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Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is such a beautiful place to visit. Many travelers make the mistake of using it as a mere stop-over to other destinations like Ha Long Bay or Sapa, but the city has so much to explore.
If you want to get to know Hanoi properly; visit all the temples, museums, and landmarks, we recommend a stay of 3 days. This will allow you to explore the city and enjoy it to the max. Trust us when we say that you will not want to leave!
After visiting all the touristic spots in Hanoi, we’ve put together the perfect 3-Day Itinerary. You can of course mix and match days as you want, but we’ve laid the itinerary out in a way that you’ll make the most of your visit. Here it goes!
Day 1: Arrival, Train Street and Surroundings
On your arrival day, you’ll want to keep your day light and easy, but packed with traditional Vietnamese activities. That’s exactly what we’ve included in our Day 1 itinerary.
Visit the Temple of Literature
Entrance Fee: 30,000 VND ($1.25 USD) per person
You can start your Hanoi adventure by visiting the historical Temple of Literature. This site, dating back to the 11th century, served as Vietnam’s first university. Stroll through its tranquil courtyards, admire the traditional architecture, and delve into the country’s rich academic history.
Try Vietnamese Pho
Pho Price: 40,000 VND ($1.65 USD) per person
After exploring the Temple of Literature, treat your taste buds to an authentic bowl of Vietnamese Pho, a traditional noodle soup that is synonymous with Hanoi. Instead of sitting at a touristic restaurant, we recommend to sample this savory dish at a local eatery to experience its flavorful broth and tender rice noodles. There’s a number of delicious local eateries just behind Train Street, in Hàng Bông.
Try Egg Coffee at Train Street
Coffee Price: 50,000 VND ($2 USD) per person
A must visit location is the Hanoi Train Street, where, at specific times of the day, you can watch the train pass by in between the buildings. Below is the timetable of the train as of December 2023, but make sure you ask the locals of the updated times. The best way to see the train pass is by sitting at the cafes on the sides of the road. However, they can get busy at train times so make sure to arrive at least 30 mins earlier to grab a good spot. You’ll get to the street gate and have to go with one of the cafe owners to get into the street, otherwise the security guard will not let you in.
This will also be the perfect time to try the famous Vietnamese Egg Coffee. This creamy, frothy beverage is a local favorite. Sit back, enjoy the ambiance, and watch the train pass by.
Visit Chùa Quán Sứ and/or Hoa Lo Prison Relic
End your day visiting Chùa Quán Sứ, a serene Buddhist temple known for its peaceful atmosphere and intricate architecture. If you’re feeling up to it, you can also immerse yourself in history at the Hoa Lo Prison Relic, where you can learn about prison history during the Vietnam War.
After a long day exploring, grab a quick dinner and get some sleep because there’s a packed day with sight-seeing waiting for you in day 2!
Day 2: Explore the Old Quarter
Day 2 will be all about immersing yourself into the most touristic area of Hanoi, the Old Quarter.
Visit the Cathedral, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
Temple Entrance Fee: 30,000 VND ($1.25 USD) per person
Begin your day by visiting St. Joseph’s Cathedral, a striking Neo-Gothic church nestled in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. From there, you can walk to the heart of the city to Hoan Kiem Lake and admire the scenic beauty. When you’re there, don’t miss the chance to explore Ngoc Son Temple, situated on a small island in the middle of the lake.
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Get lost in the Old Quarter and try a Banh Mi
Banh Mi Price: 40,000 VND ($1.65 USD) per person
Strolling the vibrant streets of the Old Quarter in something every tourist must do while visiting Hanoi. Discover its maze of narrow alleys brimming with shops, street vendors, and centuries-old architecture. Dive into the local culture, shop for souvenirs, and embrace the lively atmosphere.
At this point of the day, you can satisfy your hunger by trying a Banh Mi – a famous Vietnamese sandwich renowned for its crispy baguette and flavorful fillings. We recommend to order one or two of these at Banh Mi 25. You’ll likely have to wait in a long queue, but there’s no better place in town to try the Banh Mi.
Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda and grab coffee over the lake
Pagoda Entrance: Free
Coffee Price: 55,000 VND ($2.25 USD) per person
If you’re tired, you can grab a taxi (We recommend using the App Grab) to the Tran Quoc Pagoda. Nestled on the serene shores of Hanoi’s West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda stands as the oldest Buddhist temple in the city. The entrance is free its located in a beautiful part of the city.
Right next to it, you can take a small break from sight-seeing at the sophisticated Laika Coffee, which has gorgeous views over the lake. Here, you can try other adventurous coffee flavours – A specialty of Hanoi.
Hanoi Night Market
As the sun sets, end your day back at the Old Quarter, where the streets come alive with the Night Market. Delight in the vibrant colors, local handicrafts, and mouthwatering street food.
Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and other Historical Sites
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Begin your day with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an important historical site honoring the revered leader of Vietnam. Marvel at the grandeur of this monumental structure and gain insight into the life and legacy of Ho Chi Minh. When you’re heading into the Mausoleum, don’t forget to peak at the Presidential Palace, located in the street next to it.
Please note that the Mausoleum is a place or remembrance, so you’ll need to cover your shoulders and wear long trousers. Make sure you also don’t have anything with you that can be considered a weapon. They didn’t let us in with our camera tripod, for example.
One Pillar Pagoda
Next on your itinerary is the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, a unique architectural gem surrounded by tranquil gardens. Admire the distinctive design of this historic Buddhist temple, which dates back to the 11th century.
Visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Conclude your Hanoi exploration by visiting the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the ancient ruins and remnants of Vietnam’s imperial past as you wander through the vast complex.
And with that, you have concluded your itinerary in Hanoi! We hope you enjoyed your time in this beautiful city as much as we did. You can watch our Hanoi Vlog below to see our experience visiting the city, and get a better sense of what to expect on your trip.
Enjoy Hanoi!
