What to Do and Eat in Hanoi in 4 Days

Hanoi is a vibrant city with a unique blend of bustling energy and laid-back charm. While traffic can be heavy and visibility has been less than ideal as of early March 2025, the city has many gems waiting to be discovered, both within the city and in its surrounding areas.

Old Quarter Private Walking Tour

The best way to get to know a city quickly is going for a walking tour! We signed up for a 3 hours free walking tour, guided by 2 friendly and passionate university students. We visited key landmarks - a heritage house at 87 Ma May (entrance fee VND20,000), Quan De Temple, Bach Ma Temple, a stop at a local cafe, Hoan Kiem Lake (entrance fee VND20,000 to walk the bridge to the Ngoc Son Temple but we viewed from outside so didn’t have to pay) and St Joseph Cathedral. The tour was interactive and offered a great glimpse into Hanoi’s rich history and culture. We paid for the entrance fee and drinks at the cafe for the guides and offered tips which they really appreciated.

Day Tour to Ninh Binh

We went for a 12-hour day tour to Ninh Binh with Klook, exploring its scenic countryside, often called "Halong Bay on land." Our itinerary included Mua Cave, where we climbed 400+ steep steps to the peak of Ngoa Long Mountain. Though the guide said it would take 15 minutes to climb to the peak, we, as casual walkers, took nearly an hour to climb up and down. The final stretch up was particularly steep. With just over an hour allocated at Mua Cave, we had little time to explore the area including the waterfalls and rice terraces.

We also cycled 20–30 minutes near the lunch buffet restaurant (if you do not wish to cycle, you can wait or walk around the scenic area), visited Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, and took a 1.5-hour boat tour at Tam Coc. While the boat ride was relaxing with gorgeous views, seeing similar scenery for that long felt a little excessive. In hindsight, we would have preferred more time at Mua Cave and less at Tam Coc. We also considered this day tour to Trang An, a similar yet distinct alternative, and I think it is worth checking out.

Tipping the Sampan rowers (USD 1–2) is expected, a small appreciation for skillfully rowing the boat with their legs.

Hanoi Train Street (Đường Tàu)

The train street is a long stretch and we chose the less crowded section outside the Old Quarter, a short cab ride away. For an up-close experience, head to Hanoi 1990s cafe Warning: It’s not for the faint-hearted. You must stay still when the train passes and follow the store owner’s instructions, like staying flushed to the seat/wall and tilting your legs. I was expecting it to be similar to Maeklong Railway Market in Bangkok, but this was on another level! We saw two trains at 3:00 PM and 3:15 PM, coming from both directions. Some of my travel companions even called it the best part of the trip!

Best Cafes and Eateries

Over our trip, we visited six cafes, and here are the highlights:

• Cafe Pho Co: Hidden inside a store, with stairs leading to a rooftop terrace overlooking the Hoan Kiem lake. Our walking tour guide took us here, and the cold coconut coffee (like dessert coffee) paired with the great views was a treat.

• Cong Cafe: We tried the Vietnamese cappuccino, which has the perfect balance of strong aromatic coffee flavour without being too sweet. A reliable chain found throughout Vietnam which offers a variety of coffee drinks. Their cold coconut coffee is good too!

As for food, these are our top 4 picks: Bun Cha Dac Kim, Pizza 4P’s (do make reservations), banh xeo (crispy Vietnamese pancake) at Mr Bay Mien Tay, and Huyen Huong Chicken Pho. The first 3 are must-try here! There is a distinct difference between Northern and Southern Pho, so be sure to sample Pho in Hanoi. We also tried Bánh Mì 25 - quite good, though smaller than others we’ve had in other parts of Vietnam. We passed by Bánh Mì Mama which had a long line, and the sandwiches looked bigger!

Hanoi is known for its rooftop bars and we picked Cloud at Sky Bar (we reserved 2 weeks before and got the best seats). Although the food was pricier than at local eateries, it was a great experience. We enjoyed delicious drinks and dishes in a cozy atmosphere, all while taking in the fabulous view.

Hanoi Travel Tips

Is Hanoi suitable for small kids?

One thing we found challenging in Hanoi was walking along the streets. While we knew crossing the road could be tricky, we were surprised by how difficult it was to walk on pedestrian paths. They were often blocked by motorbikes, street vendors, or uneven surfaces. As a result, we ended up walking along the side of the road, which isn’t ideal for small kids.

How to move around Hanoi?

Using Grab app is convenient for travelling within the city. Some streets in the Old Quarter close for cars from Friday evening to Sunday late night. Hence if you're booking a Grab, be prepared to walk to the main road for pickup.

Is Hanoi good for shopping?

Hanoi is a fantastic city to explore, shop in and get lost. You’ll find everything from fake t-shirts, jackets and bags to local specialty coffee and chocolate shops, pottery, handicrafts, supermarkets, and the night market. There is Hanoi’s 36 Streets in the Old Quarter, which were once named after the trades and crafts that flourished in this area. While only a few streets still sell the same products today, many have preserved traditional trades.

What is the typical cost of massage for tourists?

Massage parlours are everywhere! We tried our luck at a random shop with decent google ratings, it was not bad. Foot massage cost VND300,000 and full body massage VND350,000-400,000 for an hour. On another day we tried the “supposedly more high class” Zen Villas for full body massage at VND750,000 an hour. It was a bit better and more special than the usual massages but we felt it may not warrant the x2 price tag.

Are USD and credit cards accepted?

The places we went to did not accept USD, and a number of them did not accept cards nor have change for bigger bills. It is important to bring Dong and try to keep small change at all times. It was not easy finding money changer at Hanoi. Make sure to change for VND prior to your trip.

Hanoi eSIM and Wifi

The eSIM we bought worked well for us and was pretty cheap. Most cafes also offer free Wifi. Overall, we had no issue staying connected.

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