72 Hours in Hanoi – Where Should You Go?
Top places for fun and entertainment in Hanoi
Are you wondering where to go in Hanoi to suit your interests, the right timing, and the people you’re traveling with? The thousand-year-old capital offers a rich mix of cultural spaces, outdoor activities, modern urban spots, and family-friendly attractions.
Hanoi – A Thousand-Year-Old Cultural Capital.
1. Hanoi Old Quarter: Where to Enjoy a Lively Nightlife in Hanoi
Address: Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
Small, old-fashioned shops from the past still remain in Hanoi.
The Old Quarter is a maze of narrow alleys, dense houses, and rich traditional culture. On weekends, the night market runs from Friday to Sunday evenings. It stretches along Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Duong, Hang Khoai, and Hang Giay streets. The market sells handicrafts, souvenirs, and street food. It’s perfect for strolling, photography, and enjoying the “old Hanoi” atmosphere.
Tips:
Arrive early and park near Hang Dao to avoid traffic jams.
Bring small cash and bargain politely when shopping.
2. Grand World (Vinhomes Ocean Park 3): entertainment, dining, and shows 24/7
The colorful buildings at Ocean Park create a vibrant, eye-catching urban landscape.
Grand World is a massive entertainment, shopping, and performance complex at the heart of Ocean City. It features two iconic zones: K-Town and Venice. The Grand Voyage is a live show using 3D mapping on large boats. Parades, European brass bands, street circus, and fire festivals run year-round. Modern rides include the Carousel and Skydrop attractions. Hundreds of fashion and dining stores stay brightly lit all night.
Besides on-site experiences, you can relax at home with popular online card games while waiting for the shows.
3. Hoan Kiem Lake: a green oasis in the heart of the city
Address: Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Ho Guom Lake – The Soul of Hanoi’s People
Hoan Kiem Lake is linked to the legend of the Golden Turtle returning the sword to King Le. Don’t miss landmarks like Turtle Tower, The Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple, Pen Tower, and Ink Slab. Early morning or late afternoon is ideal for walking, fresh air, photos, and street snacks nearby.
4. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: a place all Vietnamese people look toward
Address: 17 Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
The flag-raising ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum has different visiting hours in summer and winter, usually open mornings except Monday and Friday.
You can watch the flag-raising at 5:00 a.m. or the flag-lowering around 9:00 p.m. at Ba Dinh Square. Wear respectful clothing, queue politely, and remain silent inside the complex. If you enjoy integrated urban models like Ocean City, read more about Aqua City for travel and itinerary comparisons.
5. Vinpearl Aquarium Times City: an underground ocean in the city
Address: B1 Floor, Vincom Mega Mall Times City, 458 Minh Khai, Hai Ba Trung District.
Vinpearl Aquarium holds about three million liters of water and over 30,000 marine creatures.
Freshwater Zone: Amazon-inspired, featuring arowana, arapaima, stingrays, and freshwater sharks.
Reptile Cave: Golden pythons, monitor lizards, lizards, crocodiles, and tropical insects like tarantulas and emperor scorpions.
Saltwater Zone: Coral reefs, stonefish, grouper, knifefish, plus mermaid shows and feeding sessions. Penguins are a rare highlight in Vietnam.
Tips:
- Visit in the morning or early afternoon to catch scheduled shows.
- Children love the tunnel and cave areas; bring a light jacket due to cool temperatures.
6. Royal City: European-style check-ins and indoor weekend entertainment
Address: 72 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan District.
Royal City – Hanoi
Royal City is a large mall with European-style architecture, perfect for photos. It features an ice rink, cinemas, food courts, and creative activity corners. It’s ideal for shopping, dining, and escaping rain or heat.
7. Thu Le Park – Hanoi: an urban zoo in the heart of the city
Address: Buoi Street, Ba Dinh District.
Animals at Thu Le Park
The park covers about 29 hectares with a teardrop-shaped lake and paths along the shoreline. The zoo features tigers, elephants, leopards, crocodiles, and other animals. Activities include pedal boats, water balls, trains, and carousels. It’s an affordable family destination in Hanoi, especially for children.
8. Landmark Sky 72 Observation Deck: panoramic city views from 372 meters above
Address: 72nd Floor, Keangnam Landmark Tower, Pham Hung Street, Nam Tu Liem District.
Panoramic views from the observation deck
This observation deck offers panoramic views of Hanoi from above. It also features 3D photo zones, a living art museum, and 5D movies. Late afternoon and sunset are ideal for stunning panoramic photos.
9. Dong Xuan Market: Hanoi’s hub for shopping and local cuisine
Address: Dong Xuan, Hoan Kiem District.
Famous photo spots in Hanoi
This wholesale market sells clothes, shoes, electronics, fabrics, children’s goods, souvenirs, and snacks. Explore by floor to experience the entire market space. At night, the market remains lively and vibrant. Don’t miss authentic dishes like rib porridge, grilled pork skewers, shrimp cakes, snail noodles, eel vermicelli, and sweet soups.
10. Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street: a cultural space for weekends.
A corner of Hanoi’s pedestrian street
Area: 16 streets surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoan Kiem District.
It features folk games like tug of war, shuttlecock kicking, and mandarin squares. Street artists perform various styles, alongside portrait drawing and souvenir shopping. Street food is widely available. It suits friends, families, and international visitors.
11. West Lake – Hanoi: romantic late afternoons
- Address: Tay Ho District.
Cycling around West Lake
West Lake offers diverse dining and shopping options with many lakeside cafés. Popular activities include pedal boating and the famous Thanh Nien Road. Don’t miss Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, and Phu Tay Ho. Local specialties include shrimp cakes and Thanh Nien ice cream.
12. AEON Mall Long Bien – Hanoi: entertainment, shopping, and a large CGV cinema
Address: 27 Co Linh Street, Long Bien District.
The mall offers spacious areas, photo spots, extensive shopping, and diverse dining. Entertainment includes bowling, ball pits, mirror mazes, and haunted houses. It’s suitable in both rainy and sunny weather. Football fans can explore card-betting analysis to enhance sports entertainment experiences.
Conclusion
If you ask where to have fun in Hanoi, start with easy spots like Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. Upgrade experiences with Grand World, VinWonders, major malls, or nature spaces like Red River rocks and flower villages. Choose the right time, plan flexible budgets, and prioritize safety and public etiquette.
