Top Things to do in Hanoi: Best Activities & Must-Sees

Hanoi is the beating heart of Vietnam! Have you always dreamed of visiting Vietnam for a few days or a week? The Vietnamese capital is an unmissable city to visit at least once in your life! Getting lost in the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, sipping an egg coffee while watching local life go by, or enjoying a steaming pho on a street corner… Does that tempt you? You've come to the right place!

Whether you prefer discovering thousand-year-old historical heritage, scootering through the legendary Old Quarter with its 36 streets, or sampling culinary delights in authentic street-food stalls, Hanoi truly has something to satisfy every traveller! It is this explosive mix of ancestral traditions and vibrant modernity that makes the capital so fascinating.

In this detailed guide, Trip.com takes you on a journey to discover the unmissable city of Hanoi for a unique stay! From must-see activities and sites to our food tips and advice on the best neighbourhoods and excursions, here is everything you need to know about this captivating destination!

💡Did you know? Hanoi literally means "the city between the rivers"! Founded in 1010 under the name Thang Long ("Soaring Dragon"), the Vietnamese capital has over 1,000 years of history. It is this richness that has earned it the nickname "Paris of the East", with its tree-lined boulevards and French colonial architecture!

🎯 Popular Things to Do in Hanoi on a Budget

• 🎭 Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre ⭐ From £3.51 - A magical traditional show
• 🌊 Hoan Kiem Lake Free entry - Legendary lake of the golden turtle
• 🚂 Hanoi Train Street From £5 - Train right by the houses
• 🌆 Lotte Hanoi Sky Observation Deck - From £6.02 --- Panoramic view on the 65th floor
• 🏮 Saint Joseph Cathedral - Free entry

🗓️ What to Do in Hanoi Based on Your Stay

Like any capital city, Hanoi can be visited in just a day or two, or over a full week if you want to explore its surroundings! To help you make the most of your trip, here are some suggested itineraries and activities based on the length and style of your stay!

🏘️ Must-visit Districts in Hanoi

Hanoi is a city where every district has its own unique atmosphere, and that's what makes it a capital city like nowhere else on earth! From the Old Quarter, where traffic is impossible and horns are constantly blaring, to the quiet, wide avenues of the French Quarter, here is a tour of the must-visit districts and sites you shouldn't miss.

The Old Quarter: welcome to the most fascinating chaos in Vietnam

Let's start with Hanoi's flagship district, the Old Quarter! Spoiler alert: the Old Quarter is truly an experience like no other! This maze of 36 streets, each narrower than the last, where scooters zip by in every direction, and the air is filled with the alternating scents of simmering pho and temple incense, has been the historic heart of Hanoi for 1,000 years!​

The famous 36 streets still bear their original names: Hang Bac (the street of jewellers), Hang Ma (the street of colourful votive paper), Hang Gai (the street of silk)... And even today, you'll see that the shops have kept this specialisation, even if it has become a little mixed over time.

From 6am, the atmosphere is magical: street vendors are already out, locals are practising tai chi by the lake, and the scent of pho literally fills the alleyways.

In the evening, the vibe shifts and it’s time to party, especially at the weekend when everything becomes pedestrianised and the Night Market takes over the streets with hundreds of stalls, street food everywhere and a unique atmosphere that lasts late into the night!

📌 Trip.com tip: Get up early (7am-9am) and rent a bike to explore the Old Quarter before the tourist rush; you'll see real local life!

Hanoi Train Street: the city's most touristy photo spot

Next up is Hanoi's unmissable Train Street! A district that is truly unique in the world. An alley so narrow it's barely 1 metre wide, with houses pressed against the tracks on either side, and several times a day a real passenger train passes literally 20-30 centimetres from the locals' front doors! It's impressive!​

The most amazing part? Between train crossings, life carries on as normal on the tracks (yes, really!): children play, grannies sell their handmade goods, and tourists sip coffee in the tiny cafés set up… all of this literally on the tracks.

Trains generally pass by around 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm

📌 Trip.com tip: arrive 30-40 minutes before it passes, grab a seat at one of the cafés on the tracks, order a delicious iced Vietnamese coffee, and soak up the unique atmosphere!

The French Quarter (Ba Dinh): colonial history and iconic monuments

The Ba Dinh district, also known as the "French Quarter", is the complete opposite of the Old Quarter! Here, you'll find wide, tree-lined boulevards, beautiful colonial villas, and all the iconic monuments of the city and its history!​

This is where you will find, among other things, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (a huge marble monument where "Uncle Ho" rests), his small stilt house right next door, the 11th-century One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature (Vietnam's first university, established in 1070), and the Presidential Palace with its beautifully maintained gardens. The atmosphere is calm, spacious, green, and refreshing!

📌 Trip.com tip: the Mausoleum is only open in the morning (8am-11am) and is closed on Mondays and Fridays, so plan your day carefully! Do everything in the same morning; it's all walkable!

⭐ Top 5 Activities and Landmarks in Hanoi

Now that you've explored the city's main districts, it's time for the must-do activities! Here is the Trip.com top 5:

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre: a unique show

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is the one activity you cannot miss in Hanoi! This traditional Vietnamese art form is one of the oldest in Vietnamese culture (over 1,000 years old). On the programme, hand-painted wooden puppets come to life on the water while an orchestra plays traditional music live—it's truly magnificent!

The show lasts about 50 minutes and depicts scenes of rural life in Vietnam, legends, and historical moments: fishing, rice cultivation in the paddies, dragon and phoenix dances, the famous legend of the golden turtle... There are generally 5-6 performances per day, so book in advance, especially during high season.

📌 Trip.com tip: grab seats in the centre (rows 5-8) for the best view of everything. The very front rows are nice, but the viewing angle isn't as good!

Hoan Kiem Lake: a little zen break amidst the ambient noise

Hoan Kiem Lake ("Lake of the Restored Sword") is truly the lungs of Hanoi! Nestled between the Old Quarter and the French Quarter, this 12-hectare lake is the spot where all Hanoians come to jog, take a stroll, or just wander at sunrise and sunset.​

Legend has it that in the 15th century, Emperor Lê Lợi received a magical sword from a giant golden turtle living in the lake, and this sword allowed him to defeat the Chinese. Once victory was secured, the turtle returned to retrieve its sword by diving back into the lake, which is how the lake got its name! The small Ngoc Son temple on its islet, reached by the magnificent red The Huc bridge, actually houses a real preserved giant turtle.

📌Trip.com tip: definitely go at sunrise (6am), when the locals are out jogging, doing group tai-chi, playing badminton, or dancing together. The atmosphere is super zen and authentic! In the evening, it's more about couples out for a stroll and families with children.

Hanoi Train Street: adrenaline and insane photos

We introduced it briefly above, but for those who love atypical activities, visiting the famous Hanoi Train Street is a must! In these narrow alleyways, you'll be able to admire local life, accustomed to the passing train, like never before, brushing against the walls and the locals' homes! A magical moment that transports us out of time!

💡For an even more immersive experience, why not treat yourself to a food tour through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter's Train Street with Trip.com.

Lotte Hanoi Sky: a 360° view of the capital

For a breathtaking view over the whole city, head to the Hanoi Lotte Sky! On the 65th floor of the Lotte Tower (a staggering 272 metres up), this observatory offers an impressive 360° panoramic view of the entire city!

You hop into a high-speed lift that whisks you up to the 65th floor in under a minute! Once at the top, there are several zones to explore: the Sky Walk with its glass floor for those with a head for heights, the observatory with views over West Lake and the Red River, a VR gaming zone, and the SkyL Bar for sipping a cocktail.

The best time is undoubtedly late afternoon, so you can soak up the golden light, the sunset, and Hanoi lit up at night!

St. Joseph's Cathedral: Neo-Gothic elegance in the heart of Hanoi

St. Joseph's Cathedral (known as St. Joseph Church in English and Nhà thờ Lớn Hà Nội in Vietnamese) is truly THE landmark that highlights French influence in Hanoi! Built between 1884 and 1887 in a Neo-Gothic style that closely resembles Notre-Dame de Paris, this impressive cathedral, with its twin 31-metre-high towers, dominates the district and attracts both worshippers and architecture enthusiasts alike.

The small square in front of the cathedral has become a very popular meeting place, especially in the evenings and at weekends when young Hanoians gather there to chat, take photos, or just soak up the atmosphere. Masses are held regularly (several times a day on weekdays and on Sundays), and it's really interesting to attend one!

💡 Entry is free!

🌤️ Best time to Visit Hanoi

Hanoi has a subtropical climate with 4 distinct seasons:

💡The Trip.com recommendation: October, November and early December are truly the perfect time! The weather is magnificent with blue skies, pleasant temperatures (22-26°C), and you'll be able to enjoy all the excursions, especially Halong Bay, in optimal conditions.​

🚌 Day Trips from Hanoi

Hanoi is also a great base for exploring wonders just a few kilometres from the capital! Our two favourite excursions:

Ha Long Bay: the UNESCO-listed natural wonder

If you really have time while you're there, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam's unmissable natural sites! A UNESCO World Heritage site, this spectacular bay features nearly 2,000 islets and limestone pillars rising from emerald waters in an absolutely unique landscape.​

A day cruise, or better yet a 2-day/1-night trip, will allow you to explore the local caves (Surprise Cave, Thien Cung Cave), go kayaking in hidden lagoons, swim on deserted beaches, visit floating fishing villages, and admire the sunset from the boat's deck!​

Practical information:

• Journey: 3.5-4 hours from Hanoi (170 km)
• Must-sees: Caves, kayaking, floating villages, sunrise Tai Chi
• Budget: Day trip £25–50 / 2D/1N £70–130

📌 Top tip: definitely opt for a 2D/1N trip to make the most of it, sleep on a junk boat, and avoid a 7-hour drive all in one day!

Ninh Binh: the Halong Bay on land (just as beautiful!)

Ninh Binh is the land-based version of Halong Bay! Nicknamed "Halong Bay on land", this region 100 km south of Hanoi offers landscapes of rice paddies surrounded by dizzying karst peaks, rivers, caves, and temples.​

The Trang An site (also a UNESCO World Heritage site) is best explored by sampan (a traditional boat) on a 2-3 hour trip through low-hanging caves (mind your head!), valleys, and postcard-perfect landscapes. You'll also visit the Bai Dinh Pagoda (the largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam) and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, and you can climb the 500 steps at Hang Mua for an absolutely incredible panoramic view!

Practical information:

• Journey: 2 hours from Hanoi (95 km)
• Must-sees: Trang An, Hang Mua, Tam Coc, Bai Dinh
• Budget: Day trip £21–34

🍜 Hanoi, a paradise for Vietnamese cuisine and street food

Staying in Hanoi without discovering the local cuisine would be a real shame! The capital is truly the temple of Vietnamese gastronomy, with its unmissable specialities.

The dishes you absolutely have to try:

• Pho: THE legendary soup of Hanoi! A beef broth simmered for 12 hours, fresh rice noodles, tender meat and plenty of herbs. Try Pho Gia Truyen (49 Bat Dan), open since 1930—the broth is delicious!​
• Bun Cha: rice vermicelli with charcoal-grilled pork, served in a sweet and savoury broth. It was Obama's favourite dish when he visited! Try Bun Cha Huong Lien (24 Le Van Huu) where Obama ate.
• Banh Mi: the Vietnamese sandwich served in a crispy baguette inherited from the French, filled with pâté, cold cuts, pickled vegetables, and fresh coriander. The ultimate street food!
• Egg Coffee (Ca Phe Trung): Vietnamese coffee topped with a creamy foam made from beaten egg yolks. Invented in Hanoi in 1946, it's addictive! Try Giang Cafe (39 Nguyen Huu Huan), the birthplace of the concept!

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