The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has an amazingly well preserved Old Quarters in the Hoàn Kiếm District. It is a city where the east and west blend together. Modern buildings exist in tandem with century-old Hanoian houses. From French Colonial buildings to ancient Chinese temples, Hanoi is every history buff’s dream come true. Formerly known as Thang Long, or the ‘Ascending Dragon‘, Hanoi has retained its old-world charm with over 600 temples, lakes, parks, and boulevards. For all you foodies out there, Hanoi’s food scene is legendary. From the ubiquitous Egg Coffee to world-famous Pho, Hanoi has it all. Check the link below for a complete food guide for Hanoi. The city has been consistently ranked as one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit by Trip Advisor, and deservingly so. Read this 2 Day Itinerary for Hanoi to find out why.
This guide will help you plan an itinerary covering all the highlights of Hanoi in just 2 days. This includes the top sights to see, some hidden gems, how to avoid the typical tourist traps, and where to stay, eat, and drink. Also included is an estimated budget for different kinds of traveller for this 2 Day Itinerary for Hanoi including cost-of-stay, transportation, tickets, and other foreseeable extras. Do let me know if you have any comments, suggestions, or feedback in the comment section below. Finally, if you enjoy reading this article, please consider sharing it on your favourite social media. You can also reach out to me by filling out the form in the Contact Page.
Read More:
- Top 10 things to do and see in Vietnam: The complete guide
- 7 hidden gems of Vietnam: The must read guide
- 7 must try food in Hanoi: The definitive guide
When to visit?
Vietnam is geographically a long and thin country. As such, the north of Vietnam, where Hanoi is located, has a distinct climate compared to central and south Vietnam. The northern plains, including Hanoi, has four different seasons.
Summer lasts from May to September and is hot and humid with a lot of rainfall. It is usually the low season for tourists visiting Hanoi. Spring and Autumn run from March to April and October to November respectively. These are usually the shoulder seasons with warm days and with lesser rainfall. The high season in Hanoi and the rest of northern Vietnam is December to February, with much lower temperatures, especially at night. Rainfall is also at its minimum allowing visitors to explore the city at its best. The temperature during winters can often drop below 15°C/59°F. You should pack accordingly if you plan to visit during this high season.
Note that the highlands in northern Vietnam can have extreme temperature variations – very hot summers and cold winters, with occasional snow.
Arriving in Hanoi
By Flight

Noi Bai International Airport is located at a distance of 35 KM from Hanoi Hoàn Kiếm District – the centre of town. It has separate domestic and international terminals. Being a major international airport, it is well connected via direct flights to major destinations in Asia and Europe.
While Vietnam provides visa-on-arrival at Hanoi International Airport, note that you would still be needing a pre-approved letter of invitation, something which I have noted a few visitors miss out on and end up being in a soup. In case you are from a country to which Vietnam extends pre-approved eVisa, it makes much more sense to get the same and head straight to the immigration.
There are multiple ways of reaching the city from the airport:
Express Bus 86
Express Bus 86 connects Hanoi Railway Station and Old town with both the terminals of Noi Bai International Airport. The operating hours are 5:05 AM to 10:45 PM with departures every 25 to 45 minutes from both ends. It has free wifi onboard. Check the latest timetable on the official Facebook page linked below. Transfer time is roughly around an hour but varies with the traffic. Recently revised ticket price is now 35,000 VND (~1.3 USD,~ 97 INR) per person one way.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/BusExpress86/
Additionally, there are public buses and shuttle buses connecting the airport to the city. However, I don’t recommend either of the two for visiting foreign nationals. Public buses are difficult to navigate unless you can read and speak Vietnamese. It makes far more sense for international tourists to opt for the Express Bus 86 if you prefer public transport. I wouldn’t recommend shuttle buses either because they are infamous for a lot of scams and can mislead visiting tourist.
Metered Taxi
Metered taxis are available outside the arrival hall of both the domestic and international terminal. You can see a clearly marked taxi rank outside each terminal as soon as you exit it. Prices can vary between 350,000 VND to 400,000 VND (~15.2 to 17.4 USD, ~ 1135 to 1297 INR) from the airport to the old quarter. Prices to other destinations in Hanoi may differ. Ensure that you ask the driver to turn the meter on at the time of boarding.
Private Transfer
There are several companies offering private transfers from the airport to anywhere in Hanoi or beyond. This usually needs a pre-booking over phone/ online. You will be met by the driver waiting for you outside the arrival hall with a placard having your name written on it. Makes it a convenient option as you need not worry about searching for a taxi after a long flight or worry about being cheated with a fraudulent meter. Prices range from 15 $ to 18 $ (~1120 to 1345 INR) from the airport to anywhere in the city. Booking a return transfer might work out to be cheaper with some companies. My recommended company is Hanoi Transfer Service whose transfers I have personally availed. I have linked their website below:
Website: https://www.hanoitransferservice.com/
By Train

Hanoi Station connects to Ho Chi Minh City via the Reunification line. It has intermediate stops at Hue, Danang, and several other cities. The journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi is around 32 hours long and is only recommended for people who have enough time to accommodate this train journey. The coastal route from Hanoi to Danang offers some great views. The carriages are fairly comfortable, even by western standards, and are all air-conditioned. Prices for journeys between Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi vary from 907,000 VND to 1,335,000 VND (~39.4 to 58 USD,~2942 to 4331 INR) depending on the kind of seats/ berths opted for. Tickets can be booked online via travel agents like 12GoAsia, Baolau, or via the official Vietnam Railways website. Tickets can also be bought at the station and are rarely sold out, except during peak holiday season.
Hanoi also connects to Lao Cai (which itself connects via road to the hill station of Sapa) in northern Vietnam. This service too is from the main Hanoi Station. Tickets can be bought online as described above. There is also a service to Haiphong from the Hanoi Long Bien station. This can further connect to ferries for Cat Ba island. Tickets need to be bought at the station. Finally, there is a rusty old once-a-day service connecting Yen Vien station in the suburbs of Hanoi to Halong for Halong Bay. Tickets can be bought via Baolau.
There is an international train service connecting Hanoi to Nanning, China from Gia Lam station in Hanoi. Nanning further connects to Beijing, Hong Kong and several other cities in China. Tickets can be bought via Baolau or at the station.
Read more at Seat61, which is an excellent resource for train travel in Vietnam and across the world.
Currency
The currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). It is one of the most undervalued currencies in the world where 1 US Dollar converts to over 23000 Dong (~ 1 INR = 310 VND). While there are several exchange shops in the city as well as the airport along with the various banks offering exchange services, the best place to purchase dong is at the Gold shops in the Old Quarter. They provide the most competitive exchange rates. Ha Trung is a street in Old Quarters where there are a couple of Gold shops offering the best exchange rates.
ATMs are plentiful in the city, in case you wish to not carry cash with you. However, do make yourself aware of the fee which your bank and the local bank would charge for the cash withdrawal. There are ATMs of international banks like ANZ, HSBC, and Citibank in Hanoi as well.
Getting around in Hanoi
By Taxi/ Grab Car
Taxis are ubiquitous in Hanoi. However, exercising some caution while availing a taxi ensures you get a fair deal. Some drivers might try and convince you to travel on a fixed fare. Only proceed if you are certain that you are not being over-charged. It has also been reported that several taxi rig their meters to run faster and you end up paying far more than the published fare. Taxi drivers in Hanoi speak very little English if any, and that can add up to the confusion.
The second option is to book a taxi using the Grab App. Grab drivers are honest and stick to the meter fare. The app is available in English both on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The booking process is fairly simple and payments are accepted both in cash or via card. There is little that needs to be communicated in person with the driver as the pickup point and destination are pre-selected in the app. As such, it makes sense for international travellers. Uber is presently unavailable in Hanoi.
By Motorbike Taxi/ Grab Bike
Motorbike taxis, known as ‘Xe Om‘ in Vietnamese, are mostly found in the old quarter. Ensure that you agree on a price should you chose to ride one. These drivers speak little English.
A better option is to opt for a Grab Bike which too is a motorbike taxi booked using the Grab App. The booking process is exactly the same as a Grab Car. You are provided with a helmet to be put on while you ride pillion with the driver. It especially makes sense for solo backpackers and prices are quite cheap for short distances.
By Cyclo
Cyclos are pedicabs where the passengers seat in front of the vehicle. It is mostly found in the old quarters and is almost exclusively meant for tourist. Cyclo drives may initially quote exorbitant prices. As such, being able to negotiate well is a given if you wish to ride a Cyclo. They usually do half-an-hour to one hour tours of the old quarters. As the old quarters of Hanoi is rather compact, I personally prefer to walk and take in all the sights than ride an overpriced touristy Cyclo.
Itinerary
Trip Day 1
The first day of this 2-day itinerary of Hanoi can be solely dedicated to the historic city centre – the Old Quarters and the Hoàn Kiếm District.
An ideal start to the day would be the now-famous prison turned museum – Hoa Lo. Hoa Lo, located just south of the old quarter, is a sombre reminder of the perils of war. It might not be an enjoyable experience in the ideal sense for all groups of travellers. However, I recommend this prison as a must-do in Hanoi primarily because it provides great insights into the time when this was used to house political prisoners during the French Colonial era and US prisoners of war during the Vietnam war. A word of caution here is to be aware of the element of propaganda used and the way the war is represented as atrocities perpetrated by the Americans. Facilities included guided tours along with Audio guides and a souvenir store.
This can be followed by a walk through the Old Quarter. The Old Quarter of Hanoi is cramped to the brim, noisy, and can be a sensory overload, and that is where its charm lies. It houses ancient houses, bustling street life, cafes, restaurants, and shops. You probably might even be staying in the old quarters.
Tours in Old Quarter
A great way to explore this part of the city can be with a tour guide. There are a number of free student-led tours available as well. One of the companies I can personally recommend is Hanoi Free Local Tours. They provide free tours in and around the city and are usually student-led. The incentive for students is that they get to work on their foreign language skills. A tip at the end of the tours is always appreciated. Other free tour companies worth trying out are Hanoi Free Private Tour Guide and Hanoi Kids.
Below are a couple of sights worth seeing within the Old Quarter:
The Ancient House is a recently restored traditional Hanoian house located in the old quarter. Also called the 87 Ma May House, it was built in the late 19th century. The 87 Ma May house and other similar ancient houses in the old quarter have a long tube-like structure with courtyards in between to allow for light and fresh air. It has recently been fully restored to its former glory by a UNESCO funded project. It is located at a distance of 10 minutes walk from Hoan Kiem lake. There is an hour-long Ca-Trù (Vietnamese folk music) show on certain evenings at 7 PM. No separate ticket required for the show.
Next stop is the Dong Xuan Market in the northern edge of the old quarter. This century-old market was devastated by a fire in 1994 and was completely rebuilt. It is one of Hanoi’s largest indoor markets and has stores selling everything including souvenirs, clothes, electronics, and appliances. There is a fresh market as well. This is a bargain hunters dream and is a must-do when in the old quarter.
In the centre of the old quarter is the Hoan Kiem Lake, also called the Lake of Restored Sword. Situated on an island in the lake is a small pagoda named the Ngoc Son Temple. The island on which the temple is built is accessible via the iconic red bridge named the Huc Bridge. An early morning visit allows you to witness locals practising Yoga and Tai-Chi in the park surrounding the lake.
One of the best local cultural experience is the traditional Water Puppet Theatre. Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre near the north-east corner of Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the best places to experience this local extravaganza. Water puppetry in Vietnam dates back to the 11th Century and was originally created by rice farmers. As such, the shows depict mostly rural life in Vietnam. Thang Long performs five shows a day, each lasting just under an hour. Highly recommended when in Hanoi.
What better way to end a tiring day of sightseeing than to wash it down with a cold glass of fresh beer. Hanoi is famous for its Bia Hoi, a local beer freshly brewed every day and served directly from the keg. Its know to be one of the cheapest beers in the world at 15,000 VND to 20,000 VND (~.65 to .87 USD, ~ 48 to 64 INR) per glass. There are some road-side stalls which serve it at even cheaper rates. Indians can probably relate to the tea stalls which are seen across India.
Ta Hien Street, also known as Beer Street, is a famous street in the old quarters where bars lay out tables and small stools on the roadside and serve fresh Bia Hoi along with a choice of foods. Prices are cheap and the crowd is a mix of locals and foreigners. A great place to end a long and eventful day.
Hoa Lo Prison

- Location: 1 Hoa Lo St Hoan Kiem, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
- Hours: Daily 8 AM to 5 PM
- Website: http://hoalo.vn/EN/
- Ticket: 30,000 VND (~ 1.3 USD, 97 INR), discounts available for students and disabled persons, free for children under 15 years of age
Ancient House (87 Ma May House)

- Location: 87 Pho Ma May, Hàng Buồm, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Hours: Daily 8 AM to Noon, 1 PM to 8 PM
- Ticket: 30,000 VND (~ 1.3 USD, 97 INR)
Dong Xuan Market

- Location: Dong Xuan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Hours: Daily 6 AM to 7 PM, although most shops start closing by 5 PM
Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

- Location: Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hang Trong, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Hours: The temple is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

- Location: 57b Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Hours: 45 minutes to1 hour-long shows daily at 3 PM, 4:10 PM, 5:20 PM, 6:30 PM, 8 PM. Check the website linked below for the latest schedule.
- Website: http://thanglongwaterpuppet.com/
- Ticket: 100,000 VND to 200,000 VND (~4.34 to 8.68 USD, 324 to 648 INR) depending on the seating row, Audio Guide headsets additional 30,000 VND (~1.3 USD, 97 INR)
Ta Hien Street

- Location: Tạ Hiện, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Hours: Most bars and restaurants remain open from dusk to midnight
Trip Day 2
Day 2 of the trip focuses mostly on the attractions of the areas surrounding the old quarters. A great start to the day would be with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which houses the well-preserved body Ho Chi Minh. Located west of the old quarters, this sprawling complex dedicated to the Vietnamese national icon – Ho Chi Minh – houses a number of sites including the Mausoleum where the body of Ho Chi Minh is kept, the Presidential Palace Historical Site which is the former palace and office of Ho Chi Minh, his former living quarters in the Stilt house nearby and the One Pillar Pagoda. The entire site can be visited in within two to two-and-half hours.
Note that there is strict security all around and no cameras or photography is allowed in the mausoleum. You are required to deposit your camera near the entrance and can collect it on your way out. However, the Stilt house residence of the former president, the surrounding grounds, and the One Pillar Pagoda can all be photographed. Please see further details below.
One of the most visited sites in Hanoi is the Temple of Literature. Built in around 1070, this is one of Vietnam’s oldest and most prestigious universities. There are 5 distinct areas and there is a temple dedicated to Confucious at the end. Most of the buildings are modern reconstructions. However, the place still retains its original charm and provides an important insight into the early Vietnamese higher education system. A piece of advice here is to rent an audio guide, unless you are part of a tour, to better understand the history and significance of the place.
This can be followed by a visit to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. One of the most highly rated attractions in Hanoi, this is a bit off the centre and as such, would require a taxi ride to reach. The Museum of Ethnology has exhibitions dedicated to the various ethnic groups of Vietnam – from handicrafts to traditional houses. It also acts as a research centre for Ethnography.
While I haven’t included anything in particular for the evening, I would recommend that you spend this evening further exploring the food scene of the old quarters. There is so much to see and experience in the old quarters that one evening is just not enough. Try the famous Egg Coffee or indulge in a bowl of Pho, the national dish of Vietnam. Explore the multiple alleyways and discover new hidden gems. I have listed a few of my favourite restaurants in Hanoi below. You should definitely read the below article if you are interested in the food scene of Hanoi:
7 must try food in Hanoi: The definitive guide
Additionally, if time permits, some highly recommended sights include the UNESCO World Heritage site – Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and the Vietnamese Women’s Museum.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

- Location: 2 Hung Vuong Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
- Hours: 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM Tuesday to Thursday, 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturdays and Sunday, Closed on Mondays and Fridays.
- Ticket: Free entry
Presidential Palace Historical Site

- Location: 1 Bach Thao Ba Dinh, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
- Hours: Winters – 8 AM to 11 AM, 1:30 PM to 4 PM, Summers – 7:30 AM to 11 AM, 1:30 PM to 4 PM
- Website: http://ditichhochiminhphuchutich.gov.vn/
- Ticket: While visitors aren’t allowed to enter the palace, the stilt house where Ho Chi Minh lived and neighbouring gardens and exhibitions have a ticket price of 30,000 VND (~1.3 USD, 97 INR)
One Pillar Pagoda

- Location: Chùa Một Cột, Đội Cấn, Ba Đình, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
- Hours: Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM
- Ticket: Free entry
Temple of Literature

- Location: Quoc Tu Giam Street Dong Da District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
- Hours: Winters – 7:30 AM to 5 PM on weekdays, Summers: 7:30 AM to 5 PM on weekdays
- Website: http://vanmieu.gov.vn/en/
- Ticket: 30,000 VND (~1.3 USD, 97 INR), free for children under 15 years of age, Audio Guides available at an additional cost.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

- Location: Nguyen Van Huyen St, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Hours: Every day, except Mondays, from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Website: http://vietnammuseumofethnology.com/
- Ticket: 25, 000 VND (), 5,000 VND (~.22 USD, 16 INR) for children, free for children under 6, tour guides in English available for 50,000 VND (~2.17 USD, 162 INR) per guide, permit for photography or videography cost 50,000 VND (~2.17 USD, 162 INR) each.
Budget
Backpacker budget
Below is a summary of the estimated cost for a 2-day trip for a backpacker. This table excludes the cost of flight to get into the city and additional expenses like food and drinks incurred during the period of stay. This table also assumes that the backpacker is comfortable staying in a shared dorm. Private rooms will obviously cost more. All transfers considered within the city mentioned in the table are private, except for the Airport transfer. This table highlights how cheap Hanoi can be for a traveller – no matter whether you are a backpacker or a luxury traveller. The table below can be downloaded as a spreadsheet as well as printed by clicking the links below.
Budget for an average traveller
By an average traveller, I mean someone who prefers to have his or her own private room (not necessarily in a luxury resort), prefers private transfers/ tours and indulges in occasional luxuries. This table excludes the cost of flight to get into the city and additional expenses like food and drinks incurred during the period of stay. Transfers considered in the table are all private. The table below can be downloaded as a spreadsheet as well as printed by clicking the links below.
Sight Pins
Below is a map with pins for all the sights included in the 2 Day Itinerary of Hanoi
Where to stay?
Hanoi is one of the cheapest destinations in South East Asia for a traveller and it shows in the quality of accommodations vis-a-vis the cost of stay. The best place to stay in Hanoi for a tourist is the Old Quarter. Staying in this area gives easy access to most of the popular tourist attractions. Choices of stay are plentiful in the old quarter – ranging from backpacker hostels to 5-star hotels. There is a huge collection of Airbnbs as well to chose from and these generally offer the best bang for the bucks. Click my Airbnb link on the sidebar to earn yourself a 40 $ reward towards your next booking via Airbnb. Helps me earn a small commission as well. Below is a list of highly-rated hotels and hostels that I can personally recommend.
Hostels
Little Charm Hanoi Hostel
My number one recommendation for a hostel to stay in Hanoi is the Little Charm Hanoi Hostel. Located in the centre of the old quarter, Little Charm offers dorm rooms with air-conditioning, personal reading lamps, bedside power sockets, privacy curtains, lockers, and shared bathrooms. There are an outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant where you can buy your meals. Dorm beds start at 6 $ (~ INR 447) per person per night.
Phone: +84 2438 238 831
Website: http://littlecharmhanoihostel.com/
Hostel World: https://www.hostelworld.com/pwa/hosteldetails.php/Little-Charm-Hanoi-Hostel/Hanoi/290336
Hanoi Culture Hostel
Hanoi Culture Hostel is another highly rated hostel in the old quarter. It offers dorm rooms with air-conditioning, personal reading lamps, bedside power sockets, privacy curtains, lockers, and ensuite bathrooms. It has an in-house Vietnamese restaurant and a complimentary breakfast is included in the price. Dorm beds start at 9 $ (~ INR 672) per person per night.
Phone: +84 24 3 923 0524
Website: http://hanoiculturehostel.com/
Hostel World: https://www.hostelworld.com/pwa/hosteldetails.php/Hanoi-Culture-Hostel/Hanoi/66171
Hotels/ Resorts
Hanoi La Siesta Diamond Hotel & Spa
Currently known as the La Siesta Classic Lo Su, this is a boutique 4-star hotel located in the heart of the old quarter. It offers a 24-hour front desk along with a restaurant and bar. All rooms have wooden furnishing, air-conditioning, wifi, a mini-bar, and a flat-screen tv. Double rooms start at 44 $ (~ 3289 INR). Breakfast is available for purchase. Highly rated and recommended.
Phone: +84 24 39351632
Website: https://lasiestahotels.vn/losu/
Booking.com: https://www.booking.com/hotel/vn/hanoi-elegance-5.en-gb.html
The Oriental Jade Hotel
The Oriental Jade hotel is a 5-star hotel located in the old quarter of Hanoi. It has a rooftop bar, a rooftop swimming pool, a fitness centre, and a concierge desk. It is one of Hanoi most highly-rated hotels and prices start 83 $ (~ 6205 INR) for a twin room. Breakfast is available for purchase.
Phone: +84 24 3936 7777
Website: http://theorientaljadehotel.com/
Booking.com: https://www.booking.com/hotel/vn/the-oriental-jade-amp-spa.en-gb.html
What to wear?
The traditional dress of Vietnam is the Aodai. It is a long silk dress which is split on its sides. While it was originally designed for both men and women, it is now worn mostly by women during local festivals and ceremonies. While Vietnam has a liberal dressing sense, and there aren’t any dress codes that need to be strictly adhered to, it makes sense to dress according to the weather and the season you are visiting Hanoi in.
One of the most striking sights in Hanoi, and also the rest of Vietnam, is the countless motorbikes dominating the streets at any time of the day. As such, ponchos are quite popular during the rainy season, as it protects riders against the elements as well as allowing the flexibility to ride. It’s available all over the town for as low as 15,000 VND (~.65 USD, ~ 48 INR) and is recommended, especially when visiting during the rainy season. Also, note that evenings and early mornings during the winter can be quite chilly. As such, when visiting during the winters, ensure to pack a pullover or jacket, or better yet, buy it at one of the numerous markets or street-side shops in Hanoi.
Where to eat?
Hanoi is a foodie’s dream come true. It has something in offer for all taste buds. Below is a list of few places which serve some of Hanoi’s legendary dishes. For a more comprehensive look into Hanoi’s food scene – what to eat and where, read the article linked below:
7 must try food in Hanoi: The definitive guide
Pho Gia Truyen
Pho Gia Truyen is a Hanoian institution, serving generations who line for a steaming bowl of the humble noodle soup – Pho. This run-down place just serves one dish – the beef noodle Pho. The recipe has remained the same since the 60s and there can be quite a queue at times. While most of the traditional places in Hanoi serve the noodle soup with beef, there are a couple of places like Pho Hanh which serve a chicken version as well. Unfortunately, there aren’t any vegan or vegetarian version of Pho.
Location: 49 Bát Đàn, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
Hours: Daily 6 AM to 10 AM, 6 PM to 8:30 PM
Website: https://www.facebook.com/phogiatruyenhanoi/ (Trip Advisor)
Price: 60,000 VND (~ 2.59 USD, 194 INR) for a bowl of Pho
Cha Ca La Vong
Cha Ca is a street in Hanoi old quarters dedicated to one dish, its namesake – Cha Ca. The non-descriptive restaurant at 14 Cha Ca Street, Cha Ca La Vong is the one that people make a beeline for. It claims to be the oldest restaurant in Vietnam and the inventor of Cha Ca – a fish dish in which the fish is served marinated with turmeric and set on the table to be fried with shallots and dill. A couple of sides including rice vermicelli and peanuts are included. The restaurant serves only one dish and is a must-visit when in Hanoi. While there are several restaurants on the street which tries to mimic this one and might even try to lure you away under the false pretence of being the original restaurant, remember that the real deal is served at 14 Cha Ca Street.
Location: 14 Cha Ca Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Vietnam
Hours: Daily 10 AM to 10 PM
Website: N/A (Trip Advisor)
Price: 170, 000 VND (~ 7.35 USD, 550 INR) for a single serving of Cha Ca
Bun Cha Huong Lien
Bun Cha is basically grilled pork with noodles. The most famous restaurant serving Bun Cha in Hanoi is Bun Cha Huong Lien. It is particularly known as the place where Anthony Bourdain once brought Barrack Obama over for dinner. Over the years, they have capitalised on this visit and have now even tailored their menu to include an Obama set dish. Expect long queues of patrons at this famous restaurant.
Location: 24 Le Van Huu, Hanoi 10000 Vietnam
Hours: Daily 10 AM to 10 PM
Website: https://www.facebook.com/bunchahuonglienobama (Trip Advisor)
Price: 105, 000 VND (~ 4.54 USD, 340 INR) for the Obama set which includes a bowl of Bun Cha, 1 crab roll, and a Hanoi Beer
Banh Mi 25
Banh Mi is Vietnam’s answer to the French Baguette. Any sandwich in Vietnam can be a Banh Mi. But the ones most common are long Baguette like breads filled meat, eggs, and veggies. Banh Mi 25 in the old quarter is one of the best places for Banh Mi. It is one of the few places in Hanoi where you can customize the ingredients. This highly rated Banh Hi restaurant has many copy cats but nothing beats the original one, in taste and quality. It serves Banh Mis with pork, chicken, beef, or fried eggs. It now even has a vegetarian Banh Mi in its menu.
Location: 25 Hang Ca Street Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 10000 Vietnam
Hours: Daily 7 AM to 9 PM, Sundays 7 AM to 5 PM
Website: http://banhmi25.net/ (Trip Advisor)
Price: Varies from 15,000 VND to 25,000 (~ .65 to 1.08 USD, 48 to 81 INR) depending on the filling
Quan Goc Da
Banh Rans are Vietnamese donuts which are basically fried balls of glutenous rice. They come in both sweet and savoury versions – either filled with mung bean paste or pork. One of the best places to try Banh Ran is Goc Da, which offers a range of deep-fried Vietnamese delicacies.
Location: 52 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hanoi 10000 Vietnam
Hours: Daily 10 AM to 9:30 PM
Website: N/A (Trip Advisor)
Price: Varies from 4,000 VND to 7,000 (~ .17 to .30 USD, 13 to 23 INR) per Banh Ran
Where to drink?
Hanoi has a lot to offer when it comes to quenching your thirst. It has a distinctive cafe culture, given its French Colonial past. Moreover, the ubiquitous Bia Hoi is available everywhere in Hanoi at street-side shop. Below is a list of some of the best cafes and drinking establishments in Hanoi
Giang Cafe
Giang Cafe is famous for the Hanoi classic – Egg Coffee. Invented during the wartime, when there was a shortage of milk, egg coffee simply replaces milk with beaten eggs. Later iterations included condensed milk added to sweeten the coffee. Giang Cafe is owned by Mr. Nguyen Giang who is supposedly the inventor of Egg Coffee in Hanoi. This highly rated cafe on Trip Advisor is a must-visit when in Hanoi.
Location: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Hoan Kiem, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
Hours: Daily 7 AM to 10:30 PM
Website: http://cafegiang.vn/en/ (Trip Advisor)
Price: 30,000 VND (~1.3 USD, ~97 INR) for a cup of hot/ iced egg coffee
Hidden Gem Coffee
Hidden Gem Coffee is a quirky cafe located in a small alleyway with multiple floors and is designed using recycled materials. The rooftop on the 4th floor is a great hideout and the cafe serves one of the best egg coffees in Hanoi
Location: 3B Hang Tre In The Alley, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
Hours: Daily 10 AM to 11 PM
Website: N/A (Trip Advisor)
Price: 35,000 VND (~1.51 USD, ~113 INR) for a cup of hot/ iced egg coffee
Bia Hoi Ha Noi
A street-side beer bar, Bia Hoi Ha Noi is located at the corner of Bat Dan and Duong Thanh streets and is a great place to sip on fresh Bia Hoi while people watching sitting on small plastic stools on the roadside. Bia Hoi is a fresh beer brewed every day and is fermented for only a short duration resulting in an alcohol content of only 3%. Served directly from metal kegs, Bia Hoi joints and bar are found all over Hanoi.
Location: Corner of Bat Dan and Duong Thanh, Hanoi 10000 Vietnam
Hours: Daily 8 AM to 11 PM
Website: N/A (Trip Advisor)
Price: 35,000 VND (~1.51 USD, ~113 INR) for a cup of hot/ iced egg coffee