Hanoi, Vietnam 7 Day Itinerary

Title: 7-Day Itinerary for Exploring Hanoi, Vietnam

Day 1 - Arrival & City Overview

  • Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport. You can take a taxi or pre-booked car service (Grab, GoViet) to your hotel. Recommended hotels: Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi, La Siesta Premium Hanoi or Silk Queen Hotel & Spa.
  • Check-in and freshen up. Take a short rest.
  • Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple for a peaceful evening stroll. Have dinner at Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su, famous for traditional Vietnamese dishes including Pho.
  • Things to know: Hanoi is a bustling city with motorbikes as the main mode of transport. Be careful when crossing roads!

Day 2 - Hanoi’s Old Quarter & Night Market

  • Morning visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, and Ho Chi Minh’s House on Stilts. Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien, a popular spot for Bun Cha, the dish Obama ate when he visited Hanoi.
  • Explore Dong Xuan Market in the afternoon. Discover Hanoi’s Old Quarter with its 36 streets, each selling different goods.
  • Evening visit to Dong Xuan Night Market for local food, shopping, and entertainment. Have dinner at Cha Ca La Vong, a restaurant serving grilled fish dish originated from Hanoi.

Day 3 - Museums & Bat Trang Pottery Village

  • Visit the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, Vietnam Military History Museum, or the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton). Lunch at Koto Restaurant, a social enterprise supporting vulnerable youths in Vietnam.
  • Afternoon trip to Bat Trang Pottery Village, about 13 km southeast of Hanoi. Take a taxi or bus (No. 47) and explore the village known for its ceramics.
  • Return to Hanoi and have dinner at a local restaurant like Beer Corner Quan An Ngon.

Day 4 - Temple of Literature & Perfume Pagoda

  • Full-day tour to the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) and Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong). The temple complex is the site of Vietnam’s first university, while the Perfume Pagoda is a series of Buddhist temples nestled in limestone hills about 70 km southwest of Hanoi.
  • Lunch will be provided during the tour. Return to Hanoi in the evening and have dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Day 5 - Halong Bay Day Trip

  • Book a day trip to Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s natural wonders. You can choose from various options like a full-day cruise, half-day cruise, or a combination with Sung Sot Cave and Kayaking.
  • Lunch will be served on the boat. Return to Hanoi in the evening and have dinner at a restaurant like Heliopolis Cafe de Paris.

Day 6 - Long Bien Bridge & West Lake

  • Morning visit to Long Bien Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in Hanoi, offering a unique perspective of the cityscape. Have breakfast at a nearby street food stall.
  • Spend the afternoon relaxing by West Lake (Ho Tay) and Truc Bach Lake. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake and enjoy lunch at a lakefront restaurant like The Hive.
  • Evening visit to Ta Hien Beer Street, popular among locals and tourists for Bia Hoi (fresh beer). Have dinner at a nearby Vietnamese or Western restaurant.

Day 7 - Departure

  • Enjoy your last moments in Hanoi with shopping for souvenirs in the Old Quarter or visiting any remaining attractions you haven’t yet seen.
  • Check out from the hotel and transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight home. Safe travels!