When visiting Vietnam and Southeast Asia, you will not want to miss spending one day in Hanoi. This amazing historical city has so much to offer. From the historical sites to some of the most amazing restaurants, visitors will have a plethora of activities to keep them busy.
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History of Hanoi
Hanoi boasts over a thousand years of history as the heart of Vietnam. It began as a capital city in 1010 when Emperor Ly Thai To moved his court to the site. For centuries, the city flourished as a center of culture and Confucian learning, exemplified by the Temple of Literature.
Despite enduring numerous invasions and periods of dynastic change, the city’s identity remained deeply rooted in the “Old Quarter,” a maze of thirty-six streets where specialized guilds have traded for nearly a millennium.
In the 1800s, the culture shifted when it became the administrative center of French Indochina. This era introduced wide boulevards, grand opera houses, and yellow-walled colonial villas. Following the 1945 August Revolution, Hanoi became the capital of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Today, Hanoi remains a captivating blend of ancient pagoda traditions, French elegance, and the bustling energy of a modern economic powerhouse.
When to Spend One Day in Hanoi
September to November and March to April are some of the best months to spend time in Hanoi as the weather will be pleasant and things will not be as crowded. May through August is typically very rainy, so you will want to avoid this time. We visited in late May and it was still very hot, but not too crowded or rainy yet.
How to Get to Hanoi
Hanoi has one main airport: Noi Bai International Airport. You can get flights here from all over Asia. To get here from the United States, you will need to connect through a major airport in Asia. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights.
If you are coming from another city in Vietnam, the train is a great way to get around the country. You can pre-book tickets on Trainline or Omio or opt to buy them at the station. Alternatively, there are a few buses that connect major cities in Vietnam as well.
Transportation in Hanoi
The best way to get around Hanoi is to use Grab. This is basically an Asian Uber. You could also use the Hop-on Hop-off bus. There are also public buses and a metro you can use. However, we found Grab the fastest and most convenient option.
Where to Stay in Hanoi
The best area to stay in Hanoi is the Old Quarter. TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Check out the best hotels in Hanoi here! You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
We opted to stay at the Sofitel Hanoi, which I would choose to stay at again. It was a fantastic location and right in the middle of everything. Other options include the JW Marriott Hanoi, Hilton Garden Inn Hanoi, and Capella Hanoi.
What to do During One Day in Hanoi
Day 1
The following are some of the best sites to visit during your one day in Hanoi. Keep in mind that many of the sites are sacred or religious, so you will need to make sure your shoulders and knees are covered.
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Cost: Free
Hours: 7:30am-11:30am and 1:30pm-6:30pm
Start your one day in Hanoi with a visit to the Tran Quoc Pagoda. The Tran Quoc Pagoda is located on a small island in West Lake and is the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi. Dating back to the 500s, this temple provides a peaceful setting, historic architecture, and is known for its towering red stupa. Plan for about 30-minutes to take in the grounds.
Quan Thanh Temple
Cost: 10,000 VND
Hours: 8am-5pm
Quan Thanh Temple is one of Hanoi’s Four Sacred Temples. This temple is known for its impressive bronze statues and offers a quieter experience than some of the other Hanoi Temples.
Presidential Palace
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues-Thurs and Sat-Sun: 7:30am-10:30am and 2pm-4pm
Next, head to the Presidential Palace. Built by the French in the early 1900s, the Presidential Palace is Hanoi’s most striking colonial-era building. While you cannot enter the interior of the palace, visitors can explore the surrounding gardens and grounds within the complex.
Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues-Thurs and Sat-Sun: 7:30am-10:30am
Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is an important historical site as it houses the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh. Visitors can pay their respects while learning about Ho Chi Minh’s role in Vietnam’s independence movement.
Temple of Literature
Cost: 30,000 VND
Hours: 8am-6pm
Perhaps one of the best stops to see during your one day in Hanoi is the Temple of Literature. Founded in 1070, this is Vietnam’s first national university. Take the time to wander through the peaceful courtyards and take a look at Vietnam’s educational history. Plan to spend at least an hour exploring the complex.
Train Street
Cost: Free
Hours: Check cafes for train times
One day in Hanoi is complete without a visit to Train Street. Train Street has recently become one of Hanoi’s most popular attractions, where trains pass through a narrow residential alley lined with cafes and homes. Check the cafes for the times when trains will be passing through.
Note that while Train Street is free to look around, you will need to buy something from one of the cafes to get a seat to view the train come by. I recommend visiting Hanoi 1990s Original. You can make a reservation through Instagram. You will need to buy something to eat or drink, but you’ll pay a dollar or two per person. Also, it is located in the less-popular part of Train Street, so you will have a better opportunity to get good photos.
Banh Mi 25
Cost: 30,000 VND+
Hours: 7am-9pm
Next, stop for lunch at Banh Mi 25, one of Hanoi’s most famous sandwich shops. This restaurant serves fresh baguettes stuffed with grilled meats, pates, vegetables, and herbs and provides a great introduction to Hanoi’s iconic street food.
Hao Lo Prison Relic
Cost: 50,000 VND
Hours: 8am-5pm
A visit to the Hao Lo Prison Relic is a must during your one day in Hanoi. Often referred to as the “Hanoi Hilton,” Hoa Lo Prison offers a look into Vietnam’s colonial and wartime history. The exhibits cover both the prison’s use by the French colonial government for political prisoners and its later role during the Vietnam War
St. Joseph Cathedral
Built in the late 1800s, St. Joseph Cathedral is Hanoi’s oldest church with ne-Gothic architecture. Make sure to stop by and catch a glimpse of this cathedral.
Hanoi Opera House
Another quick stop is the Hanoi Opera House. Inspired by the Palais Garnier in Paris, visitors will want to admire the exterior or attend a performance.
Bun Cha Huong Lien
Cost: 60,000 VND+
Hours: 9am-9pm
Bun Cha Huong Lien is one of Hanoi’s most famous bun cha restaurants, thanks to Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama. They shared a meal here during Obama’s 2016 visit to Vietnam. You can visit the preserved table on the upper floor and also order the “Obama Combo.” The bun cha here is amazing and you will not be sorry with your order.
Speakeasy Bars
After dinner, head to a couple of the amazing cocktail bars in the area. Many of them are speakeasy bars with hidden entrances. We checked out the following options:
- Rabbit Habit: Known for its fun and delicious cocktails and exciting theme.
- Beeznees 1920s: A prohibition-era themed speakeasy.
- Tipsy Loong: A cocktail bar with a lot of Asian inspired ingredients.
More Than One Day in Hanoi
If you have more than one day in Hanoi, check out the following activities.
- Hanoi tour: This is a great way to be introduced to the main sites of Hanoi if you don’t want to go around on your own.
- Water Puppet show: This is a highlight of Hanoi that many people enjoy.
- Food tour: Those who are very into food may want to try out a food tour to taste the cuisine of the city.
Final Tips for One Day in Hanoi
Spending one day in Hanoi gives you a great glimpse into this amazing city. If you have more time, I would definitely spend more time if you have it. You can also pair Hanoi with a visit to Ho Chi Minh City, Luang Prabang, Da Nang, Siem Reap, and many other options in Southeast Asia.
