Thing To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum at Night

18 Best Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam

The capital of Vietnam and the second-largest city in the nation, Hanoi is the first stop on many people’s Vietnam itinerary. And while we would most certainly argue that you should get out of the city and into the countryside, you’d be doing yourself a disservice not to explore the many amazing things that Hanoi has to offer.

Check out our list of 18 things you shouldn’t miss while visiting the amazing city of Hanoi!

Things to Know Before Visiting Hanoi

  • The currency in Vietnam is the Dong (VND). At the time of writing, the conversation rate was about 23,207 VND to $1 USD. So if we say that something costs 50,000 VND, that’s just about $2 USD.
  • The easiest way to get around Hanoi is by taking Grab cars or motorbikes. It’s like the Uber of SE Asia. Download the app (iPhone | Android). Either add your credit card details or opt to pay cash for each ride. Grab motorbike drivers wear green jackets and will have a helmet available for you to use.
  • Of course, you’ll need to have the internet to call Grab. We always recommend purchasing a Vietnamese SIM card as soon as you arrive in the country. Not only is it useful for Grab but also for Google Maps, Google Translate, and for reading all of our Vietnamese blogs while you’re on the go!
  • Learn a few phrases to get around! “Xin chào” (pronounced “sin jow”) means “hello” and “cảm ơn” (pronounced “kam on”) is “thank you”. You should not assume that Vietnamese people speak English, more often than not they don’t. Pick up a Vietnamese phrasebook to help you get around.

Getting to Hanoi

Noi Bai International Airport located on the outskirts of Hanoi is Vietnam’s largest and second busiest airport. It is located about 28 miles north of downtown Hanoi and the easiest way to get into town is to use the Grab App (iPhone|Android) – it’s the Uber of Southeast Asia).

Check Flight Prices on Skyscanner

Where to Stay in Hanoi

Best Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel

Sofitel Legend Metropole

If you want to truly pamper yourself during your vacation in Hanoi, consider booking a room at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Not only is it a spectacular neoclassical luxury hotel, but it is also a historic landmark since 1901. This 5-star hotel is the ultimate in glamour and class and you’ll love the swanky bars, the gorgeous outdoor gardens, and the friendliest staff!

Check Prices on Booking.com

Best Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam: O'Gallery Premier Hotel & Spa

O’Gallery Premier Hotel & Spa

The O’Gallery Premier Hotel & Spa is a stunningly beautiful hotel in Hanoi. Centrally located in the Hoan Kiem district, it is close to the St. Joseph Cathedral and the Ngoc Son Temple. The staff at O’Gallery are so friendly and are happy to help with your every need. The rooms are huge with beautiful decor and luxuriously soft beds!

Check Prices on Booking.com

Best Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam: The Lapis Hotel

The Lapis Hotel

You’ll love the spectacular rooftop pool at The Lapis Hotel that is perfect for escaping the midday heat of Hanoi! The gym is ideal for keeping up your fitness while on vacation, especially after you enjoy the delicious breakfast at The Lapis. The rooms are large with an old-school charm.

Check Prices on Booking.com

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The 18 Best Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam

1. Visit the Temple of Literature

Things To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is a gorgeous, picturesque site surrounded by well-maintained gardens. It is truly a little piece of tranquil paradise located in the heart of bustling Hanoi. Construction began in 1070 and it opened as a university in 1076. It originally only accepted aristocrats and the elite but later opened its doors to other bright “commoners”. Students learned the Chinese language, philosophy, and history as well as other genres of literature and poetry.

The temple has been well preserved through the chaos of Vietnamese history. Housed inside the courtyards are carved stone turtle steles that are engraved with the names and birthplaces of 1,307 successful student graduates. These massive stones were enclosed in concrete walls and buried in sand in order to keep them safe through the bombings of the Vietnam-American War. It is miraculous that they survived and are in such pristine condition today.

You’ll want to take your time when you visit the Temple of Literature. Wander through the five courtyards and stop to appreciate the peaceful lakes filled with lily pads and the Well of Heavenly Clarity.

There’s lots of green space in the shade temple complex which makes it a good thing to do in Hanoi with kids. There are several gift shops inside selling Chinese-influenced souvenirs in case you want to do a little shopping during your visit.

Summer Hours (April 15 – October 15th): from 7:30 am until 6 pm
Winter Hours (October 16th – April 14th): 8 am until 5:30 pm
Entrance Fee: 30,000 VND/person


2. Pay Your Respects at the Hỏa Lò Prison

Things To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Hỏa Lò Prison (Hanoi Hilton)

The Hỏa Lò Prison was originally used by French Colonists to house political prisoners. Later on, it housed US POWs during the Vietnam War, including Senator John McCain. Built in the late 1800s, the name Hỏa Lò was a nickname given to the prison by the Vietnamese people and translates to “fiery furnace”. The reason for that nickname was both for the wood stove shops common in the surrounding neighborhood as well as for the horrible treatment of the prisoners housed inside.

The prison once held anywhere from a few hundred to 2,000 prisoners and is a dark and depressing museum to visit. You’ll see the tiny rooms where Vietnamese prisoners were shackled in solitary confinement. There’s also the French guillotine used for beheading people (including a few terrifying images of the heads on display in woven baskets). Conditions were abysmal and you’ll feel deep sorrow for the people who were confined to this place.

The prison museum paints a bleak picture of the treatment of Vietnamese prisoners and ends with an intriguing display of the US POW’s time in the prison. Spend some time watching the propaganda videos that were used at the time to show how well they were treated. You’ll see them playing basketball in the courtyard, enjoying holiday meals, and receiving gifts upon their departure. We now know that those imprisoned in the “Hanoi Hilton”, as they called it, were severely tortured so the videos are almost laughable.

The prison is most definitely worth a visit but may be difficult for small children to see and comprehend.

Hours: Daily from 8 am until 5 pm
Entrance Fee: 30,000 VND/person


3. Sip a Cocktail at the Metropole Hotel

For a taste of Vietnam’s French colonial era, stop by the Hanoi Metropole Hotel. Originally named the Grand Hotel Métropole when it was opened in 1901, this luxury Hanoi hotel has hosted scores of celebrities and heads of state over its lifetime, including Charlie Chaplin and Bill Clinton. It was also a favorite haunt of Anthony Bourdain.

It’s worth visiting the colonial hotel just to marvel at its French colonial architecture, but we also highly recommend the drinks at the Metropole’s cocktail bar, the Angelina. Happy hour is every day from 4-6 pm. You can try their creative cocktails for just 120k VND while surrounded by history!


4. Drink Bia Hơi

Thing To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Drink Bia Hoi at Beer Corner

Bia hơi (beer hoi) is a Vietnamese beer that is brewed and delivered to various bars daily. And, because of its brief fermentation period, the final product is only about 3% alcohol. So it is a refreshing, easy-to-drink lager that is extremely cheap! A pint will run you about 13,000 VND (~.50 USD), about half of what you’ll pay for a can of Bia Hanoi.

Beer hoi used to flow in abundance on “beer corner” on Tạ Hiện street in the old quarter. Unfortunately, now these bars serve only standard domestic beers and a handful of craft beers because of the higher profit margins. It’s worth spending an evening or two drinking at one of the many bars on “beer corner” anyway because it’s one of the liveliest spots in the city!

Thing To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Drink Bia Hoi

Keep your eye out for the Bia hơi signs at street-side bars around the city. The bars are generally quite simple – a few plastic tables set out on the street and a lot of drunk Vietnamese men.

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5. Check out St. Joseph’s Cathedral

Things To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: St. Joseph's Cathedral

As you gaze upon the massive St. Joseph’s Cathedral, you may feel quite certain that you’ve seen it before. That’s probably because the double bell tower style is similar to the Notre Dame in Paris.  Construction of the cathedral began in 1886, making it the oldest church in Hanoi.

Mass is conducted at St. Joseph’s several times throughout the day. On Sunday evenings at 6 pm, it can get so crowded that people spill out onto the streets.

Visitors can enter for free but the cathedral’s opening hours can vary by day. It is often closed for lunch around the noon hour.


6. See a Water Puppet Show

This is not your typical puppet show. Dating back to the 11th century, these performances originated from puppet shows performed by villagers in waist-deep water when the rice paddy fields were flooded. The location has changed but the traditions remain the same. These beautiful puppets are accompanied by an orchestra and folk tale storytelling to enthrall guests of all ages. It’s an especially good activity for a trip to Vietnam with kids.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is the most popular place to watch a show in Hanoi. There are five daily shows at 3 pm, 4:10 pm, 5:20 pm, 6:30 pm, and 8 pm. Tickets cost 100,000 VND/person.

Pro Tip: Book your tickets to the water puppet show in advance so you can skip the ticket line!

Buy Tickets for the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater


7. Sample the Local Cuisine

Hanoi, Vietnam: What to Eat and Where to Eat it - Bún Chả

There are so many delicious restaurant options around Hanoi that it can be difficult to decide which one to choose. But there is one place in particular that you cannot miss – Bún Chả Hương Liên.

Not only do they serve arguably the best bun cha in the city, but Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain ate here together during a visit to Hanoi in 2016. The second-floor table where they dined is now enshrined in plastic. It proudly displays a photo of the two of them dining together.

For only 85,000 VND (~$3.50), you can try the “Obama Combo” which was his preference during his visit. It’s a huge helping of bun cha and an ice-cold Hanoi beer.

Hanoi, Vietnam: What to Eat and Where to Eat it - Egg Coffee

Egg coffee is another classic Vietnamese specialty to try in Hanoi. You can find it all over the country but it owes its origins to the north. Made from egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk, and coffee, this will probably be the most decadent cup of coffee you’ll ever have. Enjoy a cup of it at the famous Giảng Cafe or, if you’re brave, opt for an “egg beer”.

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8. Eat Snake

Things To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Eat Snake in Le Mat

About five miles east of the center of the city is the perfect place to sample a local delicacy, snake. The locals that live in Le Mat snake village have been hunting and catching snakes for generations as they believe the snakes should be eaten by men to increase their strength and virility. The area is now filled with restaurants catering to both locals and foreigners.

Our restaurant of choice was The Hung Snake Restaurant, owned by a hilariously entertaining man named Dragon whose motto is “happiness first, money second”.

Things To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Drink Snake Wine
“Dragon” showing off his snake wine

You’ll start your meal (well, it’s really more of an experience) by selecting the type of snake that you’d like to eat. You can choose to view the killing and cooking experience if you’d like, or just wait at your table if you’d rather not. They will present the live snake to you, and then swiftly whip the snake on the ground to kill it. They’ll then remove the heart and drain the blood – both of which will be mixed with rice wine for you to enjoy.

And finally, you’ll be served an enormous meal of snake egg soup, grilled snake, snake spring rolls, sauteed snake meat, fried snake bones, crispy snakeskin, sticky rice steamed in snake fat, and snake porridge, just to name a few of the dishes. Snake is actually really tasty – it’s lean and tastes a bit like chicken.

Read everything you need to know before eating snake in Le Mat here!

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Eating Snake in Hanoi, Vietnam: Everything You Need to Know

9. Stroll Around Hoàn Kiếm Lake

Thing To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Hoa Kim Lake at Night

Hoàn Kiếm Lake seems to be the “social heart” of Hanoi. Tourists love to visit the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple, locals love to join exercise classes on its banks, and children love zooming by on their tiny motorized cars. It’s a relaxing place to go for an afternoon stroll or an early morning jog as it feels a bit removed from the hectic city. The streets are closed to car traffic on Saturdays and Sundays. It makes it an even more enjoyable place to spend an afternoon.

Stop and try an egg coffee at Cafe Đinh on the north end of the lake – it’s some of the best in the city!


10. Check out the Old Quarter

Thing To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Propaganda Posters in the Old Quarter

The Old Quarter of Hanoi is a hub for tourists as it is packed with hotels, shops, bars, and restaurants. Even if you don’t stay in the Old Quarter, you’ll find that you end up there regularly.

Be sure to have a look up while wandering around. It can be difficult as you’ll be avoiding the motorbikes filling the sidewalks, but the old, colonial-style buildings are quite charming. The shop-houses are very narrow and long (to avoid paying a high tax rate) and generally have a small shop in the front with multiple families residing in the rest of the space.

The Old Quarter is a great place to pick up souvenirs for friends and family members back home during your trip to Hanoi.


11. Wander Along the Train Tracks

Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Train Street at Night

While visiting the Old Quarter of Hanoi, be sure to check out the train tracks, or the “Hanoi Train Street” as it is popularly called. This narrow stretch of the alleyway is full of people going about their daily life – laundry is drying, children playing, and small shops selling goods are open for business. Then a few times a day the train passes, seemingly so close to both the people and the buildings, and the locals seem completely unphased.

Wander along the tracks and then stop for a coffee or a beer at the Dau Ma, along the stretch of railway between Tong Duy Tan and Pho Ton That Thiep streets. They have seating inside or a nice rooftop space just across the tracks.


12. Shop at the Dong Xuan Market

Thing To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Dong Xuan Market

The Dong Xuan Market has four stories of treasures and is Hanoi’s largest indoor market. And it doesn’t cater specifically to tourists. Vendors are selling everything from fresh produce to household appliances to clothing and everything in between. Tourists will love exploring the countless stalls on the lower level filled with reasonably priced souvenirs and knock-off shoes and purses.

The second floor is filled with miles and miles of fabric in every texture and color. It’s the ideal place to buy fabric to get something custom-made by one of the many tailors in town.

Hours: Daily from 6 am until 7 pm


13. Get Something Tailored

While Hoi An is considered the most popular town in Vietnam to get something tailored, Hanoi may be the cheapest. Jade Tailor is a small shop down an alleyway just a short drive from the old quarter. The owner can speak English and is super responsive via Facebook messages. She has a few fabric options available in the shop, or you can head to Dong Xuan Market for a plethora of options. Plan on waiting about a week for your custom creation to be complete.

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14. Go Shopping at the Weekend Night Market

Thing To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Shopping at the Night Market

The Hanoi night market is held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night from 6 pm until about 11 pm. It runs from Hang Dao Street to Dong Xuan Market and is almost two miles in length. Here you’ll find stalls offering everything from knock-off handbags, clothing for both men and women, souvenirs, electronics, food, and everything in between. It’s a popular place for both locals and foreigners to wander around, browsing the goods.


15. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Thing To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh was a beloved leader of Vietnam and is known by the locals as “Uncle Ho”. He was very active in politics in Vietnam – he was a Vietnamese Communist revolutionary leader, a Prime Minister, and was President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) until his death in 1969. Communist forces seized control of Saigon in 1975 and renamed the city Ho Chi Minh City in his honor.

Uncle Ho’s request was to be cremated upon his death but against his wishes, his body was embalmed and a marble mausoleum was erected to house his body. Visitors may visit the mausoleum to pay tribute to the man who was so influential in shaping Vietnam’s future.

During your visit, be sure to dress modestly – shorts, tank tops, and hats are not permitted. You may be requested to store your belongings before you enter and photography is strictly prohibited once inside. Go early if you want to avoid waiting in line.

The mausoleum generally closes from September 4 to November while his embalmed body undergoes maintenance.


16. Go for a Cruise in Halong Bay

Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise: Junk Boat

Halong Bay is located about 110 miles east of Hanoi (three hours by car) and is arguably one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. Most tourists visit Halong Bay for just one night but we would recommend spending at least two in this beautiful region of the country.

Read all about how to select the best Halong Bay cruise here!

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Guide to Halong Bay, Vietnam: How to Choose the Best Cruise

17. Go Trekking in Sapa

Things To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Go Trekking in Sapa

Probably the second most popular tourist activity in Vietnam is to go trekking through the Lao Cai region (known more commonly as Sapa), about 200 miles north of Hanoi. And for good reason. Northern Vietnam is strikingly beautiful and remote with terraced rice paddies as far as the eye can see and local tribal people going about their daily chores in traditional attire.

As tourism has increased over the years, so has the infrastructure of the area. The town of Sapa is now filled with hotels, shops, restaurants, and bars. You’ll also find that you are frequently hassled by Hmong women wearing thick jackets colored from indigo who want you to purchase their wares.

Tourists looking for a more authentic experience generally prefer to stay in Tả Van, a 45-minute taxi ride from Sapa (which will cost about 200,000 VND for two people or 250,000 VND for four). Keep in mind that the road may be impassable if there have been heavy rains.

There is no need to book a tour in Hanoi. You will be surrounded by Hmong women offering you their tour guiding services as soon as you get off the bus. Or you can contact our good friend A Hang Thi via Facebook directly. She grew up in a Hmong village, speaks perfect English, and is hilariously entertaining!

Getting There: From Hanoi, you can take a bus or hire a driver to Sapa. The Sapa Express bus is the most popular as it is comfortable and generally leaves on time. You can choose the 7 am bus with seats or the later times that offer beds. We found the seated option to be far more comfortable than the beds, especially for people who are tall or who have mobility issues.

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18. Take a Trip to Ninh Binh

Things To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: Visit Ninh Binh & Tam Coc

The Ninh Binh region is a gorgeous area filled with towering limestone pillars and lush green rice paddies about 60 miles south of Hanoi. You can do this as a day trip if you’re short on time or spend a few nights in a bungalow and take your time exploring the area. The most popular activity is to take a relaxing boat ride through several underwater caves. You’ll love getting lost on the quiet back roads on your motorbike in this tranquil, remote paradise.

Read all about planning a trip to Ninh Binh and Tom Coc!

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Planning a trip to Vietnam? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!


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About the Author:

  • Valerie Wheatley

    Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag.

    Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her!

    These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

2 thoughts on “18 Best Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam”

  1. Bea Adventurous

    This is brilliant Diana!
    I love how you’ve provided us more than just a list and gave us extras like how to get there, ways to get around and even language lessons!

    I miss Hanoi and cant wait to get back and do a few more things from this list I didn’t get around to doing! Thanks 🙂

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