Hanoi has always held a special place in my heart. I first traveled here back in 2018 and spent a full month getting lost in the winding alleyways, sipping strong Vietnamese coffee, and soaking in the rhythm of daily life. Seven years later, in 2025, I returned — and it felt both familiar and brand new. Hanoi is one of those cities that continues to evolve while still honoring its history and traditions.

A Brief History of Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital is a city of contrasts: ancient temples stand beside French colonial villas, while modern skyscrapers rise along tranquil lakes. Hanoi has been the country’s political and cultural center for over a thousand years. Founded in 1010 under the name Thang Long, meaning “Rising Dragon,” it has witnessed dynasties, colonial rule, wars, and rebirth.

The city also carries the weight of more recent history. During the Vietnam War, Hanoi was heavily bombed, and you can still see remnants of that era. Today, museums like the Hoa Lo Prison Museum and the Vietnam Military History Museum give powerful context to the struggles the city endured — and its resilience in rebuilding. Exploring these sites offers a deeper understanding of Hanoi’s strength and the spirit of its people.

Top Things to Do in Hanoi

1. Explore the Old Quarter

The Old Quarter is the heartbeat of Hanoi. With its narrow streets named after the trades once practiced there, you’ll find everything from silk shops to lantern makers. Wander without a plan — half the joy is in getting lost. Stop for an iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá), peek into tiny shops filled with fabrics and trinkets, and watch as scooters weave through the chaos. It’s vibrant, overwhelming, and completely unmissable.

2. Visit Hoàn Kiếm Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

In the center of the city, Hoàn Kiếm Lake is a peaceful escape from the busy streets. Cross the iconic red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple and hear the legend of the giant turtle that once protected the lake. The magic here is best felt at sunrise, when locals gather for tai chi, line dancing, and group workouts by the water. By sunset, the lake glows golden and becomes a favorite meeting place for families and couples — one of the best spots to experience Hanoi’s rhythm of daily life.

3. Temple of Literature

An 11th-century temple dedicated to Confucius, this was Vietnam’s first university and remains a symbol of learning and tradition. Its courtyards, lotus ponds, and shaded pavilions make it a serene retreat from the busy streets. Students still come here to pray for good fortune before exams, connecting modern life with centuries of history.

4. Take a Street Food Tour

Hanoi’s culinary scene is legendary, and the best way to discover it is with a guided street food tour. These tours take you deep into alleys and family-run shops where recipes have been passed down for generations. Taste bún chả (grilled pork with noodles), bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls), and bowls of steaming phở. Eating perched on tiny plastic stools at the sidewalk is part of the charm — it’s Hanoi at its most authentic.

5. Visit the Hanoi Opera House

Built in 1911 during French colonial rule, the Opera House is one of the city’s most striking landmarks. Its yellow façade and white columns glow in the evening light, and the interior — with chandeliers and sweeping balconies — is just as grand. If you have the chance, attend a performance; if not, it’s still worth admiring from the outside during an evening stroll.

6. Train Street

Few places capture Hanoi’s energy like Train Street. Here, train tracks run straight through a narrow alley lined with cafés and homes. Visitors sip coffee just inches from the rails while locals carry on daily life around them. Several times a day, trains roar through at full speed, making it one of the most surreal experiences in the city. Always check the schedule with local cafés and follow safety rules — it’s unforgettable but very real.

7. Drink Egg Coffee

A Hanoi specialty, cà phê trứng is rich, creamy, and completely unique. Made with whisked egg yolk, sugar, and condensed milk over strong Vietnamese coffee, it tastes like a cross between tiramisu and a latte. Try it at Café Giảng, where it was first created in the 1940s, or at Đinh Café for a cup with a view over Hoàn Kiếm Lake. It’s an essential Hanoi experience.

8. Join a Creative Workshop

Hanoi has a thriving creative scene, and joining a workshop is one of the best ways to connect with it. You can paint traditional Đông Hồ prints, learn Vietnamese calligraphy, or take a pottery class in Bat Trang ceramics village just outside the city. These hands-on experiences are not only fun but give you a deeper appreciation of Vietnamese artistry.

9. Vietnamese Women’s Museum

This often-overlooked museum is one of the city’s most fascinating. Through textiles, artifacts, and photography, it tells the story of women’s roles in Vietnam’s history — from warriors and farmers to mothers and entrepreneurs. It’s moving, insightful, and gives you a perspective you won’t find anywhere else.

10. See a Water Puppet Show

Unique to northern Vietnam, water puppetry dates back to the 11th century when farmers performed in flooded rice paddies. Today, it’s brought to life on stage with wooden puppets dancing across the water, accompanied by traditional music and storytelling. The Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre near Hoàn Kiếm Lake is the best place to see this magical cultural performance.

11. Take a Village Tour Outside the City

For a glimpse of daily life beyond the capital, join a tour to one of the nearby villages. Duong Lam Ancient Village is especially atmospheric, with preserved centuries-old houses and communal temples. Or cycle through the Red River Delta villages, passing rice paddies and meeting locals. It’s a slower pace of life and a beautiful way to connect with Vietnam’s countryside traditions.

12. Join a Cooking Class

Hanoi’s food is unforgettable, and learning to cook it yourself is one of the best souvenirs. Most classes begin with a visit to a local market to shop for fresh herbs and produce, followed by a hands-on lesson in preparing dishes like phở, spring rolls, or bún chả. You’ll finish by sitting down to enjoy the meal you’ve created — an experience that’s as fun as it is delicious.

Where to Eat in Hanoi

Food in Hanoi deserves its own spotlight. From Michelin-starred tasting menus to humble street stalls, here are some of the city’s best places to eat. I also want to share one of the best resources I used on this trip: the People’s Picks guide by Where in Vietnam. It’s a curated list of unique, local-approved restaurants across the country — and it’s how I found Chào Bạn, which turned out to be one of my favorite meals in Hanoi. I love that it highlights spots outside the main tourist areas, so you end up with experiences that feel more personal and memorable.

Michelin & Fine Dining

• Gia – Contemporary Vietnamese tasting menus (Michelin-starred).
• Hibana by Koki – Japanese omakase at Capella Hanoi (Michelin-starred).
• Tầm Vị – Nostalgic northern dishes (Michelin-starred).
• T.U.N.G Dining – Inventive tasting menus with local ingredients.
• Chào Bạn – Discovered via People’s Picks 2025, creative Vietnamese food just outside the city center.

Street Food Icons

• Bún Chả Hương Liên – Famous after Obama & Anthony Bourdain’s visit.
• Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn – The city’s most iconic phở shop.
• Phở Thìn (Lo Duc) – Known for its smoky stir-fried beef broth.
• Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư – A reliable, always-busy classic.

Bánh Mì Favorites

• Bánh Mì 25 – Probably the most famous bánh mì in Hanoi, with both classic pork and excellent vegetarian options (tofu, avocado).
• Chaycorner Bánh Mì – 100% vegetarian with creative fillings like mushroom pâté and grilled tofu.
• Bánh Mì Tram – A local favorite with extra-crispy baguettes and flavorful fillings, more off the tourist radar.

Vegetarian & Plant-Based

• Ưu Đàm Chay – Upscale vegetarian restaurant with refined plates.
• Sadhu – Popular vegetarian buffet with a wide variety of flavors.
• Met Vietnamese (Mẹt Restaurant & Vegan) – A versatile spot with multiple branches in the Old Quarter. Known for its “mâm cơm Việt” set meals, it also has a full vegetarian corner — try the vegetarian bún chả, lotus root stew, or phở chay. Perfect for groups with mixed diets.

International Favorite

• Pizza 4P’s – Don’t let the name fool you — this is some of the best Italian food in Hanoi. Their house-made burrata and wood-fired pizzas are incredible. When I lived in Hanoi for a month, I ate here at least twice a week, and it never disappointed. It’s the perfect place when you want a break from Vietnamese flavors without compromising on quality.

Final Thoughts

Hanoi is a city of layers — history, tradition, art, food, and an energy that’s impossible to capture in just one trip. Whether you’re drinking egg coffee at Café Giảng, watching the trains pass by on Train Street, or sitting down to a Michelin-starred tasting menu at Gia, the city has a way of pulling you in. Coming back after seven years reminded me why Hanoi remains one of my favorite places in the world.