The capital of the land of the Dragon- Hanoi, has movement, energy, culture and a certain restlessness you can’t get enough off. Its a city with hundreds of years of history, culture and food so delicious you probably shouldn’t be surprised if you find yourself eating constantly throughout your stay. 4 days is the perfect amount of time to really explore and get to know this wonderful city and learn about it’s past and present. This 4 days Hanoi itinerary covers all the well-known sites and the lesser known ones too from the famous Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to all the small temples, lakes, parks and markets that make this city what it is today.
WHEN TO GO
Hanoi and Northern Vietnam have four distinct seasons. The best time to visit is Spring (February-April) and Autumn (October-November). Due to its subtropical climate, summers in Hanoi are very hot, humid and wet with temperatures often exceeding 35°C/95°F. Winters can be fairly cool and are generally less wet. I visited in January and found the weather to be pretty cold and grey after having just visited southern Vietnam. If you prefer the heat of tropical Asian countries then try to avoid the winter.
GETTING IN
To start your 4 days in Hanoi itinerary you’ll need to get in first. From Hanoi International Airport (Noi Bai) there are three main options for travelling the 30km into the city centre. You can take a shuttle bus ($2), public bus ($0.50) or a taxi ($13) with travel time taking between 1 and 1.5 hours.
Shuttle bus – Several different shuttle buses depart every 30-45 minutes from just outside the terminal building costing 40,000VND ($1.80). Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar all have their own shuttle but make sure you enquire about taking the Jetstar one if you didn’t fly with them. They make several convenient stops with one being very close to Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter (Jetstar). From the final stop, you can continue your journey by taxi (Grab) or on foot.
Public Bus – For a truly local experience as soon as you arrive taking the local bus will give you a glimpse into local life. It costs just $10,000 VND ($0.50) with two public buses leaving the airport every 20 minutes. Bus 7 will drop you off at Kim Ma bus Station and Bus 17 terminates at Long Bien bus station. From either of these, it’s about a 30/20 minute walk to the Old Quarter or you can continue by Grab (taxi).
Taxi– Taxis cost 200,000 VND – 350,000 VND ($9 – $15.50) when flagged down outside of the arrivals building. It is possible to also take a Grab taxi to the city centre to save yourself about $4, but you’ll need an internet connection via a local SIM card for this. SIM cards can be purchase at the airport.
GETTING AROUND
In Hanoi, most places of interest to travellers are fairly close to Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter which is where most travellers base themselves. Due to this, central Hanoi is fairly walkable and I’d definitely take advantage of the short distances to stroll around and get to know the streets when getting from place to place. If you’re heading to somewhere a little further, I’d recommend using Grab, the Uber-equivalent app used in many Asian counties. It’s cheap, safe and the prices are fixed meaning no funny surprises at your destination. Xe om (motorbike taxis) are also easy to find in Hanoi with a journey around the city centre costing about 20,000 VND. For two or more people a metered taxi is often cheaper than a couple of xe om.
WHERE TO STAY
The best place to base yourself during your 4 day Hanoi itinerary is in the Old Quarter or around Hoan Kiem Lake where most of the sights, markets and points of interest are located. In general, accommodation in Hanoi is great value for money.
Budget– Hanoi 3B Premier Hotel – This lovely little hotel, located at the north end of the Old Quarter is simple and comfortable. The tastefully decorated rooms are spacious and equipped with wifi and air conditioning. What really stands out here is the extremely friendly staff which go out of their way each time and the super comfy beds. It’s a great option for the budget traveller who wants to get away from hostels for a while.
Mid-range– Hanoi Paradise Center Hotel & Spa– located just two blocks from Hoan Kiem Lake, this gorgeous hotel is another fabulous option for your Hanoi itinerary. It’s beautifully designed and decorated with an elegant, modern feel and black and grey concept. Each room comes with all the mod-cons including coffee making facilities and fast wifi. After a long day of exploring you can head to the spa for a massage or treatment of choice before heading out to sample the best of Hanoi’s nightlife.
Splurge– Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi– There’s nothing quite like this infamous, palace-like, 5-star option in the middle of Hanoi. This hotel makes you feel like absolute royalty, with the finely decorated rooms, free-standing tubs in the bathroom, a beautiful garden to enjoy and some of the best views of Hoan Kiem Lake. There’s also a large outdoor pool, spa and gym to help you stay healthy throughout your trip. This hotel pulls out all the stops in terms of both service and facilities.
There are also many great Airbnbs in Hanoi. If you haven’t yet signed up for Airbnb, do so here and get up to $63 off on your first stay.
WHERE TO EAT
Vietnam has an extremely rich culture which also extends to the food. The food in Hanoi and Vietnam for that matter is absolutely delicious and everywhere you turn you’ll find steaming bowls of pho, crunchy banh mi, flavoursome bun cha and coconut coffees. Luckily it’s also super plant-based and health-friendly too. Many of the vegan restaurants are a little out of the way but there are still plenty of vegetarian and vegan options around the Old Quarter.
Veggie Castle– At the north end of the Old Quarter which has a delicious and varied lunch and dinner all-you-can-eat buffet for 70,000VND.
Vegan Home– A lunchtime only buffet with a large variety of dishes including plant-based pho, spring rolls and noodle salads. Located on the south side of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Vegan Banh Mi– For a taste of Vietnamese street food without the meat, head to this food cart on alley 66B Tran Hung Dao, which sells fried spring rolls and it’s speciality, vegan banh mi. Three blocks south of Hoan Kiem Lake.
An Lac Chay – Another great buffet restaurant choice with simply delicious food located by Hanoi Station. The food here is mostly vegan with the exception of some drinks. Open for both lunch and dinner.
Ha Thanh– If you’re in need of a vegetable fix this is the place. The food here is healthy with many different Chinese style stir-fried dishes to order.
Lovegan– located around the back of the Presidential Palace Historic Sight, this lunch-only restaurant is hands-down one of the best in Hanoi. Look out for their stir-fried dishes, banh mi and western-style dishes like pizza and smoothie bowls.
OUR 4 DAYS HANOI ITINERARY
Day One– Old Quarter Walk / Hang Gai silk street/ St. Joseph’s Cathedral / Train Street
Day Two– Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum / One Pillar pagoda / Presidential Palace Historical Site / Night Market (only on weekends)
Day Three – Thăng Long Imperial Citadel / Phùng Hưng Mural Street / Go Shopping at Dong Xuan Market
Day Four- Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple / Hoa Lo Prison / Water Puppet Show
HANOI ITINERARY FOR 4 DAYS
DAY ONE
Old Quarter
The highlight of Hanoi is definitely the Old Quarter and the little streets and alleyways that compose it. Start your first day in the city exploring the Old Quarter and all it’s little corners to get your bearings. You’ll notice the fast pace of the city, the noise, traffic and bikes as well as all the shops selling everything you could possibly imagine from silk dresses to metal bird cages. Notice the sellers on the streets balancing fruit over their bicycles and the carts selling ice-cold drinks and coffee. These old streets are full of magical temples to explore as well as cafes, restaurants and gift shops all competing for your attention.
Hang Gai Silk Street
Once you’ve had a bit of a wander, head over to Hang Gai, Hanoi’s old silk street where you’ll find a large variety of shops selling nothing but silk. The silk industry played a big part in the culture and economic development of Vietnam and it was even used as a type of currency throughout history. Hang Gai is the place to go for silk shopping and even if you’re not interested in buying, it’s still a lovely glimpse into the culture. Many stores offer quality tailoring where you can have a T-shirt or suit tailor-made at a very reasonable price. Alternatively choose items like shirts, trousers, pyjamas, scarves, sarongs, tablecloths, napkins and wall hangings from their inventory, all of which make great souvenirs of gifts to take home.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
After lunch, head south to St. Joseph’s Church, a Roman Catholic Cathedral that might seem a little out of place here in the middle of Hanoi. This Cathedral was built in the 19th Century by the French colonial government and does remind you of a mini-version of Notre Dame. If a mass isn’t being conducted inside, you’ll be able to walk around and have a look at the adornments inside which include French-made stain glass windows and a rib vaulted ceiling just like those found on Gothic Cathedrals in Europe.
Train Street
In the afternoon head over to train street, the Instagram famous location, where, twice a day a train used to pass by nerve-wrackingly close to residents’ houses and stores. I say used to, that’s because as of 2019 authorities shut down the street and rerouted the train due to tourist numbers and mounting safety concerns. There are however a number of cafes that still flank the now disused train line, and while you won’t get a glimpse of a passing train you are able to visit the cafes, grab a typical Vietnamese coffee and check out the now almost empty train street.
DAY TWO
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Start day two of your 4 days Hanoi itinerary with a bit of Vietnamese culture and history by heading to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh was the revered Communist revolutionary and leader who had a significant role in 20th Century Vietnamese history and politics. At the mausoleum, you’ll be able to see his embalmed body peacefully at rest. To visit the mausoleum you’ll have to leave all your belongings at the designated area so make sure you only take the essentials with you that morning. Try to also visit early as the mausoleum can get very crowded with especially keen groups of Vietnamese.
