Three days in Hanoi is the perfect amount of time for seeing everything that Vietnam’s capital city has without feeling rushed. There’s so much to discover, from historical sites to cheap, delicious eats.
This three-day Hanoi itinerary lists out everything you should see and do, as well as recommendations on where to eat for all your meals. You can also spend one day taking a day trip, so I’ve provided an option for a day trip to either Halong Bay or Ninh Binh.
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Day 1: The heart of Hanoi
Egg coffee and breakfast
If you’re a coffee lover, you have to start your trip in Hanoi with the city’s most famous coffee drink – egg coffee or ca phe trung. The creamy, sweet drink is made by whipping egg yolk and condensed milk into a frothy topping that’s poured on top of espresso or iced coffee. Although egg and coffee is an unusual pairing, you’ll be surprised at how well the two go together.
Egg coffee was created at Giang Cafe, which has two locations: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan and 106 Yen Phu. It’s fun to experience egg coffee from where it originated, but you can also easily find it in other cafés.
When it comes to breakfast, I recommend trying a Vietnamese breakfast. Two popular breakfast dishes that are quick and easy to devour are pho and banh mi.
Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup that consists of rice noodles and either beef or chicken, making it a light and comforting option. It often comes with bean sprouts, herbs, lime, and chilies. Pho Ga 26 is known for its chicken pho and opens early in the morning.
Banh mi is a Vietnamese baguette sandwich that’s stuffed with a variety of meats, vegetables, garnishes, and sauce. Common fillings include pate, thin slices of meat, egg, carrot, cucumber, and cilantro. Banh Mi Mama is a popular banh mi place that often has a line. Coming early in the morning for breakfast is one of the best times to experience it without having to wait.
Wander the Old Quarter
Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as 36 Streets, is a bustling maze of restaurants, shops, houses, and hotels. It’s charming yet chaotic, as the streets are filled with tourists, locals, and motorbikes. When I was in Hanoi for a week, one of my favorite things to do was wandering around the Old Quarter and taking in all the sights. I recommend that you do the same.
While you’re at it, you should also visit the attractions that are located in and around the Old Quarter: Bach Ma Temple, Dong Xuan Market, and Hanoi Ancient House.
Lunch
For lunch, I recommend taking the opportunity to try notable Vietnamese dishes.
Bún chả is one of my favorites. Mouth-watering grilled pork is served over a bowl of rice noodles with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a sweet and salty dipping sauce on the side. While you can find bún chả throughout Vietnam, it’s believed to have originated in Hanoi. There are many great places to try bún chả, and one of my favorites is the family-run restaurant Bún Chả Lằu Gất Gụ.
Bún bò nam bộ is a beef noodle salad that’s popular in Hanoi. Stir-fried beef, rice noodles, cucumbers, carrots, herbs, fried shallots, and peanuts are piled into a bowl and a fish sauce dressing is poured on top. Then, you mix everything together. Bún Bò Nam Bộ Bách Phương is a well-known place to try this dish. In fact, it’s pretty much the only thing the restaurant serves.
Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake
Make your way south to Hoan Kiem Lake, where you’ll find both locals and tourists walking around or hanging out by the lake. It’s also a popular spot for running. Go for a stroll around the lake, and pop into one of the many restaurants or cafés that surround the lake when you’re tired.
Aside from enjoying the lake, you can visit Ngoc Son Temple, which is located at the northern end of the lake. Walk across the bright red bridge into the small temple complex to see the lake and its surroundings from a different vantage point.
Drinks and dinner on Ta Hien Street
Ta Hien Street (Beer Street) is one of the centers of Hanoi nightlife. The street is filled with restaurants advertising cheap local beer and food. Simply walk down the street and grab a table at any place that catches your eye. Ta Hien Street is not the place to go for the best food in Hanoi, but it’s a fun, lively spot for a convenient night out that you should experience at least once.
Day 2: History and culture
Breakfast
For breakfast on your way to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, there are two options. Briques is a cheery, brightly colored restaurant in the Old Quarter that specializes in Western-style breakfast foods, such as croissant sandwiches, waffles, french toast, and toasts. For a Vietnamese breakfast, An Café is known for its banh mis and cute drinks.
Explore historic grounds at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Dating back to the 11th century, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that used to be the center of political power. The complex is large and much of it has been well preserved, including towering gates, a flag tower, and a palace.
Plan to spend about 1.5 to 2+ hours here. Admission is 30,000 VND (~$1.25 USD).
See Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh is one of the most well-known leaders of Vietnam. He led the Vietnamese nationalist movement and was the president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam from 1945 to 1969. The site where his body lays attracts both national and foreign visitors each day.
You’ll need to go through a quick security check in order to visit the grounds surrounding Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. You’ll also need to wear something that covers your knees and shoulders. In addition to going inside the mausoleum, be sure to explore the gardens to see Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda.
Lunch
It’s best to find lunch along the way to the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, since that’s in the direction of your next step, Hoa Lo Prison. If you haven’t gone to An Café, Bún Bò Nam Bộ Bách Phương, or Banh Mi Mama yet, all of them are good lunch stops.
Another option is Sadhu Vegetarian Restaurant, which offers an all-you-can-eat menu. For a flat price, you can order as many dishes as you want off of their menu. hàng quà Restaurant has a variety of Vietnamese dishes ranging from sticky rice bowls to soups.
Learn about Hoa Lo Prison
Hoa Lo Prison is an impactful, sobering historical site that’s important to visit. The prison was built by the French to detain Vietnamese prisoners. Later, it was used to house American prisoners of war during the Vietnam War, earning it the nickname “Hanoi Hilton.”
Make sure to purchase the audio guide when you’re there. Although it costs more than the entry ticket, it adds valuable context and personal stories to what you see.
Catch a water puppet show
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is the only Vietnam theater that holds the record of performing water puppetry 365 days a year, and its performances have reached audiences from over 40 countries. Water puppetry is a unique art only found in Vietnam. Puppeteers stand in a pool of water and use long rods and strings to move puppets over the water.
Performances are only done in Vietnamese. While you can rent an audio guide, it’s not necessary. By watching the puppets, you’ll be able to understand the stories that are being acted out.
Shows occur throughout the day, so you can catch one before dinner. Book tickets by going in person or by emailing or calling them – their contact info is on their website.
Dinner
To decide on where to go for dinner, take a look back at the lunch options for Day 2 of this itinerary. If you’ve been skipping breakfast, you can also go to two places that were suggested for breakfast on Day 1: Pho Ga 26 and Banh Mi Mama.
Day 3: Photo ops and more history
Breakfast
For your final breakfast in Hanoi, you can go to any of the places that you haven’t been to yet on this itinerary. New options include Dream Beans Coffee Roastery and Bancông Cafe & Restaurant.
Admire the Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature is the first beautiful backdrop of the day, and it’s best to go first thing in the morning if you don’t want other people in your photos. The temple is dedicated to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and was home to Vietnam’s first university. Upon entering, you’ll be able to walk along manicured paths, enjoy the charming courtyards, and learn about the history of the temple and Vietnam’s education system.
See the temples by Ho Tay Lake
From the Temple of Literature, you’ll walk about 40 minutes north to Ho Tay Lake or West Lake. Walking around the entire lake takes about three to four hours. It’s a great activity if you’ve seen everything else in Hanoi, but you’re not here for that.
Instead, head straight to Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda. While Quan Thanh Temple is one of the Four Sacred Temples that were built to “protect the capital from malevolent spirits,” Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest Buddhist temple in the city.
Lunch
After Ho Tay Lake, you’ll head back down south toward the French Quarter. On your way, there are a number of Indian restaurants that you can drop into if you want a taste of something different. Southern Delights – Pure Vegetarian South Indian and Masha Allah Indian Restaurant in Hanoi are some of the best.
For beers and Western food that’s steps away from Ho Tay Lake, check out Hanoi Fusion Pub & Restaurant or Pasteur Street Craft Beer.
If you want to stick to Vietnamese food, try Phở Cuốn Chinh Thắng, which is known for its pan-fried pho, “pho pillows,” and pho cuon rolls. HaNoi Draftbeer & Traditional food serves cheap food and drinks on the side of the street.
You most likely haven’t tried nem nướng yet, which is Vietnamese grilled pork sausage or meatballs. Nem Nướng Nha Trang Quế Hoa serves them up in several different ways. You can get them with other ingredients on a platter to make your own spring rolls, served on top of noodles, or on their own. Ordering a platter for spring rolls is the best way to go here.
Discover the French Quarter
While the Old Quarter is north of Hoan Kiem Lake, the French Quarter sits on the east side of the lake. The area is less hectic than the Old Quarter and quaint with its fancy hotels and French colonial architecture. One landmark here that you can’t miss is the yellow and white Hanoi Opera House.
Try to catch the train at Train Street
Your last sightseeing stop of the day is Hanoi Train Street. As its name suggests, the street is an active railway that sees trains passing through it multiple times a day. It’s also a residential street lined with houses and cafés. Tourists flock to Train Street for photos, as well as to try and see the train drive through it.
Due to its popularity and the dangers of incoming trains, visiting Train Street requires sitting in one of the cafés along the street. You’ll need to purchase something while waiting for the train, but it’s a nice way to pass the time.
Train schedules are constantly changing, so it’s best to check with local shop owners once you get to Hanoi. However, there’s plenty of time to catch a train, as they run through Train Street from morning to night.
Cap off your time in Hanoi with drinks and dinner
If you’ve been drinking in Hanoi, you may have mostly been sticking to cheap local beer. While there’s nothing wrong with that, Hanoi also has an interesting cocktail scene that’s worth checking out. Local mixologists are turning regional flavors and local ingredients into creative cocktails. Some of the best bars to have a drink at are Nê Cocktail Bar, The Alchemist, The Haflington, and Track 61 at The Hudson Rooms.
For food, you can try any of the restaurants already mentioned in this itinerary that you haven’t been to yet. Otherwise, Hanoi Food Culture Restaurant & Cooking Class serves good cocktails and classic Vietnamese dishes in a lovely setting. To try more local dishes, head to Chả Cá Phan for chả cá lã vọng, a Vietnamese grilled fish from Hanoi.
Optional: Take a day trip to Halong Bay or Ninh Binh
Halong Bay
Taking a cruise in Halong Bay is a popular activity to do in northern Vietnam. While I think that Halong Bay is best experienced through a two-day cruise or one that’s longer, one day is all you need if you’re short on time. A day trip to Halong Bay allows you to see why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The limestone cliffs that jut up from green-blue water create a stunning backdrop for sailing.
A day cruise to Halong Bay usually includes kayaking and swimming, so it’s important to pack accordingly.
If you plan on doing a day trip, make sure to book in advance since seeing Halong Bay is a popular tourist activity.
Ninh Binh
As one of my favorite places in Vietnam, Ninh Binh is the perfect day trip from Hanoi if you prefer to stay on land or want a combination of scenery and history. It only takes 1.5 to three hours to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, depending on whether you take a bus, train, or taxi. For most people, the bus will be the best option since it’s cheap, convenient, and comfortable enough.
When traveling to Ninh Binh, note that your destination should actually be Tam Coc. The small town in Ninh Binh province is close to most tourist sites, which is why it’s better to get off there and not in the city of Ninh Binh.
There are many things to do in Ninh Binh, including taking a boat ride through caves, hiking up to a stunning viewpoint, and seeing beautiful temples. You’ll have more than enough activities to fill an entire day there.
More resources for traveling Vietnam
- 5 Best Hostels and Homestays I Stayed at in Vietnam
- 5 Complete Itineraries to See North Vietnam in 7 Days
- How to Solo Travel Vietnam
