Hanoi Itinerary: How to Spend Three Incredible Days in Vietnam’s Capital
This curated Hanoi itinerary helps to break down what to see, do and eat in the city in three short days.
Vietnam’s capital is one of a kind.
A chaotic mess of honking cars and motorbikes, crumbling colonial buildings barely holding on, and the kind of street food smells that make you weak in the knees.
It’s the kind of place where every travel cliché about contrasts and contradictions rings true, and yet, somehow, it works.
It’s rapidly modernising but holds thousands of years of history within its streets. Overwhelmingly claustrophobic, especially in the tangled streets of the Old Quarter, it also hides pockets of tranquillity at places like Hoan Kiem Lake and the Temple of Literature.
It's gritty, it's loud, and it doesn’t care if you’re ready for it or not.
So, to help you be ready (coz, you’ll need it), we’ve curated the perfect three-day Hanoi itinerary.
Our itinerary helps to break down what to see, do and eat in the city in three short days (although we do recommend five days in the city if you can stretch your time!).
Personally curated based on our own experiences, the itinerary includes several excellent guided tours and takes in major Hanoi attractions, as well as some hidden corners that we feel are unmissable.
Including personal travel tips, this Hanoi 3-day itinerary is perfect for those wanting to see the best of the city, but in a limited timeframe.
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HANOI ITINERARY OVERVIEW
HOW MANY DAYS? | Minumum of three days
TOP THINGS TO SEE | Explore the Old Quarter, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kien Lake & Ngoc Son Temple, The Ho Chi Minh Precinct, Train Street
BEST TOURS | Hanoi street food tour, City highlights walking tour, Ha Long Bay 2 day cruise
WHERE TO STAY | Capella Hanoi, La Siesta Premium Hang Be & Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel
BEST TIME TO VISIT | September to November
HOW TO GET AROUND | Grab (car or scooter)
THE PERFECT 3-DAY HANOI ITINERARY
DAY ONE | SETTLE IN, AND EXPLORE HANOI OLD QUARTER
Hanoi is overwhelming, and no words we write here will ever fully prepare you for the assault on your senses that is Vietnam’s northern capital.
A dizzying whirlwind of honking traffic, crumbling colonial architecture, and deliciously fragrant flavours that give way to potent motorbike fumes all in the same breath; it’s a city that truly exists in the well-used traveller cliches of contrasts and juxtapositions.
So once settled into your Hanoi accommodation (we recommend La Siesta Premium Hang Be in the Old Quarter), we suggest setting off and aimlessly walking the character-filled streets of the Old Quarter to get your bearings - you’re going to need it.
The origins of this quarter can be traced back to the 11th century when King Ly Thai To moved the capital to this area, transforming it into a bustling centre of trade.
Its streets were organically mapped by the guilds that settled there, each street (Hang) was named for the specific trade that dominated its path - a tradition you’ll see reflected in street signs today. There’s Hang Bong, which sells cotton; Hang Bac, selling silver; Hang Duong, selling sugar; and Hang Non, selling hats.
Start at St. Joseph’s Cathedral and make your way along P. Nhà Chung Street, stopping at Banh My Mama for one of the best banh mi in town, before setting in for the best egg coffee in Hanoi at Loading T Coffee House (map).
Slowly make your way north, towards the northern reaches around Đồng Xuân Market (map). The streets are filled with colourful market stalls, selling everything from fresh produce to skinned frogs. It provides a real insight into the market-centric nature of Vietnam, even in larger cities.
Stop by Phung Hang mural street (map) which features over 20 murals painted by both Vietnamese and Korean artists, with artworks from depictions of Hanoi’s past, such as scenes of old merchants, traditional Vietnamese games, and historical events, as well as more abstract and contemporary interpretations of Vietnamese folklore and heritage.
Once done exploring the northern reaches of the Old Quarter, head back towards Hoan Kiem Lake, stopping wherever you fancy to take photos, enjoy some street food, buy some souvenirs, or even another coffee (recommended!).
Next stop will be the famed Ngoc Son Temple (VND 30,000 pp - map). Connected to the mainland by its famed red bridge (Cau The Huc), Ngoc Son Temple is built in typical Vietnamese style, all scarlet doors, terracotta roofs, upswept eaves and intricate carvings, and inside you’ll find a mix of shrines and pavilions dedicated to various deities and philosophers. Expect colourful offerings, the ever-present smell of incense and delightful views back to the Old Quarter.
As evening falls, head to nearby Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square (map), which turns into an exciting pedestrian-friendly street filled with street food vendors. Sample some local delights, before heading to MẸT Vietnamese Restaurant (map), one of the best local restaurants in town, for one amazing Vietnamese feast.
Then enjoy an early night - you’ve earned it.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | We prefer independent exploration, however, if you’d prefer to do an Old Quarter walking tour, we recommend this one
STAY | Capella Hanoi, La Siesta Premium Hang Be & Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel
DAY TWO | EXPLORE HANOI + STREET FOOD TOUR
Start your second day in Hanoi early, as the locals do, with a delicious, hearty bowl of pho.
Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn is a basic, shop house located in the Old Quarter, but it hides some of the best Pho in Hanoi. Included in the Michelin guide, so you know it’s good, expect a long wait though as it’s popular here. Or, go next door to Phở Xào Phú Mỹ for an equally good broth.
Then, start exploring. You can explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter two ways - via your own, independent meandering. Or through a guided tour. Whatever you choose, there are several essential stops you need to tick off, most within walking distance of each other.
We recommend starting at the Ho Chi Minh Precinct (map), where Uncle Ho is celebrated for his tireless commitment to Vietnam's liberation from colonial rule.
Within the Ho Chi Minh precinct, there are a few major attractions that we suggest visiting (see below). Although you can book a guided tour, we think it’s best to explore the surroundings at your own pace - unless, of course, you’re interested in Vietnamese history.
The brutalist Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the obvious starting point, where the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh is on display.
To the right is the striking, bright yellow facade and green shutters of the adjacent Presidential Palace (combined ticket 40,000 VND), as well as Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and gardens. It was here where Ho Chi Minh spent the remaining years of his life, and you can see his simple dwelling, still intact from his death in 1969.
The final stop within the precinct is the Ho Chi Minh Museum (map), a monumental tribute to the life and legacy of the respected leader. Inside, the heavily curated museum is divided into eight chronological sections, from birth through to his crowning years as leader of the new Vietnam, and finally through to his death in 1969. If you’re not too interested in Uncle Ho’s history, you can pass on entering.
Next door is the historic One Pillar Pagoda, a famed temple that stood for almost 1,000 years until it was razed to the ground by a Vietnamese Lieutenant of the French Army in 1954. Stone by stone, it was slowly rebuilt in the place you find it today. The complex includes the small yet stunning Dien Huu Temple.
It will take around 1.5 - 2 hours to explore this part of Hanoi.
A short walk away is the Citadel of Thang Long (30,000 VND pp - map), home to the centre of regional political power for 13 centuries. You can walk through and over the imposing main southern gate (Doan Mon), and see the remains of The Kinh Thien Palace, as well as the rather beautiful Lady’s Pavilion (Hau Lau) and the imposing North Gate (Bac Mon).
The citadel also houses the D67 Revolutionary House, which was the general headquarters of the Vietnam Communist Party during the war against the US. You can enter the preserved rooms and bunkers, which provide a tangible insight into where strategic plans were formulated in the Vietnam War.
While the overall site is a must-visit, we don’t think you should spend long here - an hour is the max you’ll need.
After a spot of lunch in the old town (any banh mi cart will do!), we recommend joining a street food tour, which includes a visit to the infamous ‘train street’.
Similar to our tour in Ho Chi Minh City, this street food tour stopped by hidden storefronts, holes in the wall, street sellers, and some of the best Banh Mi ever, while delving deeper into the local markets and discovering local delicacies. The visit to Train Street, while very cliche, is also a lot of fun.
You’ll probably be too full to eat anything more, so head straight to Ta Hien Corner (map), and end the day on a blue stool sipping Bia Hoi by the dozen.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | We highly recommend joining a food tour - it was potentially the best thing we did in Hanoi.
STAY | Capella Hanoi, La Siesta Premium Hang Be & Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel
DAY THREE | TEMPLES, MUSEUMS & FOOD
Start your final day in Hanoi at one of the best brunch spots in town, Dreamers and Seekers, which serves incredible coffee and a Melbourne-style brunch. The miso mushrooms with poached eggs were delicious, and the avocado smash with goat’s cheese was also scoffed down in about two seconds flat - washed down with the most rich, decadent coconut coffee.
Next door is St. Joseph’s Church (map), a slice of Gothic Europe amid the scooter-filled, pho-scented streets of Hanoi. Its weather-beaten façade is reminiscent of Notre Dame, while inside, the cathedral has an incredible array of stained glass windows, which stand out against the fairly dark interior, especially on a sunny day.
From here, jump in a Grab and head to our favourite temple in Hanoi, The Temple of Literature (70,000 VND per adult, 35,000 VND for students - map).
Spread across a large, manicured site in the leafy centre of town, The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) was established in 1070 to honour and teach the learnings of Chinese philosopher Confucius and the pursuit of knowledge, and features an array of traditional Vietnamese architecture, including halls, ponds and manicured gardens, and the stunning details and muted colours were breathtaking.
Depending on your departure time, we suggest spending 1-2 hours here.
Next door is the perfect stop for art lovers - the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum (40,000 VND/person - map), which houses a collection that takes you through Vietnam's artistic evolution, showcasing traditional silk paintings, intricate lacquer works, contemporary collections, and powerful depictions of the country's struggle for independence.
There are many must-sees within the museum, which include the lacquered representation of Bodhisattva Avalokisteshvara and Queen Trịnh Thị Ngọc Trúc, the array of wartime paintings by Nguyễn Sáng, and the incredible Uncle Ho in the Viet Bac War Zone.
By now, you’re likely hungry and in need of some sustenance, and a short (ish) walk away is Hanoi Social Club (map), housed in a 1920s French colonial villa in the historic quarter of Hanoi. This is where you’ll find the cool kids of Hanoi and beyond enjoying brunch in the hipster-style cafe, so stop here for lunch, coffee and some chill time.
Nearby is the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, which showcases the short, but lively Water Puppet Show (we suggest pre-booking tickets). Water puppetry, or Múa rối nước, dates back to the 11th century, originating in the villages of the Red River Delta, where farmers became puppeteers, animating the stories of their land through figures that danced on water.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre carries this tradition forward, its stage a pool of water, its actors intricately carved wooden puppets guided by the unseen hands of skilled puppeteers behind a bamboo curtain. While the storyline is tough to follow, you can enjoy the puppeteer’s skills, while the folk music is suitably fun.
If the puppet show isn’t of interest, we recommend two options - sipping craft beers at Pasteur Street Brewing Company (map), or getting another coffee fix at the Instagram-friendly The Note Coffee House (map).
It’s now dinner time, and we recommend your final night is spent at Pizza 4Ps (map). Now, we know what you’re thinking - pizza in Vietnam? But hear us out.
We asked our Instagram audience about the best places to eat in Hanoi, and Pizza 4Ps were recommended time and time again. And it’s probably the best pizza we’ve had outside of Italy. The menu, including the pizzas, is a mix of traditional and Asian-influenced, which results in a wonderful mix of flavours - don’t sleep on the 4 mushroom pizza.
Next door is Polite & Co. cocktail bar (map) if you’re looking to finish your time in Hanoi in style - it’s one of Hanoi’s best cocktail bars.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | This excellent Temple of Literature tour, and tickets to the Water Puppet Show
STAY | Capella Hanoi, La Siesta Premium Hang Be & Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel
ADDITIONAL TRIPS FROM HANOI
HA LONG BAY OVERNIGHT CRUISE
The most famous attraction in Vietnam, and one of the wonders of the World, Ha Long Bay sits atop almost every traveller’s bucket list in the country.
UNESCO World Heritage-protected and famous for its limestone mountains and caves, pristine beauty, and peaceful fishing villages, it’s a truly stunning part of the world.
To maximise time in Hanoi, you could opt for a day tour, but that doesn’t do the Bay justice, so we recommend at least a night, and even more if you have a spare night or two in addition to this itinerary (you should do this 1-night / 2-day cruise - it’s amazing).
The drive from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Ha Long Bay port takes around two hours before the boat sets sail slowly into the Bay.
After lunch and check-in, there are several different excursions that you can join which take you deeper into the National Park.
Depending on your fitness, you can kayak through caves and islets, or jump aboard a traditional bamboo boat to visit hidden corners. If we’re honest, this part of the tour can feel a little bit processional, however with limited time in the bay it’s worthwhile joining.
In the afternoon, the cruise slowly moves further into the Bay, showcasing the famous limestone karsts, and fishing villages. We suggest heading onto the deck, grabbing a Bia Hoi, and watching the scenery drift by.
Dinner includes excellent Vietnamese food, while the night ends with a spot of karaoke (if interested).
After a night spent floating amongst the karst towers of Ha Long Bay, there’s an early morning Tai Chi class on deck, before your final excursion in the Bay - either kayaking and swimming (depending on the time of year), or a visit to one of the many famous caves.
After a buffet breakfast, it’s time to slowly head back to port, enjoying a few final moments of the exquisite natural beauty before a long drive back to Hanoi Old Quarter.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | This 1-night / 2-day cruise or this one-day trip is also possible from Hanoi
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO HANOI
IS THREE DAYS ENOUGH IN HANOI?
Like most cities around the world, you could spend 3 days in Hanoi and see just about every major attraction, enjoy a few nice meals, and leave feeling like you’ve ‘done’ the city.
But, as advocates of a slower, deeper travel experience, we feel like 3-days is limiting. Firstly, you’ll be rushed, see only the main attractions, and presumably miss out on the pure joy of spending a very lazy afternoon in a breezy Hanoi cafe sipping coffee and reading a book.
So while this guide is for three days, if you have the time, we suggest staying for 5 days or so. This will allow you to see all of Hanoi’s major attractions, but at a pace that allows you to truly immerse yourself in the city and discover its many quirks.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT HANOI?
Straight up, stay away from Hanoi over Winter, between January - March.
We recently visited in late February and it was mostly grey, cold, and extremely humid. It meant some pretty dank days in town, and a pretty underwhelming experience in Ha Long Bay (that being said, the misty limestone peaks were interesting to see).
In our opinion, the best time to visit Hanoi is during Autumn (September to November). The temperatures are still moderate, but the humidity is less and the skies clear. Later in the season, the trees begin to change colour, which makes the tree-lined boulevards a sight to see.
May-August is the best time to visit Hanoi if you wish for warm weather (such as Aussies trying to escape winter). Expect hot and humid weather and a more SE Asian weather experience. Ha Long Bay will look imperious, but Hanoi’s old town will be a little uncomfortable. That’ll just mean more beer or iced coffee, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
One final addition: we would avoid visiting during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year (normally in February), especially as first-time visitors. We did so, and while it was an interesting cultural experience, it caused shutdowns, disruptions, and price surges to our travel itinerary. Expect crowds in all the major sightseeing spots too, as locals gather for photoshoots and to generally enjoy the best of their cities - which can make for an even more overwhelming experience.
THINGS TO DO IN HANOI
We’ve written a complete guide to the best things to do in Hanoi, which you can read here. Many of the best attractions are covered in this itinerary, however, if you plan to stay longer than three days, there are a number of additional activities we recommend.
READ | The best things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam
WHERE TO STAY IN HANOI
We recommend not making the mistake we did when staying in Hà Nội, which was booking an Airbnb well out of the Old Quarter to avoid any potential hustle, bustle or noise (a big consideration when travelling with a toddler!).
While we did have a lovely, quiet, immersive stay in a very local area it did mean we spent a lot of time sitting in Grabs in heavy traffic just to do simple sightseeing… which isn’t always the best fun to do with said toddler, or if you’re really looking to get the most of your time in a destination.
For that reason, we’ve included three recommendations for where to stay in the Old Quarter
THE CAPELLA HANOI | Combining French colonial and Art Deco styles, the Capella Hanoi is definitely one of the best hotels in Hanoi. In addition to the opulent rooms that exude colonial charm, there’s exquisite dining, a chic spa, and a central location near the Old Quarter
LA SIESTA PREMIUM HANG BE | Located in the heart of the Old Quarter, La Siesta Premium Hang Be has lovely, modern rooms, a rooftop bar with city views (definitely enjoy a sunset cocktail up here), and excellent customer service
OLD QUARTER VIEW HANOI HOSTEL | Located in the heart of the Old Quarter, the affordable and highly-rated Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel offers basic amenities, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary breakfast, making it a great choice for those on a budget
HOW TO GET AROUND HANOI
We used Grab almost every single day in Vietnam, and recommend it for every traveller there.
Both cars and scooters (and food, incidentally) can be booked via the app (you will need a local sim), and we found the interface great, the prices extremely affordable, the drivers friendly, and the whole experience generally very easy and safe.
Because Grab is so easy to use, we actually recommend avoiding traditional taxis here, as they are known for price-gouging unsuspecting tourists.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of Hanoi’s metro is still being constructed, so misses the main tourist hubs (find out more here)
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN VIETNAM
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CAR INSURANCE | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF VIETNAM
VIETNAM | The perfect two-week Vietnam itinerary for first-timers
HO CHI MINH CITY | The best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, 15+ Essential Saigon Travel Tips, How to visit Tan Dinh Church (Saigon’s Pink Church), Where to eat and drink in Ho Chi Minh City, How to get from Saigon Airport to the city centre
HOI AN | The best things to do in Hoi An, 15+ Essential Hoi An Travel Tips, How to visit My Son Sanctuary, How to get from Danang Airport to Hoi An, A guide to the Hoi An Old Town Ticket, The best day trips from Hoi An
HANOI | The best things to do in Hanoi, A curated guide to Hanoi Old Quarter, How to visit the Temple of Literature
MEKONG DELTA | The best things to do in the Mekong Delta
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Read our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and your friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Read our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and your friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF VIETNAM WITH OUR GUIDES
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