11 THINGS TO DO IN HANOI, VIETNAM

Welcome to Hanoi, where the street is king! Experience delicious street food on every corner, watch trains squeeze behind narrow houses, and traffic merge into each other from every possible direction. The energy and vibrancy of this addictive Vietnamese city is not to be missed, so aim to spend 2-3 days exploring all the things to do in Hanoi.

Although Hanoi is not the largest city in Vietnam, it has taken the title of the capital of the country. As a result, there are plenty of amazing things to do in Hanoi.

1. Hanoi Motorbike Tour

Hanoi Full day Vintage Minsk Motorcycle and Gaz69 Jeep tours

Source: Collected

Join a motorbike tour and hurtle through Hanoi’s Old Quarter back streets. Hanoi Backstreet Tours is a fantastic tour that uses vintage Minsk motorcycles for the journey. Enjoy the surroundings on the back of these motorcycles while you ride over famous bridges and stop at authentic markets.

The well-informed guides provide you with local knowledge and plenty of information about Hanoi and its history. The tour will also take you around the green region, which is a lovely contrast to the busy morning in the metropolis. The tour covers most of the city’s highlights and is easily one of the most fun things to do in Hanoi!

2. Leave a Note at The Note Coffee

Note cafe - Picture of The Note Coffee, Hanoi - Tripadvisor

Coffee is a way of life in Hanoi and there are many excellent cafes to choose from. However, a special ‘note’ has to be made for The Note Coffee. This cute little cafe asks customers to leave a handwritten note, on colorful sticky paper, on the normally empty walls.

Hence the name ‘The Note Coffee’- a three-story building, with walls fully covered in colored notes. Read the notes from other visitors and make sure to leave one yourself!

3. Hanoi Old Quarter

Khu phố cổ Hà Nội – Wikipedia tiếng Việt

Ảnh] Phố cổ Hà Nội mới lạ qua góc máy từ trên cao - Vietnam.vn

No visit to Hanoi would be complete without seeing the Old Quarter! This is one of the city’s oldest areas, dating back 2000 years. Here you’ll see a perfect representation of the local life in Hanoi.

Expect to see old houses lining narrow alleys, locals transporting goods on the carrying pole, and traffic crossing from every possible road.

4. Train Street of Hanoi

Phố cà phê đường tàu ở Hà Nội nhộn nhịp khách Tây, đông kín ngày cuối tuần | Báo Dân trí

Phường 'than' khó ngăn người vào phố cà phê đường tàu dù có lệnh cấm

Source: dantri.com.vn

Set in a narrow back street, squeezed between rows of shanty houses and cafes, there is a railway, where trains speed through twice a day. This world-famous train street is one of the most surprising things to do in Hanoi.

It’s possible to sit outside the cafes and feel the air pressure as the train passes centimeters away from your body. However, police do ensure that only those enter the street who buy something from the cafes. It’s recommended to ask about the train times at your hotel as it changes often.

Mon-Fri: 6.00 AM, 7.00 PM
Sat-Sun: 6.00 AM, 9.00 AM, 11.20 AM, 3.20 PM, 5.30 PM, 6.00 PM, 7.00 PM, 7.45 PM, 8.30 PM, 9.00 PM, 11.00 PM

5. Drink Coffee!

Vietnam is, surprisingly, the world’s second-largest coffee producer. The coffee craze started due to French

Here are some of our favorite coffee shops to try in Hanoi:

✔Loading T Cafe

5 quán cà phê trứng ở Hà Nội nổi tiếng ngon béo mê ly - Quán ngon - yeuamthuc.org

✔Hidden Gem Coffee

HIDDEN GEM COFFEE – QUÁN CÀ PHÊ TÁI CHẾ GIỮA LÒNG HÀ NỘI – CHIẾN BINH XANH

✔Giang (Giảng) Coffee

Hội nghị thượng đỉnh: Cà phê trứng Giảng huy động 'cháu, chút chít' phục vụ phóng viên quốc tế

✔Cong Cafe

Hà Nội

colonialism and has grown ever since. Because of this, you are never further than two steps away from amazing coffee shops, where Vietnamese locals gather around to enjoy the hot brew.

6. Eat at the Hanoi Night Market

Kinh nghiệm đi chợ đêm phố cổ Hà Nội từ A đến Z cho hội đam mê mua sắm

Ở Hà Nội buổi đêm chẳng thiếu những hàng ăn đêm ngon cho bạn thỏa sức lựa chọn

Top 20+ món ngon Phố Cổ khi chơi ở Hà Nội bạn phải thử

If you’re visiting Hanoi over the weekend, make sure to visit the night market that takes place in the Old Quarter. Everything from ceramics to clothing is sold. Also, make sure to haggle for the best price, as this is an extremely common practice in Northern Vietnam. Finally, grab some amazing street food at one of the many stands. Open from 6.00 PM – 12.00 AM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

7. Luxury French Street (Phan Dinh Phung Street)

Hàng cây sấu trăm năm tuổi trên "con đường lãng mạn" nhất Hà Nội - HỘI KỶ LỤC GIA VIỆT NAM - TỔ CHỨC KỶ LỤC VIỆT NAM(VIETKINGS)

Phan Dinh Phung Street is undoubtedly one of the grandest avenues in the city. The wide road, with overhanging trees, has a very distinct feel from the rest of Hanoi and its small back streets. Take a walk down the avenue, admiring the impressive mansions and old French villas whilst the sunlight streams through the shadowing trees.

8. Long Bien Bridge

9 điều cần biết trước khi ghé thăm cầu Long Biên – chứng nhân lịch sử

Long Bien is an incredible steel-structured bridge connecting the Hoan Kiem and Long Bien district. Sadly, the bridge was victim to many bombings over the years of the war. Consequently, it has fallen into disrepair and is under renovation.

Now only pedestrians, cycle bikes, mopeds, and trains use the bridge, and the majority of traffic uses other routes across. Because of this, it’s possible to admire the industrial beauty of the orange rusty posts set around the old train track.

9. St Joseph’s Cathedral

Nhà thờ Lớn Hà Nội: Khám phá nhà thờ cổ đẹp nhất thủ đô

The French Colonial government built St Joseph’s Cathedral with the aim of mimicking the style of Notre Dame in Paris. Hence why it differs hugely from the other buildings in the city. Noticeably, it is the oldest church in Hanoi! The gothic style is very impressive from the outside, but it is also worth taking a look inside, too, for the medieval European feel, especially as it’s free entry.

10. Hanoi Trompe L’Oeil Murals

Photos] The New, Illusory Trompe-l'œil Murals on Hanoi's Railway Arches - Saigoneer

Photos] The New, Illusory Trompe-l'œil Murals on Hanoi's Railway Arches - Saigoneer

The Trompe L’Oeil murals are a community art project painted on the railway arches of Phung Hung Street. The project began between South Korea and Vietnam in order to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations. ‘Trompe L’Oeil’ is a visual illusion within the artwork, and these murals are exactly that!

The artwork displays acts of local life in a way that the artwork blends in with the day-to-day goings of the city. The visual illusion, and 3D elements of the paintings, mean that people can interact with the art by taking photos and positioning themselves to make it look like they are part of it.

11. Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake: A top attraction in Hanoi Vietnam capital

Make your way to Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn to watch the sunrise over the misty water. Sit amongst the trees while watching locals enjoying their morning tai chi or yoga. It’s so Beautiful!

As a result, Hoan Kiem Lake feels like a spiritual haven amongst the chaos of the city. Even better, it sits right in the center, so you are never far away! Don’t miss out on one of the most famous things to do in Hanoi.

Ngoc Son Temple

Ngoc Son Temple: A sacred site in the heart of Hanoi

Ngoc Son Temple is a stunning Vietnamese pagoda that sits in the center of the lake. Named the ‘rising sun’ bridge, it’s painted in bold red and pictured on many postcards. Walk across the bridge and enter the pagoda between 8 AM – 6 PM.