Best Coconut Iced Coffee in Hanoi:
5 Peaceful Solo Spots
Hanoi is a true melting pot of vibrant culture, affordable shopping, historic temples and sights. The constant hustle and bustle of the city can sometimes feel overwhelming. Here are 5 of my favourite quieter Vietnamese coffee spots for when you need a bit of time away from the chaos.
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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 5 Peaceful Vietnamese Coffee Spots in Hanoi
1. Hanoi Shouten - Coffee
Lovely café in a quieter area of Hanoi with views over Tay Ho Lake. Loved the vibe here, they had delicious coffee and are said to have insanely good cakes. I was unfortunately a little late so they were sold out.
2. Hanoi House Cocktail Bar - Cafe
When we got here, we were honestly surprised that the cafe itself was so quiet as the area outside, right by the big church Nhà Thờ Lớn, is very busy. I think it’s more popular as a bar later in the day, but also serves Vietnamese coffee with stunning views over the church.
3. Namunamu Coffee
Lovely café with a more local vibe selling delicious Vietnamese coffee. It’s located just around the corner from Hoàn Kiếm Lake.
4. Bluebirds’ Nest
If you are looking for a calm oasis in the middle of Hanoi, you have found it! It looks like a library and serves specialised coffee and Vietnamese classics.
5. Room501 Coffee Roasters
Amazing place for coffee and matcha, just outside of the Old Quarter. Heading this way, you’ll also start to find more affordable outdoor clothing stores.
Special mention: Ann Dessert by Trang Le
Not a coffee spot but an amazing dessert place that is quieter and comes with the cutest cat to keep you company. You have to walk through the restaurant at the bottom and up the stairs to find this hidden gem. The mango sticky rice was amazing!
What is Vietnamese coffee?
The Vietnamese call coffee “cà phê” and it is much stronger than what you are probably used to. I have had some of my favourite cups of coffee during my Vietnam trip and already miss it, so make sure to make the most of it!
Types of coffee to know:
- Cà phê đen – black coffee, best for when you need a STRONG wakeup call
- Cà phê dừa – my absolute favourite, Vietnamese Coconut Coffee. It’s usually iced and sometimes even with blended ice, which makes for a creamy, sweet and delicious coffee experience!
- Cà phê trứng – Vietnamese egg coffee, where egg yolks are whipped with condensed milk and then poured over Espresso. Not my favourite but definitely a must try!
- Cà phê muối – Vietnamese salt coffee, a very unique (and salty) adventure that is worth a try.
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!
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