16 Things to Do in Hanoi That You Can’t Miss [Updated 2022]

Looking for issues to do in Hanoi? We acquired you coated! In this text, I’ll share our high suggestions on the most effective issues to do on this bustling metropolis.

Hanoi and the remainder of Vietnam will all the time be a particular place for us as it’s a vacation spot we traveled extensively when the founders of this weblog first met.

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is the second greatest metropolis within the nation, subsequent to Ho Chi Minh City. While Hanoi is situated within the North, Ho Chi Minh is situated within the South and was the previous capital of Vietnam.

Hanoi is an attention-grabbing mixture of the East and the West with noticeable traces of the communist affect in addition to the French invasion. It is a popular vacation spot for vacationers.

In truth, TripAdvisor named Hanoi to be the sixth hottest vacation spot within the World in 2021.

Vietnam was invaded by the Chinese for a very long time, later by the French and likewise by the Americans within the twentieth century. You can see the affect of every invading nation on Hanoi right now in addition to the impression of the Communist affect.

If you’re on the lookout for concepts on what to see and do whereas on this bustling metropolis, listed here are a couple of of my high solutions on the most effective issues to do in Hanoi.

Hanoi Things to Do Highlights

1. Visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

It is a UNESCO World Heritage web site often known as the citadel of Hanoi. The constructing was the middle of historical Hanoi. The historical web site was the political middle for 13 centuries and served because the capital of Vietnam for 8 centuries.

The central flag tower of the citadel stands 40 meters tall. It is a logo of Hanoi. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is situated in Ba Dinh and is open seven days per week from 8 am to 7:30 pm.

2. Attend a Vietnamese Cooking Class

Vietnamese meals is superb however belief me, studying learn how to cook dinner it’s even higher. Joining a cooking class in Hanoi is one thing I undoubtedly advocate doing and is certainly one of our greatest. Most lessons additionally incorporate market excursions, permitting you a glimpse into the native life and tradition.

If you’re to do that, we advocate reserving an area cooking expertise with Airbnb. Personally, every time I miss Vietnam, I discover myself making an attempt to recreate these mouthwatering spring rolls and a bowl of Pho!

3. Go on a Free Walking Tour

One of my favourite issues to do in a metropolis is to go on a strolling tour because it permits me to see the world and perceive its general structure. If you’re on the lookout for an introduction to Hanoi, Vietnam, I like to recommend you go on a free strolling tour which is often led by an area.

Hanoi Free Walking Tours is a student-run group, offering you perception on their native traditions and tradition. Another firm that gives these free excursions in Hanoi is Hanoi free native excursions.

Insider Tip: If you like to go on a small group strolling tour, we advocate this night time road meals strolling tour! Alternatively, the Highlights of Hanoi Tour takes you round a few of the greatest locations everywhere in the metropolis and comes extremely really useful.

4. Watch a Water Puppet Theatre Performance

There are a number of theaters in Hanoi, the place vacationers can watch this uniquely Vietnamese efficiency. The most well-known theater that showcases a water puppet efficiency is the Thang Long Puppet Theatre that has 5 reveals a day.

Here, puppets dance and slide over the liquid stage. The puppets are managed by a gaggle of puppet masters hiding behind the scenes. Most reveals inform the story of Hoan Kiem Lake and the enormous tortoise.

The water puppet theatre is a well-liked exercise to do when in Hanoi, Vietnam for many who wish to see a bit of tradition.

5. Street Food Trip Around Hanoi

When you’re not purchasing and wandering across the weekend night time market, arms down, probably the greatest issues to do in Hanoi is to eat!

Filled to the brim with road meals stalls and night time markets, Hanoi is a foodie’s dream vacation spot. While the various kinds of dishes will be daunting initially, our recommendation is to simply strive as a lot as you’ll be able to.

If you’re not that adventurous, right here’s a full information on what to eat in Vietnam that will help you navigate your approach across the dishes. Alternatively, you can even go on a meals tour whereas in Hanoi because it is among the greatest locations to take action!

We have discovered the most effective meals excursions under on two in style suppliers so that you can take a look at.

Are you vegetarian? Click right here to view the most effective vegetarian road meals tour.

6. Do an Overnight Tour to Ha Long Bay

Although touristic that is doing a tour of the well-known Hạ Long Bay is a should do for each go to in Hanoi! With over 15000 limestone islands jutting out of the bay you’ll be greeted by a rare scene. Did I point out it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

The founders of this weblog (Adventure In You), Tom and Anna, have each performed journeys to Halong Bay and cherished their expertise. Ha lengthy Bay is a should when in Vietnam. This explicit all-inclusive tour consists of meals, kayaking, and extra.

If you’re on the lookout for a barely extra price range pleasant choice, take a look at this Halong Bay Tour.

7. Bike or Walk Around the Hoan Kiem Lake

The Hoan Kiem Lake is also referred to as the Turtle Lake is situated within the middle of town and it’s a in style hangout place for locals and vacationers.

They cost VND 20,000 to go to the temple in Hoàn Kiếm Lake, however it’s value it. It is a superb spot to observe the dawn or the sundown from. You can choose to bike round or take a romantic stroll together with your important different and benefit from the views of the lake.

Similarly, you can even choose to take a motorbike tour across the metropolis which takes you round all the most effective spots.

Editor’s Note: Traveling to different locations in Vietnam? Take a take a look at our Vietnam Travel Tips web page that includes the most effective issues to do, what to eat, and the place to remain.

8. Soak Up Some Culture within the Hanoi Opera House

The Hanoi opera home was modeled after the Paris Opera House and it’s the most lovely constructing in Hanoi. The opera is situated within the French Quarter. It was inbuilt 1911 throughout the French invasion of Hanoi and it was created to entertain the French elite on the time.

The constructing went into decline after the French left Hanoi. It was renovated once more in 1997. A ticket prices something between VND 100,000 – VND 2,000,000 and it showcases Vietnamese Opera Performances in addition to Asian dance and ballet performances and musical live shows.

You can test tickets right here.

9. Visit Ngoc Son Pagoda (Ngoc Son Temple)

Another good spot to go to when you’re strolling round Hoan Kiem Lake is Ngon Soc Pagoda. From the lake, yow will discover a bridge results in an island which is house to the well-known pagoda.

Ngoc Son Temple was inbuilt memorial Tran Hung Dao, a courageous army chief who fought towards the Yuan Dynasty. It holds a big historic significance which is why lots of people frequent the place when visiting the lake.

If you’re fascinated about these kind of issues, a go to to the Military History Museum may be an choice when visiting Hanoi, Vietnam.

10. Visit the Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is a gorgeous temple advanced within the middle of Hanoi that was constructed to be the middle of studying devoted to Chinese age and Confucius.

In the final 1000 years, many buildings have been added and right now it’s a lovely park crammed with pavilions, shrines and a wealthy backyard. Graduating medical doctors all the time go to the Temple of Literature after their commencement. The temple is open every single day besides Monday till 4:30 pm.

11. Wander Around Hanoi Old Quarter

Undoubtedly, the Old Quarter in Hanoi is the place you’ll be able to soak within the Vietnamese tradition. While strolling across the Old Quarter, you should have the possibility to watch French colonial structure that made this metropolis so particular.

The Old Quarter is situated within the Ba Dinh district. It is close to the enterprise space and it’s the busiest vacationer attraction the place yow will discover small streets with many road distributors, promoting meals and souvenirs on the road.

In the Old Quarter, anticipate the streets are filled with scooters, bicycles, vehicles and naturally road distributors. It is really an area expertise that gives you an concept of what it’s wish to dwell in Hanoi. Here you’ll be able to strive some tasty road meals as properly. Listed under are a couple of of the excursions we advocate.

Recommended Tours within the Old Quarter

Hanoi Food on Foot– This strolling meals tour takes you round the most effective locations in Hanoi’s Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem district) the place you’ll be able to pattern a great deal of native dishes.

Another tour we will advocate is the Hanoi Walking and Cyclo Tour– This tour takes you round Hanoi Old Quarter by cyclo, permitting you to essentially get a really feel of the native tradition. During this tour, an area information will present you the place to search out the most effective markets and cafes.

There is a lot to see within the Hoan Kiem district (Old Quarter), so take pleasure in your self.

12. Shop on the Dong Xuan Market

Visit the Dong Xuan Market to purchase something and every thing you’ll be able to think about. It is housed in a four-story Soviet-style constructing. On the bottom ground, you’ll be able to see a fish market, the place you’ll be able to see all types of species.

It is barely really useful to those that should not have delicate noses because the aroma can get fairly intimidating. On the opposite flooring of Dong Xuan Market, you should buy souvenirs, trend attire, printed T-shirts at the most effective costs. It is open every single day till 7 pm.

13. Eat Some Bun Cha Hanoi

While Hanoi is house to a variety of unbelievable Vietnamese meals, a private favourite that’s thought-about a should to whereas in Hanoi is to eat a plate of Bun Cha Hanoi.

This place is so in style that even former US President Obama has eaten a meal at this humble eatery. In case you don’t know,  Bun Cha Hanoi is a scrumptious plate of grilled meat served with this candy and tangy broth and heaps of contemporary herbs.

Editor’s Note: Bun Cha Hanoi is certainly one of my favourite Vietnamese meals and this place, Bun Cha Huong Lien, Hanoi is THE greatest place to get it. In my opinion, no go to to Hanoi is full and not using a bun cha meal.

14. Visit the National Museum Of Vietnamese History or the Museum of Ethnology

The Vietnamese historical past is necessary to find out about and there’s no higher approach of doing that than visiting this museum. The museum has 5 completely different sections designed in conventional Vietnamese structure, going again so far as the stone age, all the best way to the Vietnam conflict and the Vietnamese Revolution.

In complete there are greater than 200,000 completely different items within the museum. Although you gained’t see all of them throughout your first go to, you’ll nonetheless an incredible introduction to the general historical past. This is a should for the travellers fascinated about historical past and tradition, together with the Hoa Lo Prison Museum.

The Hoa Lo Prison was used for the U.S. prisoners throughout the Vietnam War and was recognized amongst Americans because the Hanoi Hilton.

If you’re on the lookout for different attention-grabbing museums to go to, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology focuses solely on ethnic teams and has quite a lot of attention-grabbing info. Visiting these museums is an effective way to be taught in regards to the wealthy Vietnamese historical past.

15. Visit the Top Sights with a Local Professional Photographer

This is one thing a bit of completely different! Have you ever thought of visiting the highest sights in Hanoi Vietnam with an area pleasant photographer, who not solely explains every sight however captures the second completely for you?

With this expertise you’ll be able to go to high sights similar to:

• Hanoi French Quarter
• St. Joseph’s Cathedral (Church of Hanoi)
• Hanoi Old Quarters
• Temple of Literature
• Long Bien Bridge
• Hanoi Train Street

I’ve performed this a couple of instances in several areas and it’s a very enjoyable, distinctive expertise.

16. Sightsee Around the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Near the Imperial Citadel within the Ba Dinh space, you can even go to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh was the primary Communist chief of Vietnam. He defeated the French in 1954. He is a well-respected chief and the locals typically discuss with him as “Uncle Ho”.

Modeled after Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow, guests can see Ho Chi Minh’s preserved physique in a glass case. Take be aware that the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is closed on Mondays and on Fridays.

If you wish to know extra about Ho Chi Minh’s life, you can even take a look at the Ho Chi Minh Museum! Visiting these locations offers you nice perception into Hanoi Vietnam and what life was actually like again then.

17. Visit West Lake

Located within the northwest of town is West Lake, the most important freshwater lake in Hanoi, Vietnam. The space surrounding West Lake could be very peaceable and it’s quite common so that you can discover locals strolling across the space, exercising.

West Lake can also be house to many cafes, eating places, and even motels. From West Lake, you’ll be able to go to Tran Quoc Pagoda. Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi and is situated close to the southeast shore of West Lake.

More Local Experiences in Hanoi

Looking for extra issues to do in Hanoi throughout your time there? Check out these native Airbnb experiences within the space that we advocate.

Popular Day Trips from Hanoi

If you’re not a metropolis individual, Hanoi generally is a tad bit overwhelming which is why we’re recommending a couple of day journeys which you’ll simply attain if it is advisable escape. Ninh Binh is a selected favourite and is properly really useful.

Visit the Ba Vi National Park

This nationwide park is a gorgeous nature reserve 58 km’s away from Downtown Hanoi. It is a perfect place to go mountaineering on the hills and escape from the bustling metropolis. The three-peak mountain within the National Park are sometimes coated by the clouds.

A various vary of jungle crops and animals will be found within the nationwide park. In the forest flooring, yow will discover pure scorching springs which you’ll go to.

At the height of the tallest mountain, there’s a temple from the eleventh century. From this place, you’ll be able to see gorgeous views of its surrounding panorama.

Explore Ninh Binh

Last however not least, hop on a bike and discover the Ninh Binh space independently. It is greatest to come back right here for at the least two days, so you’ll be able to have sufficient time to see as a lot as you’ll be able to. You will see a few of the most lovely nature of Northern-Vietnam.

You can take a ship journey to discover the Trang An advanced, which can also be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here is a really useful Airbnb expertise.

Trang An and Tam Coc

Trang An is 7 kms away from Ninh Binh. There are many temples, valleys, and caves to be found within the space. You also can take a ship journey within the Tam Coc rice fields. Adventurous vacationers can bike by the rice fields if they like. Find a lodge in Tam Coc to remain in a single day for an genuine Vietnamese countryside expertise.

Hanoi is an attention-grabbing metropolis that has many numerous websites to go to. It has an extended, fascinating historical past, many tasteful dishes to strive, and nice cultural performances to see.

It’s a super vacation spot for solo vacationers in addition to {couples} or households. Hanoi can also be an incredible base to do journeys to the close by Perfume Pagoda, Halong Bay or Sapa in Northern Vietnam.

Top Recommendations for Where to Stay in Hanoi Vietnam

If you’re on the lookout for the place to remain in Hanoi Vietnam, you’re in luck as it’s house to a different quantity of inexpensive hostels and motels. Hanoi has heaps of lodging decisions. From price range hostels (which are often heaps of enjoyable) to mid-range motels, there is no such thing as a scarcity of locations to remain.

Here are our solutions for hostels and motels in Hanoi.

Budget: 

Mid Range:

Splurge:

To test critiques and see extra choices, take a look at our full record of the place to remain in Hanoi article that will help you discover the proper base whereas exploring this metropolis!

How to Get Around Hanoi

Hanoi is the motorbike capital and watching the chaotic symphony of vehicles, bikes, motorbikes, and generally even livestock is among the greatest issues to do whereas sitting in a close-by cafe. From Hanoi, there are heaps of the way to get round that will help you journey round the remainder of Vietnam.

If you wish to get across the metropolis, motorbike taxis are in style and really low cost. You can flag these down fairly simple or ask your lodge to name you one. Taxis similar to Mai Linh Taxi, are metered and are a protected approach to get round Hanoi Vietnam.

We advocate utilizing Bookaway or 12Go web site to view bus, boat, and prepare schedules forward of time. We’ve used these web sites throughout Asia and it saves us the trouble of lining up in journey businesses or bus stations.

FAQ about Hanoi

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Looking for extra articles on Vietnam? Take a take a look at a couple of of our high tips about learn how to discover extra of this gorgeous nation

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