Best Areas in Hanoi for a Walking Tour

As you may already know, Hanoi is a bustling metropolis in Vietnam. Its streets are full of action, filled with vehicles and people streaming from all directions—a part of the city’s charm. However, you can still find spaces to stretch your legs amid all that. Read on as we uncover the best walking areas in Hanoi!

Best Walking Areas in Hanoi: Hoan Kiem Lake

Regarding the best walking areas in Hanoi, there has to be Hoan Kiem Lake – one of the city’s most known destinations. It’s a complex of three attractions in one location: The Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple, and Hoan Kiem Lake. You can enjoy a peaceful walk on the spacious pavement decorated with various flowerbeds to gaze upon the greenish beauty of the trees and the water.

Here’s a list of things you can do around Hoan Kiem Lake:

• Visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral
• Visit Dinh Le Book Street
• Have a Trang Tien ice cream cone
• Buy souvenirs
• Enjoy art performances and Vietnamese folk games on the weekends

Best Walking Areas in Hanoi: Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi Old Quarter boasts a unique fusion of the old and the new, connected by a fantastic system of intersecting streets and small alleyways. It’s the center for most of the city’s recreational activities and a popular destination for foreign visitors. Stroll down the streets, admire some of Hanoi’s oldest houses, and when you’re tired, indulge the fantastic street food, then knock down a few “Bia Hoi”. There couldn’t be a more satisfying experience than that!

Here’s a list of things to do in the Hanoi Old Quarter:

1. Visit Ly Quoc Su Temple
2. Admire the Ma May Old House
3. Try the best foods in the Old Quarter
4. Have a beer on Ta Hien Street at night
5. Observe the local way of life

Stay at a top-rated hotel in the Old Quarter:

Best Walking Areas in Hanoi: Phung Hung Mural Street

After the authorities closed the train street coffees for safety reasons, Phung Hung Mural Street emerged as the following hip location for local youths to socialize with a train view! Open to the public in February 2018, Phung Hung Street is revived with numerous paintings, each fitted in an arch below the train tracks. They celebrate Hanoi’s past with projections of the old trains, vendors, etc… A walk on Phung Hung Street will bring you a nostalgic feeling of old Hanoi.

Here’s a list of things to do around Phung Hung Mural Street:

1. Pose with the beautiful murals
2. Take pictures of the trains
3. Visit Hang Dau Water Tank

Best Walking Areas in Hanoi: Long Bien Bridge

Dubbed as the “witness of history”, Long Bien Bridge is the oldest bridge in Hanoi. Nowadays, the bridge is still in business, serving millions of people every day. You can take a walk along Long Bien Bridge and watch as locals make their way to the city center and back, vendors selling products from fields right underneath where you’re standing. Here, you can look across the Red River and, on a beautiful day, get a spectacular view of the sunset.

Here’s a list of things to do around Long Bien Bridge:

1. Take pictures of the bridge
2. Buy snacks from the streetside vendors
3. Observe the Red River

Best Walking Areas in Hanoi: West Lake

It’d be a huge miss if we did not mention West Lake as one of Hanoi’s most pedestrian-friendly locations. The combination of refreshing air, tranquil atmosphere, and captivating scenery makes stretching your legs a pleasure. Moreover, the West Lake area is crowded with beautiful hotels and amazing restaurants, perfect for relaxing after a long walk.

Here’s a list of things to do around the West Lake area:

1. Visit sacred temples and pagodas
2. Try West Lake Shrimp Cake and Banh Gio
3. Having a nice cup of coffee

See more at Top Things to Do around the West Lake area.

Tips to Enjoy a Walk in Hanoi

Protect yourself: Hanoi has complex weather that varies throughout the year, so do your research and pack accordingly.

Get comfortable: Since you’ll be walking a lot, a comfortable pair of sneakers will be your best defense against sore feet.

Be careful: Always watch both ways before crossing the streets.

Stay alert: Scams and petty crimes can be found in the city, so watch out and keep your belongings in sight.

Have a Nice Time in the Best Walking Areas in Hanoi!

If you’re a walking enthusiast, include Hanoi in your bucket list of destinations. With each step, you will discover the city’s long-standing history and traditions, hidden deep below the surface of a bustling metropolis. If you find our blog helpful, please share it with your friends and family. Stay tuned for more of our in-depth guides to everything in Hanoi!