What to Do in Hanoi: Scooters, Street Food & Surprises

Hanoi hits you with all its senses at once. Scooters zip past in endless streams, the air smells like sizzling pork and fresh herbs, and temple bells chime just when you least expect them. It’s noisy, chaotic, and completely captivating.

I’ve been to Hanoi twice, and both trips gave me something new. The first was all about the big sights; the second was slower — more coffee stops, more time getting lost in the Old Quarter, and mornings spent staring out at Hoan Kiem Lake from my hotel two streets back. The view alone made me fall for the city all over again.

So if you’re planning your own trip and wondering what to do in Hanoi, here’s my guide to the places, flavours, and hidden corners that make this city so addictive.

Get Lost in the Old Quarter

If Hanoi had a heart, it would beat here. The Old Quarter is a jumble of narrow lanes, buzzing scooters, shopfronts spilling onto the pavements, and street food stalls that make your stomach growl on cue.

This area has been the city’s commercial hub for centuries, with its “36 streets” once each dedicated to a trade — silver on Hang Bac, herbal medicine on Lan Ong, bamboo on Hang Buom. These days, the mix is more eclectic, but you can still sense the history.

I’d recommend ditching the map for a while and letting yourself wander. You’ll find hidden temples tucked between houses, art galleries, coffee shops with rickety balconies, and vendors selling everything from fresh flowers to knock-off sneakers.

Sip Egg Coffee Where It All Began

Hanoi is where egg coffee (cà phê trứng) was born, and trying it here is practically a rite of passage. This rich, frothy drink was invented in the 1940s when milk was scarce — whisked egg yolk was used to create a creamy topping for strong Vietnamese coffee.

My go-to spot is Giang Café, the original creator, where the tiny stools and yellowed walls add to the charm. But there’s a twist: while egg coffee is the icon, I’ve fallen hard for coconut coffee — a blend of coffee, coconut cream, and ice that tastes like a holiday in a glass. I may or may not have had it daily

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Hoan Kiem Lake is the Old Quarter’s calm in the storm. Locals come here at dawn to practise tai chi, while visitors stroll the shaded paths or sit on benches watching the world go by.

The red-painted Huc Bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple, perched on a small island. Legend says a giant turtle returned the magical sword of Emperor Le Loi here, giving the lake its name (“Lake of the Returned Sword”).

If you can, visit twice — once in the early morning when it’s serene, and again at night when the bridge glows in red and the city lights reflect off the water.

Explore the French Quarter

Cross over to the French Quarter and the vibe changes instantly — wide boulevards, leafy trees, grand buildings in buttery yellows and whites. This is where you’ll find the Hanoi Opera House, luxury hotels, and high-end cafés serving pastries that wouldn’t look out of place in Paris.

It’s worth a slow wander just to soak in the architecture. If you’re into art, pop into the Hanoi Art Gallery or some of the boutique stores selling lacquerware and handmade ceramics.

Temple of Literature

Founded in 1070, the Temple of Literature was Vietnam’s first university and is dedicated to Confucius. The complex is a series of courtyards, gardens, and pavilions, each more photogenic than the last.

It’s a peaceful escape from the city’s traffic, and if you visit during exam season, you might see students coming here to pray for good grades. The calligraphy stalls are a nice touch, and a great place to pick up a personalised souvenir.

Hoa Lo Prison (The “Hanoi Hilton”)

Not the cheeriest stop, but an important one. Hoa Lo Prison was originally built by the French to detain political prisoners, and later held American POWs during the Vietnam War.

The exhibits mix history with personal stories, and walking through the preserved cells is sobering. It’s a stark reminder of the city’s turbulent past.

Eat Your Way Around Hanoi

If you only remember one thing from this list, let it be this: Hanoi is a street food paradise.

• Pho – The national dish and my personal favourite. A good bowl of pho is pure comfort — fragrant broth, soft rice noodles, tender slices of beef or chicken, and a side of fresh herbs. I swear the ones in Hanoi taste like magic.
• Banh mi – A crisp baguette stuffed with pâté, pickled vegetables, herbs, and your choice of filling. The perfect grab-and-go snack.
• Bun cha – Grilled pork served with rice noodles, herbs, and dipping sauce.
• Cha ca – Turmeric-marinated fish with dill, cooked at your table.

If you’re short on time or want insider tips, book a Hanoi street food tour — it’s the fastest way to taste the city’s best bites without the guesswork.

Train Street

It’s exactly what it sounds like — a narrow street with houses and cafés pressed so close to the tracks you could touch them. Several times a day, a train rumbles through, and locals shuffle chairs, laundry, and themselves out of the way.

The authorities have cracked down on visitors in recent years, so the best way to experience it is from one of the legal cafés along the tracks. Get there early for a good spot and watch the spectacle unfold.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Presidential Palace

The Mausoleum is one of Vietnam’s most important sites, housing the embalmed body of “Uncle Ho” himself. Queues can be long, and the atmosphere is solemn — no hats, shorts, or cameras inside.

Nearby, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house give more context to his life and leadership. Even if politics isn’t your thing, the grounds and gardens are worth exploring.

Museum Hopping

Hanoi’s museums cater to all interests:

• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology – A fascinating look at the country’s 54 ethnic groups, with outdoor exhibits of traditional houses.
• Vietnam Women’s Museum – Inspiring stories and cultural insight into the role of women in Vietnamese society.
• Vietnam Fine Arts Museum – From ancient sculptures to modern paintings.

West Lake (Ho Tay)

West Lake is Hanoi’s largest lake, and it feels worlds away from the traffic-clogged streets. Rent a bike, stroll the promenade, or linger at a lakeside café.

Don’t miss Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple, which sits on a small causeway. At sunset, it’s a photographer’s dream.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

This centuries-old art form originated in the rice paddies of northern Vietnam. Puppets perform on a water stage, accompanied by live traditional music and singing.

It’s kitschy, charming, and a great way to spend an hour in the evening. Shows sell out fast, especially in the evenings, so it’s worth booking tickets in advance if you don’t want to miss out.

Hidden Hanoi: Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to Do

Sure, Hanoi’s big-name sights are incredible — but some of my favourite memories come from the little detours and tucked-away corners. These are the places that don’t always make the “must-see” lists, but they’ll give you that I really saw Hanoi feeling.

Hidden Courtyard Cafés
Some of Hanoi’s best coffee shops are practically invisible unless you know where to look. Down tiny alleys or behind unmarked doors, you’ll find gems like Cong Caphe with its wartime décor, or The Note Coffee, where every inch of the walls is plastered with handwritten Post-it notes from customers. It feels like reading strangers’ diaries while sipping your latte.

Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural
Stretching for more than 4 miles along the dyke road by the Red River, this is the world’s longest ceramic mural. It’s colourful, creative, and surprisingly quiet compared to the Old Quarter chaos.

Quang Ba Flower Market at Dawn
Set your alarm early (really early) for this wholesale flower market, which bursts into life around 4 a.m. It’s a riot of colour and fragrance — roses, lilies, orchids, chrysanthemums — with vendors shouting prices and loading armfuls of blooms onto motorbikes. It’s all over by mid-morning, so get there before sunrise for the full experience.

The “Other” Train Tracks
Skip the famous Train Street crowds and wander into quieter neighbourhoods where the railway cuts right through residential lanes. You’ll see laundry flapping, kids playing, and locals brewing tea beside the tracks. It’s everyday life in motion — just keep a respectful distance.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral After Dark
The Gothic spires of St. Joseph’s Cathedral are beautiful in daylight, but I love it best at night. Soft lighting makes the façade glow, street vendors set up nearby, and the surrounding cafés spill out onto the pavement. It’s got a kind of Paris-meets-Hanoi energy that’s perfect for an evening wander.

Truc Bach Lake Stroll
Quieter than West Lake, this smaller lake is lined with leafy paths and cafés where you can sit with an iced coffee and watch the water ripple. History buffs will find a small monument marking the spot where John McCain’s plane was shot down during the war.

Breakfast at Xoi Yen
Pho for breakfast is wonderful, but one morning switch things up and try xôi — sticky rice topped with your choice of mung beans, fried shallots, pork floss, or all of the above. Xoi Yen is the local favourite and will keep you fuelled for hours of exploring.

Flag-Lowering Ceremony at Ba Dinh Square
Every evening at 9 p.m., the Vietnamese flag is lowered in a short, precise ceremony. It’s not a big tourist draw, which makes it even better — you’ll just be among a few locals stopping to watch as the guards march in, the flag comes down, and the square returns to quiet.

Long Bien Bridge Walk
Designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, that Eiffel), this rusting iron bridge has been standing proud over the Red River since 1902. It’s still in daily use — motorbikes buzzing past, trains clattering down the centre — but you can walk across on a raised pedestrian lane.

I tried it on a blazing hot afternoon, thinking it would be a quick stroll. Spoiler: it’s not. By halfway, I was sun-baked, windblown, and very ready for an iced coffee. But the views — the banana plantations below, fishing boats on the water, and the city skyline in the distance — made it worth every sweaty step. My tip: go early or late in the day, wear a hat, and bring water.

Day Trips from Hanoi

If you’ve got more than a couple of days, there are some incredible destinations just outside the city:

• Ninh Binh – Dubbed “Ha Long Bay on land,” with limestone karsts rising from rice paddies. Take a boat trip through Tam Coc or Trang An.
• Ha Long Bay / Lan Ha Bay – A UNESCO-listed wonder. Overnight cruises are magical, but a day trip is still worth it.
• Perfume Pagoda – A scenic boat ride and cable car up to a mountain temple complex.

Nightlife in Hanoi

Nightlife here is more about atmosphere than nightclubs. Start at Bia Hoi Junction, where tiny plastic stools line the street and fresh beer flows for pocket change.

For something more refined, try a rooftop bar in the Old Quarter or a live jazz club in the French Quarter.

Shopping for Souvenirs

Hanoi is a treasure trove for shoppers:

• Dong Xuan Market – A chaotic market for clothes, fabrics and souvenirs
• Silk Streets – Hang Gai Street is best for silk scarves and tailor-made clothing.
• Art galleries – From traditional lacquer paintings to contemporary works.

Practical Tips for Visiting Hanoi

• Getting around – Walking works for short distances, but Grab (the local ride-hailing app) is your best friend for anything further.
• Best time to visit Hanoi – Spring (March–April) and autumn (October–November) have the most pleasant weather.
• Safety – Hanoi is generally safe, but watch your belongings in busy markets.
• Etiquette – Dress modestly at temples and remove shoes when required.

Hanoi isn’t a city you just see — it’s one you feel. It’s in the clatter of cups in a coffee shop, the taste of fresh herbs in your pho, the warmth of strangers who smile as you pass.

Each visit has shown me something new, and I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. If you can, give yourself time to slow down between the must-sees. Sit by the lake, order that coconut coffee, and let Hanoi work its charm.