Hanoi Vietnam 2 Day Itinerary
Day 1: Exploring Old Quarter and Local Experiences
Morning:
- Check-in at a centrally located hotel like Hanoi La Siesta Premium Hotel & Spa or Silverland Jade Hotel Hanoi
- Have a traditional Vietnamese breakfast at Bun Cha Huong Lien, the famous bún chả restaurant visited by Anthony Bourdain
- Start your day with a visit to Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of Hanoi. Take a leisurely walk around the lake and see the Tortoise Tower and Ngoc Son Temple
Afternoon:
- Explore the Old Quarter’s 36 streets, each dedicated to a specific trade in the past. You can find everything from silverware to textiles here
- Visit the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, also known as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’, where American pilots were held during the Vietnam War
- Stop by the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070
Evening:
- Experience a traditional water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
- Enjoy dinner at Quán An Ngon, offering a wide variety of Vietnamese dishes
Day 2: Cultural Immersion and Scenic Landscape
Morning:
- Have breakfast at your hotel or try a local café, such as Café Pho Co or Trung Nguyên - Coffee of Vietnam
- Visit the Museum of Ethnology to learn about Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups
- Head to Bat Trang Village, famous for its ceramics, and explore the local artisans at work
Afternoon:
- Take a day trip to Halong Bay (approx. 3.5 hours by car) or Tam Coc - Ninh Binh (1.5 hours by car). Both offer stunning natural beauty and can be arranged through a tour agency
- Alternatively, visit the Vietnam Museum of Revolution for a deeper understanding of the country’s modern history
Evening:
- Return to Hanoi and have dinner at Dai Lama Restaurant, offering delicious Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine
- Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake for a peaceful evening or visit the bustling night market on Hang Dao Street for souvenirs
Things to Know:
- Traffic in Hanoi can be chaotic, so it’s best to use crosswalks and motorbike taxis like Grab or GoViet for short distances.
- Vietnamese people are generally friendly and welcoming, but always maintain polite etiquette, especially when visiting religious sites.
- Hanoi’s weather can be unpredictable; pack layers and a light raincoat.
- Bartering is common in markets and street shops, but prices are usually marked at souvenir stores.
- Tipping isn’t expected everywhere, but rounding up the bill or leaving small change is appreciated.
- To stay connected, consider buying a local SIM card with data at one of the many mobile service providers in Hanoi.