16 Must Do Things in Hanoi
(Ultimate Guide)
Vietnam’s capital is a melting pot of vibrant culture, affordable shopping, historic temples and sights as well as countless tourists and locals. It can feel a little overwhelming at first, but you will quickly feel the charm and be pulled into the hustle and bustle of the city. Here are the 16 things you must do while in Hanoi!
Stepping into Hanoi for the first time can certainly feel like a lot. Simple things like crossing the street become a measure of courage, with countless motorbikes unwilling to stop for anyone.
Even as an experienced traveller, it took me a day or so to get used to this, as well as the constant beeping and vendors offering you massages or clothing. It is certainly a little overwhelming on the senses at first, but this loud tapestry of colour and noise quickly becomes the background noise to one of the most enchanting cities in Asia.
I personally fell in love with Hanoi, and want to share my absolute favourite things to do there to help you make the most of your trip!
This blog may contain affiliate links to support the running of the blog. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
How to get to Hanoi?
You will likely either land in Hanoi at Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) or arrive overland via sleeper bus, either from within Vietnam or the neighbouring Laos. If you are coming from the South of Vietnam, there are also trains going straight into Hanoi.
Hanoi Airport to City Centre
You can get to the city centre either by public bus or Grab Car/Motorbike.
Public bus: There are a few public buses going directly from the airport to different areas of Hanoi. Bus 86 goes straight to Hanoi Central Railway Station for just 45,000VND ($1.70). I found Google Maps really helpful with planning the route, the timing is not super reliable.
Grab: I wouldn’t recommend getting a motorbike from Hanoi airport as the journey is long and rough if you have luggage. Grab Car costs around $15 from the Airport to the Old Quarter.
Sleeper buses to Hanoi
Sleeper buses are super common in Vietnam and there are many leading to Hanoi from e.g. Da Nang, Sapa, Ha Giang etc.
I took buses from a couple of different companies during my time in Vietnam, most had the dreaded three-row seats. They’re fine but tight and often dirty. The best company (though they were not great with organisation on the actual travel day) for me was HK Buslines. They had 2 rows of big beds and there were lots of other tourists on them. I have also heard good things about Sapa Express.
Whichever company you choose, make sure to research its safety as sleeper buses in Vietnam unfortunately have a reputation for reckless driving and accidents. I didn’t meet anyone who had any issues during my time there, but it is something to keep in mind.
Train to Hanoi
Vietnam also has many long-distance trains (called the Reunification Express) coming from all over the country to Hanoi. Many of them also have beds or bunks for night routes.
As a solo, female traveller, I chose not to travel by train as the 4-bed bunk rooms (one of the highest classes you can book) is still shared with 3 complete strangers. If you are travelling with someone, I think the trains are a decent choice with nice views and overall better safety.
The official booking website for trains can be found here.
Where to stay in Hanoi?
For Hanoi, I would highly recommend to stay close to the centre. It’s both for safety reasons (though the city is super safe but it’s best to stay where most tourists are) and sightseeing. That means staying between West Lake (a bit of a walk to the centre but a huge expat community here) and the Hoàn Kiếm Lake right by old Qarter.
Check out my full accommodation guide for Hanoi here.
Best hostels and hotels in Hanoi:
🛏️Hanoi Wanderlust Hostel & Travel (my favourite in Hanoi, nice dorms right in the centre. Even cheaper to book in person)
🏬Media Central Hanoi Hotel (right in the heart of Old Quarter, good value for money)
🏩’Signature Hotel & Spa (exceptional hotel in peak location)
How to get around Hanoi?
I found Hanoi pretty walkable, especially the Old Quarter, however there are some attractions a little further out.
Grab is SUPER affordable in Vietnam, especially the motorbike taxis. They can feel daunting in the chaos of Hanoi traffic, but you get used to it quickly. They also have cars as an option if you prefer, though it’s a little more pricy.
Hanoi also has public buses that cost around 1000 VND ($0.40) for one journey. They take a little longer but Google Maps is pretty reliable with showing bus stops.
Top things to do in Hanoi
1. Wander around Hoan Kiem Lake for an insight into Hanoi’s history and modern culture
Hoan Kiem Lake is a beautiful area of Hanoi and the meeting point of most Old Quarter Streets. The area around the lake is where locals and tourists alike congregate. If you wander around the lake you’ll witness all kinds of activities, from exercise classes to music to games.
The lake itself has a fascinating history. It is said that King Le Loi received a magical sword by the Golden Turtle God here to defeat the invading Ming Dynasty which he returned after victory to a golden turtle. Hence the name of the lake: Hoan Kiem means the Lake of the Returned Sword.
2. Cross the red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple
Plan in a stop at Ngoc Son Temple on your wander around the lake. Entry was 50,000 ($2).
It is a beautiful temple with an interesting history that you can read about inside. There is a red bridge that leads to the temple and some beautiful murals on the walls.
The biggest surprise of the visit was that inside the temple are two preserved bodies of the huge turtles that used to live in the lake. They are important to the lake’s history but be prepared, they look nothing like the cute turtles we usually picture.
3. Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter with its maze of fascinating streets
Hanoi Old Quarter feels like a melting pot of everything that makes out Vietnam – delicious food, affordable shopping, thousands of motorbikes and so, so many colours. It’s my favourite area of Hanoi and one that you can easily spend hours exploring.
Make sure to check out some of the special streets too like Christmas street which has Christmas decorations spilling all over the pavement year-round, or Hang Ma Street where you’ll find countless of beautiful lanterns. Other noteworthy streets are Hang Dau (Shoe Street), Hang Bac (Silver Street) and Lan Ong (Traditional Medicine Street).
While in the Old Quarter, you should also visit the many affordable outdoor clothing stores and be prepared to haggle! I’ve found that this area of Hanoi will start with very high prices compared to outside the centre or other cities. Many say to start with 40-50% of the asking price here.
There were also so many stunning souvenir and art stores in the Old Quarter (Crabit Studio was one of my favourites), so I’d really recommend just having a wander and exploring all different corners.
4. Try the iconic Vietnamese food
From Bahn Mi to Bun Cha to Phở to the countless sweet puddings and delicious smoothies, Hanoi is a foodie heaven. Some of my favourites were Xoi Banh Mi Kim Huong for Bahn mi, LAN SẦU- Mía Sầu Riêng for Smoothies and Ann Dessert by Trang Le for sweet treats with a view.
Another part of Vietnamese cuisine that is not to be missed is their coffee. One thing I miss more than anything about my Vietnam trip is the Coconut coffee (I wish this was exaggerated, but I’m obsessed). The iced version with crispy coconut on top is my favourite!
5. Head to Train Street to see the train thunder past in too close proximity
Train street is probably the most famous (and most controversial) sight of Hanoi. It has been closed and re-opened multiple times due to safety concerns and accidents caused by the train passing at this extremely close proximity.
We arrived an hour before the train to take photos and find a café, which I’d recommend as the street is jam-packed once the train has passed. Cafés here are very expensive for Vietnam standards and we unfortunately got scammed with weird card fees at RAILWAY TUAN CAFE, so I’d research possible cafés before going and especially look at the negative reviews.
6. Marvel at the beautiful street murals at train street
If you head up to Phung Hung Street near train street, you will find the vibrant train street murals, depicting modern life and history of Hanoi. It opened in 2018 as a sort of outdoor gallery and has been a popular photo spot since.
All of the artworks had little plaques with explanations of its meaning and relation to Hanoi, which was such a great way to learn about the city in a creative way.
7. Visit the impressive St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Referred to as “the Big Church” by locals, this Neo-Gothic style church is named after Joseph, the patron saint of Vietnam. It sits at the intersection of three busy streets, with countless of cafes, shops and spas.
The interior is as beautiful as the exterior and worth a visit. If you are looking to grab a drink with an incredible view of the church, head to Hanoi House Cocktail Bar.
8. Get some bargains at Đồng Xuân Market
For even more affordable shopping and endless haggling, head to Dong Xuan Market, the city’s trading hub with over 2000 stalls. You can find anything from clothing to shoes to food to souvenirs here.
It’s also worth noting that if you walk towards the market area from Old Quarter, the shops on the streets start to offer you better prices and accept counter-offers, something that can be a struggle in the centre.
The market can get very busy and crammed, so keep your valuables close to you.
9. Head to Hanoi's West Lake Area
West Lake is the biggest lake in the capital and brings a whole different atmosphere to the Old Quarter. From locals relaxing and fishing, to expats living in areas around the lake, to countless temples and pagodas, the lake is a must-explore!
I also love the walk from Old Quarter to West Lake as you come across more affordable Outdoor Shops (often half price of Old Quarter) and local cafes.
10. Marvel at the beautiful Tran Quoc Pagoda
Located right along the shore of West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a Buddhist temple more than 1500 years old. It is a beautiful sample of Eastern architectural style with intricate woodwork and detailed ornaments.
The temple is free to enter and usually open from 7:30–11 AM and 1:30–5 PM.
11. Learn about Vietnam's History at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum
The Mausoleum is an impressive building and important place of respect and history for Vietnamese people. Home to the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, the national hero and founder of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, people come from all over the country to pay their respects.
It is only open to visitors from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM, Tuesday to Thursday, and Saturday to Sunday. Entry fee for internationals is VND 25,000 ($1). Shoulders and knees should be covered when visiting and phones/cameras are not allowed inside.
While here, also stop by the One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 by Ly Thai Tong (1028-1054), a king of Ly’s dynasty. The pagoda is meant to resemble a giant Lotus blossom.
12. Visit the historic Temple of Literature
Located slightly outside of central Hanoi, this temple is the site of Vietnam’s first university. It is built in honour of Vietnam’s greatest scholars and boasts some incredibly well-preserved Vietnamese architecture. It’s a tranquil escape from the hectic city life of Hanoi, where you will find many students praying for luck in exams.
13. Enjoy traditional Vietnamese culture at a Water Puppet Show
Perfect for a rainy evening, the traditional Water Puppet Show of Hanoi is a must-do! While I have heard many mixed reviews, I think the show is more about the longstanding history of this form of art.
Tickets start at just 100,000 VND/$3.80.
14. Go on a day trip to Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh
If you are short on time, both Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh can be done as day trips from Hanoi and are 100% worth adding to the itinerary. I’d say if you have the extra time, spend at least 2 days in Ninh Binh (one of my favourite stops while in Vietnam).
There are countless tour operators with excellent reviews for these day trips, or for Ninh Binh you can also self-organise by booking a Limousine bus transfer (I used X.E Viet Nam for 170,000 VND/$6.50 one-way).
15. Learn more about Vietnam’s traditions in a cooking class
Food is a huge part of Vietnamese culture and traditions, and there is no better way to learn about it than through a cooking class. There are many amazing local operators and I’d ask your hotel for recommendations too as they may know the smaller businesses that are worth supporting.
From experience, make sure the cooking class you sign up for does involve making the whole dish as I have heard some only let you prepare a tiny part.
16. Get pampered with affordable beauty treatments
I had booked 2 days in Hanoi after my motorbike tour in Ha Giang, and spent most of it doing beauty treatments. I got a massage, a hair cut and manicure for less than $40 total, which is insanely affordable!
With spas and salons, it’s difficult in Hanoi as they all have 5 star reviews, most of them fake (as always in Vietnam) and I had some disappointing experiences. I have found Word of Mouth helpful in finding the best places. Personally, I had a great experience at La Flora Spa & Nails for nails and have heard good things about the viral HaLi Hair Salon.
You may also be interested in:
How many days do you need in Hanoi
While it’s possible to see the main sights of Hanoi in 1-2 days (check out my 24-hour guide here), I would recommend spending 3-5 days in the city. I personally did 2 in the beginning of my trip and 2 at the end and found this the perfect mix to see everything while also fitting in coffee breaks, shopping and some beauty treatments.
Is Hanoi safe for solo, female traveller?
As a solo, female traveller, I felt very safe in Vietnam and Hanoi. Even at night, it was fine to walk around and grab a Banh Mi at one of the stores. I was honestly surprised by just how safe Vietnam felt, even compared to nearby countries like Thailand. I was never bothered negatively here and even stares were minimal.
I would recommend to stick to the touristy areas, especially at night and keep your wits about you and valuables hidden, as with any destination. In touristy areas like train street, be prepared to be swamped by people trying to sell you stuff, which can feel a bit overwhelming.
What was more common in Hanoi was scams, so be a little careful with buying off the street and ALWAYS ask them to show the card machine before tapping. I had a few bad surprises where they charged more without telling me or showing me the machine. Some were even weird about me wanting to see the card machine before tapping, leave those stores if that happens!
Hi, I'm Bell
I’m a solo traveller, writer and designer. I created my blog to share the many different ways to travel the world. Learn more about me here!
Latest from the blog:
Travel Off Script contains affiliate links to support the running of the blog. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
