Night view of Hanoi with bright city lights reflecting on a calm river, surrounded by urban buildings. Bold text reads '89 Things to Do in Hanoi' in black and teal over a pink and blue background. This is for an article about what to do in Hanoi.

What to do in Hanoi: 89 Things to See, Do & Eat

ByKatie McGrain

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Planning a trip and wondering what to do in Hanoi? Great, glad you found me!

 With its maze-like streets, rich history, and endless buzz of activity, Hanoi can feel a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors. But it is one of my favorite places in the world and I want to make sure you have an awesome trip here.

The city is an incredible mix of history, landmarks, street food, and hidden gems, but figuring out how to navigate it all is no small task. What’s worth seeing? Where should you eat? And how can you squeeze it all into your itinerary?

This article is packed with 89 ideas to help you explore, eat, and experience the city like a pro. 

As you read, I have linked out to more articles for deeper dives into Hanoi’s best spots and experiences. If you see something that interests you – keep on exploring this site for more info!

Iconic Landmarks and Historical Sites

he historic Ô Quan Chưởng Gate in Hanoi, an ancient brick structure with an arched entrance, decorated with Vietnamese flags and a colorful traditional banner. Motorbikes are parked along the street, with pedestrians and a motorbike rider passing through the gate under a sunny blue sky.

1. Hoan Kiem Lake: Walk around this lake in the heart of Hanoi, perfect for a stroll and people-watching. Good to go any time of day, but the best time is early in the morning. Read more about things to do in the Hoan Kiem District.

2. Ngoc Son Temple:  A small temple on the island in Hoan Kiem Lake aka the Lake of the Returned Sword. Get to it by walking over the iconic red bridge.

    3. Temple of Literature: Vietnam’s first university and a beautiful example of traditional Vietnamese architecture. One of the top tourist attractions in Hanoi and worth a walk around

    4. Tran Quoc Pagoda: The oldest Buddhist temple in Hà Nội, located on a small island in West Lake. Go here while walking around the Truc Bach neighborhood. 

    5. One Pillar Pagoda: A unique, lotus-shaped Buddhist temple. It is literally sitting on one pillar – it’s cool! This is in the Ho Chi Minh Complex, so check out all of the other things to do there while you are visiting. 

    6. Long Bien Bridge: A historic French-built bridge with views of the Red River. Awesome to walk or drive across. Sit at one of the cafes on either end to see the trains and traffic move across.

    7. Hoa Lo Prison Museum: A sobering museum about Vietnam’s history of incarceration, also known as the “Hanoi Hilton.” This is where John McCain and other political prisoners were kept. This is the number one museum all tourists to Hanoi should visit.

    8. John McCain Memorial: A small monument marking the spot where U.S. Senator John McCain was captured during the Vietnam War. It’s not much, and nothing that you necessarily need to seek out but worth a pop by if you’re in the area.

    9. B-52 Remnants: A haunting relic of the Vietnam War submerged in Huu Tiep Lake. It is interesting to see this sticking out of the pond and think about what life was like during the war. Go to the Military History museum nearby afterwards. 

    10. Flag Raising/Lowering Ceremony in Ba Dinh Square: A daily military tradition in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Cool to see the guards march to the flag pole and perform the ceremony.

    11. See the Embalmed Body of Ho Chi Minh: Visit the mausoleum to pay respects to Vietnam’s iconic leader. Get there early and be prepared to wait in line. 

      Cultural Experiences

      St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi, Vietnam, a neo-Gothic structure with twin bell towers, a large central rose window, and a prominent cross at the front. The foreground features lush green trees and nearby buildings, creating a peaceful urban scene under a clear blue sky.

      12. Watch Locals Do Tai Chi: Early morning exercise routines at Hoan Kiem Lake or West Lake or Ly Thai To Park (or really any park or open space in Hanoi!). It is a part of the daily life here, and one of the reasons Vietnam is considered one of the least obese countries in the world.

      13. See a Performance at the Opera House: A stunning French colonial building that is still in working operation. They have regular shows, and worth going to one!

      14. Watch a Show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater: Traditional Vietnamese puppetry on water, with live music. This is a cool and very uniquely Vietnamese thing to see and do. It is one of the top tourist attractions in Hanoi, but worth sitting down for an hour and watching it. 

      15. Visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral: A neo-Gothic church in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. It is the oldest church in Hanoi and is a main focal point of the OQ. It’s a good spot to base yourself and orient things around the city. It is also just a really cool church to look at. Many of my Hanoi itineraries start and/or end here.

      16. Explore the Craft Village on the Outskirts: There are a whole bunch of craft villages on the outskirts of the city. You can find tour companies that will take you there on a day trip, or you can arrange it on your own. Many of these craft villages you can take a class on the traditional craft – pottery making, knife making, silk making. For a full list of all the craft villages you can explore check out this article. 

      17. Find a Temple: Visit small temples scattered across the city. There are so many more than just the most popular ones. Just roam around neighborhoods and you will find them!

      18. Watch a Jazz Show: Catch live music at jazz venues like Binh Minh’s Jazz Club. This is the most popular one, and the perfect spot for a fun evening. 

      19. See a Dragon Dance: If you are in Hanoi during any of the Vietnamese holidays like Tet, Autumn Festival or Reunification day, you may be lucky and catch a show. 

      20. Wear an Ao Dai: Rent or buy a traditional Vietnamese dress and wear it for a photoshoot. Some of the flower gardens are popular places. OR hire a photographer and have them take photos of you around the city. 

        Outdoor Activities

        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

        21. Walk Around West Lake: A full 17-kilometer loop with views of neighborhoods and cafes. This is an excellent way to stay active, but do it early in the morning if you want to beat the heat. 

        22. Ride a Swan Boat: Pedal around Trúc Bạch Lake or Thống Nhất Park in swan-shaped boats. They’re dingy and don’t always work, but are one of the more unique things to do in Hanoi. 

        23. Explore Banana Island: A peaceful retreat with banana plantations and local farms. Rent a bike or stroll around the island. There is a nudist colony you may stumble upon as well! 

        24. Go to a Flower Garden: Visit West Lake’s Thung Lũng Hoa Hồ Tây or Bãi Đá Sông Hồng to see flowers. This is a very popular thing to do for Vietnamese locals. 

        25. Walk Along the Mosaic Wall: The world’s longest ceramic mosaic stretches along the dike road from Tay Ho to the Old Quarter.

        26. Explore a Park: Relax in Lenin Park or Cầu Giấy Park for a break from the city’s chaos. The parks in Hanoi aren’t huge, but there are a good amount of them! Find one and chill!

        27. Discover the 36 Streets of the Old Quarter: Explore the historic trading streets and their unique specialties. You can take one of my DIY walking tours to follow a specific trail.

        28. Walk Along Phung Hung Mural Street: Admire colorful murals that show Hanoi’s history and culture. It is fun to pose with all the photos.

        29. Visit Trinh Con Son Walking Street: A peaceful walking area near West Lake filled with cafes. This is my neighborhood and it has been developed a lot over the years. In time it is going to become a popular tourist destination. 

        Food and Drink Experiences

        A plate of Vietnamese bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls) topped with crispy fried shallots and served with slices of Vietnamese sausage on the side. A basket of fresh herbs, including mint and cilantro, and a small bowl of dipping sauce accompany the dish, set on a green table.

        30. Eat at Chicken Street: A street famous for grilled chicken dishes. This is not super touristy, the chicken is good and the grilled bread is one of my favorite ways to eat a banh mi!

        31. Eat Street Food: Eat on the street! Literally, eat everything! 

        32. Drink Unique Coffee: Try an egg coffee, salt coffee, or peanut butter coffee. Tons of different cafes offer different kinds of coffee. Check out X of the most unique ways to drink coffee in Hanoi.

        33. Drink Vietnamese Coffee: Before you try the unique brews, you must drink Vietnamese coffee either black or with condensed milk. Strong and tasty!

        34. Take a Cooking Class: Learn to make classic Vietnamese dishes. Many cooking classes will also take you on a market tour.

        35. Take a Coffee Making Class: Learn how to make some of Hanoi’s iconic coffee drinks. This will be a good time to taste some of the unique coffees. 

        36. Take a Food Tour: Sample the best eats Hanoi has to offer with a local guide. This is an absolute must for anyone coming to Hanoi. I recommend doing it on one of your first days in the city to get a feel for the food scene.

        37. Try Hot Vit Lon (Balut): A Vietnamese delicacy that’s not for the faint of heart.

        38. Taste Fresh Sugarcane Juice: Grab a glass of nước mía from a street vendor.

          Markets and Shopping

          Market scene in Hanoi with a person wearing a traditional conical hat in the foreground, and vendors in the background busily selling an array of fresh vegetables. The lively market atmosphere is accentuated by the rich colors of the produce and the dynamic interactions between buyers and sellers

          39. Visit a Night Market: Shop for souvenirs and street food at weekend night markets.

          40. Haggle with Street Vendors: Practice your bargaining skills while shopping in the Old Quarter.

          41. Go to a Local Market: Explore wholesale markets like Long Bien or Quang Ba Flower Market. These are going to be much different from the tourist night markets.

          42. Get Clothes Tailored: Have custom clothing made by Hanoi’s tailors. This isn’t like Hoi An, where they can churn out clothes in a day. Only do this if you have a good chunk of time in the city.

          Nightlife

          A bustling nightlife scene in Hanoi's Old Quarter, with crowds of people filling the street surrounded by brightly lit signs for beer and restaurants, including 'Trúc Bạch' and 'Tiger Beer.' The lively atmosphere features people dining, drinking, and socializing under the glow of neon lights.

          43. Hang at a Bia Hoi: Drink fresh, cheap beer at a local street-side bia hoi joint.

          44. Spend the Night on Beer Street: A lively strip in the Old Quarter for tourists and locals. No trip to Hanoi is complete without a night sitting on small stools on beer street.

          45. Find a Hidden Cafe: Discover tucked-away cafes in Hanoi’s alleys and rooftops. Here is a list of some of my favorite hidden cafes in Hanoi. 

          46. Find a Rooftop Bar in the Old Quarter: Watch the chaos below with a drink in hand. Here are some of my favorite rooftop bars.

          47. Get a Drink on the Roof of the Pan Pacific: Enjoy panoramic views of Hanoi. This is one of my favorite spots to have a drink and look at the view on a clear day.

          48. Try Karaoke at a Local Bar: Experience Vietnamese nightlife with friends and a microphone.

          Adventure and Active Experiences

          A person wearing a helmet, sunglasses, and a black North Face jacket sits on a scooter, wrapped in a red blanket with white cat patterns for warmth. The background features a green hedge and a sidewalk, indicating a chilly outdoor setting.

          49. Ride on the Back of a Motorbike: An exciting way to see Hanoi like a local. If you don’t feel comfortable driving your own, go on a motorbike food tour, that is the best way to try it out!

          50. Go Rock Climbing: Visit an indoor climbing gym or explore outdoor options near Hanoi (Ninh Binh or Cat Ba Island would be some day trips you could take for rock climbing)

          51. Go Go Karting: Race friends at the local go Kart track called Go Kart Hanoi.

          52. Go Mini Golfing: Enjoy a round of mini golf Hanoi Mini Golf.

          53. Play a Round of Golf: Tee off at one of Hanoi’s golf courses. Vietnam is becoming a popular destination for golf. Here is some information on golf courses in Hanoi. 

          54. Play Pickleball: Join Hanoi’s growing pickleball community. There are courts EVERYWHERE. Just google “pickleball” near wherever you are staying and there is likely a court.

          55. Go to CrossFit Tay Ho: Get in a workout with Hanoi’s fitness-focused expat community. (Plug for my own business here in Hanoi!)

          56. Get a Massage: Relax at one of Hanoi’s many massage parlors. Even just a street side foot massage whilst exploring the old quarter is a fun thing to do.

          57. Go on a Cyclo Ride Around the Old Quarter: A leisurely ride through Hanoi’s historic streets. Super touristy, but a fun way to see the Old Quarter.

          58. Go to a Pool Hall: Experience Hanoi’s smoky, lively pool halls.

          59. Take a Seaplane Flight: Fly from Hanoi’s Airport to Ha Long Bay on a seaplane with Hai Au Aviation. 

          60. Go Paragliding: Head out of the city with May Paragliding for a paragliding flight. 

          Tours and Guided Activities

          A woman in Hanoi, Vietnam, carries baskets of vegetables balanced on a shoulder pole, walking barefoot down a bustling street lined with trees and motorbikes. She wears a traditional conical hat and a blue shirt, embodying a common scene of daily life in the city.

          61. Go on a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: A convenient way to see Hanoi’s main attractions. There is only one Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour in Hanoi…this one. Here is a guide to the sites you will see on the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus tour.

          62. Take a Free Walking Tour: Explore the city with a knowledgeable local guide. Here are some options for free walking tours.

          63. Go on a Street Photography Tour: Take pictures of the streets of Hanoi with a professional photographer (here are a bunch of tour options). If you don’t want to go on a tour you can follow my guide for some of the most Instagrammable spots in the city. 

          64. Take a Jeep Tour: Cruise through the city in a vintage army jeep. This is a cool tour worth doing.

          Family-Friendly Fun

          65. Visit the Waterpark: Cool off at West Lake Water Park. It is pretty old and dingy, but fun on a hot day! 

          66. Go to a Mall: Shop, eat, and play at Vincom or Aeon Mall. Many malls have big arcades and kids play places. 

          67. Find a Rooftop Pool and Go Swimming: Relax with a swim and a view. Here is a list of my favorite pools in Hanoi

          68. Paint Pottery Along Thuy Khue Street: Try your hand at pottery in a cafe. This is a new popular trend where you can have a coffee and paint some pottery! 

          69. Go to a Kids Cafe: There are lots of kids focused cafes around the city with play places and activities for kids. 

          Day Trips and Beyond

          The image shows a casual outdoor gathering where a young woman, smiling, holds a snake in her hands, presenting it to two seated men who appear amused and intrigued. They are in a relaxed, social setting with blue plastic chairs, and behind them, there's a sign that reads "Cobranest," suggesting a wildlife or adventurous theme. The environment has a tropical feel, with visible greenery and a building in the background.
          Friends hanging out at a restaurant in Snake Village

          70. Take a Day Trip Out of the City: Visit Perfume Pagoda, Tam Coc, or Ninh Binh. Here are more day trips in under 2 hours.

          71. Explore a Craft Village: Go on a trip outside of the city to one of the craft villages. Here is a list of some of the ones worth exploring. 

          72. Visit Snake Village: Just outside the center of Hanoi is a village that serves snake. Not for the faint of heart. 

          Unique Hanoi Experiences

          A street vendor wearing a conical hat and green patterned shirt stands on railway tracks, holding a tray of colorful goods. The setting features a residential building covered in greenery, while another person is seen in the background posing for a photo near the tracks.

          73. Step on the Glass Ceiling at Lotte Observation Deck: This is one of the highest views in the city and has a full glass floor deck you can step on. 

          74. Watch the Chaos Below from a Rooftop Bar: Experience Hanoi’s energy from above.

            75. Ride a Water Buffalo in the Countryside: Experience rural life on the outskirts of Hanoi. I’ve never actually done this, but I have seen people do this on tours around the outskirts of the city! And they aren’t actually “riding” but a farmer let them sit on their water buffalo for a photo!

            76. Visit the Hanoi Train Street Community Center: Learn about the neighborhood’s history and challenges.

            77. Attend a Book Club or Expat Meetup: Connect with Hanoi’s expat and literary communities. You can find communities on Facebook to meet up with. Or checkout events at Bookworm Hanoi, they often have author visits.

            78. Take a Pottery Tour in Bat Trang: Visit multiple workshops and try your hand at the wheel.

            79. Try Hanoi Street Games: Play ô ăn quan or other traditional Vietnamese street games with locals. This will be hard to get yourself in on, but if you have a local tour guide they may be able to help you find a game! It is at least worth watching – very popular with older Vietnamese men!

            80. Visit Museums: Discover Vietnam’s history and art at one of the many museums in the city. Here is a list of Hanoi Museums.

            81. Have a Tailored Ao Dai Made: Take home a custom-made traditional Vietnamese dress. Like getting clothes made, you will need more than a day to get this done.

            82. Taste Vietnamese Wine or Spirits: Sample local rice wine or try a craft distillery. Here is a list of distilleries in Hanoi

            83. Shop for Handwoven Textiles: Visit specialty stores or workshops for one-of-a-kind fabrics. Going to the Fabric Market is a cool place to do this!

            84. Enjoy a Hanoi Picnic: Grab some street food and head to one of the many parks in the city for a picnic. Here is a list of parks to have a picnic in.

            85. Try a Traditional Vietnamese Herbal Sauna: Relax and detox the local way. My favorite place for this is Dao’s Care which has herbal bath and massages. 

            86. Discover Hidden Courtyards in the Old Quarter: Peek behind storefronts to find quiet havens.

            87. Take a Hanoi Back Alley Tour: Explore the lesser-seen parts of the city.

            88. Experience Hanoi by Night on a Vespa Tour: See the city lit up while riding in style.

            89. Do Nothing and Make No Plan: Some of the best days I have had in Hanoi have been when I had no plan and just let the day take me. Walk around with no destination. Pick random food stalls to eat it. Find things that aren’t in any guidebook or blog post!

              Hanoi is a city that’s impossible to fully see in one trip, but this list of 89 things to do will get you closer to experiencing all of it. From historical landmarks and street food to unique local experiences and hidden gems, there’s something here for every type of traveler. 

              Feeling overwhelmed by all the options? Don’t worry—I’m here to help. If you want to make the most of your time in Hanoi without stressing over the details. I have pre-made itineraries and walks for you to check out. I also create custom itineraries tailored to your interests, travel style, and schedule. Go here to see the services that I offer. 

              No matter what, have an awesome trip in Hanoi!

              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.