Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam. In my mind I thought Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) was the Capital, but Hanoi is more the administrative capital and Ho Chi Minh City the economic capital. Hanoi has a rich history and vibrant culture that I liked a lot! The blend of ancient buildings and modern influences makes Hanoi a perfect destination to start my and your travel. Please check my blogs for personal tips and inspirations for making the most of your time in this vibrant city and the rest of Vietnam!
How to get to Hanoi?
By Air
The airport of Hanoi is called Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), which is about 28 kilometers north of the city center. I arrived by plane via a stopover in Bangkok from Amsterdam, from the Netherland there were no direct flights to Vietnam. The airport connects Hanoi with various international and domestic destinations. Major airlines like Vietnam Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines operate regular flights to and from Hanoi airport. At the airport, you can easily take a taxi, shuttle bus, or private car to get to your accommodation. The journey takes approximately 40-60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Download the Grap App to book your taxi, very easy and cheap option!
By Train
If you’re traveling from neighboring countries or other parts of Vietnam, the train is a scenic and comfortable option. Hanoi Railway Station is centrally located and well connected. The Reunification Express runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, offering a unique and comfortable way to see the country. You can buy tickets online via 12GoAsia,
Book a night train from and to popular destinations like Hue, Da Nang and Sapa: saves time too!
Book a soft sleeper in a more luxury train for more comfort on your journey
By Bus
For budget travelers or those looking to explore the region, long-distance buses are widely available. Vietnam’s extensive bus network connects Hanoi with major cities and tourist spots throughout the country. It’s advisable to buy tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, in my case TET Lunar New Year. Again 12Asia is perfect for that to book in advance!
I recommend to buy a VIP bus or sleeper; this is more comfortable and bit more luxury for still an affordable price
Where to Stay in Hanoi?
The Old Quarter is the heart and soul of Hanoi, here you can experience the true vibe of the city. It’s packed with bustling streets, traditional shops, and historical sites. The area is perfect for those who want to be close to the action and enjoy vibrant street life, with numerous cafes, street food stalls, and local markets. For a memorable stay, consider staying in one of the charming boutique hotels or guesthouses. I booked the H-Hotel L’Art; I loved it very much! The location is perfect in the heart of the Old Quarter, in walking distance from a lot of attractions. The price is good, style and service are top notch. I would highly recommend this hotel, just like others it has a 10 review!
Ten Things to Do in Hanoi
1. Book a Bike Tour!
In this capital Hanoi, there is a lot to do! I had only three nights and two full days to explore the city. The best way to see the city and enjoy the vibe and history is via a bike tour! Of course as a Dutchy we like to ride the bike, but this was another level. The busy streets where challenging but so much fun. Perfect for morning or afternoon to explore the city, see the main highlights of the city and learn about the customs of the locals. I wrote a separate blog post on this Bike Tour, check here! Baja bikes offer guided tours that take you through the city’s backstreets, rural villages, and scenic spots like St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Flag Tower and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum.
2. Visit the Tran Quoc Temple at the West Lake
The Tran Quoc Temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi is located in the middle of West Lake. The build started in 541 till 545, so count how hold! The temple has a beautiful location on the island and is built with the Buddhism philosophy. The temple as tree buildings. The main pagoda is over 15 meters high and consists over 11 layers, a stunning piece of architecture. The second building is used for burning incense for giving offerings. This all to send wishes to the gods in hope for good luck in return. It was busy during my visit, love the smell of the incense! The third building is a museum. The wall around the temple is full with symbols and don’t forget the beautiful old tree at the west side of the temple. Don’t miss this Tran Quoc Temple highlight in Hanoi!! The admission of the Tran Quoc Temple is free and open from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Respect the culture and wear something over your knees and shoulders when entering the temple; cover with a sarong or jacket
Around the West Lake are several coffee shops to get your daily shot caffeine
To walk around the lake its 12 km, so perfect to do that by bike!
3. Visit the Hanoi Hot Spot: Train Street
I have to admit this Train Street is a tourist and Instagram hot spot! A real tourist attraction, free of charge, but you will be dragged into one of the many bars or restaurants to consume while waiting for the train. The funny thing is, that you can walk on the train track when the train is not passing of course! The Train Street was closed for a while mainly due to safety reasons. I can understand, tourist could be stupid and not listen to the locals to stay away from the rails when the train is arriving.
Check in advance at which time the train will pass so you don’t have to spend hours here to wait for the train. My hotel checked it for me.
I was lucky to see two passing trains, during my evening walk in the area. The first time I was sitting very close to the train in the more open area, so only buildings on one side. The second time I went up a little bar to see it coming from a higher viewpoint. I liked that to be honest.
Warning: It fell unnatural to stay so close to a moving train, so be careful and listen to the locals where to stand and not to stand!
You can almost touch the train, which makes a loud noise as well when passing the streets. Great experience and the street is a full attraction with lights, entertainment, bars and shops. Great to see in real live instead of the Instagram!
4. Hanoi is the perfect base
Hanoi is the perfect base to travel to the rest of Northern Vietnam. The transport is well organized. Many tourists go from Hanoi to Sapa, Tam Coc near Ninh Binh and Cat Ba or Halong Bay. Check the 12goAsia site for transport here, very easy and reliable.
While not exactly in Hanoi, a visit to Vietnam isn’t complete without a trip to Halong Bay. Many tours offer day trips from Hanoi to this UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can explore stunning limestone karsts and emerald waters. I would not recommend a day tour to be honest, the area is so stunning that I definitely recommend an overnight cruise, including a stunning sunset, swimming and kayaking, visiting caves, and enjoying fresh seafood on board and wake up in the beautiful nature. Check my separate blog on my Cat Ba and Halong Bay experience.Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
5. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
Hoan Kiem Lake is a real quiet escape in the heart of the bustling city. Walk over the iconic red Huc bridge to the Ngoc Son Temple. The small island temple is located in the middle of the lake and has a fascinating story. The legend says that the emperor Le Loi received a magic sword from the dragon to fight against Chinese invaders. This sword came from Hoan Kiem Lake. After a successful battle, the emperor visited the beautiful lake with a boat when a huge golden turtle appeared. The turtle explained that it had been sent by its master, the dragon, to retrieve Le Loi’s sword. Loi returned the sword to the turtle, who disappeared into the depths of the lake. Then the name of the lake Hoan Kiem Lake was giving; meaning “Lake of the returned sword.” In the temple you can spot the famous turtle!
The lake is also a popular spot for morning tai chi and evening strolls. During my visit to the lake all the locals were making their best pictures in stunning outfits. All taken very seriously and professionally with extra light to show the best version of themselves for the TET holiday. I was told this is their Christmas outfit and photo. The lake was full with young and old; great to see such a local tradition in full spirit.
6. Shop Til you Drop!
There are so many shops in Hanoi, all with real brands but more copy of the real brands. Like Nike, Patagonia, North Face name it. I really got an overload of impressions and supply. The prices are really cheap, but Hanoi was my first stop and didn’t want to carry all the stuff through my whole trip. I bought I jacket, because it was a bit chilly at nights during my stay in January. I loved the vibe of the Night Market and during my TET celebrations a lot of markets were dedicated to selling decorations for this event. The Old Quarter is divided into 36 streets, each historically dedicated to different trades such as silver, silk, and spices. The Dong Xuan Market is the largest indoor market in Hanoi. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs, local products, and taste some local snacks. The market offers everything from clothing and accessories to fresh produce and household items.
Bargaining is common, so don’t hesitate to negotiate for the best price
7. Taste the local Vietnamese Food
After my long stroll I came back to the lake to have lunch at Lake View Side Restaurant, great location and great food. Perfect to watch everybody stroll and be entertained by the lake.
My hotel recommend Cai Mam Bistro close to the Night Market as well. Real traditional restaurant in the heart of the city, with great service and delicious food. They have a lot of vegetarian and vegan options too!
A real hot spot is the Banh Mi 25 shop. Here they sell the famous Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches. The name comes from the street where they are located 25 Hang in Hanoi. The line could be long, but it goes fast and worth to wait. They have little shops across the street where you can wait for our order and enjoy you French Baguette with local ingredients for only 40k VND / 1,6$.
There are too many restaurants and street food. I trusted the local recommendation and googled reviews. Just go out and try!
Warning: It could be a lottery, you could get sick of the street food, so be careful.
8. Take a relaxing Massage
In the Old Quarter and French Quarter you can find a massage salons on almost every corner of the street. Check out which location you feel attracted by and relax for 300.000 Vietnamese Dong per hour (9 USD). Perfect to get a foot massage after a long walk, through the streets of Hanoi! I mostly did a full body massage, ahh which I did it more often hahah
9. Enjoy the Vietnamese Coffee Culture
Vietnam has a real coffee culture, all the locals sitting inside and outside on small “camping chairs” sipping their specialty coffee. The local coffee comes from the Vietnamese Highlands introduced by the French.
The famous Vietnamese Egg Coffee (ca phe trung) is made by beating an egg yolk with sweetened condensed milk for 10 minutes until it’s fluffy and creamy. This eggy substance is then poured on top of hot espresso, or iced coffee. I had my first Egg Coffee at this Hoan Kiem Lake, the recommended and first and best Egg Coffee Ca Phe “Café Dinh.” On the small balcony you have a nice view, but more important the taste of the famous egg coffee was a real treat! This café is old and traditional in an old building and dark inside. If you like to go to a hip and happening go and check out the Phe La Café, this a Vietnamese chain with all trendy cafes, I went to the Tong Dan near the Hanoi Opera House.
Another coffee I loved is the Salted Coffee, Vietnamese coffee with sweetened condensed milk topping it with a salty cream! But my favorite is the Coconut Coffee!! In the warm temperature this drink is the best. Coconut Coffee (ca phe dua) consists of coconut milk blended with condensed milk and ice cubes until it achieves a smooth texture. Some roasted coconut flakes on top and enjoy!
10. Manicure and Pedicure
At the beginning of my trip here in Hanoi I have done a manicure and pedicure. The Pea Nail Room near the Train Street, did a really good job! My nails were so hard and strong that lasted a long time! And the price is very cheap compared to nail-specialist here in the Netherlands. So a good tip to start your travel in a stylish way!!
Conclusion
Hanoi is a city that will be loved by many visitors due its charm, impressive history and vibrant culture. Whether you’re wandering the chaotic streets of the Old Quarter, relaxing by Hoan Kiem Lake or try in the local cuisine, Hanoi will give you an unforgettable experience. At least I loved it very much! I hope this blog will help you plan your trip and make the most of your time in lively and beautiful city with amazing locals!
Enjoy your travels in Hanoi! Where are you heading next? Cat Ba and Halong Bay Cruise or Ninh Binh?
