Top Things to Do in Hanoi, Vietnam

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Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country’s second-largest city. It has a population of more than 7 million and is both the commercial and cultural hub of northern Vietnam. The first thing you will likely notice upon arrival in Hanoi is the chaotic traffic. It can be somewhat overwhelming for a first-time visitor. The streets are overrun with scooters and honking vehicles. However, the city is actually quite easy to navigate and is divided into two main districts: Old Quarter and French Quarter.

Hanoi has a lot to offer visitors. An interesting mix of both Eastern and Western influences can be seen throughout the city as a result of Invasions by China, France, and the United States throughout the years. The city is full of history, traditional entertainment, great food, and amazing architecture. Continue reading to discover the top things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Things to Do in Hanoi, Vietnam:

Get Lost in Hanoi’s Old Quarter

The Old Quarter is the name given to Hanoi’s historic area. It’s located near Hoan Kiem Lake and is also referred to as the Hoan Kiem District. The Old Quarter dates back to the 11th century and many of its buildings have deteriorated over the years. Its grit, though, is what gives the area its charm. Today, the Old Quarter is Hanoi’s main tourist destination but at one time, it was the manufacturing and commercial center of the city.

Craftsmen set up narrow storefronts and each street of shops specialized in a specific trade. The streets were named after the good or service that was offered. There were once thirty-six of these streets but only a handful remain today. They are Ta Hien, a street of sidewalk cafes; Hang Gai, a street of silk and clothing; and Hang Duong, a street of sugar and sweets. The Old Quarter offers some of the best things to do in Hanoi, including historic sights, great shopping, cafes, and entertainment. I suggest taking advantage of Hanoi’s free walking tour and then allowing yourself to get lost in its many streets.

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Hoan Kiem Lake is located in the middle of historic Hanoi. It serves as a focal point and gives the otherwise busy city a sense of calm. It’s a social place where locals gather and is a great spot to relax or hang out with friends. Ngoc Son Temple is a pagoda that sits on a tiny island in the lake. It was built in 1841 and is Hanoi’s most visited temple. Ngoc Son Temple can only be accessed by a bridge and after walking through the Three-Passage Gate, a series of three gates.

The first gate is beautifully detailed with Chinese lettering on each side, meaning happiness and prosperity. The second gate has symbols of Taoism, which include a tiger and dragon and the third has a large stone symbolizing a legendary inkstone. There’s no charge to walk the bridge but a ticket is required to go inside the temple. If you wish to go inside, make sure to wear appropriate clothing (cover your shoulders) or you will be denied entry. A ticket can be purchased at a booth directly next to the temple and is 30,000 VND.

Drink Egg Coffee

Coffee culture is huge in Hanoi and the city is particularly crazy for its egg coffee. If you’re a coffee lover then egg coffee should definitely be on your list of things to do in Hanoi. The unique and must-try coffee can be found on almost any street corner but Café Giang in the Old Quarter is the home of the original.

Nguyen Giang founded the cafe in 1946. He invented egg coffee at a time when fresh milk was hard to come by and coffee was being served with condensed milk (it still is today in Vietnam). Nguyen experimented by substituting a whisked egg yolk and eventually perfected its consistency. His coffee became increasingly popular and began to boom in the 1980s.

Egg coffee may sound odd, but it’s actually really good. It doesn’t taste egg-like, despite its name, and is frothy and sweet. There are now numerous cafes in the area serving their own version of egg coffee but none quite as good as Cafe Giang. Cafe Giang can be somewhat difficult to find for a first-time visitor. I walked right by it and had to double back. It’s hidden in what looks like an alleyway and located up a flight of stairs. Don’t let the more obvious, copycat cafe on the same block fool you.

Enjoy the Old Quarter’s Many Cafes

If you’re looking for a place to escape the chaos of Hanoi’s busy streets, then I suggest visiting one of the city’s many cafes. One option is Cafe Pho Co (Old Town Garden Cafe in English). Cafe Pho Co is located just north of the lake on Hang Gai Street. It’s a hidden rooftop cafe and is accessible through the back of a clothing shop; however, I was able to find it fairly easily with the use of Google Maps. They offer pastries, coffee, smoothies, and a great view.

Chirping birds and a rooster greet you upon entering and the staff will direct you to the stairs. It’s a great place to take a mid-day break. The Note Cafe is another cute cafe and a favorite among tourists. The three-story cafe is located right next to Hoan Kiem Lake and has a great lake view. Instead of wallpaper, the cafe is covered in Post-it notes. The notes are in many different languages and are written by visitors from all over the world.

Walking Street & Night Market

Walking Street is a pedestrian-only area around Hoan Kiem Lake. The street is closed to traffic beginning on Friday at 6 pm until Sunday at 12 p.m. It’s a great place for both locals and tourists. There are designated play areas for kids and vendors selling clothing, crafts, souvenirs, and more. Walking Street is a great place to relax and take in Vietnamese culture. I suggest getting ice cream from one of the shops along the road and spending some time people-watching at the lake.

The Hanoi Night Market takes place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Night. It starts around 7 pm and runs pretty late. The street is bustling with people and is crammed with roadside stalls and food vendors. It’s a great place to sample some street food or test your bargaining skills with some shopping.  The market starts at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and occupies Hang Duong, Hang Ngang, and Hang Dao streets.

Attend a Water Puppet Show

A water puppet show is exactly what it sounds like. Puppeteers are hidden behind a screen and use bamboo rods to control the puppets and make them appear to be moving over a shallow pool of water. It’s an ancient tradition dating back to the 11th century and the practice requires great skill. The show is choreographed to music provided by a traditional Vietnamese orchestra and each song tells a story that is acted out by the puppets.

There are two different water puppet theaters, both located in the Old Quarter, but I recommend the world-famous, Thang Long Theatre. The performances at Thang Long Theatre do sell out so I recommend purchasing a ticket in advance here. Tickets can also be purchased at the theater box office. The performance is an hour long and a ticket from the box office costs 100,000 VND. The show may seem quite touristic, but I found it to be a special experience and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Explore Hanoi’s French Quarter:

Hanoi’s French Quarter may not be as bustling as its Old Quarter but is worth a visit nonetheless. In the late 19th century, while under French occupation, many of Hanoi’s Vietnamese buildings were destroyed and replaced with ritzy French-style villas. The area, located near the southeastern end of Hoan Kiem Lake, is home to Hanoi’s more affluent. Its main road, Trang Tien is a busy shopping area with high-end shopping malls and boutiques.

Luxury hotels, such as the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, can also be found in the French Quarter. The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi originally opened in 1901 and has hosted many celebrities and powerful figures over the years. The hotel is housed in a gorgeous French colonial building and is located just a block away from the famous Hanoi Opera House. Other attractions in the French Quarter include the Cathedral of Hanoi, the National Museum of Vietnamese History, and Hoa La Prison.

Hanoi Opera House

I found the Hanoi Opera House to be the highlight of the French Quarter. Two French architects designed the Neo-classical structure and it was completed in 1911 after ten years of construction. The building eventually went into a state of decline but millions of dollars were spent on its restoration in 1995.

The outside is painted a pastel yellow with shuttered windows and iron balconies. The interior has red carpets, crystal chandeliers, and marble staircases. Everything about the building is elegant. If you would like to go inside, a ticket to a show is required. Operas, symphonies, and ballets are regularly performed.

Hoa La Prison

Hoa La Prison was first used by French colonists to house Vietnamese prisoners and was later used for U.S. prisoners during the Vietnam War. The prison was built by the French in the late 1800s and was originally called Maison Centrale. In its early years, it held many political prisoners that were subjected to torture and execution. It was often overcrowded and the prisoners experienced inhumane and unsanitary conditions.

The first U.S. prisoner to be captured was a Navy pilot who was shot down during the Vietnam War. His imprisonment began in 1964 and lasted eight years. The prison was nicknamed and referred to as the “Hanoi Hilton” by POWs. John McCain was one of the many prisoners captured and kept here. The prison was demolished in the 1990s, but part of it remains as a museum. The thought of what took place there is deeply saddening, but it is an important part of history. I’m glad I was able to learn more about it and the effect the Vietnam War had on the world.

Eat Bun Cha

I’m sure there are many great Bun Cha restaurants around Hanoi, but being a huge Anthony Bourdain fan, I had to try Bun Cha Huong Lien. The tiny restaurant was made famous when Bourdain visited and shared a meal with President Obama. Bun Cha is a traditional Vietnamese pork dish and is a specialty of Hanoi. The grilled pork is served with broth, rice noodles, and fresh herbs. Basically, everything goes into the broth to create a kind of soup.

The menu is small but it does have other options as well. Being a pescatarian, I tried their fried crab roll which was amazing. The small, family-run restaurant isn’t exactly in the French Quarter but is just a short cab ride or about a fifteen-minute walk from the southern end of the lake.

Ha Long Bay Tour

Halong Bay is located just a few hours outside of Hanoi and tours from the city are offered daily. Halong Bay sees roughly 5.5 million visitors a year, making it Vietnam’s most popular tourist attraction. The UNESCO World Heritage site is made up of over 1,600 karsts, or tiny limestone islands, spread over the beautiful turquoise bay. It’s a truly incredible sight. Halong Bay is a must-do on your list of things to do in Hanoi.

There are many options when it comes to touring Halong Bay. Many of the cruises are on traditional Chinese “junk” or wooden boats. Day tours from Hanoi are offered but they can be long and exhausting days. I recommend staying overnight on the boat so you can experience a quiet morning on the bay without the commotion of other boats. For more information on tours from Halong Bay, continue to my post, “Visiting Halong Bay: Everything You Need to Know“.

Where to Stay in Hanoi

Hanoi Babylon Garden Hotel & Spa
Hotels in Hanoi are relatively cheap, especially those in the Old Quarter. Hanoi Babylon Garden Hotel & Spa is a great budget option. It’s a simple, no-frills hotel with friendly staff and a great location. It’s just a short walk from the lake and many of Hanoi’s top sights. Some of the rooms are small but totally fine for a single person for a couple of days. If you are traveling with someone, make sure you book one of the hotel’s larger rooms.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
The Sofitel Legend Metropole is one of Hanoi’s most beautiful and luxurious hotels. The French colonial-style hotel is rich in history, dating back to 1910, and is located just one block from the famous Hanoi Opera House in the French Quarter. The five-star hotel has an incredible restaurant and a bar on-site which welcome non-guests as well.

The Lapis Hotel
The Lapis Hotel is another great budget option. It’s one of the few budget hotels with a pool in Hanoi. The pool is located on the rooftop and has a great view of the city. The hotel also has a sauna, fitness center, and on-site restaurant. It’s located a few blocks south of the lake but still very walkable. The French Quarter is just a five-minute walk and the Old Quarter can be reached in under fifteen.

Have you been to Vietnam? What are your favorite things to do in Hanoi? If you’ve enjoyed this post, please leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Planning a trip to Vietnam? Continue to my post, “Seven Fun Things to Do in Hoi An,” and discover my favorite cities in Vietnam.