Let’s face the fact that Hanoi has such a culturally and historically rich background that it is nearly impossible to condense every must-do activities in one single trip. Therefore, here we have picked out the top experiences for you to make the most out of your visit to Hanoi in one go.
Our Tips and Advice to Explore Hanoi in One Trip
- Our best advice to explore the best of Hanoi in one trip is to start from the center and slowly make your way to more discoveries when you still have time. The central districts hold the majority of Hanoi’s historical backgrounds, where you can grasp a general understanding of both Hanoi’s past and modern lives.
- How to travel around Hanoi in one trip: motorbikes, taxis, motorbike taxis
- Some alternatives to tour around Hanoi in one trip: Hanoi bus tour, cyclos in Hanoi (do beware of the cyclo scams – one ride should cost around VND 200,000 – 300,000)
A cyclo trip can take you on a sight-seeing tour around Hanoi, but it is not ideal when the weather is too hot
- Due to the current situation of the Coronavirus, entertainment facilities and tourist attractions still does not open to the public at least until further notice on April 30th
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Main Attractions to Explore Hanoi in One Trip
The Old Quarter
The Hanoi’s Old Quarter was once a bustling trading point from the feudal times all the way to the early colonial period, now it is the tourist epicenter with endless facilities and services for visitors in Hanoi. Having said that, the area still bears significant traces of the ancient time’s lifestyle. There is an impressive combination of thousand-year-old pagodas, French architectures, and modern shops and houses. Still, then you will also come across an impromptu market set against a seemingly abundant temple. A walk around the area will take you from one surprise to another, and see our Hanoi’s Old Quarter Guide for the main sights to see.
The traditional lifestyle contrasting with the bustling modern scene at the Old Quarter
Hanoi’s Museums
From the Old Quarter, there are many Hanoi’s famous museums in the vicinity so you can gain deeper understandings about the story of Hanoi.
Hoa Lo Prison Museum
Address: 1 Hoa Lo, Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem District
Entrance fee: VND 30,000
Opening hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
The gruesome imprisonment of the Vietnamese political inmates depicting in the Hoa Lo Prison
Read our full Hoa Lo Prison Museum guide
Vietnamese Women’s Museums
Address: 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hang Bai, Hoan Kiem District
Entrance fee: VND 30,000
Opening hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
Vietnamese women’s traditional costumes exhibited inside the museum
Read our full Vietnamese Women’s Museum guide here
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Hanoi’s Ancient Temples
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Address: Thanh Nien Street, Yen Phu, Tay Ho District
Free entrance
Amidst the dozens of temples and pagodas in Hanoi, the Tran Quoc Pagoda is the most prominent Buddhist sanctuary to the locals standing in the middle of West Lake. Here you can have a glimpse into the local’s spiritual life, as well as admiring the timeless architecture.
The iconic tower resembles a blooming lotus flower
Tay Ho Temple
Address: Xom Chua, Quang An, Tay Ho District
Free entrance
Not so far from the pagoda is the Tay Ho Temple, which is also situated on an “archipelago on the lake” of the West Lake. However, the temple honors a character in the Vietnamese legends rather than a religious figure.
Discover the local’s spiritual life at the Tay Ho Temple
For more ideas to travel around here, see our full Hanoi Attractions and Activities guide
Food Tour in Hanoi in One Trip
In contrast with a food tour in Saigon, which is a hodge-podge of recipes throughout Vietnam, a culinary adventure in Hanoi bears strong traditional tastes that have been passed down for generations. A case in point is Pho: The broth of Saigon’s Pho is much sweeter and fattier than Hanoi’s pho, and Saigon people would have Pho would several types of herbs while Hanoi’s locals don’t
Saigon’s Pho has a sweeter taste
While in Hanoi, Pho’s broth looks clearer and taste slightly blander
See the Best Pho Restaurants in Hanoi
Other Breakfast Suggestions to Spend One Trip in Hanoi
– Banh mi
Check out Hanoi Locals’ Favorite Places for Breakfast
– Egg coffee
See more Egg Coffee Spots in Hanoi
Hanoi Lunch Suggestions:
– Bun Cha
See the Best Places to Try Bun Cha here
Hanoi Dinner Suggestions:
Mi Ga Tiem (Herbal Chicken Soup with Noodles)
Hanoi Grilled Dishes
Crab Hotpot
Other Local Experiences to Enjoy Hanoi in One Trip
Cool down with some iced tea or at a hipster cafe in front of the St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Try some local snacks on the streets
Grab a glass of “Bia Hoi” at a local vendor
Final Takeaways on How to Explore Hanoi in One Trip
No matter how much time you spend in Hanoi, it’ll never seem to be enough, let alone traveling Hanoi in one trip only. We tried our best to comprise a comprehensive guide around Hanoi for travelers with limited time, but do let us know below what other activities would you include in your one trip in Hanoi.
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