Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam

Sarah Outside
Mar 25, 2024
7 min read

Updated: May 13, 2024

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is not only a hub for venturing to other stunning locations in the north of the country including Ha Giang, Sapa and Ha Long Bay. But it has so many amazing sights and activities that you should not miss.

The city's streets are buzzing with locals and tourists alike with the latter busy dodging Hanoi's 8 million motorbikes! The countless alleyways, restaurants, cafes and shrines mean there is a lot to explore. Read on to hear my tips, tricks and recommendations for Hanoi.

9 Things to do

Train Street

One of Hanoi's major attractions doesn't disappoint! Nestled alongside one of the city's train lines are a host of bars and cafes that offer a unique experience; sipping a drink just inches from a train.

Take a seat at any one of the numerous cafes or just plonk yourself on a stool alongside the track and someone will be sure to come over and serve you. I sat down around 14:30 on a Saturday and saw a train pass by within the hour.

There is a lot of information online about train times and trains are often cancelled so there is an element of luck involved, but this is a typical schedule:

Monday - Friday: 7 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. & 10 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m. & 11 p.m

It is also often recommended to visit train street in the evening to see it all lit up; something I would have loved to do if I'd had the time. A final important note - if you're not sat in a cafe or on one of the seats by the track close to a train arriving you'll likely be asked to leave the area and move away from the tracks.

Explore the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake

Two of Hanoi's major attractions the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake! Old Quarter, with so many of the city's others very close by, is a great place to stay! The area's maze-like streets and sensory overloading atmosphere make it an amazing place just to explore, shop and eat in too. Check out our cafe and restaurant recommendations below to find out where you can visit in the Old Quarter.

Hoan Kiem Lake, an oasis of calm within this bustling city, offers a relaxing break from the streets of the Old Quarter. Visit on a weekend and the streets should be closed too transforming it into a place for music, dance and stalls. Wander a lap of the lake and you'll find a number of attractions including the Ngoc Son Temple which you can visit for 50,000VND via a red wooden bridge.

If you're a runner the lake also offers a safe mile loop which you can choose to run around if you're that way inclined.

Experience Hanoi's Night Market and Nightlife

Vietnam's capital is well known for its vibrant nightlife. The Old Quarter’s night market, held every weekend from 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, is one of the primary attractions. Hosting a variety of stalls brandishing items with varying levels of authenticity, the market is a great place to play your hand at haggling, pick up any number of souvenirs or grab a bite to eat.

But don't let your night end there. After visiting the night market you can keep going at any number of bars in the city. One of the most popular destinations is Beer Street which is littered with loads of bars and eateries, but in my opinion is overrated and a tourist trap. I recommend walking just around the corner to Bia Hoi Corner where you’ll find plenty of plastic stools all across the streets where you can perch to sample some of the cheap, local and unregulated beers.

Vietnamese Water Puppet Show

On the northern edge of Hoan Kiem Lake you'll find Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre where traditional Vietnamese water puppet shows take place. Water puppetry originates from the rice paddies of Vietnam and features traditional Vietnamese instruments such as Erhu, Flute, Zither, Monochord and Cheo singing. The show is guaranteed to make you laugh if you're a fan of Mr Bean.

It is best to get your tickets in advance by visiting the theatre prior to the performance you want to see as they regularly sell out. Performances last around 50 minutes and ticket pricing is tiered starting at 100,000VND for the rear seats rising to 200,000VND for seats closer to the stage. Performances are scheduled for the same times each day:

1:45 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
4:10 p.m.
5:20 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:15 p.m.

There will be audio translators offered but, in my opinion, these are not necessary as there is very little dialogue in the performance.

Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum

The mausoleum is the resting place of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam's revolutionary leader and President. It is possible to go inside to see Ho Chi Minh's body, visit the striking structure from a distance or go to the Ho Chi Minh Museum.

If you plan to go inside the mausoleum there are several things to consider. Firstly, you must dress appropriately which includes no shorts, short dresses or skirts, flips flops or tank tops/vests. The mausoleum is also somewhat of a Vietnamese pilgrimage and has a last entrance time of 10:30 a.m. meaning it is important to arrive early to guarantee entry and avoid queues. There are a few other rules to remember too:

Hand large bags and cameras in at the entrance
Do not take photographs or videos in the queue or in the mausoleum
Do not laugh and talk loudly
Do not stand still for too long whilst in the mausoleum
Do not use your phone in the queue
Do not have your hands in your pockets
Remove any hits before entering the mausoleum

Sample a Banh Mi

Banh mi are a culinary highlight of Hanoi and much of northern Vietnam! For the uninitiated a Banh Mi is a sandwich made with baguette bread and filled with meat or tofu, pickled vegetables, coriander and cucumber.

There'll be plenty of spots to choose from ranging from big cafes to small street stalls. Almost all are good but some will blow your mind! Expect to pay around 40,000VND for this affordable breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Try Vietnamese Coffee

Strong yet flavourful Vietnamese coffee is a must for tourists and locals alike. Being made with beans coming from Da Lat, Vietnam, a particular preparation process and the drip filter technique, drinking Vietnamese coffee is a unique experience that should not be missed.

But, also, don't forget to try the unique egg coffee (developed in response to milk shortages), salt coffee and coconut coffee too.

Visit the City's Museums

Being Vietnam's capital city Hanoi plays host to a number of fascinating museums which can all be visited for affordable prices. Each offers a unique perspective on Vietnam's past and present and provide an opportunity to learn more about the country.

The top museums include:

Vietnamese Women's Museum - a must visit which demands at least an hour and a half (40,000VND)

Hoa Lo Prison Relic - a top museum that requires at least an hour and a half and more if you choose an audio guide (50,000VND)
Temple Of Literature - spend at least an hour here and more if you can (70,000VND)
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - requires at least an hour to visit (70,000VND)
Vietnam Military History Museum - check the opening times before visiting and you'll need 1-2 hours to visit (60,000VND)

Pay your Respects at Hanoi's Sacred Sites

Hanoi is also home to several temples, pagodas and a churches which showcase the city's diversity. The range of sacred sites include those from Catholicism, Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.

The temples and pagodas we recommend visiting are:

Tran Quoc Pagoda - a 1,500 year old Buddhist temple on the banks of Tây Hồ (West Lake)
Quan Thanh Temple - a Toaist temple from the 1200s
One Pillar Pagoda - a rebuilt iconic Buddhist temple replicating the original from 1049
Bach Ma Temple - a Ly Dynasty temple founded in 1010 and rebuilt in the 18th century
Ngoc Son Temple - a Confucianist temple built in the early 19th century
St Joseph's Cathedral - a late 19th century Neo-Gothic Catholic church which can be marvelled at from the outside or entered for no cost

See the Grounded B52 Bomber

Huu Tiep Lake, in the peaceful residential neighbourhood of Nhoc Ha, is home to a remarkable reminder of the Vietnam War; a shot down B52 Bomber from 1972.

Left exactly where it landed, this wreckage is really worth the visit and gives you an opportunity to explore a more residential area of Hanoi.

Restaurant and Cafe Recommendations

As a vegan exploring Hanoi here are my top recommendations for restaurants and cafes to check out:

The Note Coffee - a real 'this is popular for a reason' place where you can leave a note to a loved one, friend or just a joke; fun from the outside and inside with great drinks too
Banh Mi 25 - this one went TikTok viral and was super tasty but maybe not worth the hype
Thang Trần Quán - amazing Vietnamese food with vegan and vegetarian options; we even got free bananas!
Hương Việt - another great Vietnamese restaurant with vegan and vegetarian options including pho, spring rolls and more
Zingg Coffee and Vegetarian Bread - we only tried the drinks here but they were delicious and the staff were super friendly
Bamichaca - this was right across the road from our accommodation and offered great Banh Mi options
Vegan Banh Mi - great after a visit to Hoa Lo Prison or the Vietnamese Women's Museum with options including banh mi, pho and bun cha
Hidden Gem Cafe - living up to its name with an innocuous entrance followed by 2 flights if stairs
Cafe Phố Cổ - another hidden café that you have to pass through a boutique in an alleyway to get to. Order and pay at reception head up to the indoor, outdoor or rooftop seating to enjoy a quiet drink

Tip: the fresh juices in Vietnam are less talked about than the coffee but are super tasty and definitely worth a try! Especially the coconut as you get an entire fresh coconut!