Things to Do in Hanoi: Honest Highlights, Hidden Corners, and What Locals Actually Love

Hanoi mixes egg coffee mornings with scooter-fueled nights. From Old Quarter walks to hidden cafés, temples, and street food—here’s what to do.

Hanoi moves at two speeds: slow mornings over egg coffee, and turbocharged evenings of scooters, neon, and street food. The city is both graceful and gritty—French architecture, lakeside strolls, back-alley markets, and the country’s most creative food scene. Whether you want classics or unexpected local favorites, here’s how to do Hanoi right.

TL;DR: What to Expect at a Glance

Experience	Where	Why Go	When	Local Tip
Old Quarter Walk	Hoan Kiem District	Vibrant streets, local eats	Early morning/Evening	Watch for weekend night market
Egg Coffee	Giang/Egg Cafe Row	Hanoi’s liquid dessert icon	Anytime (cool or rain)	Try at Giang, or hidden cafes
Train Street	Phung Hung/Tran Phu	Trains zoom past tiny cafés	Daytime, off-peak	Respect closures, be quick
Temple of Literature	Nguyen Thai Hoc	Ancient university, leafy calm	Morning	University entrance cheap
Hoa Lo Prison	Hoa Lo St.	Chilling history lesson	Midday (rainy)	Combine with St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Water Puppet Show	Hoan Kiem Theater	Only-in-Vietnam performance	Late afternoon	Book ahead in peak months
Bun Cha Lunch	Hang Manh, Old Quarter	Smoky pork, rice noodles	Lunchtime	Eat where locals queue
West Lake Cycle	Tay Ho	Views, coffee, pagodas	Early morning	Rent by hour near Trinh Cong Son/

The Classic List (Don’t Skip These):

1. Wander the Old Quarter’s Lanes

Why: Hanoi’s tangled heart—street food steam, French colonial balconettes, sidewalk cafes pouring strong coffee. No map needed: just follow your nose and the crowds.

Don’t miss: Bach Ma Temple, Dong Xuan Market, Bia Hoi junction for draft beer at sunset.

2. Slurp Bun Cha Where Obama Ate

Why: Charcoal-grilled pork, slippery noodles, mountain herbs—a local lunch ritual.

Where: Bun Cha Huong Lien (Obama’s spot), or find less crowded alleys off Hang Quat.
Pro tip: Goes best with crispy nem cua be (fried crab spring rolls).

3. Egg Coffee in a Secret Upstairs Cafe

Why: Rich coffee topped with silky meringue-like foam. Created in Hanoi, still best here.

Where: Café Giang (the original), or Cafe Đinh for lakeside views.

4. Temple of Literature & Hoa Lo Prison

Why: Classic for a reason—one scholarly, one sobering.

Temple tip: Quietest early; postcard-perfect lotus ponds in summer.
Prison tip: Eyewitness stories, French colonial cells. Sombre, but very real.

5. Water Puppet Theater

Why: Hanoi’s folk storytelling—live music, puppets gliding across a water stage.

Book: Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre sells out early on weekends.

For Food, Coffee, and Markets

Eat Banh Cuon (steamed rice rolls) for breakfast at Banh Cuon Gia Truyen (14 Hang Ga).
Sip coconut coffee at Cong Ca Phe (Vietnamese retro chain).
Find night market madness (Friday–Sunday, 6pm+) on Hang Dao to Dong Xuan—snacks, souvenirs, hip hop dancers.
Try local craft beer at Pasteur Street or Turtle Lake Brewing, or order bia hoi (fresh, unfiltered beer) with rooftop views.

Beach Table: Quick Comparison (Bookmark or Share)

Tay Ho (West Lake): Early-morning jogs, Buddhist pagodas, luxe brunches.
Long Bien Market (pre-dawn): Hanoi’s produce nerve center. See Vietnam wake up at 3–5am.
Book Street (Đinh Lễ): Tiny alleyway of bookstores, quiet in the heat.

Seasonal & Special

Lunar New Year (Tet, Jan/Feb): City empties, decorated kumquat trees everywhere.
Autumn (Sep–Nov): Fragrant milk flower trees, perfect lakeside cycling.
Winter (Dec–Feb): Chilly, foggy—perfect for hot pho and sticky rice.

Table: Top Hanoi Experiences and When to Go

Activity	Best Time	Notes
Old Quarter walk	Early/Late	Midday sun is harsh, evening lively
Bun Cha lunch	11:00–13:00	Most shops close by mid-afternoon
Water puppet show	15:30–20:00	Book 2+ days ahead (peak weekends)
Train Street photo	09:00–17:00	Respect closures, no lingering on tracks
West Lake cycling	Sunrise	Avoid highways, bring a camera

Practical Tips for Hanoi

Cash is king at markets, but most cafés take cards.
Crossing the road? Walk slow and steady—scooters flow around you (promise!).
Rain? Find a cafe with a view—Hanoi in the drizzle is extra photogenic.
Dress code: Temples/pagodas ask for covered knees and shoulders.
Grab app: Your friend for taxis and navigation—screenshots help with addresses.

FAQ: Things to Do in Hanoi

Q: Where do locals go for coffee?
A: Café Giang for egg coffee, Tranquil Books & Coffee for quiet, Cong Ca Phe for coconut coffee with a view.

Q: Is Train Street open?
A: Sometimes—authorities close/reopen often. Check before going, buy a drink and be quick with photos.

Q: Are museums worth it?
A: The Ethnology Museum (north end), Fine Arts Museum, and Hoa Lo Prison are most rewarding.

Q: Best spot for street food newbies?
A: Start with Hang Bun, Ta Hien, or Ly Quoc Su—lots of variety and easy to menu-point. Our tipping guide helps you handle etiquette at street stalls and restaurants.

Q: Is Hanoi walkable?
A: Central Old Quarter, French Quarter, and Lake areas are best by foot—grab a paper map for backstreets. If you’re in the city for a short time, our Vietnam Itinerary 10 Days shows how to fit Hanoi into a bigger trip.