How to Eat and Experience the Best 1 Day in Hanoi
Last Updated: April 9, 2024
Hanoi is Vietnam’s bustling capital and cultural hub, and it’s also the connecting point to get to many of Vietnam’s most popular destinations like Ha Long Bay. You may be wondering whether it’s worth it to stop and spend some time in Hanoi while you’re on your way to other destinations in Vietnam. Is Hanoi worth visiting? How much time do you need in Hanoi? And of course you’re wondering what foods to try in Hanoi! In our complete guide to the best 1-day in Hanoi, we walk you through the top sites to see in Hanoi, the top foods to try in Hanoi, and what you can do in the surrounding areas of Hanoi.
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How to Eat and Experience the Best 1 Day in Hanoi: Table of Contents
Is Hanoi Worth Visiting?
Hanoi is a great place to learn more about Vietnamese history and culture, and to taste some of the best Vietnamese food, so we found it definitely worth a visit when in Vietnam. The city has an interesting blend of architecture, with both ancient pagodas and 19th century French colonial buildings, due to the French occupation of Vietnam from the late 1800s until 1954. (You’ll also learn about French influence in Vietnamese food – which is why Banh Mi sandwiches are served on French rolls!)
We felt like we learned the most about Vietnam while we were in Hanoi, so we are very glad we visited Hanoi.
How Much Time Do You Need in Hanoi?
If you only have a short window of time to stop in Hanoi, you can see the top sites in the city within 1 day. If you have an extra day, you can go at a more leisurely pace and see the top sites in Hanoi in 2 days.
We also recommend you take some day trips outside of Hanoi to some top sites in the surrounding areas, which we discuss more below. So you may want to stay in Hanoi for 3-4 days, but you only need 1 full day dedicated to exploring Hanoi.
Where Should You Stay in Hanoi?
The Old Quarter is one of the most popular places for tourists to stay in Hanoi. It’s centrally located with a charming aesthetic, and most of the top tourist attractions in Hanoi are within walking distance or a short drive of the Old Quarter. Additionally, if you want to take any tours while in Hanoi, the tours are likely to pick up from hotels in the Old Quarter.
There are lots of nice hotels in the Old Quarter of Hanoi for decent prices. We stayed at Solaria Hanoi Hotel, which was centrally located near the scenic Hoàn Kiếm Lake. We were floored by the hotel’s warm hospitality. The Solaria staff all went above and beyond to help with any questions we had and to assist with anything we needed when traveling, so if you are feeling unsure about where to stay in Hanoi, check out Solaria Hanoi Hotel.
Top Attractions to Check Out in Hanoi in 1 Day
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is one of the top sites in Hanoi, and it certainly is a unique experience in Vietnam. At the Mausoleum, you can see the perfectly embalmed body of Vietnam’s revered revolutionary leader, Ho Chi Minh (affectionately known by locals as “Uncle Ho”). At the surrounding Ho Chi Minh complex, you can learn about the life of Ho Chi Minh and see some lovely architecture on the grounds. You can visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex with a guide (e.g. as part of a walking tour), or you can go on your own.
Important note when visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – the mausoleum is considered an honored place, and as such you must wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders. You cannot wear a hat or sunglasses inside the mausoleum. You also cannot bring food or drinks into the grounds, you will have to check any food you have at the entrance.
Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature is another top site to see in Hanoi, and it is within walking distance of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Built in 1070, the Temple of Literature was home to Vietnam’s first national university.
In the beautiful temple grounds, you can learn more about the high value Vietnam placed on education throughout the centuries. Moreover, each piece of architecture in the Temple of Literature has special meaning. For example, on some of the roofs, you will see two dragons facing each other with a moon in the middle, and this image symbolizes development and prosperity.
And fun fact about the Temple of Literature – you can see the ancient pagoda that is featured on the 100,000 dong note!
Train Street - 3pm
One iconic Hanoi site to see is “Train Street” – a narrow road where a railway cuts through the city center, closely lined by coffee shops and stores. The train comes every day at 3:00pm and 7:00 pm.
However, if you visit Train Street, make sure you maintain a safe distance when the train is approaching and respect any instructions from local officials. Many tourists ignore instructions from locals, and in 2022 a tourist was hit by the train after she snuck around the safety barriers. You can still enjoy the fascinating Train Street today, just be sure to do so safely!
Hoa Lo Prison Museum
Another fascinating site to see in Hanoi is the Hoa Lo Prison Museum. The Hoa Lo Prison prison was originally built by the French colonizers to punish Vietnamese revolutionaries and stifle Vietnamese uprisings. Then during the Vietnam War (called the “American War” in Vietnam), the prison was used to house American prisoners of war. Today, the prison has been converted into a museum that tells the story of Vietnam resilience and struggle for independence.
The museum is very thought-provoking and informative about Vietnam’s struggle for independence. For visitors from the US, it is fascinating to see how the American prisoners of war were treated with dignity in that particular prison, in spite of the circumstances of the war.
Is the Hoa Lo Prison Museum worth a visit in Hanoi? If you’re at all interested in Vietnamese history, we think the Hoa Lo Prison is still worth a short visit – you can easily see all of the museum in 1-2 hours. And the museum is very close to the other top attractions in Hanoi. The museum closes at 5pm, so it’s the perfect stop right after you see Train Street at 3pm.
St. Joseph Cathedral
Another top site to see in Hanoi is the St. Joseph Cathedral, which was built in the late 1800s by the French. The cathedral design was inspired by Notre Dame in Paris, and it looks out over a small park square.
Near the Cathedral, there are plenty of cafes, shops, and restaurants nearby to check out. In particular, we loved stopping for a pandan egg coffee and banh mi at Cafe Runam around the corner.
Thê Húc Bridge (Red Bridge) and Trấn Quốc Pagoda
If you’re looking for the perfect photo spot in Hanoi, you have to check out the Thê Húc Bridge (also called the “Red Bridge”) located on Hoàn Kiếm Lake in Hanoi. If you cross the bridge, it will take you to the lovely Trấn Quốc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi. The Thê Húc Bridge is a lovely scenic spot to enjoy the sunset, before you check out the water puppet show (next on your 1 day in Hanoi itinerary).
Water Puppet Show
Hanoi’s famous water puppet show is a unique art form and a great way to experience a little bit of traditional Vietnamese culture. The 50-minute show features a life band playing up beat traditional music, and the show itself takes you through various tales from rural Vietnamese life.
What are the showtimes for the Hanoi water puppet show?
What are the showtimes for the Hanoi water puppet show? Typically the water puppet show occurs every day at 03:00 PM, 04:10 PM, 05:20 PM, 06:30 PM and 08:00 PM.
How much do tickets cost for the Hanoi water puppet show?
Tickets range in price from 100,000-200,000 Vietnamese dong (about $4.00-8.50 USD). And how do you book tickets for the Hanoi water puppet show? The easiest route is likely to ask your hotel in Hanoi to book tickets for you, as they are able to do so with very little hassle to you and at a good price.
You can also walk up to the theater and buy tickets in person, but you do run the risk of the show being sold out. (The first day we arrived in Hanoi, we tried to get tickets, but it was a Saturday night, and the evening shows were already sold out 2 hours before the show.) Alternatively, you can book the tickets online in advance, but you may pay more with the online fees.
Foods to Try in Hanoi
Egg coffee
One of our favorite culinary treats in Hanoi was their egg coffee. It may sound surprising to westerners, but as the name suggests, egg coffee is made with an egg frothed into the coffee. This leads to a luscious, creamy froth that is somewhat like creme brulee or flan.
Where to get the best egg coffee in Hanoi?
Our favorite egg coffee that we tried in Hanoi was at Cafe Runam. They had a pandan egg coffee that was incredible. (We also recommend their banh mi and flan coffee – they were amazing!)
Coconut coffee
Another must-try of Hanoi’s coffee scene is coconut coffee. Coconut coffee is deliciously smooth and sweet, made with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and strong Vietnamese coffee. It’s the perfect blend of sweet from the condensed milk and bitter from the coffee, with the twist of coconut. Sometimes you’ll see coconut coffee served as a blended slushy style drink. If you see coconut coffee on the menu in Hanoi, it’s definitely worth giving it a try.
There are no water fountains inside Joshua Tree National Park. We repeat, there are no water fountains within Joshua Tree! The only places to fill up your water are on the very edges of the park – at the visitor centers and Black Rock Campground. Therefore, you must bring plenty of water, sunblock, hats, and snacks. And if you can pack a Gatorade, you’ll be grateful for the electrolytes!
Pho
The noodle dish Pho (or Phở) is an iconic Vietnamese dish, sometimes considered the national dish of Vietnam. And every region of the country prepares pho a little differently. You cannot visit Hanoi without trying pho there.
Where is the best place to try pho in Hanoi? Though you can get delicious pho in many shops and restaurants all over Hanoi, our favorite pho was in the restaurant MIAs in the Old Quarter. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, the service is amazing, and the pho was so flavorful. I’d never tasted all the aromatic spices in pho before until I tried it at MIAs.
Bun Cha
Bun Cha is a famous dish that originated in Hanoi. Bun cha is made of grilled pork served over a bed of rice noodles with fresh herbs and dipping sauce. With the sauce and fresh cilantro and basil, bun cha is deliciously flavorful and definitely worth a try when you’re in Hanoi.
Where should you try bun cha in Hanoi? If you ask anyone local to Hanoi, they will tell you Bún chả Hương Liên. This restaurant was made famous because President Barack Obama dined here with Anthony Bourdain when he was visiting Vietnam. It’s a small unassuming spot serving delicious food. But be prepared to wait in line if you go, since it is quite popular!
Banh Mi
Banh Mi is perhaps one of Vietnam’s most popular dishes worldwide. Did you know that banh mi was originally created due to the French influence, bringing the French baguette and pate to combine with local Vietnamese meats and spices? You have to try Banh Mi while in Vietnam, and Hanoi has plenty of delicious carts and restaurants serving banh mi.
Other Things to Do Near Hanoi
Ninh Binh
From Hanoi, you can also take a lot of amazing shorter trips outside the city. One amazing day trip from Hanoi is to go to Ninh Binh, where you can bike ride through rice fields, hike beautiful limestone cliffs, and ride a boat through more limestone cliffs.
Ha Long Bay
Another great short trip from Hanoi is to go to the famous Ha Long Bay, where you can take a cruise for 2-3 days. Note that if you go to Ha Long Bay in Hanoi’s winter months from November to April, you’ll likely experience some chilly rain in Ha Long Bay, like we did. You can see from the photo below that there was plenty of cloud cover, but you can still see the limestone cliffs. Ha Long Bay in the winter was still an amazing experience, but just be prepared for the weather.
Overall, Hanoi is a bustling, vibrant city, which is definitely worth a visit in Vietnam. Visiting Hanoi allows you to experience Vietnamese culture unlike anywhere else, and there are amazing day trips nearby!