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Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and its bustling streets are renowned for being filled with masses of motorcycles coming from every direction. Its rich culture with Chinese and French influences make it a definite must-visit on any traveller’s list while backpacking through South East Asia.
This is where I found myself after getting off a plane from Chiang Mai in Thailand and although I’d already eased into the South East Asian speed of life, Hanoi was definitely at a different pace to anywhere else I’d visited.
Read on for my three day Hanoi itinerary.
How long to spend in Hanoi
So let’s answer the question that everyone asks, which is how long to spend in Hanoi. I guess the answer is pretty complex but when I spoke to many other travellers, we all seemed to agree on two, maybe three nights.
Primarily because for westerners Hanoi is pretty intense but essential to experience the true culture of Vietnam. Fortunately, there is a quick train, bus or car journey to more quieter parts of the country like Ninh Binh.
How to get to Hanoi
Hanoi is about 45-50 minutes from Noi Bai International Airport and your best bet is to get a taxi as they are very inexpensive in Vietnam. Grab is the most popular app and it takes away the hassle of dealing with money.
Gojek is also another option, however I didn’t use this while I was there. Private taxis are also easy to get, just make sure you agree the fare with the driver before you set off, unless they have a meter.
Top tip: Before you travel, get an eSim card to keep in touch with family and friends and for roaming.
3-day itinerary – best things to do in Hanoi
There’s plenty of culture to soak up and plenty of things to do in Hanoi but here are some of the top things I enjoyed during my time here.
Day 1 – Arrive in Hanoi
Visit Hồ Tây (West Lake) for a coconut coffee and chill
Once you’ve arrived at your hotel you may be a bit tired so perhaps it’s best to ease yourself in. Once you get settled head down to Hồ Tây, also known as West Lake.
This for me was definitely a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is the biggest freshwater lake in Hanoi and it’s the perfect place to chill with a coffee and watch the sunset.
You can take a peaceful walk around the lake while watching the bright orange fish swim around or even go for a bike ride.
There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to sit and watch the world go by. It’s also home to Chùa Trấn Quốc, a must-see landmark and the oldest pagoda in Hanoi.
Top tip: Make sure you check out Meer Coffee, an amazing rooftop cafe, which serves amazing coconut coffee and is reasonably priced. NAGOCHA Matcha Specialty & Tea House is also a great option, serving ceremonial-grade matcha.
Although the cost of food and drink is relatively cheap in Vietnam, this place is a little pricey – around the same as a Starbucks in the UK. It’s definitely worth it for the fantastic experience though.
Eat dinner at Xoài Đu Bistro & Cafe
For dinner, Xoài Đu Bistro & Cafe is situated beside West Lake and is a really good option, offering a chilled atmosphere with some fantastic Vietnamese and fusion food.
It also has some super tasty drinks and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. They can change meals to make them gluten free too.
Day 2 – Getting to know the real Hanoi
Breakfast at Avos and Mango
If you don’t plan to get breakfast at your hotel or hostel then Avos and Mango coffee shop is definitely a great shout. They offer some really interesting smoothies, including some infused with coffee shots.
There are lots of fresh breakfast options including pancakes, along with some awesome vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options too.
Get to know the Old Quarter
The next best place to head to is the Old Quarter. Known as the “real Hanoi,” it’s definitely a good place to experience the true essence of this city.
The narrow streets are packed with scooters beeping and passing by, and shops, where you can find all different types of wonderful things. It can get pretty crazy but is a great place to get a decent beverage or to try some street food.
Train Street
Visiting Hanoi’s notorious Train Street is a must-do but is certainly not for the faint hearted. I visited the Lê Duẩn section where the street is lined with cafes, bars and restaurants, with the railway line running directly through the middle.
Many of the cafe owners will get you to sit in their cafe’s and grab a coconut iced coffee or some Vietnamese cuisine. Moments before the train comes through, there is a mass rush where the cafe owners fold up all of the tables and get you to put your knees in and quickly shut up all of the tables before the train comes through.
There are other options inside the cafes and on the balconies above if being on the street doesn’t take your fancy as the train literally passes by within a meter of you.
The train typically goes through the Lê Duẩn section at 3.30pm and 7:30 pm. It also goes through other streets in the city at different times. It’s definitely worth checking out, as it’s quite the experience.
Top tip: The noodles, spring rolls and iced coconut coffee were awesome at Hanoi 1990’s.
Coffee break at Tranquil Books and coffee
What better place to wind down from that whirlwind experience than Tranquil Books and Coffee. This cute little cafe is full of bookshelves, towering to the ceiling and with chilled jazz playing, it’s super peaceful. Their amazing drink offerings and sweet treats are the perfect accompaniment for your time away from the busy hustle and bustle of Hanoi.
Top of Hanoi
Top of Hanoi offers amazing panoramic views of Hanoi’s skyline. This is a beautiful rooftop bar on the top of the Lotte Hotel which costs around £13, including a drink.
The views and lights of the city are absolutely spectacular and there is also a cool glass floor to walk on.
Top tip: There is also a brasserie with an open roof which is quite expensive. They let me go out to have a look at the skyline outside even though I wasn’t eating there, so just ask nicely.
Dinner at Nhà hàng ăn chay Wai Thai
As great as the brasserie looked, Nhà hàng ăn chay Wai Thai is way more suitable for a low budget. The staff are lovely and it’s all completely vegan too.
Day 3 – alternative Hanoi
Breakfast
Om Hanoi Yoga Studio & Vegetarian Café is a really chilled place, offering fresh, clean food and regular yoga sessions in the studio on top of the cafe.
Your third day may well be shorter for moving on to another destination, so here’s a few things to do that give you some flexibility.
Arch Rock Climbing Hanoi
Arch Rock Climbing has a fantastic bouldering and climbing wall with a chilled atmosphere and nice community. They offer top rope or just standard bouldering passes and it’s great for newbies, beginners or advanced climbers.
Enjoying Hanoi’s coffee scene
Vietnam is renowned for its coffee and Hanoi has a wide range of quirky cafes and coffee shops. Many of these are on the rooftops taking you away from the hustle and bustle of this busy city.
Get some tailored clothing
Hanoi is famous for its tailors and I got some beautifully tailored linen trousers to wear on evenings out. I also got some amendments to some of my current pieces of clothing too.
So if you want a really good value suit or dress then definitely get it tailored in Hanoi. Many people swear that you will not get a better value tailor anywhere else in the world!
Traditional Vietnamese tea experience
I was fortunate to have some amazing Airbnb hosts and one insisted on giving me a real Vietnamese tea experience which was absolutely fantastic.
It was served on a beautifully carved chest with different servings and was fascinating. So if you meet some locals and get to know them, it’s definitely worth an ask.
Lunch
Before you head off to your next destination, Kiez Vegan Cafe & Bistro is a fantastic vegan fast food joint offering Seitan kebabs, burgers and hot dogs. It’s super delicious.
Weather in Hanoi and Vietnam
Hanoi is an incredibly hot and humid city. It’s worth noting that the off season (also known as monsoon season) is from May through to September and when it rains, it rains a lot.
Whatever time of the year, it’s always good to carry a light waterproof with you as Vietnam is notorious for rapid weather changes.
Pollution is also high and there are some times where wearing a mask is recommended. Apps like IQAir are very helpful to give you guidance on this.
Accommodation in Hanoi
Hanoi is an incredibly busy city which may dictate where you choose to book a hotel. If you like the hustle and bustle, then the Old Quarter (a backpacking hotspot) is definitely the place to be. If you prefer it quieter and more chilled then the West Lake area is definitely more preferable.
Hotel recommendations:
- Old Quarter: Hanoi Backpackers Hostel & Rooftop Bar
- Westlake: Eden Westlake and La Santé Hotel & Spa
Crossing the roads
Traffic doesn’t stop for anyone out here, so be vigilant. You do have to start walking into the busy roads and have faith that the cars and scooters will go around you.
This can be quite daunting so you can stop walking – just don’t go back as traffic will not expect you to do this!
Beyond the city
Hanoi is the gateway to the rest of Vietnam, from here you can take its impressive railway network and sleeper trains down south to destinations such as Ninh Binh, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh.
I’ve found that 12Go is definitely the best website or app to use when getting around most of South East Asia, it gives you most of the options for travel available whether it’s a train, plane, coach or taxi.
The city is also used as a starting point by many travellers looking to motorbike the Ha Giang Loop – an epic motorcycle route that takes you through the remote and rugged landscapes of Northern Vietnam. It’s within arms reach of Ha Long bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can discover more about Vietnam in my three-week Vietnam itinerary.
This is a guest post from Tim Jones from Wildness and Wellbeing, a podcast and blog with a focus on how the outdoors can help your mental health. Tim travelled South East Asia last year.
