Du lịch & Khám phá
Tin Tức Hot
Bí Kíp Du Lịch
Hương Vị
Gợi Ý Mua Sắm
Sắc Màu Cuộc Sống
Chia Sẻ Kỷ Niệm
Rao Vặt Du Lịch
Ngôi Nhà Zooxem
A schedule for first-time visitors to Hanoi who want to experience the most typical features of the capital.
Visiting Hanoi in autumn is one of the unforgettable experiences for many tourists. Autumn in Hanoi, from about mid-September to November, has cool weather, with an average temperature below 30 degrees Celsius, sunny, and dry. Autumn is also the time for many signature dishes like green rice, fried pen shell, and ripe sour fruits.
Morning
A perfect start to your Hanoi trip is to have breakfast and enjoy coffee by Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Old Quarter. You should wake up as early as possible to enjoy the fresh air before the streets become crowded.
View attachment 807
Phở Thìn Bờ Hồ located on Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street. Photo: Tâm Anh
One of the recommended pho places is Thìn Bờ Hồ, which has been around for nearly 70 years. Other options include Pho Sướng in Trung Yên alley, Pho Tư Lùn (Âu Triệu), Pho Lý Quốc Sư, Pho Lâm (Hàng Vải). These are all familiar addresses for locals and tourists.
A cup of coffee around the Old Quarter and Hoàn Kiếm Lake is the next experience. You can choose Đinh coffee on the small attic on Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, Giảng coffee or Lâm coffee on Nguyễn Hữu Huân street, or newer spots like Phố Chợ coffee at Hàng Bè market, Loading T at Chân Cầm, or cafes around with a panoramic view of the lake. Drinks to try in these places are traditional black/brown coffee and egg coffee. If you have time, you should also stop by Kem Tràng Tiền to try one of the snacks.
View attachment 808
Egg coffee at Giảng. Photo: Hiếu Lương
If you wander around Hoàn Kiếm Lake on the weekend, you should visit the Water Puppet Theatre on Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street to catch the show at 9:30 AM on Sundays. There are also shows in the evenings, from 4 PM to 9 PM.
If you enjoy history, visit places like the Hoa Lo Prison, the Revolution Museum, the History Museum, and the Military History Museum. If you are interested in architecture, stop by landmarks like Ô Quan Chưởng, the Grand Theatre, the St. Joseph's Cathedral, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, One Pillar Pagoda, Long Bien Bridge, the Government Guest House, the State Bank...
These places are all within a 1-2 km radius around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, so it's convenient for travel. If you haven't covered all the mentioned spots in the morning, save some for the afternoon. Tourists can walk or use public transportation like buses, taxis, or motorbike taxis.
Afternoon
Conveniently located in the Old Quarter, enjoy lunch with another signature dish of Hanoi, which is bún chả. Bún chả consists of vermicelli, grilled pork (either minced or whole pieces), served with a sweet-sour fish sauce and assorted fresh vegetables. This is a typical dish of the North, one of the special features of Hanoi cuisine. Some recommended places in the central area include Bún chả Hàng Quạt, Bún chả Đắc Kim, and Bún chả Hương Liên (Obama).
View attachment 809
Bún chả at Hàng Quạt. Photo: Xuân Phương
A serving of Bún chả Đắc Kim is very generous, so be mindful that you don’t order too much. Bún chả Hàng Quạt and Hương Liên can be busy during lunch.
Evening
If you have yet to experience the atmosphere of the Western-style streets in Hanoi, dedicate the whole evening to exploring the Tạ Hiện - Lương Ngọc Quyến area, also known as the "international crossroads" or the "sleepless street."
Tạ Hiện is peaceful and quiet during the day but vibrant and bustling from the late afternoon until late at night. The dishes at Tạ Hiện are simply snacks like fried sour spring rolls, cheese sticks, fried potatoes, sweet potatoes, and roasted quail, served with cold beer. However, what makes Tạ Hiện popular with tourists is the lively and always joyous atmosphere. You can sit in small groups along the street or in bars to enjoy music and dance. Prices at Tạ Hiện are moderate.
View attachment 810
The Tạ Hiện - Lương Ngọc Quyến area is crowded with young people enjoying the night. Photo: Giang Huy
If you visit Hanoi on the weekend, you can stroll around the walking street by Hoàn Kiếm Lake or the Đồng Xuân Night Market before stopping at Tạ Hiện.
Morning
You should spend some time at Tây Lake, which covers an area of 5.2 km2, next to Thanh Niên Street and Trúc Bạch Lake. This is a famous relaxation area with delicious food and various recreational activities.
The area surrounding the lake, 15 km in circumference, is very suitable for sports enthusiasts. You can run or ride a bicycle. There are many bicycle rental shops along Nguyễn Đình Thi and Trích Sài streets, with prices ranging from 40,000 to 50,000 VND for two hours. Additionally, there are services for paddleboarding or kayaking for 200,000 to 250,000 VND for two hours.
View attachment 811
A bicycle rental point on Trích Sài street. Photo: Tâm Anh
Bún ốc is a suggestion for breakfast around Tây Lake. Bún ốc in Hanoi combines simple, easily eaten ingredients. You'll experience the rich flavor and chewy texture of snail meat and the refreshing taste of the broth. Two recommended bún ốc places to visit are Bún ốc Bà Ngoại (Tô Ngọc Vân Street) and Bún ốc Cô Huê (Đặng Dung Street). At Bà Ngoại, you can also try cold bún ốc.
Afternoon
Visiting the Tây Hồ shrine is the next suggestion. This is a shrine dedicated to Princess Liễu Hạnh, built in the 17th century. The shrine is located on a large peninsula in Nghi Tàm village, which juts out into Tây Lake. The shrine holds its main festival on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month and the 13th day of the 8th lunar month. During non-festival times, Tây Hồ shrine is a space for relaxation, sightseeing, and tranquility. Here, you will find a different corner of Hanoi compared to the bustling, noisy city.
View attachment 812
The signature shrimp cake of the Tây Lake area. Photo: Thanh Mai
For lunch, enjoy bánh tôm around the Tây Hồ shrine area. There are many restaurants such as Nhâm Thìn, Phương Dung, Thanh Mai, with the most popular dish being bánh tôm served with steamed snails seasoned with lime leaves or medicinal herbs. A satisfying meal for one person costs around 200,000 to 300,000 VND.
Evening
Taking photos and watching the sunset at Tây Lake will give you an unforgettable experience. You can arrive around 4 PM, "pedal boat" on Trúc Bạch Lake, then walk along Thanh Niên Street to enjoy the sunset at Tây Lake. There are two types of pedal boats on Trúc Bạch Lake: larger boats for families cost 200,000 VND per hour, and smaller boats for two cost 100,000 VND per hour. The departure point is on Lạc Chính street. Note, it’s advisable to wear life jackets, follow safety rules, and maintain cleanliness.
View attachment 813
Sunset at Tây Lake viewed from Thanh Niên street. Photo: Lê Bích
For dinner, if you still want to enjoy Hanoi specialties, you can visit the Ngũ Xã food street with the most typical dish being phở cuốn. This dish is made of a thin rice noodle sheet, wrapped with beef and various fresh vegetables, dipped in sweet-sour fish sauce. Some famous phở cuốn places include Hưng Bền, Hương Mai, and Hương Liên.
If you want a change of taste, try Western-style food. The areas around Tây Lake such as Xuân Diệu, Tô Ngọc Vân, and Đặng Thai Mai are ideal for finding a cozy and quiet restaurant for European cuisine such as French, Italian, or South American styles like Argentine or Brazilian. Some suggestions include Los Fuegos - Argentinian Steak and Grill, El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, Cugini, Paolo & Chi Italian Restaurant...
Alternative suggestions: Shopping at malls like Tràng Tiền Plaza, Vincom Bà Triệu; taking a double-decker bus to view the streets and tourist attractions, or listening to music at tea rooms...
Visiting Hanoi in autumn is one of the unforgettable experiences for many tourists. Autumn in Hanoi, from about mid-September to November, has cool weather, with an average temperature below 30 degrees Celsius, sunny, and dry. Autumn is also the time for many signature dishes like green rice, fried pen shell, and ripe sour fruits.
Day 1
Morning
A perfect start to your Hanoi trip is to have breakfast and enjoy coffee by Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Old Quarter. You should wake up as early as possible to enjoy the fresh air before the streets become crowded.
View attachment 807
Phở Thìn Bờ Hồ located on Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street. Photo: Tâm Anh
One of the recommended pho places is Thìn Bờ Hồ, which has been around for nearly 70 years. Other options include Pho Sướng in Trung Yên alley, Pho Tư Lùn (Âu Triệu), Pho Lý Quốc Sư, Pho Lâm (Hàng Vải). These are all familiar addresses for locals and tourists.
A cup of coffee around the Old Quarter and Hoàn Kiếm Lake is the next experience. You can choose Đinh coffee on the small attic on Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, Giảng coffee or Lâm coffee on Nguyễn Hữu Huân street, or newer spots like Phố Chợ coffee at Hàng Bè market, Loading T at Chân Cầm, or cafes around with a panoramic view of the lake. Drinks to try in these places are traditional black/brown coffee and egg coffee. If you have time, you should also stop by Kem Tràng Tiền to try one of the snacks.
View attachment 808
Egg coffee at Giảng. Photo: Hiếu Lương
If you wander around Hoàn Kiếm Lake on the weekend, you should visit the Water Puppet Theatre on Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street to catch the show at 9:30 AM on Sundays. There are also shows in the evenings, from 4 PM to 9 PM.
If you enjoy history, visit places like the Hoa Lo Prison, the Revolution Museum, the History Museum, and the Military History Museum. If you are interested in architecture, stop by landmarks like Ô Quan Chưởng, the Grand Theatre, the St. Joseph's Cathedral, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, One Pillar Pagoda, Long Bien Bridge, the Government Guest House, the State Bank...
These places are all within a 1-2 km radius around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, so it's convenient for travel. If you haven't covered all the mentioned spots in the morning, save some for the afternoon. Tourists can walk or use public transportation like buses, taxis, or motorbike taxis.
Afternoon
Conveniently located in the Old Quarter, enjoy lunch with another signature dish of Hanoi, which is bún chả. Bún chả consists of vermicelli, grilled pork (either minced or whole pieces), served with a sweet-sour fish sauce and assorted fresh vegetables. This is a typical dish of the North, one of the special features of Hanoi cuisine. Some recommended places in the central area include Bún chả Hàng Quạt, Bún chả Đắc Kim, and Bún chả Hương Liên (Obama).
View attachment 809
Bún chả at Hàng Quạt. Photo: Xuân Phương
A serving of Bún chả Đắc Kim is very generous, so be mindful that you don’t order too much. Bún chả Hàng Quạt and Hương Liên can be busy during lunch.
Evening
If you have yet to experience the atmosphere of the Western-style streets in Hanoi, dedicate the whole evening to exploring the Tạ Hiện - Lương Ngọc Quyến area, also known as the "international crossroads" or the "sleepless street."
Tạ Hiện is peaceful and quiet during the day but vibrant and bustling from the late afternoon until late at night. The dishes at Tạ Hiện are simply snacks like fried sour spring rolls, cheese sticks, fried potatoes, sweet potatoes, and roasted quail, served with cold beer. However, what makes Tạ Hiện popular with tourists is the lively and always joyous atmosphere. You can sit in small groups along the street or in bars to enjoy music and dance. Prices at Tạ Hiện are moderate.
View attachment 810
The Tạ Hiện - Lương Ngọc Quyến area is crowded with young people enjoying the night. Photo: Giang Huy
If you visit Hanoi on the weekend, you can stroll around the walking street by Hoàn Kiếm Lake or the Đồng Xuân Night Market before stopping at Tạ Hiện.
Day 2
Morning
You should spend some time at Tây Lake, which covers an area of 5.2 km2, next to Thanh Niên Street and Trúc Bạch Lake. This is a famous relaxation area with delicious food and various recreational activities.
The area surrounding the lake, 15 km in circumference, is very suitable for sports enthusiasts. You can run or ride a bicycle. There are many bicycle rental shops along Nguyễn Đình Thi and Trích Sài streets, with prices ranging from 40,000 to 50,000 VND for two hours. Additionally, there are services for paddleboarding or kayaking for 200,000 to 250,000 VND for two hours.
View attachment 811
A bicycle rental point on Trích Sài street. Photo: Tâm Anh
Bún ốc is a suggestion for breakfast around Tây Lake. Bún ốc in Hanoi combines simple, easily eaten ingredients. You'll experience the rich flavor and chewy texture of snail meat and the refreshing taste of the broth. Two recommended bún ốc places to visit are Bún ốc Bà Ngoại (Tô Ngọc Vân Street) and Bún ốc Cô Huê (Đặng Dung Street). At Bà Ngoại, you can also try cold bún ốc.
Afternoon
Visiting the Tây Hồ shrine is the next suggestion. This is a shrine dedicated to Princess Liễu Hạnh, built in the 17th century. The shrine is located on a large peninsula in Nghi Tàm village, which juts out into Tây Lake. The shrine holds its main festival on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month and the 13th day of the 8th lunar month. During non-festival times, Tây Hồ shrine is a space for relaxation, sightseeing, and tranquility. Here, you will find a different corner of Hanoi compared to the bustling, noisy city.
View attachment 812
The signature shrimp cake of the Tây Lake area. Photo: Thanh Mai
For lunch, enjoy bánh tôm around the Tây Hồ shrine area. There are many restaurants such as Nhâm Thìn, Phương Dung, Thanh Mai, with the most popular dish being bánh tôm served with steamed snails seasoned with lime leaves or medicinal herbs. A satisfying meal for one person costs around 200,000 to 300,000 VND.
Evening
Taking photos and watching the sunset at Tây Lake will give you an unforgettable experience. You can arrive around 4 PM, "pedal boat" on Trúc Bạch Lake, then walk along Thanh Niên Street to enjoy the sunset at Tây Lake. There are two types of pedal boats on Trúc Bạch Lake: larger boats for families cost 200,000 VND per hour, and smaller boats for two cost 100,000 VND per hour. The departure point is on Lạc Chính street. Note, it’s advisable to wear life jackets, follow safety rules, and maintain cleanliness.
View attachment 813
Sunset at Tây Lake viewed from Thanh Niên street. Photo: Lê Bích
For dinner, if you still want to enjoy Hanoi specialties, you can visit the Ngũ Xã food street with the most typical dish being phở cuốn. This dish is made of a thin rice noodle sheet, wrapped with beef and various fresh vegetables, dipped in sweet-sour fish sauce. Some famous phở cuốn places include Hưng Bền, Hương Mai, and Hương Liên.
If you want a change of taste, try Western-style food. The areas around Tây Lake such as Xuân Diệu, Tô Ngọc Vân, and Đặng Thai Mai are ideal for finding a cozy and quiet restaurant for European cuisine such as French, Italian, or South American styles like Argentine or Brazilian. Some suggestions include Los Fuegos - Argentinian Steak and Grill, El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, Cugini, Paolo & Chi Italian Restaurant...
Alternative suggestions: Shopping at malls like Tràng Tiền Plaza, Vincom Bà Triệu; taking a double-decker bus to view the streets and tourist attractions, or listening to music at tea rooms...
