Things to do in Hanoi
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Halong Bay Overnight Junk Boat Cruise
2 days (Departs Hanoi, Vietnam)
by Viator
Imagine waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of Halong Bay - one of Vietnam's most spectacular natural wonders. Dotted with limestone islands in a sea of…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$175.00 -
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Tamarind Café
A relaxed cafe-restaurant with lounge-around cushioned seating, plenty of space and wi-fi. Offers an eclectic menu but is best for tabouli, eggplant claypot and salads. Drinks include heavenly lassis, zesty juices and wine by the glass. Our only quibble is that it’s a tad on the expensive side and all prices are in dollars.
reviewed
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Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
You can't leave Hanoi without seeing a traditional water-puppet show. The shows, which appeal to all ages, are charming, picaresque entertainments accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese pit orchestra. Order your tickets early in the day for the best seats. Your hotel can probably help.
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Pho Gia Truyen
The perfect broth for pho (rice-noodle soup) should look as though it was ladled from the river. It's opaque and brownish after beef bones have boiled in it for hours. Some places try to take the mystery out of pho by serving weak, see-through broths, but here you get the good stuff. Once you've experienced it you'll understand why some can't start their day without a bowl.
reviewed
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Hieu Phuc Loi
Local watercolour artists all have their own stamp with which they sign their works. Such elegantly designed, personalised stamps can be purchased at cluttered little shops such as this one for around ₫35 or more. The designs are hand-carved on wood blocks, and you'll get a red-ink stamp pad along with your purchase. Stick around to watch 'em make yours.
reviewed
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Vine Wine Boutique Bar & Cafe
Vine is widely considered to be one of Hanoi's finest restaurants. It certainly has the city's most comprehensive wine cellar. Gourmet pizzas are a headliner, but the menu also includes excellent steaks, burgers, clay pots and a smattering of Thai dishes. It may sound over-ambitious, but the kitchen manages to keep all balls in the air. Hybrid East-West décor creates a contemporary atmosphere.
reviewed
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Highlands Coffee
Aboard a big old ferry boat, Highlands gets you out on the water without actually setting sail. Its decks offer a fine vantage point and a chance to catch a refreshing breeze while enjoying smoothies, shakes and ice cream. You can also order a light meal or breakfast. The signature product, of course, is coffee.
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History Museum
A must for the architecture more than the collection, the History Museum was formerly home to the École Française d’Extrême Orient in Vietnam. It is an elegant, ochre-coloured structure built between 1925 and 1932. French architect Ernest Hebrard was among the first in Vietnam to incorporate a blend of Chinese and French design elements in his creations, and this particular building remains one of Hanoi’s most stunning architectural showpieces.
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Museum Of Vietnamese Women
The Vietnamese women celebrated here are graceful, wily and strong as all hell. Among the fuzzy photos usually displayed in Hanoi museums are some fascinating artefacts, including homemade machetes, a knife with an explicit caption noting it slashed at an oppressor's neck and the ragtag garments worn by a female spy who pretended to be crazy. The top floor showcases beautiful textiles made by ethnic-minority women.
reviewed
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SF Salon & Spa
In the Old Quarter, head to SF Salon & Spa for Swedish or Thai massages (US$12) and plenty of reasonably priced spa treatments.
reviewed
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Five
Occupying a tastefully restored old building this intimate restaurant is setting new gastro standards in the Old Quarter. It delivers a contemporary take on fine dining, with a short well-chosen menu of Western food including ravioli, lamb and very fine desserts (try the fig cheesecake). A selection of wines are available by the glass and the service is refined, pleasant and professional. There’s a little deli counter for takeaways, and it’s also great for breakfast: the eggs Benedict is absolutely legendary.
reviewed
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Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
The outstanding Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is one of the country’s premier museums. Occupying a fine modern structure, the terrific collection features well-presented tribal art, artefacts and everyday objects gathered from across the nation. Displays are well labelled in Vietnamese, French and English. For anyone with an interest in Vietnam’s minorities, it’s an essential visit – though it is located way out in the suburbs.
reviewed
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Kitchen
Truly a metropolitan animal, this hip basement cafe ticks all the right boxes with a mellow buzz and a creative, healthy menu of delicious sandwiches and salads sourced from ‘virtually’ organic ingredients. Also great for breakfast, a juice (try the ginger and watermelon tonic), or just a quick espresso. Prices are expat wallet–friendly rather than backpacker money belt–geared though.
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Nha Hang Phu My
It's tight quarters and flickering fluorescent lighting in this modest little joint, but the clientele is a happy bunch. Once you've ordered the house speciality you'll understand why. It's pho xao bo, which amounts to sautéed beef served on a plate of noodles with a thick, starchy gravy poured on top. The food is slopped onto your plate, but it packs lots of flavour.
reviewed
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Le Tonkin
The neocolonial dining experience is toned down at Le Tonkin. Its appeal is in the quiet, simple elegance of its setting, in a backstreet villa. You can take your leisure in the homey dining room or on the courtyard among leafy banana trees. Excellent food draws inspiration from the street and the country, and the cooks here don't meddle much with tradition.
reviewed
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Pho Thin
You'll get a very good bowl of pho in this family-run joint. Just be prepared for a down-home pho-eating experience: order yours on your way in, elbow your way into seats, and kick aside the little piles of tissues at your feet. Within seconds, the aromatic steam rising from your bowl will remind you why you came.
reviewed
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Jazz Club Minh
This is the grown-up, late-night side of Hanoi you probably never thought existed. Cool, mustachioed Quyen Van Minh is Hanoi's sax maestro - a cool cat who blows a mean horn. He holds court in his smoky jazz club nightly, often playing host to guest performers from around the world.
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Life Photo Gallery
Finely printed enlargements of Do Anh Tuan's documentary photography cover the walls of this small shop. Do has been capturing reflective and provocative images, mostly in B&W, since 1971. A 5x7-inch print (US$12) makes a nice gift or keepsake.
reviewed
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Luna d’Autunno
Well-established Italian restaurant that has good antipasto, fresh pasta (try the walnut and eggplant ravioli) but is really famous for its pizza, which is baked in a wood-fired oven. Service can be spotty, and at times seriously distracted.
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Le Beaulieu Restaurant
Hotel restaurants don’t come much more elegant (or pricey) than this in Asia. Le Beaulieu is the home of fine French food, with gastronomic cooking, regular regional specialities, an epic cheese board and a professional wine list.
reviewed
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Tran Quoc Pagoda
On the eastern shore of West Lake, this is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. The current structures are very impressive and date back to 1842. The pagoda is just off the road that divides West Lake and Truc Bach Lake.
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Café Smile
Part of the Hoa Sua family, this relaxed cafe-restaurant is renowned for its cakes and pastries, but also serves delicious Vietnamese (try the pho ) and Western dishes.
reviewed
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A Taste Of Vietnam
12 days (ex Hanoi)
by Intrepid
Join a Vietnamese cooking class in Hanoi, Glide across Halong Bay on a junk boat, Experience imperial Vietnam in Hue , Wander through local markets in Hoi An, E…Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,290 -
Old Propaganda Poster
For communist-propaganda art posters there are several good places on Hang Bac in the Old Quarter, including Old Propaganda Poster.
reviewed
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Old Hanoi
A sophisticated little eatery with tasty Vietnamese specialities.
reviewed
