The Best Ways to Soak in the Sights, Sounds and Tastes of Hanoi
What Will You Find in Hanoi?
Hanoi is an exciting city where age-old traditions and modern developments exist side by side. There’s no better way to experience the city than getting lost in the Old City, dining on street food, shopping and strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake.
While the country is so small you could easily pack all the highlights into 10 days in Vietnam, if you want to really soak up the Vietnamese culture, you should spend a good chunk of your time in Hanoi.
To help you get the most out of your trip, we’ve rounded up our picks of the best things to do in Hanoi.
Eat Street Food
The street food in Hanoi is some of the best in the world. Indulge in Vietnamese specialties on tiny stools at street food stalls, or grab some for takeaway and enjoy it at one of the lakes in Hanoi for a more laid-back experience. Some of the more familiar dishes will be pho and banh mi, which are both popular in the West.
You’ll certainly want to get your pho fix and whether you go for pho bo (beef) or pho ga (chicken) — you’ll find both on offer at plenty of establishments around the city, especially early in the day. Pho Gia Truyen is our favorite place for beef pho, whereas we choose Pho Lam Nam Ngu when we are looking for chicken pho.
Bun cha, a fried seafood roll, is one of the most famous dishes in Northern Vietnam. One of our favorite places for bun cha is Nha Hang Thanh Hop, but expect it to be busy. Banh mi enthusiasts will find plenty of options as well. We always make sure to stop by Hoi An Banh Mi when we are in Hanoi. It’s a chain with several branches around the city.
Wash it all down with a delightfully strong Vietnamese coffee. There are tons of hip cafes and street stalls selling variations of the signature drink.
Shop in the Old City
Shopping the tiny shophouses and bustling markets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is one of the quintessential activities for visitors. You’ll find virtually everything from chintzy souvenirs to coffee beans to coffins (no joke!). Each type of good is lumped together, so you will find streets that specialize in one specific item.
You’ll definitely feel lost your first time wandering the shops, but we feel like that’s part of the experience. Make sure you pay close attention where you are walking as the car and motor bike traffic can be a bit intense.
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Hoan Kiem Lake
Walking around Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the best ways to experience Hanoi just like a local. The lake is popular place to relax, stroll or enjoy a peaceful moment away from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding streets. The lake is surrounded with tourist attractions and beautiful architecture.
After enjoying a relaxing afternoon stroll, watch the sunset from a cafe with a view of the lake. There are plenty of cafes on the fourth and fifth floors in the areas surrounding the lake.
Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum
Similar to Mao and Lenin, the body of Ho Chi Minh, the venerable Vietnamese communist leader, has been preserved in a massive marble monument. The body is on display deep within the structure inside a glass sarcophagus. Visitors who wish to go inside the mausoleum should dress modestly and be prepared to store their bags before entering.
The mausoleum is only open to the public during certain hours and the wait can be a bit long. Lucky visitors will have the chance to see the changing of the guard, which is quite the interesting experience.
Hoa Lo Prison
Hoa Lo Prison was a formidable prison that held U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this time, Americans referred to the prison as the Hanoi Hilton. Most of the prison was destroyed during the 1990s, however the gatehouse has been converted into a museum. The museum mainly shows exhibits related to its prior use by French colonists to hold political prisoners.
However, there are some exhibits related to American prisoners including the interrogation room, war propaganda and other materials including famous former prisoner, Senator John McCain’s flight suit. The museum is small, doesn’t take long to tour and can be an important stop for those interested in history.
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See a Water Puppet Show
Water Puppetry is a traditional Vietnamese art form that dates back to the 11th century. The tradition originated in the villages in Northern Vietnam. The shows traditionally depict rice farming and other aspects of traditional life. The puppeteers stand waist deep in water behind a split bamboo screen and the water acts as the stage.
Music is played while the puppets depict a variety of scenes from Vietnamese village life. Two of the most popular places to see a show in Hanoi are Thang Long Water Puppet Theater and Lotus Water Puppet Theater.
Beyond Hanoi
A bit further afield, many tourists come to Hanoi to visit Halong Bay and Sapa. You will find a plethora of tour companies in the Old City offering tours of both destinations. Read TripAdvisor reviews and ask around for the experiences of other travelers as tour companies definitely aren’t created equally.
