Hanoi is a dynamic city with a uniquely vibrant culture that you can’t get enough of. The sky is the limit in this city, including a whole rainbow of things to do. If you wish to take off the beaten path, take a look at our suggestions for the ultimate local experiences in Hanoi you don’t want to miss!
Local Experiences in Hanoi – Enjoy a Little Walk
Hanoi Old Quarter Area
- Check in at Hanoimoi Newspaper
- Watch a water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
- Have a walk around Hoan Kiem Walking Street early in the morning
- Explore the life along Hanoi Train Street
- Visit the Ceramic Mosaic Road
The West Lake Area
- Go to Phan Dinh Phung Street and enjoy the fresh air
- See the sunset on the shore of West Lake
- Wandering around the small valleys on Tu Hoa Street
- Have a view from Nhat Tan Bridge
Other Areas
- Pay a visit to Hanoi Flag Tower
- Experience one of Vietnam’s traditions – visiting pagodas or temples to wish for luck, health, and fortune
- Embrace the greatness of a French architectural work on Long Bien Bridge
- Ride along Phung Hung Mural Street and appreciate the Hanoi-featured street arts
- Visit Bat Trang Traditional Ceramics Village
Local Experiences in Hanoi – Tasting Locals’ Favorite Dishes
- Try Bia Hoi on Ta Hien Street on hot summer days, along with green mangoes
- Taste the Chinese flavor of “Mi Ga Tan” – noodles with braised chicken
- Vietnam’s signature sweet soup – “Xoi Che” at 1 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem District
- Take a sip of the legendary egg coffee at Cafe Giang, 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem District
- Have a bowl of “Pho Ga Nguyet” at 5B Phu Doan, Hoan Kiem District
- Gather with your friends around some cups of iced tea and sunflower seeds
- Make sure to taste “My Van Than” at 54 Hang Chieu, Hoan Kiem District
- Taste the combination of grilled fish with fermented shrimp paste – “Cha Ca La Vong”
- Enjoy the refreshing beef jerky salad on 51 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem District
- Try authentic, freshly grilled, flavorful “Bun Cha” at 74 Hang Quat, Hoan Kiem District
- Want to eat something more unfamiliar? “Bun Ca Cham” is a great choice! Hot, fried fish dipped in a spicy sauce with a bowl of delicious broth
- Try Hanoi’s special sweet soup – “Che Khuc Bach” at “Che 4 Mua” – 4 Hang Can, Hoan Kiem District
- Vietnamese Pizza – “Banh Trang Tron” on Hang Trong Street is a very familiar snack for the students
- Eat breakfast with some “Banh Cuon”
- Try a Southern flavor – “Com Tam” at “Com Tam 36” – 17 Ngo Gach, Hoan Kiem District
- Have you ever heard of “Bun Dau Mam Tom” – a unique dish that can only be tasted authentically in Hanoi
- Have a trip to Dong Xuan Market and try “Chao Suon” – Vietnamese pork gruel
- Make sure you do not miss out the tasty “Bun Oc” at 2 Hoe Nhai, Ba Dinh District
- Go to Hang Than Street and try coconut ice-cream with Vietnamese flan for some desserts
- Visit “Xoi ban tho” (Alter sticky rice) at 544 De La Thanh for the midnight snack! They sell altar and worship items in the mornings and sticky rice at night, hence the name.
- “Nem Nuong” at 40 Au Trieu is locally suggested for late-night snacks with friends
- Get on a food hunt in Trung Yen Valley (“Mien Tron Muc”, “Bun ca”, “Mi van than”, …)
- Have a cozy yet very local dinner with street hotpot at 1 Yen The Street
- Try some pig utensil BBQ on Gam Cau Street
Local Experiences in Hanoi – Spend Your Time Like A Hanoian
- Buy some good books on Dinh Le Street
- Sit on the pavements on the shore of West Lake and taste grilled dried squid with fresh beer
- Go to an acoustic lounge or pub in Tay Ho District, listen to some great music, and enjoy the vibe
- Try smelling the milk flower on Nguyen Du Street
- Grab a motorbike taxi
- Get on a BRT Bus
- Pay a visit to Quang Ba Night Flower Market
- Visit Ha Pagoda and pray for love and luck
- Get on the Observation Deck in Lotte Center Hanoi to have a panoramic view of the city
- Wear “Ao dai” on Tet Holidays
- Get some “Quan Tho Cam” (pattern pant) in Hanoi Old Quarter and wear it. Perfect to cover your legs from the sun and insects!
- Have dinner at a fine dining restaurant on the rooftop of a building and appreciate the beauty of Hanoi
- Take yourself on a street food tour to taste all the must-try specialties of Hanoi
- Drink Vietnamese coffee at a specialty coffee shop
- Dance the night away at some local clubs around Hoan Kiem Lake
Check out more fun things to do in Hanoi:
Klook.comOur Take on Local Experiences in Hanoi
There’s so much more to do in Hanoi than just visiting the city’s known attractions. Leave the tourist trail, and you find a completely different side of Hanoi: young, straight-forward and all-around exciting. So, what are you’re waiting for? Go make yourself a list and check off the local experiences in Hanoi!