Hanoi trips and vacations

Walk through the 11th-century Temple of Literature filled with statues, gardens and pavilions. Explore the narrow alleys and century-old shops in the Old Quarter and light incense in Bach Ma Temple, which is more than 1,000 years old. Use your vacation in Hanoi to test your bargaining skills in Dong Xuan Market.

While you’re on vacation in Hanoi, stretch your dining budget with street food treats at Dong Xuan or Vinh Ho Markets. Taste traditional Vietnamese dishes like ‘pho’ (rice noodle soup), ‘banh mi’ (baguette sandwiches) and ‘banh xeo’ (Vietnamese pancakes). For fine dining and Vietnamese fusion dishes, make reservations at Khue Restaurant or JW Cafe.

Relax in admission-free green spaces during your holiday to Hanoi. Walk or pedal around Hoan Kiem Lake, then cross the bridge to Ngoc Son Temple on a small island. Also, spend time in the Botanical Garden at Bach Thao or Cau Giay Park to see native plants.

Ba Dinh is the best place to stay in Hanoi for museums and temples. Learn about the man who led Vietnam’s independence movement at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Then, see the One Pillar Pagoda, an 11th-century temple and UNESCO World Heritage site. If you're an art lover, stop at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum to see both modern works and historical artifacts.

Good for: Temples, history, art

Tay Ho District is the best neighborhood to stay in Hanoi for peaceful settings. Take leisurely hikes along the waterfront promenade, stopping for a bite at Sunset Westlake Restaurant. Float down the lazy river at Ho Tay Water Park. In the evening, drink cocktails with expats at Xuan Dieu Street or try popular nightclubs like Moonlight Sky Bar and The Alchemist.

Good for: Lakeside, expat community, nightlife

Hoan Kiem District is where to stay in Hanoi for urban settings and culture. Visit the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater to see unique puppet shows. Enjoy a coffee at a lakeside cafe and marvel at the architecture of St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Then, take a cyclo (pedicab) tour around the Old Quarter area.

Good for: Architecture, tours, cafes

A visit to Hanoi Zoo in Thu Le Park is one of the most popular things to do with family in Hanoi. See Southeast Asian animals and ride pedal boats across a pond. Walk through replicas of traditional village houses at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and ride slides and roller coasters at West Lake Water Park.

Enjoy the busy atmosphere at the Old Town Night Market on weekends. The three-story Dong Xuan Market has thousands of vendors (who expect you to bargain). For air-conditioned shopping in Hanoi, head to Aeon Mall Long Bien, home to both Vietnamese and international retailers. Visit the Nguyen Art Gallery to find paintings and handicrafts from local artisans.  

Museums in Hanoi explore the city's history, culture and nature. Wander the living history exhibits at Duong Lam Ancient Village or see artifacts from the city's past at the Hanoi Museum. Learn about wildlife at the Vietnam National Museum of Nature. For a look into the lives of Vietnam's poets and writers, stop by the Vietnam Museum of Literature.

The Hoan Kiem and Tay Ho Districts are the centers of nightlife in Hanoi. Sip craft cocktails at Northern Soul or hear DJs at King Pirates Pub. CLU Cocktail Bar offers a romantic setting for a date night. You'll find low-cost beers on Ta Hien Street near Hoan Kiem Lake. 

The Old Quarter is home to the best street food restaurants in Hanoi. Visit Banh Mi 25 for traditional sandwiches and Bun Cha Ta for Hanoi-style pork noodle soup. Find modern Vietnamese dishes at Cha Ca La Vong near Hoan Kiem Lake. For a more formal dining experience, check out restaurants like L’essence De Cuisine, where staff dress in traditional clothing.

Join morning tai chi at the plaza near Hoan Kiem Lake. Then, walk or ride a bike to the nearby Ceramic Road. It has mosaic murals and other ceramic installations that stretch for miles. Other free things to do in Hanoi include strolling through the Quang Ba Flower Market very early in the morning and stopping for a photo op near the 11th-century Imperial Citadel's main gate.