Hanoi is such a diverse capital city – the perfect blend between classic and modernity. Being the political and cultural centre of Vietnam, Hanoi has so many exciting activities and delicious dishes to offer that it seems almost impossible to thoroughly enjoy it within months, much less within just a day. If you want to enjoy the multifacetedness of Hanoi yet are running short on time, we are here to give you the list of best things to do in Hanoi in 24 hours.
Some key notes if you are planning to do so:
- Be strategic in your choice of transportation and your travel route. The perfect option is to book a private taxi cab to have a hassle-free trip around Hanoi.
- Start off your trip from the Old Quarter, since most of the must-see destinations are located here.
The beauty of Hanoi lies in its diverse activities. For 24 hours you can enjoy each of its layer with one representative activity. Let Spot On Vietnam be your ultimate tour guide with our Hanoi one-day itinerary below!
Enjoying Vietnamese coffee in the morning
Morning from 7:00 AM ~
Morning is the perfect moment for you to truly enjoy local life in Hanoi. From 7:00 to around 9:00 AM, people start commuting to work, and many shops are also opened during these hours to cater to their breakfast needs. Naturally, Vietnamese people are coffee enthusiasts, so it’s a common sight to see cafe stores open every few meters on the streets of your morning stroll.
Hanoians can be quite creative in their coffee consumption. If you are feeling adventurous, head to Hang Bac street in the Old Quarters, where you can have a taste of Vietnamese egg coffee – coffee mixed with condensed milk and a layer of beaten, foamy egg yolk on top. Other variations include ca phe cot dua (coffee with coconut milk) or sua chua ca phe (coffee mixed with yogurt). Curious about what they taste like? Just have a try and pick your own favorite!
Recommended cafes:
- Cafe Giảng: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hang Bac, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi (7:00 AM – 10:00 PM)
- Cafe Đinh: 13 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi (7:00 AM – 9:30 PM)
- Cộng Cafe chain: many stores are available around the Old Quarters area (7:30 AM – 11:00 PM)
Visiting Museums
From 10:00 AM ~
“Museums are places of worship for those whose faith dwells in human stories.”
The best way to truly understand a country’s culture, religion and history is through visiting its museums! Visiting museums can be risky, however. Chances are many of them are only glass-encased things without a soul or story in sight. Luckily, Hanoi has plenty of fascinating museums, accompanied by attractive displays and most importantly, conveying great stories.
Hop on a cab and head to Hoa Lo Prison – the “Hanoi Hilton” as referred to American war prisoners. It now serves as the memorial site for the soldiers, having captivating yet disturbing displays of torture tools used by the French, figures of Vietnamese prisoners and many other materials. The chilly and slightly creepy vibe makes the experience in Hoa Lo Prison a very unique one!
If wartime history isn’t your cup of tea, we would suggest visiting the Vietnamese Women’s Museum nearby or the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Both are easily accessible and have a variety of fascinating exhibitions, showcasing Vietnam’s cultural heritage, history and promoting socio-cultural equity & diversity within the country.
Address and opening hours:
- Hoa Lo Prison: 1 Hoa Lo, Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Vietnamese Women’s Museum: 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hang Bai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: Nguyen Van Huyen, Quan Hoa, Cau Giay, Hanoi (8:30 AM – 5:30 PM)
Street food tour around Old Quarter
From 12:00 PM ~
The Old Quarters are famous for having an abundance of street food, which can be found in every corner. Besides pho & bun cha, which are the most notable local specialties, the Old Quarters also offer a handful of other mouth-watering alternatives.
Being food-tastic cooks as they are, Hanoians play around with bun (a thinner, vermicelli-like version of pho noodles) by creating many dishes: bun dau mam tom, bun cha ca, bun ngan, to name but a few. The Old Quarters have all of these delicious delicacies, plus an abundance of other options to choose, from savory banh mi, xoi, banh cuon to sweet desserts like ice cream and che.
My Village Show in Hanoi Opera House
From 6:00 PM ~
After several hours of walking and indulging yourself with Vietnamese cuisine, it’s time to take a break and enjoy Vietnamese culture in its purest form with My Village (Lang Toi) Show. This is a highly anticipated and unique cultural show in the historic Hanoi Opera House, opening almost every night in the historic Hanoi Opera House.
Watch as skilled acrobats, dancers and jugglers light up your evening and bring Vietnamese rural villages to life on stage. Live music, spectacular performances with traditional Vietnamese instruments will leave you in awe with unforgettable memories.
Check out Lune Production’s official site for more information on showtime and seat reservation.
Ta Hien Beer street
From 8:30 PM ~
What a better way to end your 24-hour Hanoi exploration on a high note than dancing the night away on Ta Hien Beer Street. This is the centre of Hanoi’s nightlife, where both locals and foreigners gather together and have fun. From dusk till’ dawn, two lanes of Ta Hien street are filled with street food, street-style hot pots or barbecues that will make your tummy and spirit full.
There are many pubs and bars around Ta Hien as well for those looking for a wild night. But if you are a bit worn out after a long day trip, then sitting in a corner, chugging down some beer, making friends with the guy next to you, and savoring the wild atmosphere around you,… will be the best memories of Hanoi to take back home.
Address: Ta Hien, Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
And many more fun activities await…!
Wow, that was fast! 24 hours have gone by and look at how much activities you have done. You have just experienced many well-known spots of Hanoi, and we are totally confident that after this fast trip, you’ll be dying to visit Hanoi again next time with more days to explore!h
Hope that this guide helps you get a grip on the top recommended things to do in Hanoi.
