Vietnam is mostly famous for its wonderful nature all around the country. However, its capital has endless activities and it’s important to know the best things to do in Hanoi before heading to the city.
Hanoi is quite a chaotic city and not everyone is ready to spend a long time there. For this reason, 4 days are enough to see the best of Hanoi. From the best areas to stay, the best free tours in Hanoi, and the important attractions, we’ve got you covered. Make sure to read until the end to know the best things to do in Hanoi but also to reach the best places in Vietnam from here.
1 USD = 23,000 VND
Wander Around Hanoi Old Quarter
Be sure to pay a visit to the Old Quarter. It’s the backpacker’s hub of Hanoi, but you’ll also see luxurious hotels, amazing architecture, and endless activities. With many buildings and offices, but also theaters, markets, and restaurants, you’ll certainly find something to enjoy. Just remember to be careful: there are so many people that you may find yourself walking through traffic!
Hanoi Opera House
To get your fill of culture, stop by the Hanoi Opera House. It’s the biggest theater in Vietnam and, undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful, its French influences obvious to anyone familiar with the history of Vietnam. In addition to opera, it also serves as a place for ballet and symphonies, so definitely check out the posters to see if there’s something you like.
Opening Times: 8:00 – 23:00
Entrance Fee: Ticket prices start from 300,000₫
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Modeled after the Lenin’s mausoleum in Moscow, this is the final resting place of one of the most popular and loved Vietnamese leaders that goes under the nickname of “Uncle Ho”. Be ready to stand in the line of locals and tourists wanting to see this former president; this is not something you get to do every day!
Opening Times: Tuesday-Thursday 7:30 – 10:30; Saturday-Sunday 7:30 – 11:00
Entrance Fee: Free, but you’re expected to give a small donation.
Relax at Hoàn Kiêm Lake
If you’re on the lookout for peaceful places, Hoàn Kiếm Lake should make it to the top of your list of things to see in Hanoi. You can walk around, enjoying the quiet, have a picnic in a cool shaded spot under a tree, or watch the locals do yoga, greeting the new day. Enjoy a welcome break from the busy city life.
Join a Vietnamese Street Food Tour
Follow the guide to the tastiest spots in town to discover the true flavor of Hanoi. Start off with a rice noodle soup, satisfy your sweet tooth with Vietnamese pancakes, and maybe work your way up to the snails – who knows what you’ll like?
Standard Time: A half-day tour can be taken in the afternoon or evening.
Standard Price: Starting from 660,000₫
Tran Quoc Pagoda
A 15-meter red tower standing tall on a green island in the middle of the lake – this is Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi. Exuding tranquility, it’s a great spot to get closer to the spiritual side of Hanoi.
Opening Times: 7:30 – 18:00
Entrance Fee: Free
Catch the Train at Hanoi Train Street
It’s a regular narrow street in between rows of houses; only twice a day people grab their things and scurry inside to let a train go through. Locals watching absolutely unfazed as the train hurries by mere inches away from their houses is probably one of the most unique things you’ll ever see.
Opening Times: Trains pass every day.
Mon-Fri: 7 pm to 10 pm
Weekend: 6 am to 11 pm
Lotte Tower Observation Deck
If you’re unsure what else to do in Hanoi, try looking at it from the skies. Standing on the observation deck with glass walls and floors is like floating among the clouds, and there’s no better view of the city than from the 65th floor.
Opening Times: 9:30 – 22:00
Entrance Fee: From 90,000₫ depending on age and time of day.
Bach Ma Temple
Translating to “White Horse”, the animal that, according to legend, helped build it, Bach Ma is the oldest temple in Hanoi. The red and gold interior hides a shrine to Confucius, and you can leave offerings to the four seasons at the Phoenix Altar. Another way to lean into your spiritual side.
Opening Times: 7:00 – 17:00
Entrance Fee: Free
Visit the Temple of Literature
Hidden in the green gardens, the Temple of Literature was originally built as a university at the beginning of the 11th century. Hundreds of years have passed, but it still stands as a memorial to education, encouraging people to keep learning and honor its graduates.
Morever, there is also a temple inside that really deserves to be visited. Last but not least, the quietness inside will keep you far from the chaos of Hanoi.
Opening Times: 8:30 am to 11:30 am – 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm daily
Entrance Fee: 30,000₫ for adults, children under 15 are free
Take a Day Trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi
Treat yourself to a relaxing day by visiting Halong Bay. Get on a boat and float around from island to island, basking in the sun and admiring the postcard-like scenery, and watch your worries disappear in the green-blue water.
I personally joined a tour from Hanoi and stayed there for a few hours. However, you can also join an overnight trip and sleep on the boat. In addition, please bear in mind that scams are very common so keep your money close.
See a list of cruises in Halong Bay here for the full breakdown!
Shop at Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi
Go from floor to floor, watching locals do their grocery shopping, passing flower stands, getting lost in the souvenir section, and finally settling in the dining area. A shopping experience doesn’t get any more authentic than this.
Dong Xuan Market Opening Times: 6:00 am – 7:00 pm daily
Ngoc Son Temple
Called “Temple of the Jade Mountain”, Ngoc Son Temple stands in the middle of Hoàn Kiếm Lake, easily reached by the red Rising Sun bridge. The temple is surrounded by many legends, giving it a mysterious air, but it’s not all bad: if you see a turtle during your time on the island, it’s a sign of luck.
Opening Times: 8:00 – 18:00
Entrance Fee: 30,000₫ for adults, children are free
Ho Chi Minh Museum
If you want to learn more about the former Prime Minister and President Uncle Ho, this is the place for you. The museum follows his life as the leader of the Vietnamese, offering detailed descriptions of each part of his life, and you can see various artifacts from that era (mid 20th century).
Ho Chi Minh Museum Opening Times: 8:30 to 11:30 – 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm daily – Closed on Mondays and Fridays
Entrance Fee: 10,000₫
Vietnam Military History Museum
Wars hold an important place in the history of Vietnam, and one of the best things to do in Hanoi is to learn about them. The Museum holds a collection of war relics, commemorating the fight against the French and the American forces, and stories of the former soldiers, describing the events unfolded in front of their very eyes.
Vietnam Military History Museum Opening Times: 8:30 to 11:30 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Entrance Fee: 30,000₫
Hanoi Night Market
Lose yourself under the bright lights and between the colorful roadside stalls at the weekend night market. Even if you’re not looking to buy anything, it’s worth wandering around, getting some street food, and stopping to watch a performance to get your fill of the local culture.
Hanoi Night Market Opening Times: Friday-Sunday from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Hoa Loa Prison
Another place to immerse yourself in heavy Vietnamese history. While many managed to escape Hoa Loa Prison, it’s still a memorial for the gruesome experiences that the Vietnamese people went through, and one of the most shocking relics is the French guillotine used to execute the political prisoners.
Hoa Loa Prison Opening Times: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily
Entrance Fee: 30,000₫ for adults, children enter for free
Join a Day Trip to Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh has one of the most spectacular sceneries in Vietnam and is definitely worth a visit. You can hike through the endless yellow-green fields surrounded by forests, explore caves hidden in the Red River Delta, or take a boat trip to take in the landscapes from the best place possible.
I personally took the train from Hanoi to Tam Coc, paying a few dollars and reaching the city in 2 hours. I boarded a boat and the journey was simply out of this world. From going through caves, stopping by temples, and even by King Kong’s movie set, you’re going to love it.
With its unique scenery, the boat ride, and the beautiful caves, joining a tour to Ninh Binh is one of the best things to do in Hanoi.
To be honest, I found Ninh Binh to be much more enjoyable than Halong Bay. To sum up, if you want to discover the best views Vietnam has to offer, Ninh Binh is the right place. If you want to know more about Ninh Binh, make sure to check the video below.
Entrance Fee: Boat rides cost 120,000₫ per person
Go On a Free Tour Around Hanoi Old Quarter
They say that the best things in life are free, so why not test this theory by taking a free tour around Hanoi. A guide will lead you through all the best places, including but not limited to the Old Quarter, the Dong Xuan Market, and the Quan Chuong City Gate. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so prepare your most comfortable shoes!
Hanoi City Tour Times: Tours take place in the morning and afternoon and last from 3 to 6 hours.
Thăng Long Imperial Citadel
This ancient site allows for a glance into the history of ancient Vietnam, displaying artifacts that date as far back as the 6th century, which includes ceramics, coins, and even the foundations of old palaces. If you want to know what modern Vietnam is built on, this is definitely a place to visit.
Thăng Long Imperial Citadel Opening Times: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily
Entrance Fee: 30,000₫
Quán Sứ Pagoda
The pagoda, resting underneath lush trees, is the epitome of peace and tranquility. It has an interesting tradition of making wax statues of former monks, arranging them as if they are praying, and it’s good to remember that they’re very realistic-looking. Last but not least, it now serves as the Headquarter of the Vietnam Buddhism Association, and it’s the perfect place to rest and gather your thoughts.
Opening Times: 7:30 to 11:30 – 1:30 pm to 5:30
Entrance Fee: Free
Enjoy the Nightlife at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square
Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square is the heart of the Hanoi nightlife, a lively bright place busting with bars, restaurants, and markets to indulge in eating, drinking, or some late night shopping. If Hanoi doesn’t sleep at night, why should you?
Quan Chuong City Gate
Quan Chuong City Gate, a grand stone arch towering above busy passersby, is a piece of ancient history right in the middle of modern and busy Hanoi. Formerly a fully functional city gate with a drawbridge and watchtowers, it is now a monument commemorating the constant fight against foreign invaders, reminding locals and tourists alike to honor history in order not to repeat it.
Try Egg Coffee
A unique coffee recipe, created in the 1940s due to the lack of dairy products. The first creation had nothing but coffee and egg yolk instead of milk, but now you’ll get an interesting mix of egg yolks, coffee, sugar, and condensed milk that leaves the drink with a thick layer of froth on top.
Lastly, served hot or iced, it’s perfect in any weather!
More Vietnam Travel Guides
- All Vietnam Travel Guides
- Best Things to Do in Vietnam
- Awesome Things to Do in Hoi An
- Best Things to Do in Da Nang, Vietnam
- Amazing things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
- Plan the Perfect 3-Day Hoi An Itinerary
- Plan The Perfect 5-Day Da Nang Itinerary
- Plan the Perfect 7-Day Central Vietnam Itinerary
- Dragon Bridge in Da Nang: Visitors’ Guide
- Ba Na Hills Tour – Complete Travel Guide
- Da Nang Cathedral – Visitors’ Guide
- Lady Buddha in Da Nang – Visitors’ Guide
- How to Travel From Da Nang to Hoi An
