25+ Best Things to Do in Hanoi, Vietnam For First Timers

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Hanoi is one of those cities that sweeps you up from the moment you arrive. The chaotic streets full of motorbikes, the scent of steaming bowls of pho on every street corner, and the blend of French colonial architecture with ancient temples make it an absolute dream for travelers who love culture and character.

I spent a couple of weeks exploring Hanoi, and every day I found something new that made me fall more in love with Hanoi. Whether you’re here for a quick stop or planning to slow travel your way through Vietnam, Hanoi deserves some time on your itinerary. There’s so much to do, see, and taste here.

In this guide, I’ll take you through almost 30 of the very best things to do in Hanoi, with personal tips, practical info, and a few recommendations for tours and experiences.

The list of things to do and places to explore in Hanoi is very long, so I’ve decided to divide it up into different groups. First comes the must see sights in and around the Old Quarter, then various temples you need to visit, later on some not to be missed experiences around Hanoi in general, and lastly the top museums I recommend checking out. If you want everything planned out for you, then check out my post on how to spend 2 days in Hanoi.

The Top Things to Do in and around Old Quarter in Hanoi

Wander the Old Quarter

The beating heart of Hanoi is its Old Quarter, a maze of streets where each alley is dedicated to a different craft or trade. You’ll find everything from silk shops to metalworkers, and of course, endless street food vendors. The chaos here is what makes it so charming. I came back here countless times to explore or to just grab some local food.

The area isn’t huge so if you don’t have much time in Hanoi you can easily see what you need in an afternoon, but I found it so fascinating so I kept coming back again and again.

Ta Hien Street (Beer Street)

For nightlife, nothing beats Ta Hien Street. It’s packed with tiny plastic stools, cheap beer, and an amazing atmosphere that lasts well into the night. The street is located in the middle of the Old Quarter and you honestly can’t miss it.

Take a Cyclo Ride Around the Old Quarter

A cyclo (three-wheeled rickshaw) ride is a fun way to slowly take in the Old Quarter streets without worrying about traffic. Negotiate the price beforehand — around 150,000 VND (~$6) per hour is a fair price.

Hidden Rooftop Cafés with Lake Views

Hanoi’s rooftops are some of the best places to escape the chaos below. There are so many great ones around Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake. My favorites were Skyline Hanoi and Solar Sky Bar in Old Quarter and The Summit Bar around West Lake. Come for sunset or later in the evening to see Hanoi city all litt up.

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Right in the middle of the city and close to the Old Quarter, you’ll find Hoan Kiem Lake where locals come for morning tai chi or evening strolls. At its center lies the pretty Ngoc Son Temple, accessible by a bright red wooden bridge. You can set aside some time to wander around the lake or just admire it from the end of the Old Quarter.

Tip: Come early in the morning to see the lake at its most peaceful.

Weekend Night Market

On weekends, parts of the Old Quarter transforms into a buzzing night market with stalls selling everything from clothes to souvenirs and tons of street food. I’ve never seen so many cool stalls with fun stuff and it felt like every local was there with their family getting sweets and a toy for their kid. It was a really cool experience that I highly recommend.

It’s open from 7PM to 12PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday and it’s a definite must visit if you’re in Hanoi any of those days.

Go cafè hopping in the city

Hanoi has so many cute cafés to explore. So if you want somewhere to rest your legs during a full day of exploring or if you’re traveling for a longer time and need a place to work from, you won’t have any trouble finding a cute spot.

A nice spot is the Note cafe overlooking Hoan Kiem lake where you can write a cute note and hang on their walls. A couple other favorites with cute aesthetics and good drinks are Fika, The Running Bean and Giao Mùa Coffee shop.

You also need to test out the famous egg coffee at Café Giang. Hanoi is the birthplace of egg coffee (cà phê trứng), a creamy concoction you can get in a huge variety of flavors! I don’t drink coffee, but i tried the one with cocoa and coconut and thought it tasted pretty good. It’s quite filling so I wasn’t able to finish it, but would definitely recommend giving it a try. They sell this at multiple locations, but Café Giang, a tiny spot hidden down an alley, is where it all began.

Café hopping in Hanoi

Cooking Class or Street Food Tour

The best way to discover Hanoi’s food scene is with a local guide who takes you to hidden spots you’d never find on your own. Vietnam is after all famous for their food, so I highly advise you to book either a street food tour or a cooking class to try some local cuisine.

Best Food Tours in Hanoi

Small Group Hanoi Street Food Tour with a Real Foodie

Hanoi Cooking Class: Culture, Tales, Local Market, Free Pick-Up

Hanoi Motorbike Tours Led By Women: Hanoi By Night Foodie Motorbike Tours

Water Puppet Show

This traditional art form dates back to the 11th century, and Hanoi is the best place to watch it. Puppeteers hidden behind a screen make wooden puppets dance on water, telling folk tales with live music. It’s a pretty popular tourist attraction in Hanoi, but honestly it didn’t sound like my thing so I skipped it and therefore can’t give any honest reviews for this one. However, many people seem to think its a must when visiting Hanoi.

Book tickets for the water puppet show in advance here

St. Joseph’s Cathedral

This neo-gothic church feels like it was plucked straight from Paris. It’s especially beautiful at night when the façade is lit up, and you’ll often find locals sipping tea at the street cafés nearby. I didn’t get to go inside and explore because it was closed, but I’ve heard it’s lovely inside as well. If you’re hungry before or after visiting the Cathedral I can highly recommend The Running Bean right around the corner. They have some amazing breakfast or lunch options.

Explore the French Quarter

South of Hoan Kiem Lake lies the French Quarter, with wide boulevards, luxury hotels, and elegant buildings like the Hanoi Opera House. If you want a break from the chaos of the Old Quarter, this area feels more refined and peaceful. There’s not really anything specific to see here, so if you're short on time I wouldn’t prioritize it, but if you just want to see another side of Hanoi, this is a great place to wander aimlessly and explore. The area has tons of really good, but slightly more pricy restaurants.

Best Temples to visit in Hanoi

Quan Thanh Temple

Quan Thanh Temple dates back to the 11th century and is dedicated to Tran Vu, the God of the North. The temple is known for its striking white facade, intricate carvings, and peaceful courtyard. Inside you’ll find a massive black bronze statue of Tran Vu, which weighs nearly four tons and is considered a masterpiece of Vietnamese casting.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

Just a short walk from the Quan Thanh Temple, lies Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi. Set on a small island in West Lake, it’s instantly recognizable by its tall, red-brick facade that reflects beautifully on the water. At sunset, the lake glows golden around the pagoda, making it one of the most photogenic spots in the city.

Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu)

Built in 1070, this temple was Vietnam’s first university and remains one of Hanoi’s most beautiful historical sites. There are lots of beautiful structures, gardens and smaller exhibitions to explore, so set aside enough time to walk through the area.

It’s quite popular so I would opt to visit it in the morning or closer to their closing time to avoid the biggest crowds.

Temple of Literature

The One Pillar Pagoda

The One Pillar Pagoda is another of Hanoi’s most iconic landmarks, and perhaps its most unique. Built in 1049, the pagoda was designed to resemble a lotus flower rising gracefully from the water. The Temple is located inside the secured area for the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, so if you’re heading to one, make sure to visit both.

Experiences and sights you can’t miss in Hanoi

Train Street

Watching the train squeeze past houses and coffee shops just inches from people’s doorsteps is one of Hanoi’s most thrilling experiences. Grab a coffee or drink at one of the bars lining the tracks and watch as the train runs through. I went to a couple of different spots, but honestly I found them all to be pretty good so I have no favorite. Just wander along the tracks and grab a spot you like.

You can enter from both the southern and the northern side. The southern side is less popular, which will give you more space and less people trying to sell you stuff. I preferred this when visiting during the daytime. The northern entrance is more lit up with lanterns and lights which makes it really pretty at night, but it’s also a lot more crowded and chaotic.

The train schedule changed daily and I couldn’t find any reliable info online so I just went there and asked. The only pattern I could find is that there is usually a couple of trains in the morning, then there is a a long pause between 3PM to 7PM and after that there was usually a train around 7PM, 9PM and the last one at 10PM.

However, this might of course change depending on season. One time I went, the 10PM train was cancelled so don’t make the mistake of saving it for the last train if you only have one shot at seeing it.

Northern & Southern side of Train Street, Hanoi

Dong Xuan Market

Hanoi’s biggest indoor market is where locals shop for clothes, household items, and cheap eats. It’s chaotic but worth a wander. If you want to go shopping without spending too much or just want to see more of the daily life of the locals, this is a great spot for people watching.

Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this citadel was the political center of Vietnam for centuries. You’ll find ancient gates, archaeological sites, and relics dating back over 1,000 years.

This was one of the places I was most surprised about because I didn’t read that much about it before visiting and absolutely fell in love with it! A big plus was that there were hardly any tourists there. Of course some, but compared to other places I went in Hanoi it felt like we almost had it to ourselves.

The area is huge so make sure to set aside enough time to explore it. I spent almost three hours here, and probably could’ve spent even more. You might not need that much, but I like to take my time.

Explore Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural

Stretching for nearly 4 miles, this Guinness World Record-holding mural runs along the Red River dike. It’s colorful, quirky, and makes for a unique walk or motorbike ride. You will also most likely spot it on your way to or from the city as it runs along the main road.

Hanoi Flag Tower (Cột cờ Hà Nội)

Another iconic landmark is the Flag Tower, built in 1812 as part of the citadel. Climb up for views of Ba Đình Square and the Military History Museum grounds.

The Flag Tower is inside the Citadel area, but behind the entrance, so if you don’t know it’s in there you’ll probably skip it. If you want to climb it, make sure to go to the right after the entrance and you’ll find it. This will save you having to walk all the way back after exploring the Citadel area.

Lenin Park

Across from the Flag Tower, you’ll find a lively park where locals gather for morning exercises, skating, and picnics. It’s not anything special, and its not worth going if you’re not headed to the Citadel and Flag Tower, but it’s a great spot to people-watch if you’re in the area.

Hanoi Botanical Garden (Vườn Bách Thảo Hà Nội)

Behind the Presidential Palace, you’ll find a peaceful green escape. The botanical gardens in Hanoi are home to ancient trees, quiet lakes, and jogging paths, so it's perfect both for those who want a place to just relax or if you’re looking for a spot to run in the mornings.

Best Museums in Hanoi

Vietnamese Women’s Museum

This museum does a fantastic job of showcasing the role of women in Vietnamese history and culture, from traditional crafts to wartime contributions.

Hoa Lo Prison (“Hanoi Hilton”)

Once a French colonial prison and later used during the Vietnam War, Hoa Lo offers a sobering look into the country’s history.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Whether or not you’re into politics, this site is important to understanding modern Vietnam. Inside lies the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, the country’s revolutionary leader. I recommend coming right before it closes so you can see the outside when it lights up at night.

Remember to dress modestly, I wore a dress I thought covered my knees but was denied entrance and had to buy a pair of pants around the corner to get in. So learn from my mistake.

Vietnamese Military History Museum

If you’re into history, this museum showcases Vietnam’s military struggles, complete with tanks and aircraft on display outside.

Fine Arts Museum (Bảo tàng Mỹ thuật Việt Nam)

This underrated museum showcases Vietnamese art from ancient sculptures to modern paintings. It’s a quiet escape from the city buzz.

Vietnamese Ethnology Museum

This museum is excellent for learning about Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, with exhibits both indoors and outdoors (including traditional stilt houses you can walk into).

Where to Stay in Hanoi

If you don’t have long in Hanoi, your best bet is to base yourself in the Old Quarter. However, if you want some other choices, you can read my full guide of the different areas here.

Little Charm Hanoi Hostel ($20 per night)

A backpacker favorite, this hostel feels more like a boutique hotel with its stylish design and clean dorms. There’s even a pool, which is rare in the Old Quarter. It’s social without being a wild party spot, making it a great choice for solo travelers.

Bespoke Trendy Hotel ($100 per night)

This mid-range hotel is a gem, with beautifully designed rooms, friendly staff, and an excellent in-house spa. It’s modern but still feels very Vietnamese, making it a cozy base to retreat to after exploring the chaos outside.

Sofitel Legend Metropole ($350 per night)

Staying here is like stepping back in time. This legendary hotel has hosted presidents, celebrities, and writers, and it oozes colonial-era charm. With fine dining, a stunning pool, and impeccable service, it’s a true Hanoi icon.

Final Thoughts: The Best Things to Do in Hanoi

Hanoi is a city you could spend weeks exploring and still find new surprises, it’s a place that truly has something for every traveler. If you’re planning your Vietnam adventure, make sure you give yourself enough time to experience Hanoi properly and hopefully you can use this guide as your starting point.

If you have any questions about Hanoi or traveling in Vietnam, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help you out!

-Ingrid