Things to Do in Hanoi for Tourists: What to See and When to Go

1. Where Is Hanoi?

Hanoi lies in northern Vietnam, in the Red River Delta, with farmland and fast-growing suburbs around it and both the sea and the mountains within reach. On a map, it is the easiest point from which to picture the whole country.

It also makes a practical base. Within a few hours you can reach Ha Long Bay (2.5 to 3.5 hours by road), Ninh Binh (about 2 hours) or the mountains of Sapa (5 to 6 hours) and Ha Giang, so a varied route never means long transfers.

Flights and trains link Hanoi to Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, which makes a north-to-south route easy: a direct flight to Ho Chi Minh City takes about 2 hours 10 minutes, the train 33 to 38 hours. For many international travelers, this is where a trip to Vietnam begins.

2. Is Hanoi Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially on a first trip to Vietnam. Many travelers find that Vietnamese identity feels strongest here: as the thousand-year-old capital and the historical and cultural heart of the country, Hanoi gathers much of the history, traditions and ways of life that shaped Vietnam.

Its appeal goes beyond monuments. Hanoi helps you understand Vietnam before you travel on, and it is the gateway to Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Sapa and Ha Giang. Plan at least one full day, ideally two to three, rather than treating it as a transit stop.

Hanoi at a Glance

Hanoi stands apart in Vietnam, with traditions, daily life and old streets that feel deeply Vietnamese. What stays with most visitors is how true to itself the city has remained, in its details, its habits and its pace. You discover Hanoi slowly; it does not put on a show.

3. Top Things to Do in Hanoi: The Sights Not to Miss

The top things to do in Hanoi are walking around Hoan Kiem Lake, exploring the Old Quarter, visiting the Temple of Literature, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex and Hoa Lo Prison, and seeing the Museum of Ethnology. A map of every site is at the end of this section.

Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Hoan Kiem Lake, the Lake of the Returned Sword, is the heart of central Hanoi. Legend says King Le Loi received a sacred sword from the Golden Turtle God to drive out invaders, then returned it to the turtle in this lake. The small Turtle Tower on its islet has become the emblem of the city.

The streets around the lake are where Hanoi exercises in the morning, strolls in the evening and snacks in between. On a second islet, reached by the red The Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple honors the turtle spirit and blends Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist beliefs.

Good to know: Ngoc Son Temple costs 50,000 VND (about $2) and opens from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, until 9:00 PM on weekends. The streets around the lake close to traffic from Friday evening to Sunday midnight, unless an official event suspends them.

Hanoi Old Quarter

The Hanoi's Old Quarter has lived from crafts and trade since the Ly dynasty in the 11th century, and it still carries the marks of that history. Its "36 streets and guilds" are named after the goods once sold there: Hang Trong rang with traditional drums, Hang Tre with bamboo work.

The goods have changed in many places, but the atmosphere has not. Four streets worth walking:

• Hang Ma: seasonal decorations for Christmas, Lunar New Year or the Mid-Autumn Festival; for many visitors, the most photogenic street in the quarter.
• Ta Hien: the well-known "beer street".
• Hang Dieu: a small street of local bamboo objects.
• Hang Quat: wooden stamps carved to order, an easy personalized gift.

Dong Xuan Market, built in 1889 during the French colonial period, is one of the oldest markets in Hanoi and worth a stop. Walking is the best way to explore; for a slower ride, take a 36 streets tour by cyclo and agree on the price and duration first.

Cultural Stops Inside the Old Quarter

Two addresses help you picture daily life in old Hanoi. The Heritage House at 87 Ma May Street, built in 1890, is one of the few traditional homes still preserved, with the narrow facade, inner courtyard and family-and-shop layout of an Old Quarter merchant house.

A few streets away, the Cultural and Art Center at 22 Hang Buom Street began as a community hall founded in 1803 by Guangdong merchants who settled in Hanoi to trade. It now hosts exhibitions and art events with Vietnamese and international artists.

Shopping for Souvenirs in Hanoi

For shopping, Dong Xuan Market covers souvenirs and everyday goods, the Old Quarter streets sell silk, lacquerware, ceramics and embroidery, and malls such as Lotte Center, Vincom Center and Aeon Mall handle fashion and electronics.

Hanoi Train Street

Train Street is one of the best-known places in Hanoi. In the residential lanes near the Old Quarter, the railway passes within touching distance of the houses, a layout inherited from the colonial era that gives the street its striking, vintage look. More details: Hanoi's Train Street.

It is not an official attraction and has no opening hours. Since 2019 the authorities have restricted access for safety reasons, and police sometimes block the track, especially on weekends and holidays. In practice, you enter through a cafe, whose staff tell you when the next train is due and where to stand. The busier section runs near the Old Quarter around Phung Hung Street; a quieter one lies further south, between Le Duan and Kham Thien.

Train Street divides people, and honestly, both sides have a point. A coffee a meter from a passing train is fun, but the touting at the busier end can wear you down. Check the train time with your hotel, sit for one drink, stay behind the line the staff show you, and leave if it starts to feel like a queue for a photo.

Hoa Lo Prison

At the end of the 19th century, facing growing Vietnamese resistance, the French expanded their police, reorganized the courts and built a network of prisons. Hoa Lo, opened in 1896 and called the "Maison Centrale", was one of the largest in Indochina. During the American War it held US pilots, who nicknamed it the "Hanoi Hilton".

Today the site tells the story of the Vietnamese revolutionaries held here, and of the sacrifice and resilience that kept their resistance alive.

Good to know: open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, with no lunch break. Tickets cost 50,000 VND (about $2) at the main gate, plus around 100,000 VND for an audio guide. The "Hoa Lo Sacred Night" evening tour runs on selected nights for about 90 minutes; book ahead and check the dates on https://www.facebook.com/hoaloprisonrelic/.

Read more: Hoa Lo Prison: A Witness to Vietnam's Colonial History. For more ideas nearby, see 15 Unusual Things to Do in Hanoi.

Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam), built in 1070 under King Ly Thanh Tong, combines a temple to Confucius and Confucian scholars with Quoc Tu Giam, Vietnam's first university.

Its stone turtles carry the 82 Doctors' Stelae, engraved with the names of those who passed the royal exams, a sign of how highly Vietnamese society has valued learning for centuries. The Khue Van Pavilion inside appears on the back of the 100,000 VND banknote.

On several evenings a week, a night tour lights up the courtyards around the "Essence of Learning" 3D mapping show.

Good to know: daytime entry costs 70,000 VND (about $2.75). The night tour runs from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, with mapping shows at 7:45 and 8:45 PM, for 299,000 VND (about $11.70); children from 1 m to 1.3 m pay 149,000 VND. Check which nights it runs on the official website: https://vanmieunighttour.com/

Hanoi has other famous temples too. You may also like: 11 Best Temples and Pagodas in Vietnam to Visit

Thang Long Imperial Citadel and the Hanoi Flag Tower

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel gathers relics of Vietnam's royal dynasties from 1010 onward, more than 13 centuries of history. Its old walls and quiet courtyards still carry the solemn air of a former capital, and UNESCO listed it as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2010.

The Hanoi Flag Tower, built in 1812, is the best-preserved structure of the citadel. A military lookout under the French, it stands on Dien Bien Phu Street, on the former grounds of the Vietnam Military History Museum, which moved to a larger site on Thang Long Avenue in late 2024. Inside the citadel, look for the underground command bunker from the American War.

Good to know: the central sector costs 100,000 VND (about $3.90) and opens from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Allow a few hours if you want to see the whole complex.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Complex

Close to the citadel, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex also includes the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Ho Chi Minh, founder of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, is revered as a national hero, and his body lies in a glass sarcophagus inside the grey granite mausoleum, open to visitors and pilgrims.

The Presidential Palace was once the residence of the Governor-General of Indochina, the museum traces the life of the man who changed the course of Vietnam's history, and the National Assembly building faces the square.

Good to know: entry is free. The mausoleum opens on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings only: 7:30 to 10:30 AM from April to October and 8:00 to 11:00 AM from November to March, 30 minutes longer on weekends. It also closes for about two months a year for preservation work (in 2026, from September 4 to November 2). Cover your shoulders and knees; bags are scanned and photos are not allowed inside.

In the same complex, the One Pillar Pagoda, first built in 1049 under King Ly Thai Tong, rests on a single pillar like a lotus rising from the water. It is free and takes only a few minutes.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and Other Museums

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology presents the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam through costumes, everyday objects, traditional homes and crafts, with explanations in English and regular craft demonstrations and water puppet shows. Many consider it the best museum in Hanoi, and in Vietnam.

Only have time for one museum? Make it this one. What sets it apart is the outdoor garden of full-size houses, from a Bahnar communal house to a Hmong home.

Good to know: open 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, closed on Mondays; tickets cost 40,000 VND (about $1.60) for adults, 20,000 VND for students and nothing for children under 15. The museum is in Cau Giay, west of the center, a Grab ride from the Old Quarter.

Other museums worth your time are the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, opposite the Temple of Literature; the Vietnamese Women's Museum, a short walk south of Hoan Kiem Lake near Hoa Lo Prison; and the new Vietnam Military History Museum on Thang Long Avenue. You might also like: Top 10 museums in Hanoi.

Tran Quoc Pagoda and West Lake

Tran Quoc Pagoda, on a small islet on the eastern shore of West Lake, is the oldest Buddhist pagoda in Hanoi. Its origins go back to the 6th century, and its 11-story stupa is one of the most photographed sights in the city. Nearby, Quan Thanh Temple is an old Taoist temple known for its large bronze statue of a guardian deity. Learn more: What to see at Tran Quoc?

Good to know: entry is free, but the gate closes at midday (open 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 1:30 to 6:00 PM). Cover your shoulders and knees; vendors at the entrance sell or rent sarongs.

West Lake itself, the largest lake in the city, is calmer than the center, and late afternoon suits it best. Take a Grab to Tran Quoc around 4 PM, then walk or cycle part of the shore as the sun goes down.

French Colonial Architecture and Long Bien Bridge

Hanoi keeps many buildings from the French period, now part of everyday city life: Long Bien Bridge, the Opera House, the Metropole Hotel, St. Joseph's Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. They recall a complex chapter of history and show European styles adapted to local conditions.

Built between 1898 and 1902, Long Bien Bridge was the first bridge across the Red River and still carries trains, motorbikes and pedestrians. Walk out from the Old Quarter side at sunset for the view over the river and the banana fields on the sandbank below. More details: Long Bien Bridge, Hanoi’s Iconic Landmark

Beyond the war stories, the French period also left traces in health care and education, a complex legacy that is often forgotten.

Map of Things to Do in Hanoi

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4. Places to Visit Around Hanoi

Around Hanoi, old villages where thousands of families keep long traditions make easy half-day or day trips. Duong Lam and the craft villages are the closest; Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa deserve a full day or, better, a night or more.

Duong Lam Ancient Village

About 50 km from Hanoi, Duong Lam village keeps traces of old Red River Delta architecture: a village gate, a communal house, pagodas and traditional laterite houses. Walk or cycle its laterite lanes, past scenes of daily life and fields of rice, cassava and corn, for a simple, quiet look at rural life in northern Vietnam.

Craft Villages Around Hanoi

Hanoi is surrounded by old craft villages, each once specialized in a trade, and some still work the way they always have. These are the best known:

• Bat Trang: linked to ceramics for more than five centuries, with fine pottery and earthenware. You can even shape your own piece.
• Dong Ho: known for its woodblock paintings and prints.
• Van Phuc: silk weaving workshops and skilled weavers.
• Quang Phu Cau Incense: a century-old tradition of incense making, with red and yellow sticks drying in bundles.

Day Trips to Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa

Ha Long Bay lies about 170 km from Hanoi, or 2.5 to 3.5 hours by road. Its limestone islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are best seen from a cruise, with kayaking and cave visits. A day trip is possible, but it means five to seven hours on the road for a few hours on the water. An overnight cruise makes more sense, and you wake up in the bay before the day boats arrive.

Tam Coc, in Ninh Binh, is about 100 km south of Hanoi, around 2 hours by road or a little more by train. A rowing boat on the Ngo Dong River passes through three caves, Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba, between limestone peaks and rice fields, and you can add the climb to the Mua Cave viewpoint or a bike ride through the fields. Find out more: Tam Coc, Vietnam: Guide to a Spectacular Boat Ride

Sapa, 5 to 6 hours northwest by expressway, is known for its rice terraces, its trekking and the ethnic minority communities of its valleys. It is too far for a day trip, so plan at least two nights. Check the transfer options: How to get from Hanoi to Sapa? Train, bus or limousine

The Hanoi 5 Gates Heritage Train to Bac Ninh

With half a day free, you can ride the "Hanoi 5 Gates" heritage train, launched in September 2025, from Hanoi Station to Tu Son in Bac Ninh. It stops at Long Bien Station for a look at the bridge, and a shuttle then takes passengers to Do Temple, dedicated to the Ly kings. The round trip takes about 3.5 hours, with folk music and Dong Ho painting on board; in spring 2026, tickets cost 550,000 to 750,000 VND (about $21.50 to $29.50). Departures change with the season, so ask us if you want it in your itinerary. See also: Overview of Vietnam Train Routes.

5. What to Do in Hanoi at Night

The best things to do in Hanoi at night are a water puppet show near Hoan Kiem Lake, The Quintessence of Tonkin outdoor show, a beer on Ta Hien Street and, from Friday to Sunday, the walking streets and night market of the Old Quarter. For more ideas, see Unmissable Night Tours in Hanoi.

Water Puppet Show

A water puppet show is one of the classic things to do in Hanoi. In this Red River Delta art, about a thousand years old, artists hidden behind a screen move wooden puppets across the water to tell legends, folk tales and episodes of national history, to live traditional music.

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, at 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, is 200 meters from Hoan Kiem Lake. Shows last about 50 minutes and cost 100,000 to 200,000 VND (about $4 to $8) depending on the seat; in September 2026 they started at 4:10, 5:20, 6:30 and 8:00 PM, with extra daytime shows on Sundays. Book tickets online a few days ahead in high season. More details: Vietnam Water Puppetry

The Quintessence of Tonkin Show

The Quintessence of Tonkin (Tinh Hoa Bac Bo) is a large outdoor show staged on water. Through village scenes, folk stories, light and music played on traditional instruments such as the dan tranh zither and the dan bau monochord, it retells rural life in northern Vietnam. The venue is outside central Hanoi, but a round-trip shuttle usually comes with the booking.

A colleague on our team found it well worth the trip. Having also seen the Hoi An Memories Show, she was more moved by this one, for its story, its staging and its atmosphere, while stressing that this is a personal impression. Website: https://www.facebook.com/thequintessenceoftonkin/

For something more traditional, the Cheo Theatre in Hanoi stages northern folk opera. Read more: 10 Must-See Shows and Circuses in Vietnam

Ta Hien Beer Street and the Weekend Night Market

Ta Hien Street, in the Old Quarter, is the center of Hanoi nightlife, lined with bars and restaurants serving Vietnamese beer. In the evening, tables and plastic stools spill into the street, and the whole quarter feels like one big terrace.

From Friday to Sunday evening, the walking streets around Hoan Kiem Lake open too, and a night market stretches along Hang Dao Street toward Dong Xuan Market, with street food, clothes and small souvenirs. Be wary of touts who stop you on the street and walk you into a bar, because drink prices in those places can climb fast. Pick a bar yourself and look at the menu before you sit down. Read more about Vietnamese beer.

Hanoi also works well for a family trip and as a starting point for the rest of the country. If you would like a tailor-made Vietnam tour planned around your family, contact us.

6. What to Eat and Drink in Hanoi

Eating your way through Hanoi, from street stalls to Michelin-listed restaurants, is a way into the local culture as much as a meal. Start with pho, bun cha, nem, banh cuon, cha ca La Vong, bun thang, bia hoi and egg coffee:

• Pho: the signature noodle soup of Vietnam, with beef or chicken, fresh herbs, bean sprouts and condiments.
• Bun cha: grilled marinated pork with rice vermicelli, fresh greens and a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
• Nem: small fried spring rolls filled with minced meat, shrimp, vegetables and spices.
• Banh cuon: thin steamed rice sheets filled with minced pork and mushrooms, served with a light sauce.
• Cha ca La Vong: marinated fish fried at the table with dill, spring onions and peanuts, eaten with rice noodles, herbs and a punchy sauce.
• Bun thang: rice vermicelli in a clear chicken broth, topped with shredded omelet, chicken and thin slices of pork sausage.
• Banh mi: the Vietnamese baguette sandwich, a quick snack on every corner.
• Bia hoi: a light draft beer brewed daily and served cold at street bars, the natural match for Vietnamese food.
• Ca phe trung: egg coffee, the Hanoi specialty of strong coffee, condensed milk and whipped egg yolk. Two addresses to remember: Cafe Giang, 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, and Cafe Dinh, 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, near Hoan Kiem Lake.

Learn more about the restaurants to try in Hanoi: 10 Best Restaurants and Places to Enjoy Cuisine in Hanoi [2026 UPDATED], and about the top Vietnamese dishes to try in each region.

Take a Street Food Tour

A street food tour is the easiest way to taste many dishes in one evening, with a local guide who takes you to small family stalls, each cooking one specialty, and explains what to order and how to eat it. If you book one, do it on your first evening rather than your last, so you know what to order for the rest of the trip. After that, a simple rule works well: eat where the stools are full of locals and the food is cooked in front of you.

7. How Many Days Do You Need in Hanoi?

Most travelers need two to three days in Hanoi. Two days cover the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature and the main food; four days allow a slower visit with museums, pagodas and a craft village. On a long layover, a short walk around the lake is still possible.

I would rather see two sights properly than six in a rush. Hanoi is at its best when you wander, eat where locals crowd and leave the afternoons open. It also works well as a base for the north, since many hotels will keep your luggage while you visit Ha Long Bay or Sapa.

A One-Day Route Through Hanoi

With only one day, start early, because the mausoleum opens in the morning only (and is closed on Mondays and Fridays):

• Morning: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda, then the Temple of Literature.
• Lunch: bun cha or pho near the Old Quarter.
• Afternoon: Hoa Lo Prison, then a walk through the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake, with a stop at Ngoc Son Temple.
• Evening: a water puppet show, then dinner and a drink around Ta Hien Street.

Check out our guide: One day in Hanoi: your COMPLETE guide (prices, tips & itineraries)

Getting Around Hanoi

Walking is the best way to see the Old Quarter, and from a hotel around Hoan Kiem or Ba Dinh many sights are within reach on foot. For longer rides, Grab cars and motorbikes are cheap and show the price before you book; metered taxis also work, while local buses are cheap but crowded and slow.

To cross the street, walk slowly and steadily so motorbikes can flow around you, and never stop or run suddenly. Renting a motorbike in the city on a first visit is not something I recommend. Hanoi traffic takes time to read, and from the back of a Grab bike you can actually look around.

Find more information for your trip:

• How to get around Vietnam? Ultimate Guide
• Train Travel in Vietnam: Complete Guide & Itineraries
• Things Not to Do in Vietnam

8. Best Time to Visit Hanoi

The best time to visit Hanoi is autumn, from September to November, when days are cool, dry and sunny. Spring is also pleasant, winter is cool and often grey, and summer is hot, humid and rainy. Still, Hanoi can be visited all year, and each season has its own atmosphere.

Final Thoughts

In short, Hanoi is the place to understand Vietnam's history and culture as one continuous story. Between old heritage and a daily life still rooted in tradition, it rewards a visit at any time of year.

We hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Hanoi. If you have questions or want to share your own experience, leave us a comment.

>>> Other places to see in northern Vietnam:

• Ha Giang: 6 Essential Things to Know Before You Go
• Bac Ha: 7 questions about the land of Northwest ethnic groups
• Cao Bang: Complete guide for a successful trip
• Halong Bay on Land: 7 Essential Questions Before You Go!
• Hanoi Weather in December: Temperature, Rain & Travel Tips