We landed in Hanoi, unsure of what to expect—just that it would be buzzing with energy, motorbikes, and a blend of history and modern chaos. For me, this was the first time on the trip that I experienced culture shock, which is a little interesting, given it was our fourth stop. It was busy, crowded and chaotic, more so than anywhere I’ve been before. We merged into the masses, quickly becoming masters at dodging scooters and navigating through crowds. It was not a standout part of the trip, and wasn’t meant to be – it was a stopgap between Hoi An and our Ha Long Bay excursion. We only had an afternoon and evening in Hanoi, so it was a surface-level introduction to the city. That being said, we did fill and enjoy our time.
How to Spend 8 Hours in Hanoi
Train Street
We started our time in Hanoi with a visit to one of the city’s most unique attractions – Phố Đường Tàu Hà Nội, better known as Train Street. It’s hard to imagine the thrill of sitting at a tiny café, sipping a drink as a train barrels past just inches from the buildings. No trains passed through while we were there, but the narrow spaces were still surprising. Though it’s become popular, it still feels surreal and raw—like a piece of old Hanoi surviving amid the chaos.
Next, we grabbed food at a small rooftop restaurant – we had noodles and rolls. They were delicious!
Heart of Hanoi
From there, we wandered toward Ho Hoan Kiem Lake, the spiritual heart of the city, surrounded by locals practicing tai chi, couples strolling hand in hand, and tourists soaking it all in. If you had more time, you could visit the Ngoc Son Temple, set on a tiny island within the lake.
The nearby Old Quarter was a maze of scooter-packed streets, buzzing shops, and crumbling French colonial buildings. We meandered through the alleyways, first stopping until we reached Beer Street (Ta Hien), where tables spill onto the sidewalk and the air fills with clinking glasses and laughter.
The evening
Later, we made our way to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, an iconic Hanoi experience. The show is performed in a shallow pool with wooden puppets manipulated from behind a screen, set to traditional Vietnamese music. It was whimsical, unlike anything we’d seen before, and a charming look into local folklore and performance art. Make sure to buy your tickets early. We ended up with the 10 pm show, despite buying tickets around dinner time.
Before our theatre show, we dove into Hanoi’s coffee culture, which was both surprising and indulgent. We had already sampled coffee with condensed milk each morning at breakfast – a newfound favourite for all of us. In the cafe, we opted to be more adventurous, trying egg coffee, with a fluffy, custard-like top, and cheese coffee, which was far better than expected. Somewhere on our Vietnam trip, we also tried coconut coffee, creamy and refreshing.
After our show, we spilled out onto the streets, where neon signs were glowing. We explored the night market, a lively stretch of street vendors selling everything from souvenirs to snacks. The streets were packed, music played from all directions, and the air smelled of grilled meats and incense. For a city we barely scratched the surface of, Hanoi gave us a glimpse of its energy, charm, and flavour.
Other things to consider doing/visiting in Hanoi:
- Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university, and soak in some peace among its courtyards and gardens
- Hoa Lo Prison – A museum, remains of this storied prison for POWs during the Vietnam War
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology – Exhibits on Vietnam’s various cultures
- Tran Quoc Pagoda – Long-standing Buddhist temple built on a small, charming island with numerous shrines.
- Vietnamese Women’s Museum – Modern museum with a permanent collection exploring Vietnamese women’s history, culture & fashion.
- Co Loa Citadel archaeological site – Fortified citadel featuring the ruins of an ancient imperial palace, temple & walls.
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