tucked between shophouses, and sidewalks packed with plastic stools where locals huddle over bowls of steaming bún chả. This area is also where you'll find the best street food, the famous Bia Hoi Corner, and the starting point for the weekend Night Market.

Take a Street Food Tour

Hanoi is widely considered the street food capital of the world, and eating here isn't just a meal — it's a full cultural immersion. Every street corner has at least one vendor specializing in a single dish they've perfected over decades, sometimes generations. The quality you get for the price is simply unbeatable anywhere in Asia.

The dishes you absolutely must try:

Phở bò (beef noodle soup) — The iconic Vietnamese dish. Go to Phở Thìn at 13 Lo Duc for the famous stir-fried beef version, or Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn at 49 Bat Dan for the classic clear broth. Expect to pay 40,000–60,000 VND ($1.60–$2.40). If you're also visiting Sapa, the phở there has a distinct mountain-herb twist worth comparing.

Bún chả — Smoky grilled pork patties with rice noodles and fresh herbs. Bún Chả Hương Liên on Le Van Huu is where Barack Obama famously dined with Anthony Bourdain in 2016. A portion costs about 40,000 VND ($1.60).

Bánh mì — The legendary Vietnamese sandwich. Bánh Mì 25 on Hang Ca Street in the Old Quarter is consistently rated among Hanoi's best. Just 25,000 VND ($1). For the full story behind this dish, read our ultimate bánh mì guide.

Bánh cuốn — Delicate steamed rice rolls filled with minced pork and mushrooms. Best at Bánh Cuốn Bà Hoành on To Hien Thanh Street. Only 30,000 VND and absolutely mesmerizing to watch being made.

Walk Around Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword) is the spiritual and geographical heart of Hanoi. Legend has it that Emperor Le Loi was given a magical sword by a golden turtle god to drive out Chinese invaders — and returned the sword to the lake's turtle after victory. You can see the preserved giant turtle in a glass case inside the temple.

The iconic Thê Húc Bridge (Morning Sunlight Bridge) is the most photographed spot in all of Hanoi — a graceful red wooden bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple on a small island. Walk the full 1.8 km loop around the lake, and make sure to pause at the Café Đinh rooftop terrace for egg coffee with a lake view.

On weekend evenings (Friday–Sunday, 6 PM onwards), the surrounding streets become a pedestrian zone filled with street performers, pop-up markets, and families — this flows naturally into the Night Market on nearby Hang Dao Street. It's Hanoi at its most joyful.

Watch a Water Puppet Show

Water puppetry (múa rối nước) is a uniquely Vietnamese art form that originated in the rice paddies of the Red River Delta over 1,000 years ago. Puppeteers stand waist-deep in water behind a bamboo screen, controlling carved wooden puppets that dance and glide magically across the surface. A live traditional orchestra accompanies the performance.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre on Dinh Tien Hoang Street — right next to Hoan Kiem Lake — is the original and best venue. Perfect combo: catch the 5:20 PM show, then walk to the lake for sunset, then explore the Night Market (on weekends), and finish with bia hoi on Ta Hien Street. That's a perfect Hanoi evening.

Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex is where Vietnam's founding father, affectionately called "Uncle Ho," rests in a glass sarcophagus. The reverence Vietnamese people show here is deeply moving regardless of your political views. This is one of the most important historical sites in Vietnam.

The complex includes: the imposing Soviet-style Mausoleum, the surprisingly modest Stilt House (Ho Chi Minh refused to live in the grand French colonial Presidential Palace), the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the beautiful One Pillar Pagoda — one of Vietnam's most iconic temples, built in 1049. The Temple of Literature is just 1 km south — easily combined in one morning.

Temple of Literature — Vietnam's First University

Built in 1070, the Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) is Hanoi's most significant historical site and Vietnam's first national university. Dedicated to Confucius, it educated Vietnam's brightest scholars for nearly 700 years in philosophy, literature, and administration. If you're interested in Vietnam's rich history, this is unmissable.

The temple stretches through five beautifully landscaped courtyards, each more serene than the last. The most famous feature: 82 stone stelae mounted on carved turtle backs — UNESCO-recognized treasures that record doctoral graduates from 1442 to 1779. Vietnamese students still visit before exams to pray for academic success — you might see groups in traditional áo dài taking graduation photos.

See the Famous Train Street

One of Hanoi's most surreal sights: a railway line running through an incredibly narrow residential street, with houses just inches from the tracks. When the train passes (twice daily), locals casually fold up their chairs and plastic tables, press against the walls, and resume life seconds later. Cafés now line the tracks where you can sit with an egg coffee and wait for the train to rumble past.

Drink Bia Hoi — The World's Cheapest Beer

Bia hơi is Hanoi's legendary fresh draft beer, brewed daily and delivered in metal kegs to tiny street-side bars across the city. At just 5,000–10,000 VND per glass (about $0.20–$0.40), it's genuinely the cheapest beer in the world. Light, refreshing, and around 3% ABV — designed for long, social sessions.

Grab a tiny plastic stool at the famous Bia Hoi Corner (intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets in the Old Quarter), order a glass, and you'll find yourself surrounded by locals and travelers sharing stories as motorbikes weave past. This is peak Vietnamese social culture in action.

Try Hanoi's Legendary Egg Coffee

Cà phê trứng (egg coffee) was invented in 1940s Hanoi when fresh milk was scarce. A barista at the Sofitel Metropole whisked egg yolks with condensed milk to create a rich, creamy topping for strong Vietnamese coffee. The result tastes like liquid tiramisu — sweet, velvety, and utterly addictive. For the full story and our complete top-10 list, read our Hanoi egg coffee guide.

Where to try it: Café Giảng at 39 Nguyen Huu Huan is the original — same family since 1946, hidden up a narrow staircase. Café Đinh on Dinh Tien Hoang has a rooftop terrace overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. Both are in the Old Quarter, perfect for a mid-morning break between sightseeing.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Often considered Hanoi's best museum, the Museum of Ethnology is a fascinating deep dive into Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Indoor exhibits showcase traditional costumes, musical instruments, farming tools, and ceremonial objects with excellent English descriptions. The outdoor garden features full-size recreated traditional houses — a Bahnar communal house, a Tày stilt house, an Ê Đê longhouse, and more.

This museum is the perfect primer if you're heading to Sapa to visit ethnic minority villages — you'll understand so much more about the Hmong, Red Dao, and Tày people you'll meet in the mountains.

Cycle Around West Lake (Tây Hồ)

West Lake is Hanoi's largest lake (17 km circumference) and offers a welcome escape from the Old Quarter's intensity. Rent a bicycle and pedal the scenic lakeside path, stopping at ancient pagodas, waterfront cafés, and flower markets. The Quang An Flower Market is magical when visited between midnight and 3 AM.

Key stops: Tran Quoc Pagoda (Hanoi's oldest temple, 6th century — stunning at sunset), the charming street of Xuan Dieu with lakeside restaurants, and Quang Ba for local seafood. If you enjoy cycling, you'll love the countryside cycling routes in Ninh Binh too.

Old Quarter Night Market (Friday–Sunday)

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening, streets in the Old Quarter close to traffic and transform into a massive walking market. Hundreds of stalls along Hang Dao and Dong Xuan streets sell clothing, souvenirs, street food, and handmade crafts.

The real magic is the atmosphere: street performers, children running through car-free streets, families picnicking by Hoan Kiem Lake, and paper lanterns glowing against ancient shophouses. A perfect evening plan: water puppet show → sunset at the lake → Night Market → bia hoi.

Sunrise at Long Bien Bridge

Built by Gustave Eiffel's company in 1903, Long Bien Bridge survived heavy American bombing during the Vietnam War and still stands as a symbol of Hanoi's resilience. At dawn, it becomes the most atmospheric spot in the city — vendors carrying impossibly heavy loads of produce on bamboo poles, the Red River glowing beneath you, and the city slowly waking up.

Below the bridge, the bustling Long Bien Market is a raw, unforgettable experience — mountains of fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers traded in pre-dawn darkness. If you love authentic Vietnamese markets, this one rivals anything you'll find in the countryside.

Day Trip to Bat Trang Pottery Village

Just 30 minutes from central Hanoi, Bat Trang has been producing ceramics for over 700 years. Try your hand at the pottery wheel (from 50,000 VND), browse hundreds of shops selling handmade ceramics at wholesale prices, and explore narrow alleys lined with ancient kilns. It's one of the most rewarding day trips from Hanoi and a wonderful complement to the city's urban intensity.

For more countryside experiences near Hanoi, consider Duong Lam Ancient Village (Vietnam's oldest village) or the Perfume Pagoda — both offer a glimpse into rural Vietnam that's worlds away from the Old Quarter.

Take a Vietnamese Cooking Class

After falling in love with Hanoi's street food, learn to recreate it at home. The best classes start with a guided market visit to learn about Vietnamese ingredients — fresh herbs, fish sauce varieties, different rice noodles — then 3–4 hours of hands-on cooking. You'll typically make fresh spring rolls, phở from scratch, bánh xèo, and a dessert.

If you're continuing to Hoi An, they offer excellent cooking classes too — with completely different Central Vietnamese dishes. You can also try a cooking experience during a Sapa homestay for an authentic mountain-cuisine version.

Hanoi to Sapa by Limousine Bus

Sapa is the crown jewel of Northern Vietnam — a mountain town surrounded by some of the most breathtaking rice terrace landscapes on Earth. The journey from Hanoi takes 5–6 hours by road, winding through lush valleys and dramatic mountain passes. Once there, the experiences are extraordinary: trekking through terraced valleys, visiting ethnic minority villages like Cat Cat and Ta Phin, and waking up to clouds drifting through mountain peaks.

We recommend 2–3 nights in Sapa for the full experience. Read our complete Sapa travel guide for detailed planning, our Sapa weather guide for timing, and our Sapa hotel recommendations for where to stay.

Halong Bay Cruise

Halong Bay — with its 1,600+ limestone karsts rising from emerald waters — is one of the most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Asia. We strongly recommend an overnight cruise to truly experience the bay: watching the sunset from the deck of a traditional junk boat is unforgettable.

Overnight cruises typically include kayaking through hidden caves, visiting floating fishing villages, swimming, and squid fishing at night. Prices range from $80–150 (mid-range) to $200+ (luxury). For honest comparisons, read our guide to choosing the right Halong Bay cruise. Getting there from Hanoi takes about 3–4 hours by bus or private transfer.

Ninh Binh — "Halong Bay on Land"

Ninh Binh features dramatic limestone karsts rising from brilliant green rice paddies — like Halong Bay but on land. The boat ride through Tam Coc caves (where rowers paddle with their feet!) is one of Vietnam's most photographed experiences.

A full day from Hanoi includes Trang An (the UNESCO site from Kong: Skull Island), Mua Cave (500 steps to a panoramic viewpoint), and the ancient capital Hoa Lu. Easily reachable in 2 hours by bus, train, or private car. If you have 2 days, stay overnight to explore Van Long Nature Reserve — far fewer tourists and equally stunning.