Bustling Streets of The Old Quarter

Some famous streets that you should visit are:

• Gia Ngu Street
• Hoan Kiem Street
• Hang Quat Street

Visit The Hang Be Market

Food is at the core of every trip, therefore, our first suggestion for you is to visit the famous Hang Be market. Located in the heart of Hanoi Old Quarter and just 5 minutes from Hoan Kiem Lake, it has existed for hundreds of years and is

Some delicious foods that you can find in the Hang Be market are spring rolls, banh mi, pho, fruits, and even hot pots!

Roam Around The Hoan Kiem Lake

A focal point in Hanoi’s cultural and social activities for centuries, Hoan Kiem Lake is situated 500 metres away from the banks of the Red River.

Be sure to visit Ngoc Son Temple, situated on the island north of the lake. The temple is dedicated to military commander Tran Hung Dao (one of Vietnamese’s 14 national heroes), who defeated two out of three major Mongolian invasions in the late 13th century. The island is called Jade Island, and it’s connected to the shore with the red-painted ‘Welcoming the Morning Sunlight’ bridge.

Hoan Kiem Lake is a refreshing spot for visitors and locals alike. Families visit its banks, have picnics and enjoy the serenity. At times, you might encounter artists performing by the banks of the river.

The Famous Train Street

One of Hanoi’s most iconic sights is Train Street. What intrigues tourists the most about this street is seeing people sit on the side of the narrow street whilst a train passes. However, due to overwhelming amounts of tourists, the train street was often found crowded, and unfortunately as a result, the authorities of Hanoi have guarded some stops and restricted the number of visitors at one time. But don’t worry, if you follow these tips, you can still experience Train Street.

If you look up Hanoi Train Street 2024, you will probably see some conflicting information about whether it’s open or not. The main area of Hanoi Train Street is closed to tourists, there are barricades on the tracks, to prevent people from entering, plus officials in uniform standing guard.

If you try to access Tain Street from The Old Quarter, you will need to contact a cafe owner and arrange for them to take you onto Train Street. There are stories of tourists being harassed by cafe owners, additionally, the street is heavily guarded. This just doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a super positive experience. So during your visit to Hanoi, visit this section of Train Street instead! Just behind Le Duan Street, you can access the tracks. Not only are there no barricades or security here, but the experience is more relaxed and enjoyable. You do not need to get escorted and cafe owners are not harassing you to visit their cafes. For now, there are also fewer tourists!

Keep 1 thing in mind – Even though Hanoi Train Street is technically free to visit, you will need to support a cafe by purchasing something. All cafes will offer some sort of drinks, including coffee, smoothies, or beer. Some, even have food. Make sure to bring cash, as some cafes may not take credit cards.

Temple of Literature

You should also visit the very famous landmark and one of the most unique places to visit in Hanoi with immense cultural importance. The Temple of Literature is the first university complex in Vietnam. Constructed in the 11th century (1070), the university stayed in action for over 700 years until colonization. Not only is it a cultural and historical relic, but it is also where many students come to pray for luck in their upcoming exams and studies.

Enjoy The Water Puppet Show

The Thang Long Water Puppet Show has been going on for centuries from 1969. Puppet Theater is a renowned old theater in the capital city of Hanoi, representing the artistry of Vietnamese culture. The Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is a renowned cultural attraction in Hanoi, showcasing over 500 traditional Vietnamese water puppet shows. These performances often portray scenes from Vietnamese folklore, history, and everyday life, accompanied by live music.

Immerse Yourself in Hanoi’s Food Culture

Once a foodie, always a foodie. If you are just like us when it comes to food, with a deep passion for tasting every new traditional dish, then Hanoi is the perfect place for you. It is home to delicious cuisine, on every corner of the bustling busy streets.

These are some good quality restaurants that you can try:

• Veggie Castle 
• Banh Mi 25
• Ding Doong restaurant 
• Huong Thien

However, the BEST way to immerse yourself in Hanoi’s food culture, and try things you would never try on your own, is to take a walking food tour.

Banh Mi – The Famous Dish of Hanoi

Nobody will believe that you have been to Hanoi if you do not try its most famous dish, Banh Mi. But what exactly is an authentic Banh Mi and why should you spend money on it? The origin of the bánh mì can be traced back to the French-style breakfast platters that were popular during Vietnam’s colonial era. Banh mi has a moderate thin crust, crispy outside but soft, and fragrant inside. Traditional Banh mi Hanoi’s fillings include liver pâté, pork floss, Vietnamese pork bologna, spring rolls, pickled carrot, cucumber, and coriander. Hanoi produces the most genuinely delicious Banh Mi ever!

Today, bánh mì carts are ubiquitous throughout Vietnam. For Hanoi’s finest, head to one of the following.

• Bahn Mi Tram
• Bami An Bread
• Bahn My Duc Long Kebab
• Huong Vien
• Bahn Mi Minh Nhat
• Bahn Mi 25
• Bahn Mi Pho Hue
• Banh Mi hay Tran Hung Dao

Vietnamese Coffee – The True Culinary Adventure

For us, enjoying a cup of coffee is essential no matter where we are, but in Hanoi, it becomes an entirely unique experience. For coffee enthusiasts, this city is renowned for its vibrant café culture. Unlike many other places where picturesque interiors attract customers, Hanoi thrives on coffee in a more traditional and ceremonial manner, deeply embedded in the local way of life. In Hanoi’s iconic coffee houses, modern third-wave coffee shops, and trendy cafés you’ll experience unique and delicious coffee drinks that make Hanoi’s coffee scene so special, like egg coffee and coconut coffee.

When ordering coffee, just remember these things – caphe den is black coffee and caphe sua is coffee with condensed milk. Additionally, egg coffee is coffee mixed with hot raw egg and coconut coffee is frozen coconut milk is added to black coffee and topped with coconut ice shavings. All a taste sensation that should not be missed!

For must-try coffee in Hanoi, head to one of the following: 

• cộng caphe
• kafeville
• café nola
• café dinh
• maison de tet decor

Visit The Architectural & Religious Monuments That Hanoi Has to Offer

If you are left with enough energy to walk around large buildings, you should explore the architectural monuments there. Visiting these monuments is a good choice especially if you have a keen interest in learning about the historical and cultural heritage of Vietnam and its people. On our visit, we did not have time to explore these but they are quite interesting. 

These are some of the places you can visit: 

• Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – The entry ticket is 30,000 VND and the timings are 8:30 am to 11:30 am, 2 pm to 5 pm. It is closed on Mondays. 
• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum – Being the president’s tomb, it is free of cost for Vietnamese people but for foreigners, the price is 25,000 VND.
• St. Joseph’s Cathedral – It is free to visit any time between 5 to 11:30 in the morning.

The Museum of Ethnology

Many people think that it is a research centre and do not consider visiting it but they are unaware that it is also a public museum. There is an exhibition of around 15,000 art pieces that enlighten the visitors about the customs and practices of all ethnic groups of the country. The entry ticket is 40,000 VND but do not go on a Monday or you will be meeting a closed door.

Fine Arts Museum (Bao Thang My Thuat)

If you are a fan of paintings and art pieces, visiting the Fine Arts Museum of Hanoi is like a dream come true. It is the primary museum of the whole country and contains numerous beautiful artifacts. Getting to see splendid productions of famous artists from the historical periods of Vietnam is a fascinating change. The ticket price is the same as the ethnology museum, 40,000 VND

Become A Part of Hanoi’s Art Scene

Whether you travel across the Hanoi Night Market, Hang Be Market, the Old Quarter, or The Temple of Literature, you will experience artistry in every part of Hanoi. So you should not forget to indulge yourself in its art scene entirely. 

Helpful Tips For Your Visit To Hanoi

Best Areas To Stay In

The best area to stay in Hanoi is the Old Quarter, its central position allows for easy access to the most iconic landmarks such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Dong Xuan Market, Hang Da Market, Hang Bac Street, and Hang Gai Street. 

The French Quarter is another area to stay, however, there are fewer budget accommodations but many of the city’s sights are located in the French Quarter. as is much of its historic architecture.

Travelling

You can reach Hanoi from any country around the world by plane. However, some countries have connecting flights to Hanoi a longer travel time might be experienced. For travelling within Hanoi, there are many options such as sleeper buses, and sleeper trains. Tickets for these are easily booked, check out 12Go for booking trains, buses and ferries.Watch out for taxi scams, most tourists use the popular ride-share, Grab instead.

Weather & Clothing

Hanoi is not a very cold city and the temperature barely drops to 3℃ otherwise it’s always above 10℃ during the winter. In the hot months, the temperature can rise to 20℃ or sometimes higher so any kind of material is suitable for clothing in Hanoi.

Duration of Stay

If you want to explore and experience all the things that Hanoi has to offer, you will need at least a week. Most people, like us, want to travel the whole of Vietnam so they do not stay in Hanoi for long. If you have planned a single trip to Hanoi, make sure you book it for 5 to 7 days so that you do not miss out on anything!

Hanoi – The Home of Vietnamese Culture

It’s not surprising that anybody that visits, falls in love with Hanoi. The people, the environment, and every little event is a memory etched into your hearts forever.