Located in the heart of the S-shaped strip of land, Hanoi has a special charm that tourists can only find at certain times of the day. After a peaceful and quiet daytime, Hanoi at night is the best time to enjoy its liveliness.
Hanoi Old Quarter Tour at Night
Coming to Hanoi, you cannot skip the Old Quarter – the most famous tourist attraction here. Walking around the Old Quarter and a few adjacent streets around the Hoan Kiem Lake area at night, you will see an incredibly colorful Hanoi blending history and modernity. The Old Quarter preserves unique architecture from ancient dynasties, with many temples, pagodas, and old houses. Yet, it also has many clubs or pubs for you to enjoy yourself. Don’t forget to stop by the shops in the Old Quarter for various goods and souvenirs with the vibe of Hanoi inside them.
The highlight of Hanoi Old Quarter when the sun is down is drinking beer on Ta Hien Beer Street. On Ta Hien beer street, you can enjoy fresh, light, and easy-to-drink beer. Most of the brasseries here serve Vietnamese snacks such as roasted peanuts or fried potatoes. The frenetic atmosphere here is perfect for meeting new friends and mingling with the locals.
If you’re not a fan of drinking, then fill your empty stomach with some of the most exquisite Hanoi street food. Here, you can try many delicious Vietnamese dishes such as Pho, vermicelli, and grilled beef. Some famous food streets here are Hang Buom Street, Tong Duy Tan Street, or Dong Xuan Market, or head to the locals’ favorites such as Ta Quang Buu Street, Xuan Thuy Street, or Chua Lang Street.
Enjoy Live Music in Hanoi
Hanoi, in the evening, welcomes music lovers with extraordinary music cafes. Whether it’s Jazz, Pop or Indie, as long as you want to, you can always find live music venues that satisfy your tastes.
Locals recommendations:
- Nhac Cafe – Music Cafe, 7 Hang Thung, Hoan Kiem District.
- Binh Minh Jazz Club, 1 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District.
- Hanoi Rock City, 27/52 To Ngoc Van, Tay Ho District.
- 88 Lounge, 88 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho District.
Watch a Performance at Hanoi Opera House
If you are an art lover, Hanoi Opera House is a destination you will want to pay a visit at least once. This is where a lot of incredible music and art events are held, including opera, ballet, drama, and symphonies performances. However, remember to check the schedule and buy tickets in advance to ensure there will be art performances when you visit the place.
Have a Date Night at Hanoi’s Lotte Observation Deck
A great dating site in Hanoi is the Lotte Observation Deck. Located on the 65th floor of the Lotte building – one of the tallest buildings in Hanoi, the Lotte Observation Deck is not different from an island in the sky of Hanoi. The ideal time to visit is after the sky turns dark when you can fully enjoy the alluring beauty of Hanoi with the flashy city lights. The atmosphere at that very moment is incredibly romantic for your dream date night. The Lotte Observation Deck also provides services such as restaurants and souvenir shops where you can enjoy a night out in Hanoi.
Location: 65th Floor, Lotte Center, 54 Lieu Giai, Ba Dinh District.
Go Shopping at Hanoi’s Night Markets
Coming to Hanoi, one of the most extreme indigenous experiences is the night markets. There are many famous night markets in Hanoi, such as Dong Xuan Night Market and Quang Ba Flower Market…
Dong Xuan night market opens every Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 PM until late at night. Dong Xuan Night Market is an actual “shopping center” where you can find all items at affordable prices. Dong Xuan night market is also considered the “culinary paradise” of Hanoi, with a host of delectable street food. A note when coming to Dong Xuan night market is that you should go for low-heeled sandals or sports shoes to be the most comfortable when walking because the market is huge and crowded with people coming for an exciting hangout.
Location: Dong Xuan Market, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Opening hours: PM 6:00 – PM 23:00
When Hanoi begins to fall in the quiet, the Quang Ba night market starts to bustle. As a wholesale market providing flowers to the whole city, Quang Ba night market carries with it a unique Hanoi beauty with flowers blooming in the middle of the night. If you have the opportunity, try going to Quang Ba night market once for a new experience.
Location: Quang Ba Flower Market, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
Opening hours: PM 10:00 – AM 4:00
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Summary on Top 5 Things to Do in Hanoi at Night
It’s not a city famous worldwide for its nightlife, but Hanoi after sunset still has many special features for you to explore. After a long day wandering the streets, relax in the one-of-a-kind atmosphere that can’t be found anywhere else outside Hanoi.