First Time in Hanoi? Here Are the Top 10 Things to Do
If you’re heading to Hanoi for the first time, expect a bit of chaos, in the best possible way. The city is loud, lively, and packed with energy. With scooters zipping past in every direction, and street food sizzling on every corner, Hanoi can feel intense at first. However, beneath the noise, there’s a deep sense of history and culture that really comes alive once you settle in. In this blog, we share the best 10 things to do in Hanoi.
1. Get Lost in the Old Quarter
Hanoi’s Old Quarter is where most visitors start. Each street once specialised in goods like silk or silver. Now, it’s a fascinating mix of old and new, with colonial buildings, narrow alleyways, and shops stacked high.
The best approach? Don’t follow a map. Wander. Let the smell of sizzling meat guide you to a street vendor. Sit on a tiny plastic stool with a cold drink and watch the chaos pass. It’s the heart of Hanoi.
2. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum
This is one of the city’s most important sites. Ho Chi Minh’s body lies in the Mausoleum, and the mood is quiet and respectful.
Nearby, the museum offers insight into his life and Vietnam’s modern history. You can also stroll past the Presidential Palace and see the simple wooden stilt house where he lived.
3. Eat Like Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain famously loved Hanoi, and it’s easy to see why. From pavement stalls to busy markets, the food is fresh, vibrant, and unforgettable.
Must-try dishes include pho (noodle soup), bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), and banh mi (a Vietnamese sandwich with French influence). A guided food tour can help you discover places only locals know.
4. Visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
This ancient complex once housed Vietnamese emperors and war commanders. It’s not the most visually striking, but the layers of history are fascinating.
Don’t miss the D67 underground bunker, used during the Vietnam War. It’s well preserved and offers a real connection to the country’s past.
5. Explore the One Pillar Pagoda
This small but iconic temple stands on a single stone pillar, shaped like a lotus flower. Though it’s been rebuilt, it remains a powerful symbol of purity and devotion.
It’s located near the Ho Chi Minh complex, so it’s easy to include in your visit.
6. Experience the Magic of Train Street
One of the more surreal sights in Hanoi is Train Street, where a railway track cuts through a narrow residential alley. Locals pull in their belongings just before the train rushes past.
For safety, visitors must now sit at a café along the track. Though touristy, it’s still a fun and memorable experience.
7. Walk Around Hoan Kiem Lake and Visit Ngoc Son Temple
This lake is a peaceful escape in the centre of the city. Locals gather here for morning tai chi and evening walks. On weekends, roads around the lake are closed to traffic.
Ngoc Son Temple, on a small island in the lake, is reached via a red wooden bridge. It’s a calm, scenic spot worth visiting.
8. See the Gothic Side of Hanoi at St Joseph’s Cathedral
This 19th-century cathedral brings a slice of France to Hanoi. With tall towers and stained glass, it’s one of the city’s most striking buildings.
Still in use today, it becomes especially atmospheric during Christmas. The nearby streets are also great for coffee and snacks.
9. Step into the Temple of Literature
Dating back to 1070, this temple was Vietnam’s first university. Dedicated to Confucius and learning, it’s a quiet, green space with courtyards, gates, and stone turtles carved with scholars’ names.
Many students still visit to pray for good results. It’s one of the city’s most peaceful historic sites.
10. Drink Vietnamese Coffee
Coffee in Hanoi is both serious and creative. Egg coffee, invented here in the 1940s, is creamy and sweet, almost like a dessert. You’ll also find coconut coffee, yoghurt coffee, and even salted coffee.
For the original egg coffee, go to Café Giang. For something quirky and photogenic, try The Note Coffee, known for its colourful Post-it walls.
Final Thoughts
Hanoi might overwhelm you at first, but let it. Then let it grow on you. The contrasts here are what make it special: ancient temples beside traffic, quiet lakes next to street markets, and a sense of history around every corner. For many, it’s not just a stop, it becomes the highlight of their trip.
