Top 10 Must Do Activities in Hanoi, Vietnam
Look no further! Whether you’re looking for culture, flavor, or some excitement, this list has some of the best, must-see tourist hot spots in Hanoi! Most of these activities are free or will cost you less than a happy meal at Mcdonalds ( I got you budget backpackers and travelers) and will also take you to some hidden gems you may not have read about in your guidebook. Ready to fall in love with Hanoi as much as I have? Check out the Top 10 must do/eat/see attractions in Hanoi right here:
Enjoy a bowl of Bun Cha
Everyone has heard of Vietnamese Pho, but have you heard of Bun Cha? Bun Cha is like the slightly more flavorful, heartier older sibling to a bowl of Pho. Bun meaning noodle and Cha meaning pork, this is a Pork and Noodle Dish that originated in Hanoi. Between the flavorful bites of marinated Pork, the sweet and salty fish sauce broth like base, the crunch of pickled papaya, the fresh herbs, and the quintessential vermicelli noodles, this dish has it all. No Vietnamese noodle soup dish would be complete without adding some chilis and garlic in for some extra flavor. Bon Appetit!
Take a trip to Train Street
Squeezed right in the middle of tightly packed residential Vietnamese homes lies actively used train tracks. Except for the two times a day when the train rumbles through, the tracks continue on as an extension of the homes, used as a place for kids to play and for locals to sit and drink tea and coffee. Within walking distance from the main city-center, this is a great spot for tourists to come for an insta-worthy photo and another glimpse into Hanoi local life.
Visit the Hanoi Murals/ 3D Art Wall
Lesser known but just down below from the infamous Train Street, colorful and beautifully painted murals that depict scenes from everyday Vietnamese life stretch across the stone railway arches. Some of these paintings are so vivid and lifelike that it makes it hard to tell where reality ends and the painting begins, with optical illusions and life-like art work. Hanoi is full of hidden gems, and this is one you won’t want to miss!
Temple of Literature
Escape from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Hanoi and find yourself transported into a tranquil oasis of courtyards, the site of Vietnam’s first University and now dedicated to Vietnam’s finest scholars and brimming with students who pay visits to pray for good grades. Bring a book and enjoy the peaceful gardens of The Temple of Literature for an afternoon, and if you can’t make it, you’ll notice it is depicted on the 100k note!
Hoan Kiem Lake
The Hoan Kiem Lake is within itself both physically and metaphorically the heart of the Hanoi City Center. Walking around the lake at sunrise you will see the locals practicing tai chi, jogging and practicing zumba in large uniformed groups. On the weekends the roads are blocked from cars and motorbikes and bands performing live music fill the streets. On the outskirts of the lake you can find places to get an ice cream cone, a bite to eat, or take a visit to the Water Puppet Theatre for an hour long cultural show where you will learn the legend behind Hoan Kiem, or “Return of the Sword” Lake.
6. Hanoi Weekend Night Market
Every weekend local vendors set up their carts that line the street for miles and sell everything from brightly colored fruit patterned floral shirts, to sunglasses, local eats, and clothing galore. Look no further for your shopping needs!
7. Beer Corner
Fancy a cold beer after walking around Hanoi in that humid Southeast Asian heat all day? Head over to Beer Corner, an area in downtown Hanoi filled with plastic tables and tiny plastic stools and Vietnamese locals with fresh kegs of Bia Hoi (fresh beer) that sell for .20 cents a glass. Continue the party in any of the many local night clubs, bars, or hostel hang out hot spots for a wild night out in Hanoi you will surely remember.
8.Visit a Museum
I myself am not much of a museum gal myself, but Hanoi actually boasts a pretty impressive museum scene and lots of ways to learn more about history and the local area. My top recommendations if you’re keen on learning more about culture and history would be the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, The Women’s Museum, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. You can get admission to these places for the same price as a soda back home!
9. St. Joseph’s Cathedral
St. Joseph’s Cathedral is one of the most visible representations of the French Colonial Occupation of Vietnam and mimics that of the architecture of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. In addition to Catholicism, the French influence can be seen in the baguette style sandwiches famously known as Banh-Mi, the coffee shops found around every corner, and of course the architecture. You can enjoy all of those things lining the streets surrounding the beautiful Cathedral and feel as if you are in two countries at once.
10. Egg Coffee
Lastly, you can’t leave Hanoi without trying the delicious dessert-like coffee specialty known as Egg Coffee. Upon hearing the words Egg and Coffee combined into one beverage it may sound less than appealing, but the reality is a creamy, tiramisu type flavored beverage that will fill you up and give you that caffeine jolt at the same time. Don’t knock it til you try it! And be sure to check out my list of Top 7 Places in Hanoi for Coffee List that includes the best the oldest egg coffee establishment in Hanoi. Bottoms up!
