Hanoi is one of those cities that grabs you the moment you land. The chaos of a million scooters, the smell of charcoal grills on every corner, and the sudden quiet of a 1,000-year-old temple hidden down an alley — it’s a lot, in the best way possible.
I’ve been to Hanoi more times than I can count now. First as a tourist, then bringing groups through. And every time, I find something new. The city doesn’t stay still.
Here’s my list of the 8 best things to do in Hanoi — the stuff that’s actually worth your time, plus a few I wish I’d known about sooner.
1. Old Quarter & Hoan Kiem Lake
Start here. The Old Quarter is roughly a square kilometer of narrow streets, each historically named after the goods sold there — Silk Street, Silver Street, Paper Street. You can still feel it today.
At the southern edge sits Hoan Kiem Lake — the Lake of the Restored Sword. Legend says Emperor Ly Thai To borrowed a magic sword from a golden turtle to defeat the Ming dynasty, then returned it to the lake. On a quiet morning, you’ll see locals doing tai chi by the water. On a busy evening, it’s packed with families, couples, and street vendors.
Cross the red wooden bridge to Ngoc Son Temple on the island. It’s 30,000 VND (about $1.20) and worth it for the view alone.
Where: Old Quarter, north of Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoan Kiem District
Admission: Free (Old Quarter), Free (lake), 30,000 VND (Ngoc Son Temple)
Best time: Early morning for tai chi, evening for the buzz
2. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
You haven’t really seen Hanoi until you’ve joined the queue of Vietnamese citizens patiently filing past Uncle Ho’s embalmed body. It’s a pilgrimage for many, and the respect in the air is palpable.
The building itself is massive — granite and concrete, standing in Ba Dinh Square where Ho read the Declaration of Independence in 1945. The line moves steadily, but get there before 8am if you want to avoid the worst of it.
Important: it’s only open until 11am, and only Tuesday–Thursday and weekends. From October to November, it closes entirely for maintenance. Dress conservatively — covered shoulders and knees.
Where: So 1, Hung Vuong, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh
Admission: 35,000 VND
Hours: 8am – 11am, Tue–Thu, Sat–Sun (closed Oct–Nov)
Tip: Check the schedule — it often closes on short notice
3. Temple of Literature
Built in 1076 as Vietnam’s first university, the Temple of Literature is one of the few remaining examples of traditional Ly dynasty architecture. The courtyards are stunning — manicured gardens, lotus ponds, and stone stelae mounted on turtles’ backs, each one recording the names of doctoral graduates.
What I love about this place is the contrast. A 20-minute walk from the moped madness of the Old Quarter, and you’re in a silent courtyard that’s barely changed in 900 years.
Go on a weekday morning when it’s quietest. The turtle stelae are the highlight — there are 82 of them, and they’re a UNESCO Memory of the World collection.
Where: 58 Quoc Tu Giam, Van Mieu, Dong Da
Admission: 30,000 VND
Hours: 7:30am – 5:30pm daily
Tip: Combine with a walk through the nearby Embassy Quarter
4. Train Street
Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s been on every Instagram feed since 2019. But Train Street is still genuinely cool. The tracks run literally inches from the front doors of narrow houses, and a couple times a day, a train rips through at full speed.
The trick is timing. The train passes roughly at 7am, 11:30am, 3pm, 5:30pm, and 7:30pm — but check locally because the schedule changes. Grab a seat at one of the cafes, order an egg coffee, and wait. When the horn sounds, the scramble is real.
Go early — before 7am — if you want photos without a hundred other tourists in the shot.
Where: Tran Phu / Le Duan area, near Hoan Kiem
Admission: Free (buy a coffee to sit at a cafe)
Best time: Early morning (before 7am) or first train around 7am
5. Water Puppet Show
Water puppetry dates back to the 11th century, when rice farmers in the Red River Delta invented it as entertainment during flooded fields. Today, it’s one of Hanoi’s most popular cultural experiences — and for good reason.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre puts on a show that’s part acrobatics, part storytelling, and entirely charming. Musicians play traditional instruments live while puppeteers stand waist-deep behind a screen, controlling lacquered wooden figures through the water.
Shows run daily at 3:30pm, 5pm, 6:30pm, and 8pm. Book ahead — they sell out, especially on weekends. Tickets are 100,000 VND. Worth every dong.
Where: 57b Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem
Admission: 100,000 VND
Show times: 3:30pm, 5pm, 6:30pm, 8pm daily (+9:30pm Sunday)
Tip: Book a day ahead — the 5pm and 6:30pm slots go fastest
6. Hoa Lo Prison Museum
Hoa Lo was built by the French in the late 1800s to house Vietnamese political prisoners. The conditions were brutal — cramped cells, ankle shackles, and a guillotine that the French used regularly. Later, during the American War, it became known as the “Hanoi Hilton” and held US prisoners of war, including John McCain.
The museum does a fascinating job of telling both sides of the story — the French colonial period is shown in grim detail, while the American POW section is notably more restrained. McCain’s flight suit is on display.
It’s a heavy visit, especially the original cells. But it’s one of the most honest museums in the city. Give yourself 90 minutes.
Where: 1 Hoa Lo, Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem
Admission: 30,000 VND
Hours: 8am – 5pm daily
Tip: The guillotine room is intense — not for young kids
7. Hanoi’s Food Scene — Bún Chả, Phở & Egg Coffee
Hanoi and Saigon both claim to have the best phở. The truth? They’re just different. Hanoi phở has a clearer, simpler broth and wider noodles. Saigon’s is sweeter and comes with more herbs. Try both and decide for yourself.
But phở is just the start. You need to eat:
- Bún chả — grilled pork patties in a sweet-sour dipping sauce with vermicelli. Go to Bún Chả Hương Liên (aka “Obama bún chả”) where Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama shared a meal in 2016.
- Egg coffee (cà phê trứng) — invented at Cafe Giảng in 1946 when milk was scarce. Whipped egg yolk, condensed milk, and robusta coffee. It sounds weird. It’s incredible.
- Bánh cuốn — steamed rice rolls stuffed with minced pork and wood ear mushrooms. Best for breakfast.
- Chả cá — turmeric-marinated fish grilled at your table on a sizzling pan of dill and scallions. Chả Cá Lã Vọng on Cha Ca Street has been doing this since 1871.
If you want to hit all the highlights without the guesswork, a Hanoi food tour is your best bet. I wrote a separate guide to Hanoi’s food scene if you want the full list.
8. St. Joseph’s Cathedral & French Quarter
Built in 1886 in neo-Gothic style, St. Joseph’s Cathedral looks like a tiny Notre Dame dropped in the middle of Hanoi. It’s the city’s oldest church and sits at the edge of the French Quarter — a district of wide boulevards, colonial villas, and tree-lined streets that feel a world away from the Old Quarter.
The French Quarter is worth a dedicated walk. Start at the Opera House (300,000 VND for a show, otherwise just admire the facade), then wander down Trang Tien, past the Metropole Hotel and the Hoa Lo Prison (which you’ve already visited from point 6).
If you’re around on a weekend evening, the streets around the cathedral close to traffic and fill with street performers, families, and impromptu dance groups. It’s lovely.
Where: 40 Nha Chung, Hoan Kiem
Admission: Free (cathedral), 300,000 VND (Opera House shows)
Tip: Best lighting for photos is late afternoon — the sun hits the front facade
Before You Go
- Weather — Hanoi in July is hot and humid, with sudden downpours. Pack light, breathable clothing and a rain jacket. The mornings are your best window for sightseeing before the heat peaks.
- Getting around — Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber) is everywhere. A ride across the Old Quarter costs 15,000–30,000 VND. Taxis are fine too but use Mai Linh or Vinasun — avoid unmarked cabs.
- Cash — Hanoi still runs on cash for most small purchases. Street stalls won’t take card. ATMs are everywhere and charge around 30,000 VND per withdrawal.
- Dress code — Temples and the Mausoleum require covered shoulders and knees. Bring a scarf or light jacket to throw on.
- Scooters — Crossing the street in Hanoi is an art. Don’t hesitate. Walk at a steady pace and the scooters will flow around you. Running or stopping confuses everyone.
The Short Version
Hanoi is chaotic, loud, and occasionally overwhelming. It’s also one of the most rewarding cities in Southeast Asia. Give it three days and you’ll barely scratch the surface, but you’ll leave wanting more.
If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, don’t skip the North. And before you go, make sure your visa is sorted — it’s one less headache at the airport. Need help planning your route through Vietnam? Drop us a message and we’ll help you put it together.
