The 10 Best Things to Do in Hanoi: A Guide for First Timers (2026)
If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam’s chaotic, charming capital, you’re in for a treat. Hanoi is the kind of city that grabs you by the collar with its honking scooters, steaming bowls of pho, French colonial mansions crumbling beside neon karaoke bars, and refuses to let go! After spending months exploring its alleys and lakes, I’ve pulled together the absolute best things to do in Hanoi, from the obvious must-sees to the genuinely cool corners most guides miss.
Whether you’ve got 24 hours, three days, or you’re building it into a bigger Vietnam adventure, this guide covers the top things to do in Hanoi and a few of the best things to do around Hanoi too, so you can plan a trip that actually feels like yours.
Still on the fence about whether to include the capital in your itinerary? I’ve written a full post breaking down exactly why Hanoi is worth visiting. Give it a read before you book your trip.
Quick Answer: What Are the Best Things to Do in Hanoi?
Short on time? The absolute can’t-miss things to do in Hanoi are:
- Wander the Old Quarter at dawn
- Stand on Train Street as the train roars past
- Eat your weight in bun cha, pho, and egg coffee
- Watch a traditional water puppet show
- Take a day trip to Ninh Binh or Ha Long Bay
Read on for the full list, including the coolest things to do in Hanoi that don’t show up on every other blog.
1. Get Lost in the Old Quarter
If you only do one thing in Hanoi, make it this. The Old Quarter is a maze of 36 streets, each historically named for the trade once practiced there – Silver Street, Silk Street, Tin Street. Today it’s a glorious chaos of motorbikes, pho stalls, knockoff North Face shops, and grandmothers playing board games on plastic stools.
Go early, like 6am early, to see locals doing tai chi by the lake, then return in the evening when the night market kicks off and the streets close to traffic.
Where to stay in the Old Quarter
Staying inside the Old Quarter puts you within walking distance of nearly everything on this list. It’s noisy, yes, but unbeatable for first-timers.
I’ve put together a full breakdown of where to stay in Hanoi by budget and vibe so you know where is the best place to stay that suits your expectations.
2. Walk Around Hoan Kiem Lake at Sunrise
Hoan Kiem (“Lake of the Returned Sword”) is the beating heart of Hanoi. The legend says a magical turtle once handed Emperor Le Loi a sword to defeat the Chinese, then reclaimed it here. Today, it’s where the whole city gathers. Joggers at dawn, couples at dusk, and every Saturday night it becomes a pedestrian-only market zone.
Cross the iconic red Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple on its tiny island. It’s touristy, but the view of the bridge framed by frangipani trees is one of Hanoi’s most photographed scenes for a reason.
3. Sip Coffee on Train Street
This is genuinely one of the coolest things to do in Hanoi. Imagine a narrow residential alley where the buildings sit inches from active train tracks — and twice a day, a freight train thunders through while you sip your iced coffee on a tiny plastic stool. It’s surreal, slightly terrifying, and unforgettable.
Note: access has been restricted on and off due to safety concerns. The current workaround is to book a coffee at one of the cafes along the tracks, which will let you in past the barriers. Check the train timetable (usually around 7pm and 7:30pm) before you go.
4. Eat Everything: A Hanoi Food Tour
Hanoi might genuinely have the best street food in Asia. Forget Michelin — the real gold is on plastic stools at the side of the road.
Must-eat Hanoi dishes
- Pho bo – beef noodle soup, hearty yet light
- Bun cha – grilled pork with vermicelli, the dish Obama and Bourdain made famous
- Banh mi – French-Vietnamese sandwich perfection
- Egg coffee (ca phe trung) – invented here, like creamy tiramisu in a cup
- Cha ca – turmeric-marinated fish grilled at your table
If you’d rather have someone show you the best stalls (and explain what you’re eating), a guided food tour is honestly money well spent. I’ve linked the one that I went on which hit all the main stops in 4 hours and included a visit to the Train Street.
5. Watch a Water Puppet Show
Water puppetry is a 1,000-year-old North Vietnamese art form. You’ll see wooden puppets dancing on a flooded stage, controlled by puppeteers waist-deep behind a screen, accompanied by live traditional music. The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre near Hoan Kiem Lake is the best place to see it. The show lasts for about 50 minutes and, I would recommend booking in advance to secure a ticket. Reserve your water puppet show tickets ->
6. Pay Respects at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Whatever your politics, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex is essential context for understanding modern Vietnam. The embalmed body of “Uncle Ho” lies in state in a stark granite mausoleum, guarded by impeccably dressed soldiers. The surrounding complex includes his surprisingly humble stilt house, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum.
Dress modestly (no shorts, no tank tops) and arrive before 9am. The mausoleum closes for two months a year (usually September–October) for body maintenance, yes – really!
7. Explore the Temple of Literature
Vietnam’s first national university, founded in 1070, dedicated to Confucius. It’s a serene escape from Hanoi’s chaos. Five interconnected courtyards filled with pavilions, ancient stone steles mounted on stone turtles, and bonsai gardens. Students still come here to pray for exam luck!
8. Stroll the French Quarter
Hanoi was the capital of French Indochina for nearly a century, and the leafy boulevards south of Hoan Kiem still feel like a slice of Paris that’s been left out in the tropical heat. Highlights include the gorgeous ochre Opera House, the Sofitel Metropole hotel (have a cocktail at Le Club Bar – Graham Greene wrote here), and St Joseph’s Cathedral, a neo-gothic stunner that looks transplanted from Normandy.
9. Hidden Gems: The Coolest Things to Do in Hanoi
Want to step beyond the guidebook? These are some of the coolest things to do in Hanoi that most tourists miss.
Long Bien Bridge at sunset
This rickety Eiffel-designed bridge spans the Red River and is closed to cars. Walk or cycle across at sunset for the kind of view you won’t find on Instagram (yet). Locals fish off the side and trains still rattle through the middle.
Hidden Hanoi cocktail bars
Hanoi has a surprisingly good speakeasy scene. Look for Ne Cocktail Bar (pho-infused gin, somehow it works), Tadioto (artsy, smoky, brilliant), and Polite & Co. (Prohibition-era, hidden behind an unmarked door).
West Lake (Ho Tay)
Locals’ favourite escape from the Old Quarter chaos. Rent a bike, ride the perimeter, stop at Tran Quoc Pagoda (Hanoi’s oldest), and end with sunset drinks at one of the lakeside cafes. It’s where expats live and where the city exhales.
10. Best Things to Do Around Hanoi: Day Trips Worth Taking
Some of the best things to do around Hanoi aren’t actually in the city. Three excursions stand out.
Ninh Binh aka “Halong Bay on Land”
A few hours south of Hanoi. Ninh Binh is famous for its Limestone karsts rising out of emerald rice paddies, river boats rowed by women using their feet, and the staircase climb to Hang Mua viewpoint that gives you the postcard shot of Vietnam.
There’s a lot to do in one day, so you might prefer to book this guided day trip and hit all the main sites.
Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay cruise
The 1,600-island UNESCO wonder. Skip the day trips, you need an overnight cruise to see Halong properly. Lan Ha Bay (just south) is just as stunning and far less crowded and often included in more premium tours.
Compare Ha Long Bay overnight cruises ->
Perfume Pagoda
A boat ride down a lily-choked river followed by a cable car (or hike) up to a sacred cave temple. Best done between February and April during the pilgrimage festival. You can join a group tour to get you to the Pagoda.
Practical Tips for Visiting Hanoi
Best time to visit Hanoi
October to April is the sweet spot — cooler, drier, and no soul-melting humidity. May to September is hot and stormy. November is arguably the best month overall.
How to get around
Most of the top things to do in Hanoi are walkable from the Old Quarter. For longer journeys, use Grab (the Southeast Asian Uber) — never hail a random taxi. For an only-in-Hanoi experience, try a cyclo (pedicab) around the Old Quarter once.
Crossing the road in Hanoi
This deserves its own subsection. The scooters do not stop. You must. Walk slowly, steadily, predictably — and let the river of bikes part around you. Never run, never reverse. You’ll get the hang of it by day two.
SIM cards
Public Wifi is a rarity, so I would recommend getting an eSIM to keep connected. You’ll also need it to use Grab, Google Translate and Maps! I recommend using Airalo who offer reasonably priced data packages.
Get a Vietnam eSIM in less than 5 minutes ->
How Long to Spend in Hanoi
Two to three full days is the sweet spot for the city itself, plus a couple more if you’re tacking on a Halong Bay cruise or a Ninh Binh overnight. Most visitors then continue south through Hoi An, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City.
If you’re piecing together a longer trip, my 2 week Vietnam itinerary maps out the whole country end to end, with how Hanoi fits into the bigger picture.
Best Things to Do in Hanoi: FAQs
What is Hanoi most famous for?
Hanoi is best known for its 1,000-year-old Old Quarter, French colonial architecture, world-class street food (especially pho and bun cha), and as the gateway to Halong Bay.
Is 2 days enough in Hanoi?
Two days is enough to cover the absolute essentials. The Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, a water puppet show, Train Street, and a serious street food session. For day trips like Ninh Binh or Halong Bay, you’ll want at least three to four days total.
Is Hanoi safe for tourists?
Yes, Hanoi is generally very safe, with low rates of violent crime. The main risks are scams (overpriced cyclos, taxi meter tricks) and traffic accidents. Stay alert, use Grab instead of street taxis, and you’ll be fine.
What is the coolest thing to do in Hanoi at night?
Train Street at the evening, and then the Old Quarter weekend night market is also a must on Friday–Sunday nights.
Final Thoughts: Why Hanoi Stays With You
Hanoi isn’t a polished, easy city. It’s loud, intense, sometimes baffling which is exactly what makes it one of the most memorable capitals in Asia. The best things to do in Hanoi aren’t really about ticking off sights. They’re about that moment you nail crossing your first roundabout, or finding a pho stall you’ll never be able to locate again, or watching the city come alive at 5am around the lake.
Wondering how to fit all this in? My 3 day Hanoi itinerary walks you through exactly how to structure your time,
Plan a few days here. Plan more if you can. And let me know in the comments which Hanoi experience surprised you most.
Check Out My Other Hanoi Vietnam Guides
3 Day Hanoi Itinerary: The Complete Guide To Your First Visit
Where to Stay in Hanoi: The Best Hotels and Areas
Things to Do in Hanoi: The 10 Best Things for First Timers
Is Hanoi Worth Visiting: My Honest Review
Best Month to Visit Hanoi: A month-by-month Guide
Best Day Trips from Hanoi: 15 Day Trip Options from Vietnam’s Capital City
What to Eat in Hanoi: 10 of the Best Things to Try
Check Out My Other Vietnam Guides
2 Week Vietnam Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide for First Time Visitors
What is the Best Halong Bay Cruise?: Options for All Budgets
