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The perfect three day Hanoi itinerary

How to Spend Three Days in Hanoi, Vietnam's Captivating Capital

The colourful and chaotic capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a vibrant city filled with culture, fascinating history and wonderful cuisine. If you’re planning on spending three days in Hanoi then there is plenty to do in this captivating city.

Our three day Hanoi itinerary will help you to navigate yourself around the city’s most famous landmarks, must-see cultural spots and its most charming neighbourhoods. We’ll also reveal what to eat and the best places to enjoy a well-deserved Vietnamese coffee.

Frenetic Hanoi is a mesh of colourful streets, colonial architecture and ornate historic temples.

The aroma of coffee and Vietnamese specialities spills out from countless cafes and restaurants, their tiny red and blue plastic chairs doing battle with thousands of parked mopeds for control of Hanoi’s pavements.

The continuous beep of horns from cars and mopeds is the soundtrack of the city. Traffic lights are largely ornamental, making crossing any road feel as though you’re taking your life into your hands.

Accept the frenzy of it all and surrender to the chaos and noise and you’ll have a wonderful three days in Hanoi.

Where to Stay in Hanoi

There is a huge range of accommodation available in Hanoi, catering for all kinds of travellers, from backpackers to those looking for a spot of luxury.

The good news is that accommodation in Vietnam is very affordable when compared with many other countries, so you’re likely to be able to find a great place to stay for a very good price whatever your budget.

◦ You can search for a wide variety of places to stay in Hanoi here but if you’re looking for some ideas and inspiration, then here are a few places that we recommend:

• Affordable: The Ambery Hanoi Boutique Hotel & Travel – Situated in the heart of the city’s Old Quarter, the Ambery Hanoi Boutique Hotel & Travel is an excellent budget option in Hanoi, with clean, good-sized rooms, and super-friendly and helpful staff.

• Next Level: Grande Collection Hotel & Spa – Also perfectly placed in the Old Quarter, the stylish Grande Collection Hotel & Spa offers a range of gorgeous air-conditioned rooms. Bookings include a choice of buffet and à la carte breakfast, plus the hotel also has its own bar on site.

• Top of the Range: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi – The palatial 5-star Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is a legendary hotel perfectly located in the city’s French Quarter. This colonial-era luxury hotel offers elegant rooms, world-class dining, a renowned spa, as well as tours of its war-era bunker.

> Top Tip: If you are planning on staying in the centre of the city, you might want to check reviews to see how well soundproofed the rooms are.

Street noise in Hanoi is constant, especially car and scooter horns. If you cherish a decent night’s sleep then do a bit of research into how well a hotel’s rooms keep out the noise.

3 Day Hanoi Itinerary - Day 1

Hoan Kiem Lake

Begin your three day Hanoi itinerary at Hoan Kiem Lake, located in the heart of the city’s bustling Old District.

Literally meaning Lake of the Returned Sword, Hoan Kiem Lake is one of Hanoi’s most iconic landmarks and is heavily linked with the legend of the 15th century Vietnamese king Le Loi.

According to the legend, the lake is named after a golden turtle emerged from the lake asking Le Loi to return a magical sword he had used to defeat the Chinese army.

Ngoc Son Temple and Cau The Huc Bridge

At the north end of the lake is Ngoc Son Temple, located on an island reached by crossing the picturesque Cau The Huc bridge.

The whole temple complex is adorned with beautiful decorative details, beginning at Nghi Mon Gate at the entrance to the temple complex.

Colourful murals of tigers and dragons bookend the path from the Nghi Mon Gate which leads past the 28-meter tall Pen Tower and on to the Cau The Huc Bridge.

Murals at the entrance to Ngoc Son Temple

At the far end of the Cau The Bridge is the temple’s ornate entrance gate, which is similarly styled with beautiful depictions of mythical creatures, including dragons and phoenixes.

Passing through the gate leads to Ngoc Son Temple, which along with its neighbouring pavilion both face out onto Hoan Kiem lake.

Ngoc Son Temple is dedicated to two revered deities, Tran Hung Dao, a 13th century Vietnamese military commander and prince, and Van Xuong De Quan, the Taoist god of fortune and scholars.

The temple’s two buildings are sumptuously decorated with ornate, intricate carvings and more mythical animals perched on the roof.

Ngoc Son Temple

In the main temple are altars with ornate statues of Tran Hung Dao and Van Xuong De Quan that stand in front of piled up offerings that have been left by worshippers.

In the smaller building are two embalmed bodies of two incredibly rare, giant turtles that once lived in Hoan Kiem Lake. The softshell turtles are closely associated with the legend of king Le Loi and the golden turtle.

On a small island near the centre of the lake is Thap Rua, also known as Turtle Tower.

One of the city’s most famous symbols, the tower was built in the late 19th century to honour Le Loi.

Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Next, explore the frenetic streets of Hanoi’s Old Town that lie to the north of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Here you’ll find a maze of historic streets lined with French colonial architecture all filled with tiny cafes, souvenir shops, massage parlours, and restaurants that spill out onto the street.

You’ll also see an army of vendors selling goods such as fresh fruit from bicycles or baskets carried on a bar slung across one shoulder.

Many of the Old Quarter’s historic streets were traditionally dedicated to a specific craft or trade, such as jewelry, woodwork, silk products. Today, many more modern trades have taken over, although most streets in the Old Quarter are still known for selling specific goods.

Some of the vibrant streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter

The area still has a sense of a time gone by thanks to the colonial shophouses and traditional Buddhist temples that still remain. One place where you can get a glimpse into Hanoi’s past is at the Heritage House on Ma May Street.

Built in the late 19th century, this traditional Vietnamese shophouse was lived in until as recently as 1999. The house retains many of its original features, including its internal courtyard, and is now open to the public.

The interior of the Heritage House in Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Other key landmarks include the Bach Ma Temple, one of the city’s oldest temples, and Dong Xuan Market, a bustling indoor market perfect for souvenirs and local goods.

The Old Quarter is also a gastronomic paradise, with an almost endless array of cafes and small restaurants offering quintessential Vietnamese dishes, such as pho, banh mi, and egg coffee.

The area is also a great place to explore in the evenings, particularly on weekends when the bustling Night Market is held along the area’s main streets between Hang Dao Street to Dong Xuan Market.

St. Joseph Cathedral

From the Old Quarter, continue towards St Joseph Cathedral, just to the west of Hoan Kiem Lake.

The neo-Gothic St Joseph Cathedral is another of Hanoi’s most famous landmarks, built by the French in the late 19th century during the time that Vietnam was a part of French Indochina.

Bearing a strong resemblance to the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the striking St Joseph Cathedral features two bell towers and a unique and noticeably weathered exterior.

The cathedral’s interior is also distinctly European in design. Rows of wooden pews sit beneath huge vaulted ceilings and giant stained glass windows which were made in France and shipped to Vietnam.

The cathedral’s colourful altar is illuminated by golden light and sits beneath three more decorative stained glass windows.

Take a Track Side Seat on Train Street

From St Joseph Cathedral, walk to Train Street, another of Hanoi’s most famous sights.

Train Street refers to two sections of the same train track that run directly between tightly packed buildings in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. One section is located between Kham Thien and Le Duan Street while the other sits between Phung Hung and Tran Phu Street.

Trains barrel along the street several times a day, passing just inches away from the doorsteps and terraces of the many cafes that sit either side of the track.

Trains run at different times on the two sections of Train Street, with a few more services passing through the Phung Hung section.

Originally constructed by the French during the colonial era, the track remains a functional railway to this day, connecting Hanoi to Vietnam’s northern provinces.

In recent years, Train Street has transformed into a major hotspot for tourists. Colourful cafes and small eateries line the tracks, offering extremely close-up views of the trains as they hurtle by.

If you want to guarantee a seat at any of the cafes along Train Street then it pays to arrive at least half an hour before a train is due.

There are plenty of great track-side cafes to pick from along Train Street, where you can sip on local specialities, such as egg coffee, or have a bite to eat.

Railway Tuan Cafe, Coffee 40 & Restaurant, and Cafe Van are all highly recommended on the Phung Hung section of Train Street. Nam Vy Coffee and Hanoi 1990s are amongst the best cafes on the Kham Thien stretch.

Be aware that safety concerns have led authorities to restrict access in certain areas, and tourists are expected to follow safety rules and keep out of the way of the trains when they arrive.

Day 2 in Hanoi

Temple of Literature

Begin your second day in Hanoi at the Temple of Literature.

The Temple of Literature was founded in the 11th century as a university for students from the elite, including nobility and princes. They studied a variety of subjects for up to seven years, and frequently sat a range of exams. The Temple of Literature was open for over 700 years, closing in 1779.

Today the Temple of Literature is dedicated to Confucius, the Chinese philosopher. The temple covers a large area in the centre of Hanoi, with several beautiful courtyards, impressive gates, pavilions and koi-filled lakes.

Although the temple was established in 1076, many of its buildings are later additions, including the iconic Khue Van Pavilion, one of the most famous landmarks in Hanoi, which was built in 1805.

Beyond the Khue Van Pavilion lies the Well of Heavenly Clarity, a large square pond flanked by 82 stone tablets called Stelae of Doctors.

The Khue van Pavilion and one of the stone Stelae of Doctors

The tablets are mounted on turtle-shaped pedestals – turtles are a symbol of longevity and wisdom in Vietnam.

The stele commemorates successful candidates who sat the imperial exams between the 15th and 18th centuries.

Further inside in the fourth courtyard is the beautifully decorative House of Ceremonies and the Dai Thanh sanctuary, built in the traditional Chinese-style that includes a golden statue of Confucious.

In the fifth courtyard is the recreated Imperial Academy, rebuilt after the original buildings were destroyed in the 20th century during the First Indochina War.

In this courtyard is Thai Hoc House, built in 2000 in the very same spot that the original imperial academy once stood.

This building houses an interesting display about the education system that was taught at the Temple of Literature, as well as statues of Chu Van An, a revered 14th century Confucian teacher, and three former emperors of Vietnam who were each heavily involved with the temple and the academy.

Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum

Directly next to the Temple of Literature and well worth a visit is the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum.

The museum houses an impressive range of several centuries worth of Vietnamese art and religious antiquities.

In all there are over 2,000 exhibits that illustrate the variety and depth of Vietnam’s artistic cultural traditions, from ancient Champa sculptures, stunning lacquer paintings and beautiful artworks painted on silk.

Artworks on display at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum

The museum spans three floors, with each gallery covering different eras and themes, such as ancient Buddhist art, traditional Vietnamese crafts, and ceramics.

There’s also a wide collection of paintings and propaganda artworks from during the Vietnam War, alongside a good selection of thought-provoking modern works by contemporary Vietnamese artists.

Hoa Lo Prison

Hoa Lo Prison is one of Hanoi’s most unlikely tourist destinations, but what was once one of the most notorious jails in Vietnam also illustrates Vietnam’s complicated modern history.

Hoa Lo Prison was built in the late 19th century by the French when Vietnam was still a part of French Indochina. Its original French name, Maison Centrale, is still written above the main entrance to the prison.

The prison was primarily built to incarcerate Vietnamese political prisoners, particularly those attempting to overthrow the colonial powers and establish independence from France.

Conditions in the prison were horrific. Overcrowding was rife, and most of the political prisoners held at Hoa Lo Prison were tortured with many dying in the prison.

Prisoners were held regularly chained at the ankles or held in solitary confinement. Executions of prisoners were also common.

Inside Hoa Lo Prison

After Vietnam gained independence, the prison was used by North Vietnam to hold American military personnel captured at various points during the Vietnam War. It was the American prisoners of war held here that ironically dubbed the prison the Hanoi Hilton.

Much of Hoa Lo prison was demolished in the 1990s, and only a small section of the original jail still stands. Today, the prison’s remaining original blocks and cells are displayed as they would have looked when the jail was used to house Vietnamese prisoners during the French colonial period.

These include the sparse open blocks that would have been overcrowded with prisoners who were often held in ankle chains. You can see reconstructed prison cells and where many prisoners were kept in solitary confinement.

Displays and original artefacts from the time also tell of the conditions and suffering faced by Vietnamese inmates during the French colonial era. These include the original guillotine used to execute prisoners who had been sentenced to death.

In one of the prison’s original administrative buildings is a display that documents the prison’s use during the Vietnam War. On display are many of the original items owned by the American prisoners of war, including personal possessions, photographs and letters.

Also on display is the original US Air Force uniform and parachute worn by John McCain, one of the prison’s most famous former inmates, when he was captured in Hanoi in 1967 after ejecting from his aircraft.

The information presented on displays and in the audio guide repeatedly claim that the American soldiers held at Hoa Lo Prison were well cared for and treated humanely, though this contradicts their own accounts.

Former American prisoners of war held at Hoa Lo Prison have claimed that they endured horrific conditions and were frequently tortured throughout their time in the prison.

In a former courtyard is a monument dedicated to those who were wrongly imprisoned at Hoa Lo Prison, many of whom are now seen as heroes of the Vietnamese independence movement.

Feast on Bun Cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien

End the day with a bowl of one of Vietnam’s most popular dishes, bun cha.

While pho might be more well-known outside Vietnam, bun cha is a quintessential Hanoi dish, made of vermicelli noodles and grilled pork in a broth made of fish sauce, vinegar and sugar.

Bun cha is served with a side of herbs, such as lettuce, coriander, mint, basil and a plate of garlic and sliced chili, all of which you can add to the dish according to your taste.

The best place to try bun cha in Hanoi is Bun Cha Huong Lien. It was at this no-frills restaurant that Anthony Bourdain ate the dish with President Barack Obama while he was on a state visit to Vietnam in 2016.

After one bite of Bun Cha Huong Lien’s bun cha you’ll realise why Bourdain brought Obama here. The pork and the broth are both delicious and packed with flavour. Drop in a generous helping of noodles and then add your own desired herbs, garlic and chili to adjust the flavour to your own preference.

The table and chairs where Obama and Bourdain sat, along with the cutlery they used, are on display upstairs on the second floor where they ate, protected by a clear perspex box.

The dishes they ate now form Bun Cha Huong Lien’s signature dish, the combo Obama – a bowl of bun cha, a seafood roll and a can of Hanoi beer.

Three Days in Hanoi - Day 3

Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum

Start the last of your three days in Hanoi at another of the city’s more unorthodox landmarks, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum.

Ho Chi Minh was the revolutionary Communist leader who sought independence for Vietnam. He became the first leader of North Vietnam when the country was split into two following the fall of French Indochina, which eventually led to the Vietnam War.

Although Ho Chi Minh died almost six years before the Vietnam War ended, he is still revered as something of a holy figure in Vietnam. This is perhaps thanks largely to the fact that North Vietnam eventually won the war, as well as the subsequent creation of a cult of personality that is common in Communist countries.

The embalming of former leaders is another common trait of Communist countries (such as North Korea).

Although he wished to be cremated, after his death, the powers that be decided to put Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body on permanent display in his own mausoleum instead.

Visiting Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum isn’t as morbid as it may sound. Hundreds of people visit the mausoleum every day, including Vietnamese coming to pay their respects as well as tourists.

Built in the early 1970s, the mausoleum is a typically solemn building located in the centre of the city in large grounds next to the Presidential Palace.

Guests visiting the mausoleum need to pass through airport-style security and hand in any large bags to collect afterwards. A long open walkway from the entrance leads to the mausoleum.

Once inside the atmosphere is understandably a little serious, but mostly solemn and respectful, and you’ll file past the encased and embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh.

Presidential Palace

There are several other sights to see within the same complex as Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum.

After the mausoleum, head over to the bright yellow Presidential Palace. As well as admiring the French-colonial architecture of the palace, here you can learn more about Ho Chi Minh and his life and work in displays exhibited in a handful of its outer buildings.

Amongst the buildings are a smaller house where Ho Chi Minh lived, deciding against residing in the huge palace. Some rooms are visible from the outside and are set up as they would have been during Ho Chi Minh’s time living here.

You can also see some of the cars he used which were gifted by allies such as East Germany and the USSR.

Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House

Next to the outhouses is the garden’s large lake which leads to Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House. This is the traditional and much more humble two room house that Ho Chi Minh had built and used as his main residence.

A bust of Ho Chi Minh and a glimpse into his former study at his stilt house

Overlooking the lake, the stilt house is also styled as it would have looked during the time that Ho Chi Minh lived in it, with a simple office featuring a desk and lamp and a sparse but comfortable bedroom.

One Pillar Pagoda

In the same area as Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and the Presidential Palace is the One Pillar Pagoda, a small elevated temple that sits on top of a pillar. Originally constructed in 1049, the One Pillar Pagoda is one of the most sacred temples in Vietnam.

The pagoda was designed to resemble a blooming lotus, a symbol of purity in Buddhism. The original temple and pillar have been amended and modified a few times throughout its history, and the temple was purposefully destroyed in the 1950s before being restored and rebuilt in its original style in 1955.

Inside, the One Pillar Pagoda houses a statue of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, which can be seen by climbing the small staircase that leads to the temple.

Quan Thanh Temple

To the north of the mausoleum and President Palace complex are two lakes, Truc Bach Lake and the larger Ho Tay, or West Lake. On the edge of Truc Bach Lake is Quan Thanh Temple, another of Hanoi’s colourful Taoist temples.

One of the most important Taoist temples in Hanoi and dating from the 11th century, Quan Thanh means Place of the Gods. The temple is dedicated to Tran Vu, the Taoist god of the North.

Hanoi’s Quan Thanh Temple

The entrance to the temple is marked by an ornate gate decorated with beautiful carved stonework and murals that depict a range of auspicious animals and mythical beasts.

The temple sits within a large main yard which features lawns and colourful flowers, as well as two elephant statues. Inside the vibrant temple is a four foot tall bronze statue of Tran Vu that dates from the 17th century.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

From Quan Thanh Temple it’s a short walk along the West Lake to another of Hanoi’s most famous landmarks, the Tran Quoc Pagoda.

The oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, Tran Quoc Pagoda was founded in the 6th century but relocated to its current location on a small islet in West Lake in 1615.

Tran Quoc Pagoda is reached via a small causeway that connects the island to the main road, the temple’s pagoda visible on the approach.

Just behind the temple’s impressive main gate is the entrance that leads to the pagoda, an 11-tiered red-brick tower known as the Lotus Tower. Built in 1998, the tower is 15 meters tall with statues of Amitabha Buddha made from gemstones placed in alcoves on each level.

Behind the pagoda is the main temple, reached via a walkway that skirts the edge of the island. Facing the West Lake, the temple features classic Vietnamese architecture with a grand curved roof.

In front of the temple is a large traditional incense burner and a sacred Bodhi Tree, which was a gift from the first Prime Minister of India in 1959. The tree was grown from a sapling of the tree that Buddha sat beneath in India when he achieved enlightenment.

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

From Tran Quoc Pagoda, head south back towards the centre of the city to visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Imperial Citadel is a historic and fascinating complex that served as the political and cultural center of Vietnam for over a millennium.

Originally built in the 11th century on the foundations of a 7th-century Chinese fortress, the citadel’s various buildings were constructed over several centuries by different dynasties.

Its primary role was to be the seat of power of each dynasty, housing a base for the military, as well as royal palaces and a forbidden city at the centre of the citadel.

The majority of the buildings that remain today were built during the reign of the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century. Originally a much larger site, much of the citadel was demolished by the French following the colonisation of Vietnam.

What remains spans around 18 hectares and includes a number of historic palaces and entrance gates and archaeological finds.

At the entrance to the citadel is the Hanoi Flag Tower. A later addition to the original citadel, the tower was built in the early 19th century as a lookout. At the top of the tower is a large flag of Vietnam. Together the flag and the tower have become another emblem of the city.

Another of the citadel’s most impressive remains is the imposing Main Gate, or Doan Mon, which was built during the reign of the Ly Dynasty and originally served as the entrance to the citadel.

The Main Gate features thick stone walls with five arched entrances, with the central entrance reserved for the exclusive use of the Emperor.

The pavilion on top of the gate was added in the 19th century at the time of the Nguyen Dynasty and offers fantastic views over much of the citadel.

Some of the archeological discoveries found at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

Behind the main gate is the remains of Kinh Thien, the citadel’s main hall that was historically used for state functions and sacred rituals.

Although Kinh Thien was destroyed in the late 19th century, its stone foundation and the staircase flanked by the original ornate dragon carvings still stand.

Ongoing archaeological excavations of Kinh Thein have revealed additional foundations as well as ancient ceramics and other objects that have shed light on life in the royal court over many centuries in the citadel.

Many of these are on display in some of the citadel’s later buildings and offer a fascinating glimpse into the beauty and skill of artisans in ancient Vietnam.

Just before the North Gate at the far end of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is Building D67, a much more recent addition.

Building D67 was built during the Vietnam War as an operations centre. Resembling a contemporary home, the building was where members of the North Vietnamese military and senior political figures met during the conflict.

Today Building D67 is laid out as it would have looked during the war. Many of the building’s meeting rooms are adorned with maps, documents and displays about the activities that took place here during the war.

The most fascinating areas are the meeting rooms located deep underground beneath the building. Reached via thick doors at the end of a long staircase, the underground meeting rooms were built in case the citadel came under attack.

Wind Down in Hanoi’s Historic French Quarter

Spend your final evening in Hanoi in the city’s elegant French Quarter.

Unlike the narrow crowded maze of streets of the Old Quarter, in the French Quarter you’ll find huge colonial era hotels and government buildings alongside swanky upmarket department stores aimed at Hanoi’s elite.

One of the most famous landmarks in the French Quarter is the iconic Hanoi Opera House, a stunning example of French colonial architecture which is beautifully illuminated at night.

Nearby, the elegant Trang Tien Street is lined with art galleries, boutique shops, and the renowned Trang Tien Ice Cream shop, where you pick up a classic Hanoi speciality.

If you’re looking for somewhere more substantial, you could indulge in one of the French Quarter’s many fine dining restaurants, where you’ll find a wide selection of French, Vietnamese, or fusion cuisine.

La Terrasse at the Metropole Hotel or the La Table Hanoia (formerly known as Press Club) are amongst two of the best in the French Quarter.

Hanoi’s French Quarter beautifully illuminated at night

Afterwards, relax with a drink at the Bamboo Bar (also at the Metropole Hotel) or at Nectar Hideaway, which enjoys fantastic views of the Hanoi Opera House.

At the end of the evening, take a walk along Hoan Kiem Lake to see the Cau The Huc Bridge and the Thap Rua Turtle Tower beautifully illuminated at night.

Extras to Add to Your 3 Day Hanoi Itinerary:

If you need some extra ideas for things to do in Hanoi, here are a few more places to consider.

See a Water Puppet Show

Water puppetry originated in North Vietnam over a thousand years ago and is very popular with tourists visiting Hanoi. Water puppet shows are performed on a shallow water stage with wooden puppets that are cleverly controlled by hidden rods and mechanisms.

Several venues host multiple water puppet performances daily, including the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre near Hoan Kiem Lake. Accompanied by live traditional music, each show lasts around 45 minutes to an hour and typically depict stories from Vietnamese rural life, legends, and historical tales.

Performances are often in Vietnamese, but the vivid visuals and universal themes means that they are easy to understand.

◦ You can book tickets to a water puppet performance in advance here.

The Vietnamese Women's Museum

The Vietnamese Women’s Museum celebrates the contributions of women in Vietnamese history and culture.

The museum features over 1,000 exhibits that focus on themes such as women in family life, their essential role in Vietnamese history, and fashion.

Highlights include traditional clothing worn by women from each of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, displays detailing the role of women during wartime, and displays on marriage customs and maternal traditions.

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology offers a fascinating and comprehensive look into the rich cultural diversity of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.

The museum features both indoor and outdoor exhibits, and includes displays of traditional clothing, tools, musical instruments, and religious artefacts that showcase the daily lives, rituals, and customs of each ethnic community.

Behind the museum is a wonderful collection of traditional Vietnamese homes, meeting houses and ceremonial buildings that have been relocated from their original locations from various regions across the country.

The B52 Victory Museum

The B-52 Victory Museum commemorates Vietnam’s response to Operation Linebacker II, the American bombing campaign that targeted Hanoi and other parts of the north of the country in December 1972.

North Vietnamese forces successfully downed 34 U.S. B-52 bombers during intense air raids, and this museum provides a detailed perspective of the air defence strategies carried out by North Vietnamese troops during the war. The museum also showcases a range of artefacts from the siege, including the wreckage of American B-52 bombers, anti-aircraft guns, and radar systems used during the conflict.

A 10-minute walk north of the museum is the small B-52 Lake. In the centre of the lake are the remains of a B-52 bomber downed during the Vietnam War.

Where to Find the Best Coffee in Hanoi

Coffee in Vietnam is a staple part of the diet. You’ll find some of the best places to try Vietnamese coffee here in Hanoi, including the local classic, Vietnamese egg coffee.

You are never more than a few yards away from a coffee shop in Hanoi, and here are a few of the best cafes in town for when you need a shot of caffeine.

• Cafe Giang: Cafe Giang is the birthplace of Hanoi’s famous egg coffee, which is made with egg yolks instead of milk. More delicious than it sounds, Café Giang has been serving egg coffee since 1946.

• Hidden Gem Cafe: Hidden Gem Cafe is an eclectic and artsy cafe is spread across a number of floors in an old colonial building tucked away in a small alley in the French Quarter that features up-cycled furniture and decorations, fantastic painted murals of Hanoi’s street scenes and a great range of coffees and fruit smoothies and food.

• The Note Coffee: Located opposite Hoan Kiem Lake, every inch of The Note Coffee is covered in handwritten post-it notes from previous visitors, offering a double shot of great coffee with the chance to fill your Instagram feed.

• Cong Caphe: Cong Caphe is a popular chain café famous for its Vietnamese retro-communist aesthetic. Not just a gimmick, Cong Caphe is also well known for its excellent coffee, especially the coconut coffee.

The Best Day Trips from Hanoi

You might want to use one of your three days in Hanoi with a side trip out of town. If you do, here are some of the most popular day trips from Hanoi.

There are several popular day trips from Hanoi that offer a variety of experiences, from natural wonders to cultural landmarks. Here are some of the top options:

• Ha Long Bay: Although Ha Long Bay is often associated with overnight cruises, a day trip from Hanoi is possible, particularly to nearby areas like Tuan Chau or Bai Tu Long Bay. It’s around a three journey to Ha Long Bay, from where there are many boat tours that explore the bay’s beautiful emerald waters, islands and caves. Tours often include kayaking or a seafood lunch onboard.

◦ You can book a day trip from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay in advance here.

• Ninh Binh: Often called Ha Long Bay on Land, Ninh Binh is a popular day trip from Hanoi thanks to its stunning landscapes of limestone cliffs and picturesque rice paddies and riverways. Day trips often include a sampan boat ride through the caves of Tam Coc or Trang An, combined with visits to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu or the towering Bai Dinh Pagoda.

◦ You can book a day trip to Ninh Binh from Hanoi here.

• Perfume Pagoda: Officially called Chua Huong, the Perfume Pagoda is a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site consisting of temples, shrines and caves located in the Huong Tich mountains around 30 miles south of Hanoi. Tours to the Perfume Pagoda include a traditional boat ride along the spectacular Yen River, followed by a hike or cable car ride to the spectacular complex and the statues and temples located inside the Huong Tich Cave.

◦ Find the best guided tours to the Perfume Pagoda here.

• Bat Trang Pottery Village: Located just across the Red River and only 10 miles from the centre of Hanoi, Bat Trang is a traditional craft village known for its exquisite ceramics where you can watch artisans at work, shop for pottery, or even try making your own creations in hands-on workshops.

• Ba Vi National Park: A great place for nature lovers, Ba Vi National Park is about 40 miles to the west of Hanoi and is home to lush forests, hiking trails, and scenic viewpoints. The park is also home to many historical relics, such as a French colonial church and a temple dedicated to Tan Vien, a legendary mountain god.

◦ You can book a tour of Ba Vi National Park here.

• Duong Lam Ancient Village: Duong Lam Ancient Village is an excellent place to visit to get a glimpse of rural life and see some of Vietnam’s traditional architecture. Located in Son Tay District around 1 hour 30 minutes from central Hanoi, the village features centuries-old houses, temples, and communal halls, with cobblestone streets and traditional Vietnamese charm, all just an hour from Hanoi.

◦ You can take a tour to the Duong Lam Ancient Village here.

How to Get Around Hanoi

◦ Getting Around on Foot:

The majority of Hanoi’s main sights can be reached on foot, especially if you’re staying somewhere fairly central such as the Old Quarter or in the French Quarter.

The vast majority of Hanoi’s sights are within walking distance of each other, especially if you group things together as we have done in our itinerary.

◦ Getting Around by Taxi:

A few of the city’s attractions are a little further from the centre, such as the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or the B-52 Museum.

If you need to travel a little further away from the city centre, then the best way to do so is by taxi booked through the Grab app.

Grab is the most popular taxi app in SouthEast Asia, used in many other countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and many others.

We recommend downloading the Grab app and popping in your payment details before arriving in Vietnam. Taxis are cheap and reliable and by far the best way to get from A to B through Hanoi’s infamously awful traffic.

If you’re travelling solo, you can also book journeys on a scooter with Grab.

When’s the Best Time to Visit Hanoi?

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Hanoi.

During spring (from March to April) and autumn (from September to November) the weather in Hanoi is the most comfortable and perfect for getting out and exploring the city.

Spring temperatures in Hanoi are typically around 17°C to 25°C/63°F to 77°F and humidity is low.

The weather in autumn is usually cool and dry, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 28°C/64°F to 82°F.

I’m James, the founder, editor, writer and photographer at Where You’re Between. Currently based in Japan, I started Where You’re Between in 2017 to create detailed itineraries and in-depth travel guides for the places that I’m fortunate enough to visit. You can see all of our destinations here.

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3 Day Hanoi Itinerary