A guide to Hanoi, Vietnam
The chaos, the charm and everything in between.
Well, where do I even start?! We’ve visited Hanoi several times across our three trips to Vietnam, and thinking back to our very first day, I felt like we’d been transported to another universe.
The chaos of the roads, the motorbike horns, the shops spilling onto the pavements, people everywhere, it was almost sensory overload. But mixed in with all that chaos is the incredible charm that makes Hanoi such an interesting city to explore.
I think there are two types of people when it comes to somewhere like Hanoi. Those who naturally and quickly adapt to chaos, and almost find excitement and peace in it, and the other type of person (like me), who takes a little bit of time to adapt and feel comfortable. Maybe that’s because I grew up in the countryside, who knows?! But by day two, everything started to feel a little less alien, and I could really begin to appreciate what makes Hanoi so special.
That said, I’m still not entirely comfortable crossing the road and trusting that the swarm of motorbikes will weave around me. It goes against every instinct I have!!
Hanoi’s Shopping Streets - A street for everything
Now, this is something we find absolutely fascinating about Hanoi!
One of the things we love about Hanoi is wandering around the Old Quarter. Imagine walking down a street where practically every shop sells toys. Turn the corner and suddenly you’re surrounded shops selling fans, then it’s silk, pottery, mechanical parts and the list goes on. Such a weird experience!! It’s literally a whole street selling the the same thing. I have noooo idea how you pick which shop to actually buy from or how all of them survive. Literally one of the mysteries of Hanoi. An entire street selling the same thing!!
There’s actually some history behind this Hanoi’s Old Quarter is famous for its traditional 36 street guilds, dating back to when different streets specialised in particular trades. Although the shops have changed over time, you can still see plenty of this tradition today.
Hang Gai is a great examine of this, it’s famous for its silk shops, with beautiful fabrics, scarves and clothing on display.
We recommend just getting out and wandering around these beautiful streets, popping into little shops and seeing what you find. Just be prepared for the pavement to be occupied by everything except pedestrians! Between parked motorbikes, tiny plastic stools and tables, you may find yourself walking in the road more often than you’d like.
What’s the best items to buy?
Linen and silk!
There are so many amazing places you can get high quality, hand made items from, we love Lo’s Corner.
Hanoi’s Coffee Culture
Now this is an incredible surprise in Vietnam…how they take their coffee culture and stands to the next level!!
Coffee was introduced to Vietnam by the French in the 19th century, but the Vietnamese have certainly made it their own. From very strong coffee served with sweet condenses milk or the famous egg coffee, it has become a huge part of their culture.
Hanoi is a fantastic place to experience it. From tiny cafes tucked down narrow alleyways to beautiful coffee shops overlooking the busy streets, there are so many places to sit and watch the world go by while getting your caffeine kick, and when I say kick, you will not need many coffees to get the caffeine buzz.
The coffees you must try when in Hanoi are:
Egg coffee: I know, egg in coffee??!! But hear me out, it’s actually like a creamy delicious desert. The mixture of the whipped egg yolk with the condensed milk over very strong hot coffee is actually quite incredible.
Ice coffee with condensed milk: Strong coffee, plenty of ice and that delicious sweetness from the condensed milk. Because the coffee is so strong, the condensed milk balances it out and make a yummy easy to drink coffee.
Ices coconut coffee: A delicious combination of strong Vietnamese coffee and sweet, creamy coconut, often blended with ice until it’s almost like coffee slush crossed with coconut ice cream . It’s so refreshing in the Hanoi heat.
Things to do in Hanoi
I honestly think Hanoi is the perfect base, there are so many incredible places in northern Vietnam, from the ocean cruises around Ha Long Bay to the rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai or Sapa and everything in between. All of these are accessible from Hanoi, typically guides use this as a central place to pick people up and drop them off. This is probably why we’ve spent so much time in Hanoi, simply because not only do you get to explore all the cool things in the city, but how easy it is to travel to many more surrounded places.
To find these amazing places, I usually use the Viator App or Tripadvisor. If there is a specific location I know I’ll like to visit, then I would find a hotel in tat location, and ask them to recommend a things to do and a guide. A great example of this is when we went to Mu Caning Chai, you can read all about it in our Mu Cang Chai blog.
Ok, so only focusing on Hanoi itself…
There’s so much to see and do in Hanoi itself!! From wandering around the beautiful Horn Kiem Lake and exploring the fascinating temples and historic buildings to watching a traditional water puppet show, there’s plenty to keep you busy. Also, don’t underestimate how much fun it is just getting lost in the Old Quarter, discovering hidden cafes, quirky little shops and streets you probably wouldn’t have found if you’d planned every minute.
Here are some of the main attractions we’d suggest you look into:
Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton): A fascinating but harrowing place to visit. Originally used by the French colonial authorities to imprison Vietnamese political prisoners, it later held American prisoners of war.
Temple of Literature: One of Hanoi’s most beautiful sites, with traditional Vietnamese architecture, peaceful courtyards and lovely gardens. Founded in 1070, it later became home to Vietnam’s first national university
Hoan Kim Lake and Ngoc Son Temple: A beautiful spot in the heart of Hanoi. You can walk around the lake and cross the bright red bridge to visit Ngoc Son Temple. This is probably what you have seen in many pic before visiting Hanoi!
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: An important historical landmark where the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh is displayed. The surrounding complex also includes the distinctive One Pillar Pagoda.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient gateways, archaeological remains and centuries of Vietnamese royal history.
St Joseph’s Cathedral: A beautiful Gothic-style cathedral with distinctly European appearance.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre: Something a little different! Traditional Vietnamese puppetry performance on water.
Hanoi Train Street: Famous for the railway line running between closely packed buildings, here you can walk down the tracks and see the madness or stop in a cafe and watch a train go by (very very closely!!).
There is much more to do and see in the city, but these are the key sites. It’s also worth remembering to cover up your legs and shoulders in some of the heritgate and religious sites.
Where to eat in Hanoi
Oh, we could write an entire blog just on this about the food in Hanoi!! Actually, that’s exactly what we’re doing,
We’ve eaten everywhere from little local food spots to Michelin-starred restaurants, and we’ve definitely some favourites along the way. Unfortunately, we have been to some famous places too, and they were not worth the trip, so I’ll include them too.
Our top tip: Book a food tour
I highly recommend booking on a food tour for when you arrive, maybe even on your first day! We’ve done it before where we literally land, drop our suitcases and then go on a tour. It’s the best way to find your feet with a new place and sample lots of things on the menu with someone to help explain what it is and its history. Ther’re so many famous dishes that we’ve probably never heard of before, or even know what’s in it, so get on the tour and learn quickly. We found this to be the best and quickest way to get the basic food knowledge and experience of the city.
We actually love Secret Food Tours they were very accommodating of dietary requirements (vegetarian) and made use there was more food than you could possibly manage!! There are also other ones on the Viator app however, this was our personal favourite.
Where to stay in Hanoi, Old Quarter or French Quarter?
If you’re visiting Hanoi for the first time, we’d recommend looking for a hotel in or around the Old Quarter or French Quarter. Bot hare great bases for exploring the city on foot, but also have quite different personalities.
The Old Quarter is where you’ll find narrow streets packed with shops, cafes, restaurants and more motorbikes than you can possibly count. It’s busy, noisy and full of character. If you want to step outside your hotel and be right in the middle of everything, this is the place to be.
The French Quarter has a different feel, with wider, tree-lined streets, elegant colonial-era buildings and slightly calmer atmosphere. You’re still close to many of Hanoi’s main attractions, but it’s a nice option if you fancy escaping some of the Old Quarter chaos.
Out of the 10 hotels in Hanoi, where would be stay again? Merited Hanoi, Grand Hotel du Lac and the Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel.
Can you drink the water in Vietnam?
No, absolutely not!
Even the locals can’t safely drink it, they always boil it, use home water filter systems, or rely on bottled. The vast majority of ice used in restaurants, cafes, and street stalls is mass-produced in commercial factories using purified or filtered water. However, be careful in remote areas or if the ice is chipped ice that is intended for chilling fish or meat, and not intended for consumption.
Enjoy your trip!
Hanoi might take a little getting used to, but give it a chance and I think you’ll understand why we keep going back!! It’ chaotic, fascinating, full of character and unlike anywhere else we’ve visited. Just don’t expect me to ever get used to crossing their roads!!
