Visit Hanoi – Top 5 Guide
Hanoi Visitor's Guide - Top 5 'Must Dos'
A Focus on Food, History & Culture
As Vietnam’s capital, and with a population of over 8 million, Hanoi is a city buzzing with energy! No matter your travel style, Hanoi will become your new favorite destination.
TripAdvisor even named Hanoi one of the world’s top 15 best places to visit by! Continue reading for my recommendations on the best ways to take in Hanoi’s unique history and unfathomably delicious food scene.
1. Take a Walking Tour with HanoiKids
If you’re visiting Hanoi, definitely book a walking tour with HanoiKids! HanoiKids is a local nonprofit that mobilizes university students in Hanoi to become ambassadors of the city, leading tours for visitors from around the world.
There are a few standard itineraries that are great for first-time visitors to Hanoi, including the Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple of Literature, the Old Quarter and more. But, even if you’ve visited Hanoi before, still consider booking a tour. HanoiKids offers the flexibility to craft your own itinerary, and the best part of the whole experience is having the opportunity to learn about the history, culture and current life in Hanoi from a local college student!
When booking your tour with HanoiKids you can choose from 1/2 day or full day, and there is also an evening food tour option. The tours are free, and the student guides do not accept tips. But, after taking a tour make a donation to the organization to help cover student training and operational costs. You are responsible for covering any costs incurred by you and the guide during the tour, such as cab or transit fees, museum admission and lunch.
A tour with HanoiKids is a win-win!
A tour with HanoiKids is a really a win-win because the students are able to develop and practice their conversational English language skills, and I really cannot emphasize how special it is to see Hanoi from the perspective of the next generation in Vietnam!
I joined a couple tours with HanoiKids, and they were both fantastic! Fun, professional, enthusiastic and full of history, I just cannot recommend this organization highly enough. If you’ve already explored central Hanoi, consider booking a food tour or head to the Bat Trang Pottery Village.
2. Coffee Break!
Okay, I know we’re just getting started, but when you’re traveling in Vietnam it is always a good time for a coffee break! Vietnamese iced coffee, or cà phê sữa đá, is the most well known coffee option, and Hanoi is full of cafes that are waiting for you! Before getting into my favorite spots, let’s briefly explore the history of Vietnam’s coffee culture.
Coffee drinking culture was introduced in Vietnam by the French back in the mid-1800’s, but it was another 100 years before the country became known as a major coffee producer and exporter. Vietnam’s economic reform of 1986 and movement towards a more open-market system was a catalyst in the growth of Vietnam’s coffee industry. Today Vietnam is the largest producer of Robusta coffee beans, which are often used for making instant coffee and espresso blends. (Robusta beans are more bitter and have less sugar than Arabica varieties.)
Vietnamese-style coffee, or cà phê đá, is made using medium to coursely ground coffee in a small, metal drip filter. Pour hot water into the filter, letting it drip down into a strong roasted coffee. But, the key to Vietnamese coffee is the sweetened condensed milk that is added to the cup first! On a hot day, ice coffee with condensed milk is a popular option! So, where are the best places to enjoy a cup of Vietnamese coffee in Hanoi? Definitely make sure to visit Cộng Cà Phê!
Cộng Cà Phê
Cộng Cà Phê is one of Vietnam’s most successful cafe brands, and it all started in Hanoi back in 2007. The first Cộng Cà Phê store opened along Triệu Việt Vương, or Hanoi’s traditional cafe street. The aesthetic is communist chic, which sounds like a strange description, but once you visit it will make total sense. The decor is rustic meets patterned meets communist imagery with a strong side of hipster. And the coffee is fantastic.
One of Cộng Cà Phê’s top-rated drinks is the coconut milk ice coffee! And, I must admit, it is totally worth the hype! Today there are over 65 locations, and the brand has even expanded to South Korea & Malaysia. Cộng Cà Phê is a Hanoi staple, so make sure to visit at least one of the city’s locations.
Hanoi Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng)
Hanoi is also home to another Vietnamese signature drink, the egg coffee or cà phê trứng. Eggs and coffee are of course a common breakfast pair, but 1946 Nguyen Van Giang got a little extra creative. Wartime shortages made it difficult to get fresh milk in Hanoi at the time, and while bartending at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, Giang experimented with mixing whisked egg into coffee as a milk substitute. Who would have guessed that 75 years later Cafe Giang would be one of Hanoi’s most famous coffee shops featuring, of course, the egg coffee!
Okay, so what is an egg coffee exactly? It is a cup of strong Robusta coffee topped with a creamy mixture of hot whisked egg and sugar (sometimes with a little butter or condensed milk mixed in). Definitely visit Cafe Giang when you’re in the Hoan Kiem Lake area! Located at 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street.
3. Visit a Museum to Explore Hanoi's History
You will see the layers of Hanoi’s history everywhere you walk, from the centuries old temples and pagodas to the remnants of French colonialism ever present in the architecture of the Old Quarter. There are plenty of great museums in Hanoi, and I highly recommend adding Hỏa Lò Prison & the Vietnamese Women’s Museum to your agenda.
Hỏa Lò Prison
Over the past 150 years, Hanoi witnessed firsthand an East / West power struggle and the painful effects of colonialism. In 1885 China lost the Sino-French War and with it control of northern Vietnam to France. France continued to expand their power in Vietnam and within the region into the early 1900’s and up to WW 2. Hỏa Lò Prison first opened in 1886 by the French to punish and torture political agitators acting out against colonial rule, but today it is open as a museum and key historical site in Hanoi. You can visit Hỏa Lò (or Maison Centrale as it was called in French) 7 days a week, and there is a very informative audio guide.
Hỏa Lò Prison shares the story of two points in Hanoi’s history: colonial oppression faced by the local Vietnamese population under French rule and later how the Northern Vietnamese converted the prison to hold American soldiers during the Vietnam War (or the Resistance War Against America as it is called in Vietnam).
While sauntering through the Old Quarter’s historic architecture and savoring a perfectly baked French-style baguette, it is easy to romanticize the French influence on Vietnam. Visiting Hỏa Lò Prison helps visitors to Hanoi gain an understanding of the political realities faced by Hanoians over the past century.
Another Perspective
As an American, visiting Hỏa Lò Prison is an opportunity to learn about the Vietnam War told from another perspective. American POWs were held at Hỏa Lò during the war, including even John McCain. Despite descriptions of the torturous conditions, the exhibits at Hỏa Lò today make it sound not so bad for the American soldiers imprisoned there.
Vietnamese Women's Museum
Don’t miss the Vietnamese Women’s Museum! The permanent collection is a combination of history, gender, culture and fashion. One highlight is the focus on the role of women in resistance movements against Eastern and Western colonialism throughout the 20th century. The Museum’s exhibits also feature the experiences and rituals of women from indigenous and minority communities within Vietnam and a beautiful collection of local textiles.
Looking for ways to get off the beaten path? Check out these 10 hidden gem destinations throughout Vietnam!
4. Savor the Flavors of Fresh Bún Chả
Mouthwatering grilled pork served alongside light rice noodles, fresh greens and herbs with a side of sweet, vinegary sauce and a hint of lemon. There are not words to describe the flavor packed into Hanoi-style bún chả. The warm, tender pork pairs perfectly with a crisp lettuce and the rice noodles that absorb the deliciousness of the sauce. It is best to enjoy warm bowl of Bún chả while sitting along the street watching the meat grilled right in front you.
If you’re from the US don’t be surprised if you have a hard time finding Hanoi-style bún chả at home. The majority of the Vietnamese diaspora in the US come from Southern Vietnam where many aspects of culture, including cuisine, differ from the North. Bún thịt nướng is similiar and much more widely available in the US, but it’s not exactly the same. If you find Hanoi-style bún chả in the Northeast US, let me know!
Eating bún chả in Hanoi is definitely one of the top 10 meals I’ve eaten in my entire life.
5. Take a Hanoi Street Food Tour by Scooter
Egg coffee and bún chả are just the beginning of the deliciousness that Hanoi’s food scene has to offer! To learn more about local cuisine and try a bunch of different options, join a Hanoi Street Food Tour! For 3 hours you’ll cruise around Hanoi on the back of motorbike, stopping at awesome food spots around the Old Quarter. I did an evening tour, and it was also a fun way to meet other people and see Hanoi come to life in the evening. The company also offers walking tours and cooking classes.
Our guides also drove us over Long Biên Bridge, which was cool to see in the evening! The price of a tour varies depending on the number of participants, and it cost 2 of us each about $55. This was one of the most expensive tours we took in Vietnam, but it was definitely worth it!
Hanoi is a city filled with delicious meals, rich and complex history and a continuously developing economy. I hope the recommendations in this Top 5 Guide to Hanoi help you start plan your next trip. Help make this guide even better by letting us know if there are other sites to include!
Photo Credit: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism
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You take really good photos of food! I’m really hungry for bun cha and thirsty for Vietnamese coffee.
Thank you, Julie! I agree! I can always go for a Vietnamese coffee! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Vietnam is definitely on my bucket list so thanks for these great tips! Never expected to find Hanoi in the top 15 travel destinations though, that’s wonderful 🙂
Zarina – Great bucket list destination! I hope you make it there soon! It’s delicious 🙂
Hanoi is definitely on my bucket list. A wonderful article giving depth on what to do, where to eat and where to visit.
Oooh I love the sound of both the walking tour with HannoiKids (what a great way to give them a chance to improve their English!) and the food tour! I think i would be in foodie heaven there!
p.s. did you have a favourite coffee? They all look pretty impressive!
Hi, Josy! Thanks for stopping by post. All the coffees were soooo good. I don’t usually have sugar in my coffee, so adding sweetened condensed milk was such a treat. The first ice coffee I had in Vietnam was on an early morning walk to the beach in DaNang, and that rocked my world. It was just so good! Any special drinks that bring back fond travel memories for you?
I was supposed to be in Vietnam before lockdown happened. Right now I am reading these posts and missing on everything I couldn’t explore. Thanks for this guide, may help me in future.
Anshul – I’m so sorry to hear that your plans were thrown off because of lockdown. I am sending you positive thoughts that you can re-book your trip for the future when it’s safe to travel and explore again. Definitely still head to Vietnam. Thanks for stopping by, and cheers to adventures in the future!
Hanoi promises some amazing experiences. The walk with Hanoi Kids sounds really interesting. And nothing like some iced Vietnamese Coffee.
I just visited Hanoi last year and your post brings back lots of memories ! I didn’t get to join a walking tour as we didn’t book it in advance. But still managed to explore alot of things on our own. We tried all the coffees you suggested. Not a fan of the egg coffee but I love the coconut milk ice coffee ! It is especially refreshing in the hot weather ! Love bun cha ta, I think I had 2 bowls in one weekend ! And yes street eating is such an experience, sitting on this ultra low chairs, at the side of the road, motorcycles riding up the curbs ! Maybe a bit dangerous but once in a lifetime right ! =p
Jeremy – so happy my post brought back fun memories! I almost love reading posts of places I’ve been just as much as new places. 🙂 I completely agree that the coconut coffee is super refreshing in the heat. Craving one now!
We were due to visit Hanoi last year, but never made it past the airport hotel unfortunately. This definitely makes me want to visit as I was especially excited about the coffee and food and you have confirmed they are highlights of visiting 🙂 the food tour sounds great as it usually takes you to places you may not have found on your own!
Sarah – I’m so sorry to hear that you didn’t make it last year! Once it is safe to travel, I really hope you can get to Hanoi. I only had a few days in Hanoi, and I really appreciated the food tour because I did not know much about Vietnamese cuisine before arriving. Also, make sure to write about Hanoi after you get to visit because your photography style is so gorgeous I know they would transport me back to being there!
Hanoi is an interesting city, but our experience there was OK-ish. It was interesting to see the French and Chinese and Japanese influences in Hanoi’s architecture, but we prefered Central Vietnam. And when it comes to Vietnamese food, we prefered Saigon because we’re used to eat Viet food with lots of veggies, especially pho’s.
The architecture is definitely very interesting, and I really didn’t know much about those layers of Vietnamese history before visiting. I would love to visit Vietnam again and explore more of the central and southern parts of the country. I loved the food in Hanoi, but it is harder to find northern Vietnamese restaurants here at home in NYC. I looked at your guides for Hoi An & Hue, and they brought back fond travel memories! Thanks for stopping by.
Our plan is still to visit Vietnam next year. Let’s hope that will happen. We plan 2 full days in Hanoi. What do you think?
I hope you can definitely make it next year! Yes, at least 2 days in Hanoi. I was there for 2.5 and wished I could have stayed longer. If you plan to also see Halong Bay, add more time. But, really depends on how long your trip is and where else are you visiting. If you want any tips for DaNang, Hoi An or Hue, let me know! Thanks for stopping by!
I would love to visit Hanoi and experience some of these things. The Vietnamese Womens Museum sounds really interesting. Not sure I would like the Egg Coffee but would be keen to give it a try.
So much information about Hanoi here!
I remember when I was in Vietnam, about 5 years ago, I saw and smelt coffee everywhere. It was surprising to me at the time that coffee was such a huge thing there.