There are a lot of things to do in Hanoi with numerous attractions, from the historic neighborhood to the French-inspired structures, appealing to millions of tourists each year.
A bike tour around the city or a food walking tour around the Old Quarter is the must-do thing. You may learn how local people drink coffee and cross the bustling roads. What are you looking for? Here are 18 entertaining and exciting things to do in Hanoi!
Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake
Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake draws visitors and locals seeking respite from the bustling city’s clamor. With a little island in the middle, the lake is tranquil. The lake is best viewed by walking around it. Every hour of the day has a distinct vibe. You will observe folks exercising quite early in the morning. Most people merely stroll around the lake in the afternoon to escape the congested streets.
The Turtle Tower, the temples, and the Red Bridge are all magnificently illuminated at night. It is busier now since many residents and visitors come here to unwind after a long day. Many individuals may be seen moving about or sitting on the benches; some even dance or exercise. Young couples can also come here to go on dates.
The temple and the recognizable red bridge are the most well-known attractions at the lake. You may take a short stroll to the island in the lake near the Ngoc Son Temple with The Huc Bridge. Using a cyclo is a pleasant and less strenuous way to explore the lake throughout the summer. You may combine a cyclo trip around the lake with other activities around the Hanoi old city center.
- Location: center of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem District
Check-in at St. Joseph Cathedral
In Hanoi, in general, and the Old Quarter region, in particular, St. Joseph’s Cathedral’s European elegance makes it a superb location for pictures. These days, both couples and students choose the church as the location for their yearbook photographs.
The church is sparklingly decorated for Christmas, attracting many young people and non-Catholics in Hanoi. The church also has various entertaining events that may be enjoyed by the whole family, close friends, or even courting couples.
Passing up lemon tea when you can go to St. Joseph’s Cathedral would be a shame. With only a cup of tea and a seat on the pavement, you may speak with friends, eat some street food, and take in the splendor of the cathedral while being shaded by a cool canopy of green trees.
- Location: 40 Nha Chung Street, Hoan Kiem District
Learn Vietnam History in Hoa Lo Prison
Since 1997, Hoa Lo Prison has been designated as a historical monument. Hoa Lo Prison is now a location that draws people from domestic and foreign countries yearly to visit, study, and learn.
Visitors can snap pictures and see the inmates’ daily lives in the cramped cells. You will witness the horrifying iron shackles, several artifacts, and images of captives wearing leg chains and unable to stand or move in this jail.
- Location: 1 Hoa Lo Street, Tran Hung Dao Ward, Hoan Kiem District
Explore The First School of Vietnam – Temple of Literature
Confucius and other significant personalities associated with Confucianism and the temple are honored in Temple of Literature. You may see the exquisiteness of the sculptures, the doctor stelae in particular, and the beautiful antique Vietnamese architecture.
The temple’s first gate, Van Mieu Mon, is a holy building. Most of the main gate’s greatest attributes from the past are still there. You will enter the first courtyard through the gate and the second courtyard after passing through the Dai Trung Gate. The grass, trees, and two lakes on the side of both locations are almost identical, giving Van Mieu its serene and holy ambiance.
You will arrive at one of Van Mieu’s distinctive gates after unwinding in the first and second courtyards ‘ natural settings. A wooden building with four round windows and a scarlet exterior is perched atop the pillars. When you go to the third courtyard, you will see Thien Quang Tinh, a prominent place. That location stands for humanity, amassing all the priceless information from the cosmos.
After learning everything there is to know about the distinctiveness of old Vietnamese architecture, you may either unwind in Van Mieu’s beautiful surroundings or visit the temple’s gift stores and museum.
- Location: 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Van Mieu Ward, Dong Da District
Admire The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a collection of artifacts connected to Hanoi’s past. It was one of the large-scale structures that several emperors erected throughout history.
The Hanoi Flag Tower, Doan Mon, Kinh Thien Palace, and other monuments are still present in the Center Sector of Thang Long’s Imperial Citadel. The Hanoi Flag Tower, created in the shape of a pyramid with a height of more than 33 meters, is a notable piece of the architectural ensemble.
Vietnam should be proud to recognize the Center Sector of Thang Long Citadel as a piece of international cultural heritage. One of the most memorable things in Hanoi is exploring the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.
- Location: 19C Hoang Dieu Street, Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District
Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is one of Vietnam’s most important buildings. You may improve your understanding of Vietnamese history by going here.
Inside the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a chamber coated in marble. The casket in which President Ho Chi Minh’s remains are displayed is glass. Through the transparent glass, visitors can view President Ho Chi Minh, who is clad in a worn khaki shirt and essential rubber shoes on his foot. Inside the chamber, four soldiers remain on guard at all times.
- Location: 1 Hung Vuong Street, Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District
Go Shopping at Old Quarter
Visit Hanoi Old Quarter to find well-known Vietnamese coffee. You feel like a part of Hanoi’s daily life while in a sidewalk café.
Additionally, the Old Quarter is where you can get the flavor of Hanoi street food all in one location. Many of the streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter are named after regional foods or goods, like Cha Ca Street, Hang Ga Street, Hang Chao Street, Hang Bun Street, and others.
You go to the street with that name to purchase anything or eat something. Get up early to see the hawkers experience the Hanoian culture. A bowl of Pho Ga (chicken noodles) or a serving of La Vong grilled fish will satisfy your appetite.
- Location: Hoan Kiem District
Travel Around Hanoi By Private Vespa Tours
Hanoi is best seen on a Vespa to experience the pulse of the city from a local perspective. Private Vespa tours in Hanoi let visitors choose between a day tour, a night tour, a food tour, or a full-day street adventure.
You will be taken through popular landmarks and alleys not found in the typical tourist guides, and the Vespa tours become personalized affairs. The food tours allow you to taste all the famous street dishes of Hanoi with live music and nightlife, especially during evening tours. Flexible tour lengths, from 2.5 hours to full-day tours, fit a range of preferences and budgets.
>> READ MORE: Explore 10 Best Cafes in Hanoi to Taste Vietnam Traditional Coffee
Practice to Cross The Road
Hanoi’s traffic could be more chaotic and congested. Therefore, you should learn to cross the street if you have several days to see Hanoi. Vietnamese folks are kind and would gladly assist you in crossing the street. First, you could observe natives as they cross the street.
Take time to assess the situation. You can start to cross the street once you notice it is mainly empty of vehicles. The traffic will generally avoid you. So long as you maintain your speed and direction, they can anticipate where you will swerve.
Learn to Make Paper
Ke Buoi Ward has a rich cultural and historical heritage. Thang Long-Hanoi has been known as the Do Yen Thai paper arts town for thousands of years. Until the 19th century, when new prepress types and printing techniques were introduced, the custom of manufacturing paper grew. The government has brought back the paper-making process to create a tourist attraction.
A memory house serves as a venue for introducing and screening documentaries on artisan communities. Every day of the week, a new publication will be produced with participation from travelers.
Take a Cooking Class and Have Dinner
Attend a culinary lesson in Hanoi; your guide will give you individual attention. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning or the afternoon, depending on the departure time.
In the beginning, you’ll purchase supplies from a neighborhood store and discover the essential elements of Vietnamese food. Prepare and cook the food as needed in the kitchen or according to recipes. You’ll settle down to enjoy the results of your effort after the cooking is complete. The tour leader could offer you local wine, herbal tea, coffee, or mineral water.
>> READ MORE: Top 10 Hotels in Hanoi Recommended by Our Indian Customers in 2026
Enjoying a Classical Concert at Hanoi Opera House
Hanoi Opera House, a product of the French colonial era, used to stage Western performances exclusively for the French community. The structure has since become the most prominent cultural venue in Hanoi as it hosts numerous concerts, operas, and play shows featuring both Vietnamese and foreign performers. Visitors get the rare treat of appreciating the structure’s aesthetically appealing blend of French architecture as they experience the best musical performances. Attending a concert at the Hanoi Opera House offers the best cultural encounter.
- Location: 1A Trang Tien Street, Phan Chu Trinh Ward, Hoan Kiem District
Make Hand-on Ceramic Products
Bat Trang Pottery Village, found only a few kilometers outside of Hanoi, has been a center for traditional ceramics for more than 1,000 years. This is where you can become involved in the process of ceramics-making and create beautiful functional ceramics from natural clay. Here, guided by experienced craftsmen, you can try the following: shaping ceramics from clay and then painting them. This will not only allow you to personally get involved in the traditions of Vietnamese culture, but also bring back a unique handmade product.
- Location: Bat Trang Commune, Gia Lam District
Explore Hanoi Beauty By Cyclo
This cyclo tour in Hanoi provides a very romantic experience as you get to see the bustle of the city at a leisurely pace. Cyclo tour options are available in two routes: the Hoan Kiem Lake route and the Old Citadel route. The average costs are from 150,000 to 300,000 VND per cyclo ride.
When riding the cyclo in Hanoi, the tour provides the best opportunities to observe the 36 ancient streets of the city, as the cyclo tour takes you through the markets as well as popular spots like Dong Xuan Market, St. Joseph Cathedral, and the Hanoi Opera House.
Fun At The To He Making Workshop
To He: A traditional Vietnamese handicraft involving the creation of colorful figures made from rice dough. This art form has been practiced for 400 – 500 years in the Xuan La village of Hanoi. Skilled craftsmen create tiny works of art inspired by animals and everyday life outside of the dough. Tourists can enroll in such workshops at craft villages or cultural centers. This can be the best thing for families and kids as a way to get their hands dirty and create something so unique.
Have A Wood Stamp Engraving
Wood stamp engraving is a fun activity for arts and crafts buffs. Visitors are able to create their own unique stamps, perfect as a gift or memento. Resident artists offer carving advice to inspire even those with no experience to join in. It’s a do-it-yourself project that brings out one’s imagination and has you take home a special, handmade memento. It’s informative and fun for both adults and kids.
Paddle Duck Boat Rides
Paddle boating is a chill activity for couples or families with children. Paddling on serene lakes such as Truc Bach or Thong Nhat Park, you can enjoy the quiet atmosphere and the wind. It also provides heartbreaking views of Hanoi Capital City, while catching up on birding. The average rates are between 50,000 to 80,000 VND per hour.
Appreciate Traditional Water Puppetry
Hanoi water puppetry is one of Vietnam’s cultural traditions that many Indian travelers love. You can engage in folklore and history narratives on the water stage at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, Bong Sen, or Canh Dieu Theaters. Puppets are played by artists with music, light, and effects, all of which will create an entertaining show. The traditional show also provides meaningful information, particularly in building greater awareness of Vietnamese culture.
Final Thoughts
You may fully comprehend this ancient city by using our list of the top things to do in Hanoi. A fascinating collection that will give you the history of this area with its great attractions and dining. You may also visit pagodas and temples, examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Besides, Hanoi is also renowned for its delectable culinary scene. We hope you have enjoyed our varied collection of things to do in Hanoi.
Have a nice trip to Vietnam!
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