Hanoi itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter & the French Quarter
An early morning by the lake, the guild streets of the Old Quarter, the Opera House and the French Quarter, then Beer Street at night.
- 1
Early morning
Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple
The Lake of the Returned Sword is the heart of the city. Early in the morning locals jog, dance and do tai chi along the shore; the red Huc Bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple on its island, and the little Turtle Tower stands in the water.
- Huc Bridge
- Ngoc Son Temple
- Turtle Tower
- Lakeside paths
On weekend evenings the streets around the lake close to traffic and become a big pedestrian zone.
Hanoi Walking Tour: Old Quarter, Train Street and Night Walk
Video by World Wanderings: 4K Walking Tours on YouTube
Jump toWalk north from the lake into the Old Quarter, about 5 min.
- 2
Late morning
The Old Quarter
The 36 Streets grew up around craft guilds, and many streets are still named after the goods once sold there. Narrow tube houses, temples hidden between shops and pavements full of people on tiny stools make it the most lively part of Hanoi.
- Guild streets
- Tube houses
- Dong Xuan Market
- Street food stalls
Pavements are often used for parking and cooking, so you will walk in the street a lot; keep to the side and move predictably.
Hanoi Old Quarter: Vietnam's Most Iconic Streets
Video by EpicGlobe Walks on YouTube
Walk south past the lake to the Opera House, about 20 min.
- 3
Late afternoon
The French Quarter & the Opera House
South and east of the lake, wide boulevards and colonial buildings: the Hanoi Opera House, the shopping streets around Trang Tien, the old Metropole hotel and the National Museum of History.
- Hanoi Opera House
- Trang Tien Street
- Metropole hotel
- National Museum of History
Hanoi French Quarter Walk: Opera House to St. Joseph's Cathedral
Video by Behind The Silence PH on YouTube
Walk back north into the Old Quarter to Ta Hien, about 20 min.
- 4
Night
Ta Hien 'Beer Street'
After dark, the Old Quarter's Ta Hien street fills with neon, bars and crowds of locals and visitors on plastic stools with cold draught beer and street snacks.
- Ta Hien Street
- Night street food
- Weekend walking street
Hanoi night walk on Beer Street
Video by LADmob on YouTube
Day 2: The cathedral, Hoa Lo & the Temple of Literature
St. Joseph's Cathedral and Hoa Lo Prison in the morning, the Temple of Literature at midday, and Train Street in the afternoon.
- 1
Morning
St. Joseph's Cathedral & Hoa Lo Prison
The neo-gothic cathedral, with its twin grey towers, is surrounded by cafés. A short walk south, Hoa Lo Prison, built by the French and later known to American prisoners of war as the 'Hanoi Hilton', is now a museum.
- St. Joseph's Cathedral
- Nha Chung Street
- Hoa Lo Prison
Morning Walk: St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hoa Lo Prison & Temple of Literature
Video by KoiWander on YouTube
Jump toWalk west through local streets, about 30 min, or take a short taxi ride.
- 2
Late morning
The Temple of Literature
Built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was Vietnam's first national university. Its courtyards, ponds and gates lead to rows of stone stelae on turtles, carved with the names of the doctoral laureates.
- Khue Van Cac pavilion
- Stelae of the doctors
- Dai Thanh sanctuary
Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, as it is still a place of worship.
Taxi or walk north-east to Train Street, about 10 min by car.
- 3
Afternoon
Train Street
A narrow lane where the railway runs a few steps from the front doors of the houses, and trains squeeze through between the cafés.
- Train Street
- Trackside houses
Access to the trackside cafés is sometimes closed by the authorities for safety. Follow local rules and never stand on the tracks when a train is due.
Hanoi Walking Tour: Old Quarter, Train Street and Night Walk
Video by World Wanderings: 4K Walking Tours on YouTube
Jump to
Day 3: Ba Dinh, West Lake & Long Bien Bridge
The mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square in the morning, the lakes and Tran Quoc Pagoda in the afternoon, and sunset on Long Bien Bridge.
- 1
Morning
Ba Dinh Square & Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum
Vietnam's political heart: the vast square where independence was declared in 1945, Ho Chi Minh's granite mausoleum, the National Assembly and the yellow colonial Presidential Palace. The One Pillar Pagoda and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long are close by.
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Presidential Palace
- One Pillar Pagoda
- Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Visits inside the mausoleum are limited and it closes for some periods each year; check before you go, and dress respectfully.
Walk north along Thanh Nien Road, about 20 min.
- 2
Afternoon
Truc Bach Lake & West Lake
North of Ba Dinh, Thanh Nien Road runs between little Truc Bach Lake and the huge West Lake, past Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi's oldest, on its islet. The shore has wide views and many lakeside cafés.
- Tran Quoc Pagoda
- Thanh Nien Road
- Truc Bach Lake
- West Lake shore
Taxi east to Long Bien station, about 15 min.
- 3
Sunset
Long Bien Bridge
The iron bridge over the Red River, completed in 1903, still carries trains, motorbikes and pedestrians. Walk out along the footpath beside the tracks for views of the river at the end of the day.
- Long Bien Bridge
- Long Bien station
- Red River views
The footpath is narrow and motorbikes pass close by; keep to the walkway.
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day Hanoi plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Hanoi
How many days?
Three days lets you see the Old Quarter and the lake, the French Quarter and the Temple of Literature, and Ba Dinh, West Lake and Long Bien Bridge at an easy pace. One day covers Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter.
Where to stay
The Old Quarter is the classic choice, in the middle of the street food and night life; the French Quarter, south of the lake, is calmer and greener; Tay Ho, around West Lake, is quiet and residential.
Getting around
Walk the Old Quarter, the lake and the French Quarter. For Ba Dinh, the Temple of Literature and West Lake, ride-hailing cars and motorbike taxis are cheap and easy. Cross streets slowly and steadily: traffic flows around you.
Hanoi is a city of lakes, motorbikes and street life. At its heart, Hoan Kiem Lake sits between the crowded guild streets of the Old Quarter and the wide, tree-lined boulevards of the French Quarter. To the west lie the Temple of Literature and the monuments of Ba Dinh, and to the north the huge West Lake and the iron Long Bien Bridge over the Red River.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the traffic, the stalls and the lakes before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to a landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Hanoi itinerary: common questions
How many days do you need in Hanoi?
Three days is a good first visit: one for Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter, one for the cathedral, the Temple of Literature and Train Street, and one for Ba Dinh, West Lake and Long Bien Bridge. One day covers the lake and the Old Quarter.
Is Hanoi walkable?
The Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and the French Quarter are best on foot. Pavements are often crowded with parked motorbikes and stalls, so expect to walk in the street at times. Use ride-hailing cars or motorbike taxis for Ba Dinh and West Lake.
How do you cross the street in Hanoi?
Walk slowly and steadily, without stopping or running, and let the motorbikes flow around you. Crossing beside locals helps at first.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
Autumn, from about October to November, and spring, around March and April, are the most pleasant for walking. Summers are hot, humid and rainy, and winters can be cool and grey.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Keep exploring Hanoi
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Hanoi city guide →