Top 10 Places to Visit in Hanoi - 3 Day Itinerary
- Afrah F
- Aug 4
- 8 min read
Updated: Aug 7
Hanoi was the last stop on our Vietnam trip, and we have to say we thoroughly enjoyed the city. It was quite different to what we expected after reading many travel blogs and vlogs before our visit. Perhaps it's because we began our journey in Ho Chi Minh City and moved north to Hanoi, whereas many travellers do the opposite. Either way, this article is to help you plan your Vietnam trip more practically, including the top 10 places to visit in Hanoi.
Things you need to know before
If you're landing in Saigon first, like we did, your experience will be much lighter, a lot like travelling to Bangkok. But let's assume it's your first time coming to Vietnam, and Hanoi is your first stop. There are a few key points to note, and I'll keep it brief and straightforward.
Make sure you only change the required amount of currency for Hanoi. In Hanoi, finding gold shops is a task of its own. So you end up exchanging at money exchangers and travel agents, where rates are much higher.
Familiarise yourself with the Vietnamese Dong currency. This is no joke. All the 100,000+ notes will drive you off the cliff when you've just bargained for a rate at a roadside market, and you cannot seem to differentiate the right notes.
Traffic isn't as chaotic as it is in Ho Chi Minh City, but still, scooter drivers show no remorse for pedestrians, even on a yellow line.
Try to avoid drinking tap water and unpacked beverages on the roadside. We didn't get any food poisoning while in Vietnam; we made sure to avoid any Bali Belly incident.
Locals in Hanoi and Hoi An are much fluent in English compared to those in Ho Chi Minh City.
Locals are friendly, but they don't over-accommodate. Vietnam is not Thailand, and they have rules in place, so it's important to respect the culture, people and the rules.
In terms of safety and scams, it's the same drill as any country. After witnessing Istanbul's sophisticated scams, we are sure Vietnamese scams are just a low-play to earn an extra buck.
Trains are more costly and exhausting than flights. If you're travelling between Hanoi- Hoi An - Saigon, train rides go from 17 Hours to 32 Hours. Make sure you prepare well for Vietnamese Sleeper Trains.
3-Day Itinerary for Hanoi
There are many places to visit in Hanoi, and we did them all in 3 days. So if you're asking the question, yes, 3 Days is more than enough for Hanoi. We had to book 4 nights at our hotel because the flight we took from Da Nang arrived at night, a day before our actual check-in. Here's our itinerary:
Day 1:
10 p.m. - Arriving in Hanoi from Da Nang through a Domestic flight. (1-hour on flight)
Next Day 8 a.m. - Go sightseeing on the double-decker tour bus to cover the entire trip, hop off wherever you like, and hop on again.
5 p.m. - Head to Ngoc Son temple in Hoan Kiem Lake. Spend some time by the lake, have a coffee at Note Coffee, and watch the activities.
7 p.m. - Head to Pub Street or walk along the old quarter and find a local spot for dinner. We heard the Pho Vit (Duck Noodle Soup) is famous among locals.
Day 2:
8 a.m. - Go shopping in Dong Xuan market and malls. Make sure to explore the Hanoi food scene. Go further beyond the Old Quarter. Explore as much on foot.
3 p.m. - Arrive at Train Street, get a coffee and catch the infamous train passing by an inch away from you.
5 p.m. onwards - Spend the late evening at leisure, exploring the varieties of Pho and grilled meat in Hanoi. They're different from those you find in the south. Maybe get yourself a refreshing spa massage.
Day 3:
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Take Ha Long Bay Day Tour
Top 10 places to visit in Hanoi
Unlike Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is old. If you're aware of the history of Vietnam, the war predominantly took place in the South, and even the French colonisers first settled in Saigon before moving up North. Here are the top 10 places to visit in Hanoi.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long & Museum of Vietnamese History
Entrance - 100,000 VND (4$)
Opening Hours - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Why should you visit? - It's a UNESCO Heritage Site with ruins and structures of ancient Vietnamese dynasties like Lý, Trần, and Lê.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Entrance - 25,000 VND (1$)
Opening Hours - 8 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. (Closed on Monday and Friday)
Why should you visit? - It's the final resting place of Vietnam’s founding leader, and you can also witness a deeply respectful, solemn ceremony in Ba Đình Square.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Entrance - Free
Opening Hours - Open to the public all day. The ideal time to visit is in the evening.
Why should you visit? - It's the scenic heart of Hanoi with gorgeous lake views, local life, and iconic Turtle Tower floating in the middle. The legendary lore tells the story of Emperor Lê Lợi returning his sword to the Turtle God after the war against China.
Ngoc Son Temple
Entrance - 30,000 VND (1.14$)
Opening Hours - 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (open till 9 p.m. on weekends)
Why should you visit? - Known as the 'Temple of the Jade Mountain', crossing the famous Thê Húc Bridge in an islet in Hoan Kiem Lake, sits the Ngoc Son Temple. Many students come here to get blessings for their exams. You can get your own fortune caligraphy written by a Confucian monk.
Thap Rua Tower
Entrance - Free
Opening Hours - Cannot enter; visitors can view from across the lake
Why should you visit? - Snap photos of Hanoi’s most iconic landmark, built in the 1400s to commemorate freedom from the Chinese Ming Dynasty.
St. Joseph's Cathedral
Entrance - Free
Opening Hours - Daily prayers take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., if interested in service
Why should you visit? - You can admire French Gothic architecture in the heart of Hanoi. It has beautiful stained glass, twin bell towers, and pointed arches.
Train Street in the Old Quarter
Entrance - Free (Buy a coffee from a cafe if you're planning to wait for the train)
Train Times - 8:50, 9:20, 11.40, 15:20, 17:45 (on weekends), 21:15 and the last train is 22:00
Why should you visit? - Iconic Train Street is a must-visit place if you're in Hanoi. Tourists flock to watch the train pass by and shoot the perfect video. Make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before the train time to secure a good spot.
Hanoi Opera House
Entrance - 150,000 VND (about 6$)
Opening Hours - Guided tours typically happen at midday
Why should you visit? - Exhibits French colonial elegance and neoclassical interior design in one of Hanoi’s most stunning buildings.
Ta Hien Street (Pub Street)
Entrance - Free
Opening Hours - Open all the time. Best to visit 7 p.m. onwards
Why should you visit? - It's the Old Quarter's evening hotspot with vibrant nightlife, live music, and buzzing crowds. Mainly known as the pub street for the beer corner.
Dong Xuan Market
Entrance - Free
Opening Hours - 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Why should you visit? - Best bargain shopping destination in Vietnam with spices, souvenirs, textiles, and street food. You'll find better shopping deals here compared to the Ben Than market in Ho Chi Minh City.
What to buy in Hanoi, Vietnam?
You can pretty much buy anything from anywhere in Vietnam. If your first destination is Hanoi, make sure you don't spend all your shopping space and budget here. But these are some of the things you cannot skip.
Vietnamese Coffee
Green Bean Cake & Coconut Desserts
Snake Rice Wine
Pho Seasoning Mixes
Paper Lanterns
Good Fortune Scrolls
Water Puppets
Ao Dai
Conical Hat (Make sure it's compact enough to carry on a flight)
Silks and DIY ceramics (pay attention to luggage weight)
And in terms of services, if you're a girl who likes pretty nails, Vietnam is THE place for nails. I got my nails done with a manicure in Hanoi, close to the Old Quarter, for just 10$ and they lasted for more than 2 months.
What to do in Hanoi at night?
Compared to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is quite laid back at night, but it's not entirely a sleeping town. The nightlife is somewhat different here. You see locals doing dance workouts by the Hoan Kiem lake, enjoying food in low stools, and simply enjoying a nice evening with their children. Hanoi is a family-friendly destination, but if you want the vibrant nightlife, you can visit Ta Hien (Pub Street) at night and chill with a beer.
General Travel Q&A for Hanoi
How many days are enough for Hanoi?
2 Days are ideal to cover Hanoi as a first-time traveller. Sightseeing in and around the Old Quarter can be completed within a day, and there's not much other experience like there is in Ho Chi Minh City. However, if you want to add a Ha Long Bay tour, you'll need 3 days in total in Hanoi.
What is Hanoi famous for?
We were told it's the history and culture that sets Hanoi apart from the rest of the cities, but the adorable kindergarten kids we met by the Imperial Citadel said that Hanoi is famous for its Pho, and we couldn't have agreed more! As we travelled from South to the North, having tried the Southern Pho and everything in between, when I tried the Pho from Hanoi, I knew instantly it was king!
What is the most beautiful part of Hanoi?
The Old Quarter is the most beautiful part of Hanoi. From French architecture and Chinese influence, most buildings are a wonder to gaze at. Make sure you book your hotel within the area so it's easier to move around, because everything is densely located in that area. Our hotel was somewhat away from the Old Quarter, and getting to places was daunting.
Is there a 7-Eleven in Hanoi?
Yes, very recently, a 7-Eleven was opened in Hanoi; previously, there were 7-Elevens only in Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang and Hanoi had Family Marts, which are very similar to 7-Eleven.
Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Against popular choice, I pick Ho Chi Minh City over Hanoi, but both cities offer vastly different experiences to their visitors. So it's important to visit both cities. I personally find Ho Chi Minh City's resilience alluring, and the people were very friendly and hospitable despite the communication being tight. However, in terms of comfort, convenience, atmosphere, ambience and architectural beauty, Hanoi surpasses Ho Chi Minh City.
Hanoi or Hoi An?
Both Hanoi and Hoi An are must-visit places when you're in Vietnam as a first-time traveller. Hanoi is an architectural haven, and Hoi An is a historical paradise. However, Hoi An has no nightlife, and the city goes to sleep by 10 p.m., whereas Hanoi is lit up with activities for both fun-loving travellers and families.
Conclusion:
So there you go! All you need to know about Hanoi, from things to know BEFORE you head there, the top 10 places you MUST visit in Hanoi, the best souvenirs to shop in Hanoi and the most commonly asked questions by travellers, simplified with our own experience. If you're planning to travel to Hanoi, ask away your doubts in the comments below and we'll answer you!
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