Itineraries for Your Trip to Hanoi
3 Days in Hanoi for First Timers
Hanoi might not be Vietnam’s largest city (that would be Ho Chi Minh City), but—in my opinion, at least—it packs the biggest punch. Dizzying traffic, labyrinthine streets, and sizzling street food greet you everywhere you go in the Old Quarter, and there are endless ways to immerse yourself in local culture. With three days in Hanoi, you can take your time sightseeing and venture further afield to explore some of Northern Vietnam—the capital makes a strategic basecamp for day trips. Here’s my advice on what to do in Hanoi for first-time visitors.
Spring (March–April) and fall (September–October) provide the sweet spot between Hanoi’s heat and humidity: ideal for sightseeing.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a cyclo (rickshaw) tour around Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
To make the most of your first time in Hanoi, start with a sightseeing tour that gives you a comprehensive overview of the city. Pass the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the French Quarter, home to the Hanoi Opera House and St. Joseph's Cathedral, and stop at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and Train Street.
The best way to get to know Hanoi’s atmospheric Old Quarter is through its food, and a cooking class will take you beyond just tasting. Head out to the local market to shop for ingredients, then learn the secrets behind Vietnamese specialties such as spring rolls, pho (noodle soup), and egg coffee.
See a different side to Hanoi this morning as you escape the crowds and the fast-paced urban sprawl for a drive into the scenic countryside just outside of the city. Admire views of West Lake, Bay Mau Lake, and the Red River from an open-top Jeep, and gain insight into Vietnamese culture as you visit a local family home.
A traditional water puppet show is another one of the must-see attractions in Hanoi, and Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is one of the most popular venues. Combine the performance with dinner at a typical Vietnamese restaurant and an evening cyclo ride around the Old Quarter.
One of the most memorable day trips from Hanoi takes you to the heart of Ninh Binh Province to explore the UNESCO World Heritage–listed karst landscapes of Tam Coc, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, and the magnificent Bich Dong Pagoda. Choose a tour that includes a sampan boat cruise and a bike ride through the countryside.
After a long day out, relax with a traditional Vietnamese massage before heading out to enjoy Hanoi’s nightlife one last time. The bars and nightclubs along “Beer Street” (Ta Hien) always pull in a crowd, while the Night Market (Friday–Sunday) is perfect for last-minute souvenir shopping and street food snacks.
