24 Hours in… Hanoi!
So you’re traveling through Vietnam, but you don’t have all the time in the world to do everything you want. We offer a number of amazing day trips all throughout the country that will show you some of the lesser known spots of Vietnam… while still getting you back to where you need to be before nightfall! This blog post will take you through the best of Hanoi… in only 24 hours.
Early Morning in Hanoi
Hanoi is a city that wakes up very early. Even if you catch a train into the city around 3-4 A.M., there will still be things going on around the Hoan Kiem Lake area. One of the coolest experiences to start off your Hanoi tour is walking around the lake during exercise time. From 4 until around 8 AM, Hanoi residents gather around the lake to do everything from ballroom dancing to Tai Chi; join them, walk around the lake, get your blood pumping and work up your appetite for breakfast. Head into to the surrounding streets and find a busy Pho stall/restaurant to grab a bowl of Vietnam’s most famous soup. Pho Ga is always a delicious option (Pho Ga), with a side of Quay to dip into the broth and fill you up for a day of touring!
Morning-Noon
Make your way to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum for an important cultural visit during your stay. This is where the embalmed body of Vietnam’s first President (Ho Chi Minh) lies in state; get in line, process in and check it off your to do list! Travelers take note: you’ll have to leave your possessions (including your camera) at the check in point, so leave your bulky bags back at the hotel.
After you’ve visited Uncle Ho, make your way to Vietnam’s first University, the Temple of Literature. Dating back to the year 1070, a stroll through the Temple of Literature is a veritable walk through Vietnam’s history (and it looks that old too!). Don’t make the mistake of only visiting half the area; the property wraps around to the back where there’s even more interesting sites and attractions to visit.
With the Temple of Literature and Uncle Ho under your belt, make your way to the outlying streets where you can pick up a delicious bowl of Bun Cha for lunch. A smoky pork dish over a pile of cold vermicelli noodles, this local favorite will give you the energy for a fun afternoon.
Afternoon
A visit to Hanoi is incomplete without exploring the streets of the Old Quarter. Grab a taxi from the Temple of Literature area to the Hoan Kiem district and simply get lost (it won’t be too hard). The maze of streets surrounding the lake are filled with food, shops, beer halls and markets that make for an interesting walk and some great photos. Make sure you visit Hoan Kiem’s Ngoc Son Temple (cross over the iconic Red Bridge) and maybe even catch a Water Puppet Show… if you have the time. Spend the rest of the afternoon wandering the streets (take note that each individual street in the Old Quarter sells something specific… bamboo ladder street, sheet metal street, gravestone street, button street etc.) and make sure to stop and try all the delicious street food options on the way as well.
Evening
When night falls, grab a meal at one of Hanoi’s famous restaurants and then do what the locals do: head for a beer hall! There’s no better way to top off a day in Hanoi than sitting in the tiny plastic chairs sipping a few glasses of Bia Hoi (fresh beer). A preservative free brew that is crafted every day, locals and tourists alike indulge in the world’s cheapest beer (sometimes only 20 cents a glass) and a few snacks on the side as well. Meet your beer-swilling neighbor, practice your Vietnamese (learn a few phrases here)…. But make sure you don’t miss your flight out!!
Still have some time to explore?
Experience one of our day trips in and around Hanoi, including an unforgettable street food tour!
