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How to Spend 4 Days in Hanoi: An Expat’s Insider Tips for Exploring the City

ByKatie McGrain

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Welcome to Hanoi, you’ve made it to this page because you are likely wondering: What to do with 4 days in Hanoi?!

If you’re fortunate enough to have 4 days in Hanoi, then you are fortunate enough to explore the city quite deeply + take a day trip. 

In this 4 Day Hanoi Itinerary I will have you eating at local joints, exploring cultural sites, and wandering alleys. I have lived in Hanoi since 2017, and I’m sharing all of my favorite spots for food, culture and adventure. Hopefully helping you experience some things you wouldn’t have read about in guidebooks or basic travel sites.

You’ve got four days in Hanoi and want to make the most of it. Here is how you should structure your time: 

Day 1: Food and History

You will start your first day in Hanoi with two of the things that make it so special – food and history! We will combine these two things to bring you a pretty sweet day of walking, eating and learning! Today you’ll move between historical sites with pit stops at food joints!

Morning

Two bowls of Vietnamese bún riêu, a traditional noodle soup with tomatoes, fried tofu, crab paste, meatballs, and fresh herbs, served on a wooden table. A basket of fresh greens and a jar of pickled chili sit nearby, with one person adding chili to their soup

Breakfast → Bun Rieu Top Mo Moc Gion Co Huong Beo
This is a bun rieu restaurant right next to Train Street. Bun Rieu is a classic dish people eat in the mornings (though actually you can get it all day!). This restaurant in particular is one of my favorites for Bun Rieu. And they open at 7am.

Get there early and you may be able to catch a train coming through for the day. No worries if you don’t, tomorrow is the day you will see trains on train street! 

Explore → Hoa Lo Prison Museum
A 5 minute walk from the breakfast place is Hoa Lo Prison. This is where American POWs (and other political prisoners) were held during the Vietnam War. Even if you are not a museum person, I recommend everyone check this out when they are in Hanoi. It gives a look at what life was like, and you can see the viewpoint from the Vietnamese. Very different from those of us from western parts of the world. 

It shouldn’t take more than 45 minutes-1 hour to make your way through the museum. 

Coffee → LermerLermer
From the prison museum, you are going to start making your way toward the Temple of Literature. It is a 20ish minute walk, depending on how distracted you get. You’re going to make a pit stop at LermerLermer coffee. They are known for making very good salted caramel coffee. They also have creative cocktails if you’re more in the mood for a mid day drink! 

Afternoon

A picturesque view of Hanoi at sunset, featuring rooftops of houses with red and yellow accents in the foreground and a ferris wheel in the distance. The city skyline stretches under a gradient sky transitioning from warm orange to soft blue.

Explore → Temple of Literature
Wander through Vietnam’s first university, a peaceful spot where you can learn about the country’s academic history. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Vietnam’s first university. It is one of the top attractions in Hanoi. I think it is nice to walk around, and worth checking out.  

If you want more history and famous sites, you can go from the Temple of Literature to the Ba Dinh Square Complex. Here you can see The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Presidential Palace.

Lunch → Banh Mi Hoi An
You have to get a banh mi at some point on your trip to Hanoi! To be honest, if you have been in the south, the Banh mi’s there are better. But really you can never go wrong with a crusty piece of french bread filled with pork and veggies and egg! 

Banh Mi Hoi An is quite popular, and famous from being banh mi’s from Hoi An. It will likely be crowded (probably with a lot of tourists), but it is tasty and clean. 

Snack → Navigate the Alleys + Cafe Sam
It is only a 10 minute walk from Banh Mi Hoi An, so you may want to stroll around a bit before heading to Cafe Sam for a little treat. Just walking the streets of the Hanoi Old Quarter is an adventure. Stroll up and down the different streets and tuck into alleyways. (if you want a particular route to follow, you can check out my guide to Hanoi which has specific walking routes that make sense.). If not, just freestyle it! And eventually make your way to Cafe Sam.

Here you are going to get a lovely little treat of frozen yogurt. The menu is in English, so no worries on figuring it out. It is a frozen yogurt cubes that you can choose to top with anything you want. 

Evening

A traditional Vietnamese water puppet theater performance, featuring a stage designed as a temple with a pool of water in front. Musicians dressed in colorful attire play instruments on either side of the stage, while smoke effects and lighting create an enchanting atmosphere.

Go back to your hotel and have a little nap/lay down before the evening adventure begins.

My first recommendation is to book yourself on an evening Hanoi street food tour. This would be the majority of your eating/exploring in the evening.  

I think one of the best things to do in Hanoi is to join a food tour in the Old Quarter, particularly on your first night. That way, maybe you taste something you want to try again, or at least learn a bit! I recommend the following food tours:

If you don’t want a tour, then you will grab some dinner, drinks and a show on your own! 

Dinner → Quan An Ngon
This restaurant is a staple for where I recommend visitors to go. You can taste tons of different dishes from across Vietnam. The set up is cool, with lots of tables outside (plus a full house of inside tables) and “street food vendors” set up all along the perimeter in a market style. It is a safe and clean way to taste a lot of different dishes from Vietnam. Plus it is family style so you can order tons of things and share them!

Drinks → Timeline Coffee Rooftop Bar
Sip a cold beer while enjoying views over part of the Old Quarter. I particularly like this spot because it is on a corner that gets a lot of action! At night, especially on weekends, there will always be some sort of performer or music on this corner. It will get quite packed with people, so it is fun to go up above and see it all! 

Activity → Thang Long Water Puppet Show
End the evening with this traditional Vietnamese performance featuring puppets on water, accompanied by live music. It is a neat, classic Hanoi thing to do. Personally, I think they could cut the show time in half (it is about an hour) and that would be the perfect amount of time. Despite that, it is cool to see the way they move the puppets on the water. 

Go to bed early tonight, you have a full on day tomorrow! 

Day 2: Active Day

Yesterday you walked a lot, today you are going to get even more active throughout the city. It will be another day filled with movement and food. This time getting an even deeper look at the local culture. 

We are shoving a lot of stuff into your second day! I recommend packing a bag with water, snacks, and maybe a change of clothes (especially if it is hot and you are a sweat-er like me). If you follow this itinerary exactly, you likely won’t be going back to your hotel until after dinner tonight, so lock in for the full day out and about! 

Morning

Cup of coconut coffee. There are two glasses in the photo. The one in the foreground is half filled with white milk with a layer of light brown coffee on top. The very top of the drink is decorated with white foam in the shape of a star.

Breakfast → Pho Tu Lun Au Trieu
Start with pho bo (beef noodle soup) at Pho Tu Lun Au Trieu. This spot is recommended by the Michelin Guide—and while I think Michelin missed the mark on a lot of Hanoi places, they got it right with this one. It’s honestly one of my favorite bowls of pho in the city and, in my opinion, the best in the Old Quarter. 

The location is perfect, right next to St. Joseph’s Cathedral. They open early at 6:30 AM which is perfect because you need to get to the bike shop by 8am. 

It gets crowded, with people sitting inside and spilling out onto the street. Just make eye contact with someone, and they’ll get you a seat—there’s always one worker who speaks English to help you out!

Coffee → Chon Cafe or Cong Caphe
If you get to the pho restaurant early enough, you will have time to grab some coffee on your way to the bike shop. Cong Caphe is right on the corner across from the big church. This is a famous chain in Vietnam and they make the best coconut coffees around. Chon Cafe is more local, with a cute outdoor seating area. 

Activity → Hanoi Bicycle Tour
Join a tour with the company Hanoi Bicycle Tours. This tour has you cycling around the city with a guide (no need to worry about getting lost). They will sort out your bikes and helmets. Cycling in Hanoi isn’t for the weary. You will be moving with the traffic for a bit of the day, but most of the cycling will be just outside the city on quieter roads. 

This tour starts at 8am and lasts for 4 hours. They will pick you up from your hotel and take you to their bike shop in the French Quarter. But I have you walking there. Feel free to skip the morning bits of this itinerary if you want to.

Hanoi Bike Tour

You leave the Old Quarter and head across the Long Bien Bridge to the other side of the Red River. You will explore some history, meet local farmers, and see a more local way of life – all while staying active!

This tour also runs at 1pm, but if it is the summer season, I would avoid this timing as it is simply too hot! 

If you don’t want to join a tour, and instead bicycle on your own. I have a guide on the best way to rent a bike and where to go for a ride here. 

Afternoon

A peaceful lakeside scene featuring swan-shaped pedal boats docked in a row, with calm water reflecting the blue sky. The background includes trees, distant buildings, and a serene urban park setting.

Lunch → My Bo Dai Lan
Right next to the bike shop is my favorite food in all of Hanoi – Taiwanese beef noodle soup. The restaurant is called My Bo Dai Lan and they make only beef noodle soup! The broth is all cloves, star anise and tastes like literal Christmas. The Taiwanese egg noodles are also a nice break from the rice noodles most common in Vietnamese dishes. The restaurant is a 2 minute walk from the bike shop. 

Activity → Reunification Park
Once you’ve had your fill of the beef noodles, you’re going to want to walk them off! Head to Thong Nhat Park, also known as Reunification Park. You are going to enter from the northernmost part and take a walk around the lake.

This park is really peaceful and beautiful with lots of little spots to stop and chill. I want you to walk clockwise, so head down the east side of the park. Walk around and explore until you get to The Sipping Bar. It is a bar/cafe right on the lake. Go in and have a drink if you’re so inclined.

Otherwise, they rent swan paddle boats right next to the restaurant. You will find these swan boats in a few lakes around Hanoi. They’re cheesy, but also a bit of fun. Plus we are staying active today, so rent a swan boat and have a paddle around the lake! 

Activity → Hanoi Train Street
From The Sipping Bar, continue walking clockwise around the lake. Once you get back to the north part of the park, you will exit the park on the west side. Put Hanoi 1990s Cafe into your Google Maps. This is a spot on train street a bit away from the hoards up the road, so it is a quieter spot to hang. If you have timed it correctly, it is likely around three or four in the afternoon and this is when the trains start coming in.

Pick a spot near here (I always go to Hanoi 1990s Cafe) and wait to watch the train come by. For more details on what it is like/what happens when the train comes, you can read my detailed description here. 

Evening

An aerial view of Hanoi's West Lake at sunset, with lush greenery, a winding road, and a small pagoda on an island surrounded by calm water. The city's skyline, featuring modern buildings and a hazy orange sky, stretches across the background.

Activity → Hanoi Driving Range

Once you experience the train rumbling down the street, call a grab to take you to the Hanoi Club. This is across town and will likely take about 15-20ish minutes in a taxi. The Hanoi Club is a hotel with a two level driving range pointed at the lake.

For 200,000VND you can get a bucket of 100 balls (it comes with two drinks) and a golf club and go hit golf balls into the lake! The golf balls float, and then workers on boats row around to collect them all. It is a lot of fun and a unique thing to do in the city that not many tourists know about. 

Sunset Drinks → Pan Pacific Rooftop
From the Hanoi Club, head down the street and into the Pan Pacific Hotel. If the sun still hasn’t set – awesome, this is a great place to watch it! This is my favorite place to see views of Hanoi. If it is a clear day, you will have an awesome view of West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. 

Even if you missed the sunset it is still an excellent spot to watch the city go from day to night. Grab a couple of drinks and park it on the roof for a bit. 

Dinner → Ma Xo
From the Pan Pacific Hotel, you will take another walk along Truc Bach Lake to Ma Xo Cafe. It will be about a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel. Use the walk to check out the cute streets around Truc Bach. Once you get to Ma Xo, you can sit outside or inside. It is a Vietnamese Fusion restaurant (good at any time of day really) with lakefront views. 

After Dinner Drinks → Standing Bar or Lang Thang
Down the street from Ma Xo is Standing Bar and just around the Corner is Lang Thang. Standing Bar is a beer bar with some of the best choices for beer in the city. They have seating upstairs or standing downstairs, and depending on the day of the week they may have music or a comedian performing. 

Lang Thang is a tiny cocktail with awesome drinks

Day 3: Day Trip to Ninh Binh

Today you will head out of the city and get into nature. Ninh Binh is the perfect  place to get out of the city for a bit (in fact you are likely going to want to stay longer than just a day!). 

There are a couple of ways you can sort this day trip:

  1. Book a tour that will have everything sorted for you; driver, activities, food
  2. Book a driver that will take you there and drop you off
  3. Drive yourself! The drive isn’t particularly enjoyable (mostly highway), but if you’re feeling adventurous and are comfortable on a motorbike, it is a good way to be totally independent. 

It should take about 90 minutes – 2 hours to get there. 

Note → If a couple of days in Ninh Binh are already part of your Vietnam Itinerary, then you’ll need to replace this day with something else! Head over to my Itinerary Page and check out some of the specialty itineraries I have set for Hanoi. Offbeat, weird and quirky; artsy; etc. You can also use this day to go on a different day trip in the Hanoi area.

If you have more than 4 days in northern Vietnam, consider a day trip to Halong Bay or somewhere else within 2 hours of driving.

Morning

This image shows a panoramic view from a high vantage point overlooking a lush valley with distinctive karst limestone hills and flat wetlands. A river meanders through the landscape, bordered by patches of agricultural fields, with a distant urban area visible under a hazy sky. Prominent in the foreground are rugged, steep rocks and dense green vegetation. This is in Ninh Binh, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Vietnam.

Early Breakfast → Your Hotel or Pack Snacks
Grab a quick breakfast at your hotel or pack some snacks for the road.

Travel → Drive to Ninh Binh
Decide on your option for how you will get to Ninh Binh – plan for 2 hours of driving, though the earlier you leave the less traffic you will hit. 

Note – if you opt for an organized tour, you likely won’t have the options to make the choices on what to do. The tour will likely include some of these options though. 

Here are some things to see and do while you are in Ninh Binh:

Trang An Grottoes
Take a boat ride through the limestone karsts, caves, and rivers of Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Eat Lunch at Local Restaurant in Tam Coc
Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch in the Tam Coc area.I don’t have a specific restaurant recommendation. I don’t think I’ve eaten at the same restaurant in Ninh Binh  twice. Just choose one! 

Check out Hang Mua Cave
Climb to the top of this mountain for awesome panoramic views of the countryside, rice paddies, and river. A relatively easy hike that pays off in terms of views!

Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Visit the ancient capital of Vietnam to learn about its history and see the temples of King Dinh and King Le.

Rent a Bike

Lots of little shops rent bikes, or you can pop into a hotel/guest house and rent one. Ride your bike along the river and through the rice fields. 

Evening

Return to Hanoi
Head back to the city, arriving in time for dinner.

Dinner → Bun Bo Nam Bo
You’re probably quite knackered from the full day out and about, so grab a nice easy meal for dinner. Bun Bo Nam Bo is a good option. It is a southern noodle dish. This restaurant is very popular for both dine in and take away. 

Relax
After a full day, enjoy a quiet evening back at your hotel or go book yourself in for a massage! Here are some options in the Old Quarter: Old Quarter Massage

Day 4: West Lake Exploration

This itinerary takes you on a full day in the Tay Ho neighborhood, offering a mix of local and expat vibes,  lakeside views, and unique activities. End the day with classic Hanoi experiences back in the Old Quarter. 

Morning

A unique outdoor sculpture of a sea monster with intricate detailing stands prominently by a lakeside, while in the foreground, three parked bicycles cast long shadows on the pavement, suggesting a serene day by the water in Hanoi, Vietnam

Breakfast → Pho Tu Trang A Tra
Kick off your day with a bowl of pho at Pho Tu Trang A Tra, my absolute favorite pho spot in Hanoi. It is in Ba Dinh, on the way to the museum, about a 10 minute drive from the Old Quarter. 

You will not see this pho restaurant on any list for any traveler in Hanoi – my little secret – but of all the pho I eat in this city…this is the best! 

This family-run eatery serves a bowl of pho that is from the Sapa region of Vietnam. They use lemongrass in their broth and only make it with chicken. The chicken is cooked well and is tender and juicy. The best part is the hand cut noodles. They are not your typical pho noodles. They are thick and have a bit of a bite to them. So so good! 

Explore → Museum of Ethnology
After breakfast, head to the Museum of Ethnology, a short ride away. This museum is one of the best places to learn about Vietnam’s 54 different ethnic groups through exhibits and life-sized traditional houses in the outdoor garden. It’s an insightful stop that brings a deeper appreciation of Vietnam’s culture.

Coffee → AMI Garden Coffee
From the museum get a grab/taxi to take you to  AMI Garden Coffee, located right on West Lake. With its peaceful vibe and prime view of the water, it’s a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a creamy coconut coffee or a classic Vietnamese drip coffee. They also do a pretty decent egg coffee. If you haven’t tried one yet, now is the time!

Walk Along West Lake → From Dragons to Flowers
From AMI Garden Coffee, start your walk along the west side of West Lake. Along the way, you’ll spot the iconic dragon statue—a famous lakeside sculpture. Keep walking, and you’ll pass the “water park/amusement park” with its non-working Ferris wheel. (Wave hello—I live nearby!)

Nearby, you’ll find the West Lake Flower Garden, a seasonal display of flowers that’s quite popular with Vietnamese people for photos in traditional outfits like ao dai. It’s worth stepping inside to see the flowers and designs.

Afternoon

An aerial view of Hanoi showcasing a mix of traditional and modern buildings with red-tiled roofs near the edge of West Lake. The expansive lake reflects the cloudy sky, and the city's modern skyline with tall buildings stretches across the horizon.

Lunch → Chao Ban
Make your way to Chao Ban, my go-to spot for Vietnamese food in Tay Ho. Recently recognized by Bib Gourmand, this restaurant serves delicious Vietnamese fusion dishes in a cozy setting. Don’t miss their crispy spring rolls or the slow-cooked pork belly.

Explore → Tay Ho Neighborhood
After lunch, spend your afternoon wandering the Tay Ho neighborhood. Unlike the hustle of the Old Quarter, Tay Ho’s winding alleys are quieter and lined with residential houses, some impressively large.

If you’re looking to shop, check out these unique stores:

  • Humanity Hanoi: A curated shop with sustainable, ethically made products.
  • Aurient Gold Jewelry: Stunning handmade jewelry with a modern twist.
  • Better World Hanoi: A boutique filled with locally crafted home goods and gifts.
  • Maison Marou: Perfect for chocolate lovers—Vietnamese cacao turned into decadent treats.

Walk Along Quang Khanh
Head to Quang Khanh Street, a lakeside road (sort of) perfect for a leisurely stroll. There’s no set activity here; just enjoy the atmosphere, take in the lake views, and maybe visit one of the nearby temples.

Optional Activities
If you want more action, Tay Ho offers plenty:

  • Arches Climbing Gym: A great indoor spot for rock climbing.
  • Pool Time: Cool off at Octopool or Mizumi Rooftop Pool.
  • CrossFit Tay Ho: Check the schedule and join a class for a workout with the local community.
  • Breweries: Grab a craft beer at 7 Bridges Brewery, Turtle Lake, or The Bottle Shop

Evening

The iconic red wooden bridge, The Huc Bridge, spans a calm green lake at Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam. Surrounded by lush trees, blooming purple flowers, and historic buildings, the scene exudes tranquility under a partly cloudy sky.

Dinner → Madame Hien Restaurant
Return to the Old Quarter and have dinner at Madame Hien, a beautifully decorated Vietnamese restaurant with a historic ambiance. Their menu is a mix of classic and refined Vietnamese dishes—perfect for your last dinner in Hanoi.

Night Stroll → Hoan Kiem Lake
After dinner, take a nighttime stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit the lit up Ngoc Son Temple, located on a small island connected by the iconic red bridge. Even if you’ve seen it before, the lake’s nighttime glow never gets old. 

If it’s a weekend, enjoy the walking street around the lake, complete with food vendors and street performances. Nearby is also the weekend night market where you could shop for souvenirs (cheap ones). 

Final Night → Beer Street (Ta Hien Street)
Wrap up your day (and your Hanoi adventure) at Beer Street, where you’ll sit on tiny plastic stools, drink glass after glass of bia hoi, and soak in the lively atmosphere. Cheers to your incredible time in Hanoi!

After an excellent 4 days in Hanoi, you’ve explored the city’s streets and history, savored its incredible food, and explored everything from cultural landmarks to hidden gems. 

Going other places in Vietnam like Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang? I have guides for you!

Ready to plan your next stop in Vietnam? Head over to my Itinerary Resource Page for more travel inspiration, or let me help you create the perfect Vietnam itinerary tailored just for you!

Katie McGrain is a Vietnam Trip Planning Expert. She has lived in Hanoi, Vietnam since 2017, and has explored just about every corner of this country. She provides female travelers to Vietnam with resources, ideas, and guides on where to go and what to do. Her on the ground research, planning and advising helps women have a safe, memorable and authentic trip to Vietnam.