Top Things to Do in Hanoi

Visiting Hanoi is like hopping through a time tunnel: beyond congested roads flanked by modern skyscrapers, ancient temples and multi-storey pagodas rub elbows with French colonial mansions in the labyrinthine Old Quarter.

Both stubbornly traditional and forward-looking, bustling Hanoi largely resisted the light-speed advancements that are sweeping across the rest of the nation, and the city often confounds first-time visitors. This list of the top things to do in Hanoi can help you hit the ground running and make perfect sense of the best that Vietnam’s most historical city has to offer.

Explore Hoan Kiem Lake

Opening like a tear to the east of the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake offers some freshwater and green respite to Hanoi’s hustle. On its northern edge, the Ngoc Son Temple sits on a small island connected to the shore via the scarlet Cau The Huc bridge. Early in the morning, the lakeside fills with residents practicing tai chi, and on weekends, the 7pm to midnight traffic ban gives the area a funfair vibe.

Dive into the Old Quarter

Located in the Ba Dinh district near the business area, Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the city’s busiest attraction, and it’s an unmissable attack to the senses. Buzzing motorbikes maneuver around people in large conical straw hats pushing carts laden with goods along streets lined with French colonial buildings. Come right after sunrise when the light casts ethereal hues over the century-old facades, and find only the most industrious locals busy setting up shop for the day. Exploring the quarter’s 36 streets and the best dishes that represent them is an exhilarating experience.

Hunt for the Best bun cha

If the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain chose to treat Barack Obama to a taste of this quintessential bowl of grilled pork, herbs, and noodles, then Hanoi’s bun cha must really be quite special. Bún Chả Hương Liên, the hole-in-the-wall restaurant where the duo dined in 2016, has become legendary. However, the thrill comes from scouring the city for worthy competitors. Two good places to start are Lotte Center Hanoi in Ba Dinh and Bún Chả Ba Duc in Quan Ba Dinh.

Watch a Water Puppet Show

Vietnamese water puppetry originated in the 11th century from the flooded paddy fields of the Red River Delta. Visitors shouldn’t miss this unique local art form when in Hanoi. Expert puppeteers choreograph wooden figurines tied to long poles over pools that serve as liquid stages. Hanoi’s most famous water puppet theater is Thang Long in the city center, hosting multiple shows daily.

Marvel at St. Joseph Cathedral

Standing guard between the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph Cathedral is one of Hanoi’s most iconic architectural landmarks. Built in 1886, its neo-Gothic style is modeled after Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral. As the oldest church in Vietnam’s capital, it serves the city’s small catholic population, with mass occurring at 6:15pm daily on weekdays and seven times per day on Sundays.

Learn to Cross the Road

Crossing through street traffic in Hanoi is a real cultural adventure. To the untrained eye, Hanoi’s constant flow of cars and endless lines of motorbikes may look like an impenetrable wall of chaos. However, the trick is to be slow, steady, and predictable. Drivers are accustomed to dodging pedestrians, making it vital to have patience and courage when stepping off the sidewalk.

Drink the World’s Cheapest Beer

Hanoi is home to bia hoi, touted as “the world’s cheapest beer” because it’s sold for between 5000 and 7000VND per glass (US$0.22 to 0.31). This beer is made from fermented maize and is typically enjoyed roadside on low plastic stools at the Beer Corner— the bustling intersection between Tha Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen in the Old Quarter.

Try as Much banh mi as You Can

Born in Saigon as a simple working-class sandwich, banh mi is now a beloved street food that features pickled vegetables, cilantro, French ham, and homemade pork liver pate. It has become an obsession for food lovers, especially tourists. The whole of Hanoi is a banh mi playground, with stalls serving it at every corner. One of the best is Bahn Mi 25 in Hoan Kiem District, offering vegan and vegetarian options.

Try Ostrich Meat in Son Tay

Ostrich farming has surprisingly become one of North Vietnam’s most profitable enterprises. The Ba Vi mountains near Son Tay are a popular spot to try this exotic meat, typically served fried, meatloaf style, or boiled with vegetables in a hot pot.

Check Out the Music and Art Scene

Hanoi’s nightlife offers well-established venues for music and arts, featuring everything from DJ nights to jazz bands. Since 2010, Hanoi Rock City has been hosting live music, electronic events, and art happenings. For real strings and shiny brasses, head to Binh Minh Jazz Club in the Old Quarter for local jazz ensembles.

Find Calm at the Temple of Literature

Hidden by a walled compound, the Temple of Literature was built in 1070 under the Ly Thanh Tong dynasty to honor Confucius. It has served as Vietnam’s first national university. Today, it’s a peaceful place, perfect for introspection amidst the city’s constant activity.

Visit Vietnam’s Museum of Ethnology

This engaging museum pays respect to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, showcasing a staggering collection of artifacts and photographs that offer a comprehensive ethnographic tour. Visitors can enjoy a life-size outdoor collection of traditional houses.

Have an Egg Coffee in the Old Quarter

Egg yolk coffee, known as ca phe trung, blends espresso with sugar, condensed milk, and egg yolk. Invented in 1946 as a substitute for scarce milk, this frothy brew has become a national sensation. While Ca Phe Trung can be found in many cities, Cafe Giang in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is where it all started.

Learn about Do Paper at Zó Project

Tucked to the south of Hanoi’s West Lake, Zó Project focuses on unique handmade products crafted from Vietnamese Dó paper. This traditional paper, made from the bark of the Rhamnoneuron balansae tree, is known for its durability.

Have a Glass of Rice Liquor by Train Street’s Narrow Tracks

Sitting with a drink along the narrow railway passage on Tran Phu road in the Old Quarter has become a tourist favorite. Known as “Train Street,” this area is filled with cafes that spill tables near the passing trains. Visit when no trains are approaching to observe local life on both sides of the track.

Escape to Tam Coc’s Rice Terraces

One of the most popular day trips from Hanoi is to the UNESCO-inscribed Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh province. The village of Tam Coc and its stunning views of paddy fields are breathtaking, particularly when enjoyed with a slow boat ride along the Ngo Dong River. A visit to the Mua Cave viewpoint is highly recommended, as it offers an impressive 486-step climb to a viewpoint overlooking the valley below.