15 Amazing Things to do in Hanoi

Hanoi is one of those cities which is vibrant, chaotic and unique. It has an incredible food and drink scene, being the place where the famous Vietnamese egg coffee originates from, as well as many of the Vietnamese dishes such as pho and bun cha. Whether you are starting your trip in Hanoi or ending it, the city can feel very overwhelming when you first arrive here. This is where I ended my Vietnam 2 week itinerary, and it still felt a lot more intense than many of the places I had visited. It was difficult to know where to start the explorations, and how to see and to everything in a few days. This is why I have put together a list of 15 best things to do in Hanoi to help plan your trip here as efficiently as possible.

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Where to stay in Hanoi

After extensive research on where to stay in Hanoi, I stumbled across La Mejor Indochine Hotel in the Old Quarter. Through pictures, it looked like a beautiful boutique hotel, and it was even better in real life.

With Indochina themed colourful interiors, friendly staff, and spacious rooms at a good price, this is the perfect hotel to stay in for exploring Hanoi. Staying in the Old Quarter means that most of the must see places are nearby and you are in the middle of the hustle and bustle.

The hotel also has a rooftop bar with incredible city views.

How long to stay in Hanoi

Hanoi is a big city with many different areas to explore. Depending on your travel pace, you may want to take it slow in the beginning or the end of your trip. To see and do everything in this list, I recommend at least 2-3 nights in Hanoi to make the most of your visit to the city.

Things to do in Hanoi

1. Visit the train street

Visiting the train street is one of those iconic must things to do in Hanoi that everyone associates with visiting Vietnam. However, what many visitors do not realise, and I only realised after my trip, is that there is not just one train street. The most famous and most photographed stretch is near Ngõ 224 Lê Duẩn. There other one can be found around Phùng Hưng Street. However, I found that Ngõ 224 Lê Duẩn was much less touristy and crowded than Phùng Hưng Street and a lot more photogenic too.

Here is everything you need to know before visiting one of the train streets in Hanoi.

Firstly, it is important to know that entry to some of the train streets is restricted. The only way to go inside it to be invited by one of the coffee shop owners. Knowing this, I messaged Hanoi 1990 Cafe on Instagram before going. They were extremely responsive and told me I could arrive whenever I wanted. However, when I got there I realised that the street was not busy at all. In fact, every cafe owner was trying to get us to go to their cafe instead. The amount of people may depend on the season but if you arrive here without a plan, don’t worry – there will be cafe owners who will surely invite you to one of their cafes so you can have a spot to watch the train as it arrives.

The most shocking part of the train street is the fact that so many of the locals live in the buildings above the coffee shops. The train passing is part of their daily life!

When the train does arrive, the locals will ensure that all the tables are folded away and everyone stays out of the tracks. The train passes surprisingly close and it is definitely one of the coolest experiences that is absolutely worth adding to your Hanoi bucket list.

You can visit the train street yourself or if you prefer to have ease of mind, you can also book a tour with a guide.

2. Try egg coffee

Trying the iconic Vietnamese egg coffee is one of the must do things in Hanoi. It may soiund strange, but trust me it may surprise you. It is definitely one of my favourite coffees I ever tried!

The egg coffee was invented in the 1940s when milk was scarce. A bartender at the Sofitel Legend Metropole famously whisked egg yolk with sugar as a substitute, creating what became Vietnam’s most iconic drink.

The texture of the egg coffee is not “eggy” as you might expect. Intead, the egg is whisked together with condensed milk and sometimes sugar. This creates a creamy texture that feels more like drinking custard or tiramisu. If you have a sweet tooth, then you will absolutely love this.

There are many cafes in Hanoi where you can try egg coffee, but the most popular ones can be found in the Old Quarter. The different cafes have different recipes, so the taste might differ in each one.

The most famous place to try the egg coffee is called Eggyolk. It can be found in different locations around the city.

3. Visit the coffee shops

Hanoi is also known for its incredible variety of coffee shops. I was genuinely surprised by how many amazing coffee shops there are in the city. I wish I had the time to visit every single one of them!

Many of the city’s best cafés are hidden down narrow alleys, inside old French-style buildings, or on upper floors with balconies overlooking busy streets. Some of them are hidden away behind shops, making finding them part of the experience.

Here are some of my favourite coffee shops I discovered during my visit to Hanoi:

The Notes coffee shop = This is probably the most famous coffee shop in Hanoi. The walls are filled with notes from visitors from all over the world. You also get given a sticky note with your coffee. You can write your name as well as a short message and stick it on the wall. It is a lovely concept and a nice coffee shop although it does get quite busy here.

Hidden gem cafe = This cafe is exactly what it says in the name: a hidden gem. As you walk in to an unassuming shop, you will see a sign for the coffee shop upstairs. Once you arrive there, you will be surprised by how nice this coffee shop is. You will find murals on the walls, quirky interiors and a lot of cute corners to enjoy delicious coffee. This one was probably my favourite one of them all!

Giao Mua Coffee = One of the most aesthetic cafes in Hanoi. Entering here feels like you are walking into a magical wonderland as the building itself has a very cool design. Inside you will find a narrow staircase and many floors with plenty of space to have your coffee, as well as a rooftop terrace at the top.

Bancong Cafe = This is a charming coffee shop with relaxed vibes in the Old Quarter. It has a small terrace outside where you can enjoy the views of the streets while sipping on a delicious Vietnamese coffee.

Cong Cafe = This is a Heritage Vietnamese cafe chain located in front of St Joseph’s Cathedral. They serve some unique coffee flavours here, including coffee with yogurt which is surprisingly delicious!

4. Eat pho

Although pho can be found everywhere in Vietnam, Hanoi is where it originates. I highly recommend trying it here if you get the chance.

Pho is a broth, boiled for a long time, infused with spices like star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. It is lightly seasoned by full of flavour. Hanoi broth tends to be slightly different from the pho found in the South of Vietnam. It is more subtle than sweet, allowing the flavours of the meat to come through.

The classic pho that you will see on most menus is the beef pho. However, we tried a place called Huyen Huong, which serves delicious chicken pho. The menu is straightforward and the dishes arrive very quickly.

Pho is usually eaten at breakfast time in Vietnam. However you can still find restaurants that open for lunch and dinner time.

5. Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is a must see in Hanoi and offers a glimpse into a different, quieter side to the city. It was built in 1070 and became Vietnam’s first national university.

The temple is made up of multiple courtyards, which are separated by gates. It is a beautiful space and offers an escape from the busy city life outside.

Architecturally, the space is very photogenic and is a nice glimpse into the Vietnamese design, featuring courtyards, tiled roofs, and wooden structures.

It is best to visit early in the morning or in the late afternoon, for the soft light and less crowds.

6. Visit St Joseph’s Cathedral

Built in 1886 during the French colonial period, St Joseph’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic buildings in Hanoi. It is immediately striking in a way that it contrasts with the rest of the Old Quarter, both in architecture and atmosphere. The Neo-Gothic facade, stained glass wiondows and twin bell towers are inspired by the Notre Dame in Paris. This design makes it immediately recognisable to any visitor.

If you wish to enter inside, the interior is not particularly impressive but offers an interesting glimpse into the religion and culture of Hanoi’s catholic community. However, the exterior alone is worth visiting as the building is an iconic one to see.

The area around the cathedral is a nice one, lined with lots of cafes, shops and generally a vibrant atmosphere. You will also find some cafes (such as Cong Cafe) which have a direct view of the cathedral.

7. Explore Old Quarter

Exploring the Old Quarter is one of the best ways to experience the heart and soul of Hanoi. Walking through, you might find it overwhelming at first. The Narrow streets are filled with sounds of scooters, locals selling in the streerts, the food sizzling and more. It is definitely a feast for the senses but an experience like no other!

The Old Quarter is one of the best places in the city to try the street food. This is where you will find local vendors selling all the different types of food, with plastic stools on the pavements everywhere you look. If you are apprehensive to try the street food yourself, I recommend booking a street food tasting tour.

The Old Quarter is also where you will find most of the cafes, restaurants and bars in Hanoi. In the morning, the area tends to be a lot quieter and it gets much busier throughout the day. We stayed in the area and found that it was pretty noisy outside most of the time, including the middle of the night!

8. Murals at Phung Hung

While in the Old Quarter, you can take the opportunity to admire the murals at Phung Hung Street. Located under the old railway arches, these murals are a celebration of the past and the present. They depict the scenes of daily life from the past: children playing games, vendors at work, and old shopfronts.

Most of the murals are painted directly onto the arches while others have a more three-dimensional feel. All of these make great photo opportunities.

The area is also worth exploring, with small, narrow streets and charming coffee shops nearby. It offers a quieter and more relaxed contrast to the busy streets nearby.

9. Day trip to Incense village

One of the most unique things to do in Hanoi is to take a day trip to the Incense village. Usually this is a tour which is best done with a guide. They can take you to the best spots and introduce you to the locals who make the incense in the villages.

The Quang Phu Cau village is located around an hour away from Hanoi. This is where the locals have been making incense sticks for generations. With a guided tour you can see how this is done firsthand. The tour usually starts early in the morning. You will be taken to a local restaurant to have a noodle broth for breakfast. After that, you will take a walk through the village and watch the process of the incense being made and then dyed.

This was one of the most unforgettable experiences for me. Meeting the locals who have been doing this work for many years, and getting to photograph them was truly incredible.

However, depending on the tour you do it is best to manage your expectations. Although a tour through the village is a very unique experience, there is also a side to this that has a tourist trap element. The red incense field you see all over social media is in fact fake. It is more of a photo studio than an incense field, where anyone wanting a picture can come and take a shot. This is a cool experience nonetheless, but it is worth managing your expectations before visiting.

10. Watch a water puppet show

Watching a water puppet show is one of those unique things to do in Hanoi that you cannot do anywhere else in the world. This is a puppet show which takes place in waist deep pool of water making it a very fun spectacle.

The tradition emerged thousands of years ago, in rural villages where the the rice fields would flood following the rainy season. The locals then came up with the creative idea to use the flooded rice paddies and make a puppet show.

The puppet show depicts local folklore, stories and traditions. It all takes place in Vietnamese but if visitors also get given a headset which translates everything to your chosen language.

The best place to see the show is at Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre in the Old Quarter, next to the Hoàn Kiếm Lake.

My honest thoughts about the show: it was really cool to watch, but since it is not one continuous story but a series of short stories, I found that it was not very engaging. Nonetheless, such a fun activity to add to your Hanoi list.

11. Ho Chi Minh Masoleum

The Masoleum of Ho Chi Minh is one of the most significant places in Hanoi. This is where the body of Ho Chi Minh, the founder of modern Vietnam and former president is displayed. The masoleum is only open on some mornings, often closed on Mondays and Fridays, and shuts frequently for annual maintenance. I recommend arriving early to avoid queues, especially if you are travelling during peak travel season.

To go inside, visitors are required to dress modestly and follow strict rules. It is forbidden to take photos, use mobile phones or talk. The visit is brief but very fascinating and definitely worth it if you get the chance.

12. Weekend night market

If you find yourself in Hanoi on a weekend, make sure to add the weekend night market to your Hanoi itinerary. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, the streets in the Old Quarter close to traffic and transform into one big street market.

There are stalls selling everything from souvenirs, clothes, accessories, snacks and more. It is mostly aimed at visitors but is also quite popular with the locals. if you plan to buy something, bargaining is advisable and expected.

Other than shopping, it is also a nice place to experience the general atmosphere. The streets are filled with musicians, performers and traditional games. It feels more like an event than just a street for shopping.

13. Tran Quoc Pagoda

Trấn Quốc Pagoda is the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, dating back 1500 years.Located on a small island West Lake (Hồ Tây), it offers a very peaceful escape from the city.

The temple is beautiful to admire from afar, but it is also worth going inside to feel the spiritual side of it and see the locals make offerings or light incense sticks.

West Lake itself is a nice area to explore, with cafes, gardens and scenic spots. It is best to visit in the early morning or late afternoon for the soft light and a calmer atmosphere.

14. Dong Xuan Market

The Dong Xuan Market is the place to go if you want to buy some souvenirs. Located in the Old Quarter, it is Hanoi’s largest market, dating back to the late 19th century. It can feel overwhelming at first, but this is just part of the experience!

I would highly recommend coming here to buy some cheap souvenirs at the end of your trip. We came here before our flight home and ended up spending a couple hours buying lots of Vietnam memorabilia and gifts to bring back home. It is very common to bargain here so you can get some good deals on the souvenirs that are being sold everywhere.

Outside the market you will find lots of street food stalls. The atmosphere is very lively and it is a nice place to grab an affordable bite to eat after visiting the market.

15. Ngoc Son Temple

Located on a small island in the middle of Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Ngoc Son Temple is one of the most iconic landmarks to visit in Hanoi.

The temple was built as a dedication to multiple scholars and spiritual figures. Inside, you will find tributes such as traditional altars, incense and decorative details that reflect this.

A visit to the temple is easy to combine with a walk around the lake. The lake itself is very scenic and the temple has a very picturesque setting.

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Hope this post on 15 best things to do in Hanoi has been helpful with planning your trip. Hanoi is a must visit city during your trip to Vietnam and offers a mix of great food options and sightseeing.

Make sure to also check out the below posts if you are planning your trip to Vietnam:

19 Best Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City