Quick answer: Must-dos in Hanoi are the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a water puppet show, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Hoa Lo Prison, West Lake, a street food tour with pho, bun cha and egg coffee, and trips to Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh.
Hanoi rewards slow wandering and adventurous eating. Here are the 20 best things to do.
Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem
- The Old Quarter: streets named after their traditional trades.
- Hoan Kiem Lake, the Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple.
- The weekend walking street: car-free evenings around the lake.
- Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre: a uniquely Vietnamese show.
- Dong Xuan Market: the city’s biggest covered market.
- St Joseph’s Cathedral and its café-lined square.
- Train Street: houses beside the railway. Access is sometimes restricted for safety, so follow the local rules.
History and culture
- The Temple of Literature: an 11th-century Confucian university.
- The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (mornings, with a strict dress code), plus the stilt house and One Pillar Pagoda.
- Hoa Lo Prison: the “Hanoi Hilton”, a sobering history.
- The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: the country’s ethnic diversity, with full-size houses.
- The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: a UNESCO site.
- The Vietnamese Women’s Museum: excellent and often overlooked.
Food and drink
- Pho for breakfast, ideally beef pho at a local favourite.
- Bun cha: grilled pork and noodles.
- Egg coffee at a historic café.
- Bia hoi: fresh draught beer on tiny stools.
Beyond the centre
- West Lake (Tay Ho): lakeside cafés and Tran Quoc Pagoda.
- Ha Long Bay: karst seascapes. See our guide.
- Ninh Binh: “Ha Long Bay on land”, with boat trips through limestone valleys.
Compare Hanoi street food tours, Ninh Binh and Ha Long trips.
Tips
- Many museums close on Mondays, and the mausoleum has limited opening days and seasonal closures.
- Eat where locals queue. Turnover means fresh food.
- Carry small notes in VND for street food.
More Hanoi guides
- Hanoi travel guide
- Hanoi itinerary: 3, 4 or 5 days
- Where to stay in Hanoi
- Ha Long Bay from Hanoi
- Vietnam e-visa and visa-free entry
- Hanoi Airport to the Old Quarter
- Best time to visit Hanoi
FAQ: Things to do in Hanoi
What is Hanoi famous for?
The Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, street food such as pho and bun cha, egg coffee, water puppets, and being the gateway to Ha Long Bay.
Is Ninh Binh or Ha Long Bay better?
Ha Long for seascapes and overnight cruises, and Ninh Binh for river boats and countryside cycling. Both are excellent.
Can I visit Train Street?
Access has been restricted at times for safety. Check the current rules and never stand on the tracks when a train is due.
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