Hanoi offers a great variety of tourism options, ranging from culinary exploration to breathtaking landmarks, and a rainbow of things in between. If you’ve got plenty of time to spare, why don’t you visit Vietnam’s capital city for your holidays? See our guide on How to Spend One Week in Hanoi to have the best 7-day experience in this amazing city.
How to Spend One Week in Hanoi: Day 1
Breakfast: Pho Bat Dan
Pho – renowned for its complex beefy broth, soft noodles, and different cuts of beef – is a must-try Vietnamese dish. At Pho Bat Dan, their authentic Hanoi Pho has charmed locals with its deeply satisfying noodle soup. Come early, because there will always be a queue.
Address: 49 Bat Dan Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 6 AM – 10 AM; 6 PM – 10 PM
Price: VND 50,000
Hoan Kiem Lake, The Huc Bridge, and Ngoc Son Temple
The first destinations that we highly recommend include three top attractions in Hanoi. These places feature a green, refreshing atmosphere that’s perfect for a picture. Spend some time walking around the peaceful emerald lake and cross The Huc Bridge to visit Ngoc Son Temple, you will witness a living presentation of Hanoi culture and lifestyle.
Duration: 1 hour
Address: Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Ngoc Son Temple)
Entrance fee:
- Adults: VND 30,000
- Children under 15 years old: Free
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Just a 5-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph’s Cathedral is the oldest church in Hanoi. It features a Revival French Colonial architecture, resembling the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Duration: 30 minutes
Address: 40 Nha Chung Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Entrance fee: Free
Lunch: Banh Goi – Pillow Cake
For your first lunch in the city, try Banh Goi (Pillow Cake) – a kind of Vietnamese deep-fried pastry stuffed with minced pork, sausage, and vegetables. Its crispy shell contrasts with the soft and savory filling that will satisfy all your taste buds.
Address: 52 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8 AM – 9:30 PM
Price: VND 7,000 – 17,000/Cake
Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter is renowned for its 36 streets, named after the merchandise sold there. It has always been a commercial and manufacturing center of Hanoi. Now the Old Quarter serves as a tourist attraction, characterized by small shops and the famous Ta Hien Beer Street.
Duration: a few hours
Address: From Cau Go Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: All-day
Entrance fee: Free
Dinner: Vietnamese Streetside BBQ
Get on with the local spirit and try our streetside BBQ! They serve different cuts of pork and beef, marinated and grilled over wood charcoal right at your table!
Address: Nuong Xuan Xuan – 47 Ma May Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 5 PM – 12 AM
Price: VND 50,000 – 150,000
How to Spend One Week in Hanoi: Day 2
Ca Phe Giang – Egg Coffee
Ca Phe Giang was the first place in Hanoi to introduce Egg Coffee – a combination of whipped egg yolks, a touch of cocoa powder, sugar, and coffee. This creamy drink caught on, and now there are plenty of shops selling it. But you have to go to its birthplace for the full experience.
Address: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7 AM – 10 PM
Price: VND 17,000
Hang Dau Water Tank
Hang Dau Water Tank (Bot Hang Dau) was built by the French from the scrapped materials of Hanoi’s Citadel when it collapsed in 1894. The Tank was abandoned after Hanoi declared independence.
Duration: 15 minutes
Address: Quan Thanh Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Opening hours: All-day
Entrance fee: Free
Vietnam Fine Arts Museum
Built by the French in the 1930s, the building that is now the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is truly a place for art lovers, with over 2,000 works of Vietnamese fine arts from ancient times till now.
Duration: 1 hour
Address: 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 5 PM; 8:30 AM – 9 PM (Wednesday and Saturday); (Closed on Monday)
Entrance fee:
- Adult: VND 40,000
- Children from 6 – 16 years old: VND 10,000
Lunch: Vietnamese Dipped Fish Noodles
Vietnamese Dipped Fish Noodles is a combination of crispy fried pieces of fish, a rich and savory broth, and chewy rice noodles. It’s easy to eat, and a great introduction to Vietnamese cuisine.
Duration: 1 hour
Address: 30 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Opening hours: 9 AM – 2:30 PM
Price: VND 30,000
Hoa Lo Prison Museum
Formerly built by the French to keep political prisoners, Hoa Lo Prison was then utilized by the Vietnamese to imprison down U.S pilots. It was converted into a museum to educate future generations about Vietnamese resilience and bravery during wartime.
Duration: 1 hour
Address: 1 Hoa Lo Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 5 PM (Closed on Monday)
Entrance fee: VND 10,000
Temple of Literature
Temple of Literature is the first university of Vietnam, established in 1070. Now, it serves as a famous attraction to not only foreign but also domestic visitors, especially students. The Temple features unique architecture and remains one of Hanoi’s most important landmarks.
Duration: 2 hours
Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Dong Da, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed on Monday)
Entrance fee: VND 40,000
Dinner: Cha Ca La Vong – La Vong Fishcake
This is a must-try creation of Hanoi. It includes marinated fish cubes, stir-fried and served on a bed of dill and green onions.
Address: Cha Ca La Vong – 14 Cha Ca Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 11 AM – 2 PM; 5 PM – 9 PM
Price range: VND 300,000/set for 3
How to Spend One Week in Hanoi: Day 3
Breakfast: Banh Mi
When you’re in Vietnam, you have to try Banh Mi. It’s often referred to as “the greatest sandwich in the world”.
Address: Banh Mi 25 – 25 Hang Ca Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7 AM – 9 PM
Price: VND 25,000 – 35,000
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology displays many cultural artifacts of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. This is one of the best family-friendly activities since it provides kids with plenty of space to run around while learning more about the colorful culture of Vietnam.
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Address: 1 Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 5 PM (Tuesday to Thursday only)
Entrance fee:
- Adult: VND 40,000
- Children under 15 years old: Free
West Lake
West Lake is the largest freshwater body in Hanoi. It carries a breathtaking view with a peaceful atmosphere that’s perfect for an afternoon walk. The West Lake area also boasts a vibrant culinary scene, made famous by various Northern specialties.
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Address: West Lake, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Opening hours: All-day
Entrance fee: Free
Lunch: Banh Gio Co Beo – Vietnamese Pyramid Rice Dumplings
Vietnamese Pyramid Rice Dumplings (Banh Gio) is one of the most adored dishes that can be easily found in the West Lake area. It takes a labor-intensive process to turn daily ingredients into a mouth-watering treat that can be enjoyed anytime.
Address: 5 Thuy Khue Street, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7 AM – 8:30 PM
Price: VND 12,000 – 27,000
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Being over 1500 years old, Tran Quoc Pagoda is one of Vietnam’s oldest temples. In the feudal age, it was a spiritual center and the most scenic spot in Thang Long Imperial City. Such timeless beauty has made Tran Quoc Pagoda one of the most beautiful temples in the world.
Duration: 1 hour
Address: Thanh Nien Street, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM; 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Entrance fee: Free
Dinner: Banh Tom Ho Tay – West Lake Shrimp Cake
Shrimp cake is a cake made from rice batter, sliced sweet potatoes, and topped with a whole shrimp. It goes with fish sauce, fresh herbs, and is locally known as a delicacy around the West Lake Area.
Address: 1 Thanh Nien Street, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7 AM – 11 PM
Price: VND 80,000 – 133,000
How to Spend One Week in Hanoi: Day 4
Breakfast: Xoi Xeo
This is one of Hanoi’s staples for breakfast that is adored by generations of locals. It is sticky rice cooked in chicken fat, served with sweetened mung beans and pork floss.
Address: Xoi Xeo Hang Bai – 37 Hang Bai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 6 AM – 12 PM
Price: VND 15,000 – 25,000
Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural
Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural was completed in 2010 to celebrate the millennial anniversary of the city. This is Vietnam’s first public collective work of art involving 35 professional artists from Vietnam and 10 other countries, including America, Britain, Italy, Spain, Holland, France, Denmark, Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia.
Duration: 30 minutes
Address: Hong Ha, Thanh Vinh, Phuc Xa, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Opening hours: All-day
Entrance fee: Free
Vietnamese Women’s Museum
The Vietnamese Women’s Museum displays artifacts and documents regarding the achievements and the vital role of Vietnamese women during the nation’s history.
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Address: 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
Entrance fee:
- Adult: VND 30,000
- Children under 10 years old: Free
Lunch: Bun Dau Mam Tom
The secret ingredient here that not many foreigners can handle is the fermented shrimp paste (Mam Tom). This robust dipping sauce then pairs with fried pork cakes, boiled pork, and noodles to create Bun Dau Mam Tom.
Duration: 1 hour
Address: Bun Dau Ngo Huyen – 47 Ngo Huyen Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7 AM – 8 PM
Price: VND 35,000 – 50,000
Vietnam Military History Museum
The Vietnam Military History Museum honors the resilience of Vietnamese forces during all past wars. It features a wide collection of wartime equipment, artifacts, and multiple scrapped war machines. The iconic Flag Tower of Hanoi is also located within the museum’s grounds.
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Address: 28A Dien Bien Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8 AM – 11:30 AM; 1 PM – 4:30 PM (Closed on Monday and Friday)
Entrance fee: VND 40,000
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
The Thang Long Imperial Citadel is full of ancient towers and buildings. The fortress dates back to the 11th century. However, much of it remains untouched. Visiting the fortress gives you a chance to look at other historical Vietnamese landmarks too, including the Cua Bac Church.
Duration: 1 hour
Address: 19C Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8 AM – 5 PM (Closed on Monday)
Entrance fee: VND 30,000
Dinner: Banh Cuon Hang Ga – Vietnamese Steamed Rice Cake
Banh Cuon was a Northern creation that became famous for its wonderful taste and affordable price. It is made fresh as you order, stuffed with minced pork and wood-ear mushrooms, and served with hot fish sauce.
Duration: 30 minutes
Address: 12 Hang Ga Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7 AM – 1 PM; 5 PM – 10 PM
Price: VND 50,000
How to Spend One Week in Hanoi: Day 5
For your fifth day in Hanoi, we suggest that you take a ride to Ba Vi National Park, located 50 kilometers away from the city center. You can book a local tour guide or hire a car there if you’re an independent traveler.
Ba Vi National Park features a refreshing air that is completely different from the city center. Here, you can go for a hike up the hill filled with pine trees and flowers or have a wonderful camping trip. There’s a resort under the hill if you’re interested in staying the night.
Duration: All-day
Google Maps Address: Ba Vi, Hanoi
Opening hours: 6 AM – 7 PM
Entrance fee: VND 40,000
Look for bus tickets for a day trip from Hanoi:
How to Spend One Week in Hanoi: Day 6
The sixth day is perfect for you to cross the iconic Long Bien Bridge to visit Bat Trang Ceramics Village – one of the remaining handicraft villages of Hanoi.
Bat Trang Village produces top-notch ceramics that are not only adored by domestic consumers but also exported around the globe. At this village, you can catch a glimpse of Vietnam’s traditional craftsmanship, and even create your own version to take home.
Duration: 8 – 10 hours
Long Bien Bridge
On your way back to the city, spare some time to admire the Long Bien Bridge. Its unique architecture and long-standing history earn it a special place in the hearts of Hanoi locals. You have a walk, enjoy the desserts sold by vendors, or catch a sight of the setting sun.
Duration: 15 minutes
Address: Long Bien Bridge, Long Bien, Hanoi
Opening hours: All-day
Entrance fee: Free
How to Spend One Week in Hanoi: Day 7
Shopping in Hanoi
What’s better than spending your last day in Hanoi shopping for souvenirs? Go to Hoan Kiem Lake early in the morning to enjoy the last peaceful moment in the city, fuel yourself with a hot bowl of Pho, a cup of coffee, and get ready to shop till you drop!
First, take a stroll through Hanoi Old Quarter and seek out your favorite traditional Vietnamese souvenirs, namely conical hat (Non La), silk, paintings… But remember to bargain for the best price; that’s a part of Vietnam’s shopping culture.
Lunch: Tuyet – Bun Cha 34
Bun Cha took off after President Obama and culinary sensation Anthony Bourdain tried it in their visit to Hanoi. The ingredients are simple: ground pork, fish sauce, and noodles, but the way vendors prepare them turns them into a masterpiece. Bun Cha 34 is a locally famous shop that’s right in the Old Quarter.
Address: 7 Hang Than, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7 AM – 5 PM
Price: VND 35,000 – VND 55,000
Dinner: Ta Hien Beer Street
End the night strong with a tall glass of Bia Hoi – Vietnamese Craft Beer, at the Ta Hien joint, or venture to a Hanoi local bar to have a night to remember!
Address: At the junction of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen Street
Opening hours: 5 PM – 3 AM
Price: VND 10,000/glass
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We hope that our recommendations are of great help to you for planning a 7-day trip to Vietnam’s capital city. Comment down below what you think, and stay tuned for more in-depth local guides into Hanoi!