3 days in Hanoi: The perfect Hanoi itinerary

Planning to spend two or three days in Hanoi as part of your Vietnam adventure? Here’s all you need to know to plan the perfect 3 day Hanoi itinerary.

Hanoi is a sensory overload – in the best possible way! This chaotic capital will grab you from the moment you step into the endlessly charming Old Quarter, and once you dive into the legendary street food scene, spectacular temples and cosy cafes, you’ll be hooked.

But with so many things to do, dishes to eat and sights to see, figuring out your Hanoi itinerary can feel as overwhelming as an evening stroll down Beer Street. That’ll make sense once you’ve visited for yourself 🍺

Don’t stress, I’ve got you covered! Vietnam is one of my all-time favourite countries in the world, I’ve just returned from my third trip, and this Hanoi city guide is packed with everything I wish I knew before my first visit.

From the best city tours (based on personal experience) to what’s actually worth your time, plus the ultimate food spots, top places to stay, and how to get around, this itinerary will help you make the most of your 3 days in Hanoi.

Here we go!

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Quick summary: 3 day Hanoi itinerary

Day 1:

• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum
• One Pillar Pagoda
• Tran Quoc Pagoda
• Temple of Literature
• Imperial Citadel
• Old Quarter food tour
• Beer street

Day 2:

• Hoan Kiem Lake
• Ngoc Son Temple
• Old Quarter exploring
• St Joseph Cathedral
• Hanoi Opera House
• Vietnamese Women’s Museum
• Train Street
• Night market

Day 3:

• Hoa Lo Prison Relic
• This Not-To-Go-Alone Areas walking tour
• Rooftop bar for sunset

All you need to know when planning your Hanoi itinerary

How to get to Hanoi

Hanoi is well-connected, with direct flights from many major cities around the globe, or easy connecting flights through Asia hubs like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Bangkok. It’s often the starting point or end point of a bigger Vietnam itinerary.

If you’re travelling Asia overland, you can reach Hanoi by train from China or by sleeper bus from Laos, they’re both long journeys but I guarantee it’ll be an adventure!

How to get from Hanoi Airport to the city

Private transfers are affordable and convenient if you want a stress-free arrival (and having my name on a sign always makes me feel like a VIP 💁🏼‍♀️), or if you’ve got an eSIM sorted and already know how to use Grab you can book a cheap ride on there.

There’s also a few bus options if you’re pinching pennies!

Some quick things to know:

• Hotel shuttles are generally more expensive than booking your own transfer, but they’ll know exactly where to take you so they’re a good option if you’re a bit nervous about potential language barriers and just want to get to your accommodation
• If you book a Grab and you’re paying with your card connected to the app, your driver might ask you for cash for road tolls or airport surcharges. Just tell the driver you don’t have cash and they’ll add the tolls to the Grab fare at the end of the ride.

How to get around Hanoi

👣 The Old Quarter is super walkable, and I think that’s the best way to explore! You’ll get lost in the maze of alleyways more than once I’m sure, but that’s part of the city’s charm. Just look both ways before you cross the road, those motorbikes can come out of nowhere.

🚕 For longer distances, Grab (car or motorbike) is the easiest way to get from A to B, and rides within the city will only cost you a few dollars. If you’re on a tight schedule, or you have a reservation at a particular time, try to book your Grab 15-20 minutes before you need to leave just in case it takes a while to find you a driver, especially at dinner time or when it’s raining.

🚌 Hanoi has a local bus network that covers most of the city, but it’s not particularly tourist-friendly and I haven’t tried using it myself. It’s dirt cheap though, so if you’re on a tight budget or are just up for a challenge then give it a go and let me know your thoughts!

How long should you spend in Hanoi?

Three days in Hanoi is the perfect length of time to discover what the city has to offer, without feeling too rushed.

Two days in Hanoi is the absolute minimum stay needed to see the essentials, and if you have 4+ days you’ll be able to explore at a slower pace and dive deeper into the lesser-visited pockets of the city.

When is the best time to visit Hanoi?

Seasons in Hanoi

Unlike many other Southeast Asia cities, Hanoi actually has four distinct seasons.

🌼 Spring (February to April) is pleasantly mild, with average temps ranging from 16-28°C (61-82°F), and not too much rain. Ideal for exploring on foot, and the perfect time to tack on a side quest to cruise Halong Bay if you have time. Bring a jumper or light jacket as the temperature drops in the evenings.

🔥 Summer (May to August) is the off season, with average highs climbing to 25-35°C (77-95°F), and humidity that’ll get you sweating after five minutes away from air con. Sudden torrential downpours in the afternoon are common, so always have a raincoat with you and be prepared to run into the nearest mall or restaurant to wait for a break in the storm. There are some great deals at this time of the year though and crowds are at their lightest, so if the heat and rain won’t bother you then it’s worth considering.

🍂 Autumn (September to November) brings a cooler and drier climate, averaging around 20-32°C (68-90°F). Tourism starts picking up again in early October.

❄️ Winter (December & January) can be chillier than you expect, average temps are around 15-20°C (59-68°F) but can drop to single digits at night or during cold snaps.

Public holidays & events in Hanoi

🏮 There are loads of events in Hanoi throughout the year which might impact crowds and prices, but the main one to be aware of is Tết, the first day of the Lunar New Year and the most important festival in Vietnam. Tết is Wednesday 29 January in 2025.

Celebrations typically last a week, with the New Year date in the middle, and this whole time is an official public holiday.

Many shops, restaurants, attractions and all government services will close, you might be able to witness some special cultural moments with locals getting prepped for the holiday, but you certainly won’t get the typical buzzing Hanoi experience. Travelling Vietnam on the days before and after Tết can be a nightmare, with everyone in the country going home to celebrate with their families.

If your Vietnam trip coincides with Tết, I’ve got three suggestions for you:

• Treat yourself to a luxury Halong Bay cruise, February’s temps are mild during the day with misty mornings and evenings, super moody and beautiful! Cruises during Tết book out well in advance though, so book early.
• Head to Hoi An to get right amongst the festivities 🎆 The city will be overflowing with both locals and visitors from other Lunar-calendar-following countries, celebrating with beautiful decorations, traditional entertainment, and huge New Year feasts. It gets insanely busy, but the vibes are intoxicating. One for the bucket list!
• If your time in Hanoi falls over the New Year and you can’t change it, I’d recommend staying in Tay Ho, the expat neighbourhood. The shops, restaurants and hotels here cater to Western residents and companies, so they’ll be less likely to close for the whole holiday.

How much to budget for three days in Hanoi

Hanoi is one of the cheapest cities in Asia, you can travel comfortably on a tight budget, and a bit of extra dong goes a long way (😂).

Here’s a rough idea of what to expect:

Budget travellers

• Decent hostels around $5-6USD per night, with very cheap backpackers from as little as $3USD
• Private rooms at hostels, homestays or very basic hotels from $10-15USD
• $0-5USD for transport each day if you walk, bus, or catch the occasional Grab
• Street food, market stalls and snacks from $5-6USD per day

Mid-range travellers

• 2-3* hotels and apartments from $10-20USD
• Pretty nice 4* hotels from $25-35USD
• Shared tours from $15-30USD
• Daily food budget of $8-15USD for a mix of street food and sit down meals

Luxury travellers

• Local 5* hotels from as low as $60-80USD
• International luxury hotels like the InterContinental, Pan Pacific, Grand Mercure etc. from $120-200USD
• Private tour (guide + driver) from $50-60USD per car
• Fancy restaurants from $15-20USD per dish, still so cheap!

Where to stay in Hanoi

Best neighbourhoods in Hanoi

• The Old Quarter is ideal if you want to be right amongst all the action! Cheap hostels and hotels can be found down alleyways, and lots of premium hotels (mostly local ones) along the main streets. This area can get rowdy though, check reviews for mentions of noise before you book.
• The French Quarter is where you’ll find most of the international luxury chains and high end local hotels, dotted along the Parisian-style boulevards. Much less hectic than the Old Quarter but still very central.
• Tay Ho/Westlake is a popular area for expats and digital nomads, and you’ll find lots of homestays and apartments ranging from cheap and cheerful to boutique luxury.
• Ba Dinh offers easy access to lots of landmarks along with a more authentic vibe of modern-day Hanoi, with local restaurants (filled with actual locals!) and plenty of accommodation options for all budgets.

Best apartments in Hanoi

• Cosiana Suites is ideal if you want a home away from home! Newly renovated apartments with full kitchens, just down the road from the main train station (perfect if you’re catching the train to Ninh Binh or down to Da Nang), access to the co-working space and gym facilities, and a fantastic restaurant downstairs. Photos below!
• Centralique (charming apartments just outside the Old Quarter, 8.5/10 on booking.com from 550+ reviews)
• Hanoi Ben’s Apartment & Hotel (cheap, cosy apartments in a more local area, 9.1/10 on booking.com from 130+ reviews)

Best hotels in Hanoi

• Golden Rooster (fantastic value, 9.5/10 on booking.com from 2500+ reviews)
• Luxe Paradise Premium (my go-to affordable hotel, stylish rooms, lovely staff, 8.6/10 on booking.com from 340+ reviews)
• Splendid Holiday Hotel (another top-rated one, 9.6/10 on booking.com from 270+ reviews)
• Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel (on my accomm bucket list! 9.4/10 on booking.com from 3200+ reviews)

Best hostels in Hanoi

• Little Charm Hanoi Hostel (iconic backpacker hostel right outside the Old Quarter, 8.8/10 on booking.com from 2650+ reviews)
• Hanoi Capsule Station Hostel (capsule-style dorms, 8.6/10 on booking.com from 430+ reviews)
• Old Quarter View Hostel (more expensive but in the middle of all the action, 9.1/10 from 1600+ reviews)

Things to do during your three days in Hanoi

Wander around the Old Quarter

The Old Quarter is the city’s hectic historical hub, a labyrinth of busy streets and hidden alleyways that offer unforgettable culinary and cultural experiences. This is the number one essential for any Hanoi itinerary!

If you’re an early riser, a morning visit will let you witness the Old Quarter at its most authentic, before the throngs of tourists descend for the day. Watch street vendors set up their stalls, haggle (respectfully) for handmade souvenirs to take home, and sip pho for breakfast at a local eatery.

As the day goes on the Quarter gets busier, but no less alluring. I’d suggest setting aside at least a few hours here with no set plans, just explore aimlessly and who knows what you’ll find!

Do a street food tour

Do I mention food tours in every single itinerary I write? Yes. Is that because they are pretty much the greatest thing to do in any city you visit? Also yes.

If you’re a keen foodie (hi, me too!) then you are going to love your time in Hanoi, it’s one of Asia’s gastronomic hot spots and it’s brimming with culinary traditions and local dishes to discover.

I highly, highly recommend joining a food tour, this way you’ll get to taste a wide range of food while learning about Hanoi’s history and culture, without having to navigate the language barrier.

I booked this perfectly-rated Eat Like a Local food tour and it was absolutely faultless, our guides Yen and Pink were excellent storytellers and taught us so much about the cuisine and culture. We were practically rolling home after sampling sticky rice, papaya salad, local fruit, bahn ran (fried donut), bahn mi, mien tron ga (chicken glass noodle) and more!

If you’re vegetarian or vegan they’ve got a special veggie-friendly food tour too.

Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum

The final resting place of Vietnam’s beloved revolutionary leader, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is one of the country’s most important historical landmarks. You’ll witness many Vietnamese visitors paying their respects to ‘Uncle Ho’, and gain insight into Vietnam’s rocky road to independence and the pivotal role Ho Chi Minh played.

It’s a sombre experience though, as you’d expect, and it’s essential that you dress and act appropriately.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: The Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays, as well as for two months a year for annual maintenance (in 2024 it was closed from June 11-August 12 but the dates change each year).

Join a guided tour to tick off the major landmarks

Hanoi is quite a sprawling city and some landmarks sit far away from each other, but city tours are an affordable and efficient way to see the key sights, with the added benefit of commentary from an expert local guide.

There are shared tours with various routes depending on what you’re into, or you can book a private tour for a customised experience. The main spots to consider are:

• Hanoi Opera House
• St Joseph’s Cathedral
• One Pillar Pagoda
• Tran Quoc Pagoda
• Hoan Kiem Lake
• Ngoc Son Temple
• Temple of Literature
• Hoa Lo Prison Relic
• Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Some top-rated tours are:

• This full day tour for a proper lesson on Hanoi 101
• This vintage army jeep tour for a unique way to get around
• This Instagram private tour if you want the best photos
• This Hanoi half day city tour if you’re in a rush
• This motorbike sightseeing tour if you’re up for an adventure

💰 P.S. You can save 10% on all those tours, and hundreds of other Hanoi experiences on Klook, with the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK

Drink egg coffee

I know this unique concoction sounds strange, and it’s probably exactly what you’re picturing! Whisked egg yolks, sugar and condensed milk are combined to make a fluffy foam, then poured onto a cup of traditional Vietnamese coffee. It’s a creamy and rich caffeine hit that’ll send your blood sugar and heart rate through the roof.

This sweet treat was invented by Nguyen Van Giang in the 1940s when he was bartending at the city’s fanciest hotel, and he needed a substitute for milk which was scarce. After discovering that his recipe worked wonders, he opened Café Giang in 1946 and it’s still serving eggy drinks to this day, now owned by his son. Their menu has expanded to, with egg hot/iced chocolate, egg with cinnamon, egg rum, egg matcha and more.

See Train Street

Probably the most Insta-famous spot in Hanoi, Train Street is where you can sip the aforementioned egg coffee or a Hanoi beer (or a combo of the two, egg beer!) within inches of the train that runs through a few times a day.

What a lot of visitors don’t know is that there are actually a couple of train streets in the city, one north of the train station (closer to the Old Quarter) and one south of the train station.

The north one is the original Hanoi train street experience, it’s more commercialised with tables and chairs on the pavement or under shop canopies, and you need to be guided in by a café owner to access the street.

Authorities keep a close eye on this one and sometimes shut it down temporarily due to safety concerns (it was closed during my first trip to Vietnam in 2019), so I’d recommend checking with a café in advance if it’s open. Railway Tuan Cafe has fantastic reviews on Google.

The southern train street is a little less regulated, and you can sit on fold out chairs right on the gravel with the train chugging past at a terrifyingly close distance. Our private tour included a visit to Train Street and we parked up Hanoi 1990s.

The train schedules are subject to change and even when you see an up to date timetable, trains can be unreliable. Check with a café owner for the current schedule, and arrive 30 minutes before the expected train time so you can find a seat before a potential early arrival.

Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake first thing in the morning

There’s no better way to start a day in Hanoi than by wandering around Hoan Kiem Lake, where you’ll see locals (mostly oldies, cuuuuute) practicing tai chi.

The Note Coffee, a famous cafe with thousands of post-it notes stuck to the walls, opens at 7am on weekends and 8am on weekdays if you want to be one of their first customers of the day, and the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple (which sits on an island in the lake, connected by a bridge) opens to visitors at 8am.

Learn about the city’s dark past at Hoa Lo Prison

Hanoi’s history book holds some grim chapters, and a visit to the infamous Hoa Lo Prison Relic gives you a front row seat to the darkest periods in the city’s story. This isn’t exactly a ‘fun’ Hanoi activity, but experiences like this are so important for us as travellers to open our minds and question the way we see the world.

Best-known in the Western world as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’, American prisoners-of-war were held here during the Vietnam-America War (a.k.a. the ‘Vietnam War’ in the West, or the ‘American War’ to the Vietnamese), but the before that the prison was used by French colonists to imprison and torture Vietnamese political activists. The displays are very raw and intense, with loads of info to read or the option to get a headset instead.

One important thing to note is that the narrative presented at Hoa Lo Prison around American POWs significantly differs from the Western perspective, especially for those who may have grown up during the war or with any personal connection to it.

For my parents, who are Kiwis born in the 1960s, it was an eye-opening experience. I imagine for American visitors who either lived through this period or who have learn about it at school, the alternative version of history will probably be jarring, maybe even upsetting.

I think visiting places like this is part of being a responsible traveller, they remind us that our understanding of historical events is entirely shaped by the education, media and cultural narratives we’ve been exposed to.

I certainly don’t know enough about this period of history to make judgements on what is or isn’t true, but approaching these places with an open mind and a willingness to consider different perspectives is essential to forming our own thoughts and beliefs beyond the context we grew up in.

RECOMMENDED WALKING TOUR: If you’re obsessed with thought-provoking travel experiences, you’re a history buff, or you just love veering away from the typical tourist trail, my parents took this Hanoi Not-To-Go-Alone Areas & Vietnam War Stories tour, and they absolutely raved about it (along with 400+ other 5* reviewers!). They said the guide was extremely knowledgeable about Vietnam’s complex history, they heard about local perspectives from both sides of the war (the Communist North and the American-supported South), and they visited residential areas that you’d never get to see as an independent tourist.

Explore the Temple of Literature

Originally built in 1070 to pay tribute to Confucius before soon becoming Vietnam’s first university, this expansive and colourful complex is one of the most beautiful and peaceful parts of Hanoi.

There are five courtyards to explore, with intricate gates, perfectly manicured gardens and historical artifacts, including 82 stone slabs which commemorate the scholars who studied here hundreds of years ago.

Visit the Vietnamese Women’s Museum

The Vietnamese Women’s Museum has four storeys of fascinating exhibits all about women’s contributions to Vietnam’s history, from their roles in family, fashion, war, culture, and community in general.

It’s super educational and informative, with deep dives into traditions in marriage and motherhood, the ao dai and other ethnic garments, gender equality in modern day, and the stories of the ‘long-haired army’, who were female soldiers and spies that fought against the American-backed South.

The perfect three day Hanoi itinerary

Your exact itinerary will obviously depend on your travel priorities and any tours you book, but here’s a suggested route for three days in Hanoi.

Day 1: Temple day

I’d recommend starting off with a tour to see these landmarks, it’ll be much more efficient than getting around via Grab and having a local guide is way more informative.

• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum & One Pillar Pagoda (check that it’s open this day, otherwise switch it around)
• Tran Quoc Pagoda
• Temple of Literature
• Imperial Citadel
• Old Quarter food tour in the evening
• Beer Street for drinks afterwards

Day 2: Old Quarter & French Quarter

• Hoan Kiem Lake walk early morning
• Pho for breakfast
• Ngoc Son Temple
• Note Coffee and/or Cafe Giang
• Get lost in the Old Quarter
• St Joseph Cathedral
• Hanoi Opera House
• Vietnamese Women’s Museum
• Train Street (Hanoi 1990s cafe)
• Night market

Day 3: Cultural immersion

• Not-To-Go-Alone Areas & Vietnam War Stories tour (9am-12pm or 2-5pm)
• Hoa Lo Prison Relic
• Rooftop bar for sunset to wrap up your time in Hanoi

If you need a day for Halong Bay…

If you’re hoping to include a day trip to Halong Bay in your three day Hanoi itinerary, you could skip the tour I’ve recommended on day three, move Hoa Lo Prison to day two (it’ll be a busy day), and use your last day for Halong Bay.

In saying that though, I would reeeally encourage you to dedicate a couple more days to northern Vietnam so you can spend at least one night on a ship (ideally two or three), because a Halong Bay day trip honestly isn’t going to give you the best experience.

Halong Bay is one of the most over-touristed places I’ve ever been, with thousands of visitors coming here to admire the out-of-this-world landscapes.

Staying longer might seem counter-intuitive to tackle over-tourism, but it actually has a positive impact! Overnight ships can travel further into the bay which means you’ll have fewer ships around you (still a lot, but fewer), and your economic benefit as a tourist is spread out on a longer trip with multiple meals and excursions.

If you choose a day trip, it’s a long ass day with 2.5 hours of driving each way, and your time on the water will be a whirlwind of cave visits, beach stops with all the other day boats, maybe a fishing village or local island, kayaking, and not much time to actually relax and enjoy the scenery. Plastic pollution sadly plagues a lot of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, but the areas close to the port are the worst as they’re the most-trafficked and also catch the pollution coming from the mainland, and these parts are where the day boats go.

I also found a number of overnight cruise companies dedicated to sustainable travel in the bay (including the one I booked with, Capella Cruise), yet I didn’t see a single mention of sustainable tourism or eco-friendly practices on the day cruise websites ☹️

I’m not saying this out of judgement, and I totally understand that we all have different time and budget limitations, but I want to give you my honest thoughts about Halong Bay so you know what to expect.

If you can only squeeze in a day trip and there’s no other option, you can save 10% on any Halong Bay cruise on Klook with the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK. Be sure to read reviews to make sure other guests have had a good experience!

Hanoi itinerary FAQs

Is Hanoi safe for solo female travellers?

I felt completely safe throughout Vietnam as a solo female traveller, and Hanoi seemed safer to me than many major cities in the Western world.

Locals are very friendly, there are loads of hotels dotted all over the city that have security guards and English-speaking staff if you need help, and violent crime is very low. The Vietnamese are proud of their country and want to keep tourists happy, so any crime against visitors is taken seriously and dealt with swiftly.

Here are some tips to keep safe whether you’re solo or with friends or family:

• Be careful crossing the road. The biggest safety risk in Hanoi is probably getting hit by a motorbike! Look both ways before crossing, walk with confidence and purpose and the bikes will go around you, and if you get stuck and stressed, look for a local about to cross and just stick with them.
• Keep your belongings secure in tourist areas, particularly busy markets or on Beer Street at night. Don’t leave your phone out on the table, keep your bag on your body or wrapped around your leg, and be aware of how much you’re drinking if you need to get back to your hotel solo.
• Get a good travel insurance policy so you’re covered if anything bad does happen

How many days for Hanoi would you recommend?

Three days is the perfect amount of time to discover Hanoi without having to rush, with enough time to cover the key attractions, indulge in the culinary scene, and do a tour or two to get a better understanding of local culture and history.

Can you see Hanoi in one day?

You certainly can’t experience all the city has to offer with just one day in Hanoi, but if you’ve only got 24 hours here before you move to your next stop then I’d recommend booking a private city tour that can be tailored to fit exactly what you want to see. Very affordable and super efficient.

What if you have more time in Hanoi?

If you’re lucky enough to have more time here, you’ll be able to see the city at a slower pace, and perhaps venture into areas less visited by tourists. Some worthwhile add ons for a longer trip are:

• Long Bien Bridge
• Cong Vien Bach Thao botanical garden
• Hanoi Book Street
• Phung Hung mural street
• Dong Xuan Market
• The Quang Ba flower market

What are the best day trips from Hanoi?

Aside from Halong Bay which I’ve mentioned above, here are some other options for day trips from Hanoi ⬇️

Ninh Binh

Often referred to as ‘Halong Bay on Land’, this lush rural province 95km south of Hanoi deserves a night or two on its own, but if you’re pressed for time then a day trip is still worthwhile.

There are loads of Ninh Binh day tours to choose from with various routes depending on what you like to see and do, but these are the bucket list experiences:

• A river cruise in Tam Coc or Trang An is included in most Ninh Binh day tours, letting you soak up the spectacular scenery from a little wooden row boat. Both rivers offer a similar landscape but Tam Coc cruises are shorter, cheaper but less organised, Trang An cruises are more extensive and are a smoother operation.

• Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is the site of Vietnam’s political centre in the 10th and 11th centuries, and there are some temples and monuments still standing to this day. Honestly this might just be the most beautiful setting for a capital city that I’ve ever seen!
• The outlook from Hang Mua is well worth the 500 steps it takes to get there, with an uninterrupted 360° panoramic view over paddy fields and limestone karsts. It’s not a long hike but it is steep and can be intense if it’s sunny and humid.

• Bai Dinh Pagoda is a gigantic Buddhist temple complex, with hundreds of Buddha statues and a 13-storey stupa offering expansive views if you’re willing to climb to the top
• Bich Dong Pagoda is a less-visited ancient pagoda, where you can see temples partially built into the limestone caves

Book a Ninh Binh day tour >>

Perfume Pagoda

Home to the annual Perfume Pagoda Festival (January to March, dates dependent on the Lunar calendar), this temple complex is one of the most significant Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Vietnam.

This is one place where the journey is just as good as the destination, with a breathtaking boat tour along the Yen River and then the choice of a rewarding hike or a scenic cable car ride to reach the shrines and temples built into the mountains.

Book a Perfume Pagoda day tour >>

Nearby villages

There are a few easily accessible villages to Hanoi that offer different cultural experiences.

Bat Trang Ceramics Village is only 30 minutes by car, an easy half day trip if you want a break from the city. The locals here have been producing high quality pottery for 700 years, and you can learn about traditional ceramic-making methods, shop for handmade souvenirs at the market, or even join a workshop to learn from an expert ceramicist.

Quang Phu Cau Incense Village is another popular spot, where you can witness the entire incense production process from start to finish, and learn about the significance of incense in Vietnamese culture and traditions.

Butttt if you’re coming here for the photo opportunities, you might be disappointed. The images you’ve seen online of artisans wearing conical hats sitting amongst thousands of incense sticks are either staged, creatively framed, or not accessible to the public. There is an incense display area that you can pay to take photos at, complete with hat props and ladders for angles, but it’s not an authentic artisan workshop.

Duong Lam Ancient Village is a national heritage site and rural village 1.5h from Hanoi, known for its well-preserved historical architecture and commitment to traditional farming and craftsmanship practices. Escape the insanity of the city and come out here for a step back in time.

What to do after Hanoi

If Hanoi is just the start of your Vietnam adventure, how exciting! From here you’ve got loads of options depending on your timeline and travel style.

Spending 1-3 nights in Halong Bay or the neighbouring Lan Ha Bay is the most popular next step after Vietnam, I took my parents on this luxury cruise and it was absolutely incredible.

Ninh Binh is another option that I mentioned above in the day trips section, but 2-3 days here gives you enough time to visit the highlights without rushing. There are constant buses running from Hanoi and it’ll take you about two hours.

If you’re heading further down the coast after your three days in Hanoi, I’d recommend booking a ticket on the premium Lotus Train on SE19 to access Central Vietnam’s major destinations like Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An.

Lotus Train has its own carriages on the state-owned Vietnam Railways train, with better bedding, included snacks, and (most importantly!) clean shared toilets. It’s still a night train, expect side-to-side rocking and the usual train noises, but I’d say Lotus Train is on part with my European sleeper train experiences.

If you love an adventure, doing the Ha Giang Loop on a motorbike is one for the bucket list. You’ll journey through rugged mountain passes and untouched landscapes over three to five days depending on the tour you book, and you can rent a motorbike to ride if you’re licensed, or you can go as a passenger with an Easy Rider (an expert local guide).

While generally safe and well-organised if you go with a reputable company, it’s still important to understand that like any motorbike road trip, there are significant risks if things go wrong. This is a situation where you absolutely need a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers motorbike tours, so you (or your family) aren’t left with a monstrous bill if you do get hurt or worse.

And that’s a wrap on the perfect Hanoi itinerary for three days! If you have any Hanoi questions just let me know in the comments 🥰

MORE VIETNAM TRAVEL GUIDES:

• The ultimate three week Vietnam itinerary
• Capella: Is this the best cruise in Halong Bay?

MORE SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL GUIDES:

• The ultimate three week Malaysia itinerary
• How to spend two weeks in Borneo
• A solo travel guide to Kuala Lumpur

MY GO-TO TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES

Flights ✈️ I use Skyscanner to find the best flights for my trip and then I’ll always book direct with the airline to protect myself from having to deal with dodgy third parties if anything goes wrong.

Trains 🚂 If I’m travelling through Europe, I try to travel by train wherever possible! For an extended trip (2+ weeks) I’ll calculate if a Eurail Pass is worth it, or I’ll book point-to-point tickets through RailEurope or the local train operator.

Accommodation 🛎️ I book almost all of my accommodation through booking.com, they have a user-friendly website + app and many of their options are free cancellation, easily cancelled with a simple click of a button.

Activities 🗽I use GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator to look for activities in the places I visit, or I just Google ‘things to do in [city]’! P.S. If you book anything on Klook you can use the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK to get 10% off

Travel cards 💳 I’m a Wise gal through and through, they’ve been my chosen travel card for more than five years now. You can easily top up your card from your bank account or through Apple Pay, convert your money to local currency, and spend money with minimal fees and the best exchange rates around.

Travel insurance 🩺 I use Cover-More NZ travel insurance for my own trips, I have a comprehensive policy and I’ve only had good experiences with them. Cover-More also has an Australian company, but if you’re from elsewhere then two popular insurance options for global travellers are SafetyWing (cheaper policy, lower coverage) and World Nomads (more expensive but significantly better coverage).

Luggage 💼 I travel with Samsonite Cosmolite suitcases, one 75cm check in bag and a 55cm carry on bag, and I absolutely adore them and will never travel with anything else! They are SUPER lightweight (2.8kg and 1.9kg respectively) so I have much more space for my actual stuff.

Camera gear 📸 I use a iPhone 15 Pro Max for phone photos/videos, and my camera kit includes a Lumix S9 (incredible lightweight full-frame camera, a game changer for travel creators!) with a 20-60mm lens, a Lumix G9 with an 8-18mm and 12-60mm lens, a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and a GoPro Hero 10. I do all my writing and editing on my ASUS Zenbook 14, it’s lightweight but powerful enough for photo editing and intense blogging sessions.