Explore Hanoi
Hanoi is a city that reveals something new every time I visit. As Vietnam’s capital, it blends centuries of history with Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French influences, but what keeps drawing me back is the atmosphere of the Old Quarter. Around every corner are narrow streets, local cafés, hidden temples, colourful markets, and street food stalls that make every walk feel like a new discovery. No two visits have ever felt the same.
Why I Enjoy Travelling to Hanoi
Although I have explored Hanoi several times, each trip has offered a different perspective. One thing that has remained constant is my stay at La Siesta Classic Hang Be, my favourite hotel in the heart of the Old Quarter. Its location makes it easy to step straight into the city’s energy, whether wandering through the bustling streets during the day or enjoying the atmosphere after dark.
On my first visit, I arranged for a local university student to show me around after finding the experience through Tripadvisor. She wanted to practise her English, while I gained insights into Hanoi from a local’s perspective. On later visits, I discovered the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus, which became my preferred way to cover the city’s main attractions before exploring individual neighbourhoods on foot. Once I became familiar with the city, I often went beyond the bus route, using Grab taxis or motorbike rides to reach smaller streets and local scenes that caught my attention.
One of my favourite ways to start the day is with an early morning run around Hoàn Kiếm Lake. As the city wakes up, the lakeside fills with people of all ages exercising, from tai chi and group dancing to jogging and stretching. It is a wonderful way to experience everyday life in Hanoi before the streets become busy.
What to Do in Hanoi
Hanoi is easy to explore in several ways. Walking is ideal for discovering hidden alleys and local life, while the hop-on hop-off bus provides a convenient overview of the city’s major attractions. Grab taxis and motorbikes are also inexpensive and make it easy to venture beyond the main tourist routes.
- Explore the Old Quarter – Wander through the maze of narrow streets where every corner reveals local shops, cafés, street food vendors, and scenes of daily life.
- Visit Hoàn Kiếm Lake – The heart of Hanoi, perfect for an early morning walk or run while watching locals exercise and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
- Discover Hanoi with a Local Guide – Joining a local student guide offers a more personal introduction to the city’s culture while supporting English language practice.
- Ride the Hop-on Hop-off Bus – An excellent way to understand the city’s layout before returning to your favourite neighbourhoods for a deeper exploration.
- Experience Train Street – One of Hanoi’s most distinctive attractions, where cafés sit just metres from the railway as scheduled trains pass through the narrow street.
- Visit Bach Ma Temple – One of the oldest temples in the Old Quarter, dedicated to the legendary white horse that, according to local tradition, guided the city’s ancient walls.
- Watch a Traditional Water Puppet Show – One of Hanoi’s signature cultural performances, where puppets appear to glide across the water while live musicians accompany stories inspired by Vietnamese folklore and rural life. It’s well worth checking the performance schedule during your visit.
- Watch Làng Tôi (My Village) at the Hanoi Opera House – One of the highlights of my visit was watching Làng Tôi (My Village), an internationally acclaimed bamboo circus by Lune Production. Using little more than bamboo poles and baskets, the performers combined breathtaking acrobatics, balancing acts, live traditional music, and contemporary choreography to portray life in a traditional Vietnamese village. If a performance is scheduled during your visit, it is an unforgettable cultural experience.
- Sample Hanoi’s Street Food – From small family-run eateries to roadside vendors, Hanoi offers endless opportunities to experience authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
Hanoi’s Most Instagrammable Places
Hoàn Kiếm Lake – The heart of Hanoi, especially beautiful at sunrise when locals gather for tai chi, dancing, and morning exercise.
The Old Quarter – Narrow streets, colourful shopfronts, cafés, and endless street scenes make every corner worth photographing.
Train Street – Capture the unique moment when a train passes just metres from the cafés lining the tracks.
Hanoi Opera House – One of the city’s finest examples of French colonial architecture, particularly striking when illuminated at night.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral – A beautiful Neo-Gothic cathedral surrounded by lively cafés and local life.
Temple of Literature – Peaceful courtyards, traditional Vietnamese architecture, and ancient stone stelae create timeless images.
Long Biên Bridge – A historic bridge offering views of the Red River and a glimpse of everyday Hanoi beyond the city centre.
Bach Ma Temple – One of Hanoi’s oldest temples, tucked away in the Old Quarter with intricate traditional architecture.
Flower Bicycles – Vendors cycling through the streets with colourful flower baskets have become one of Hanoi’s iconic photographic subjects.
Street Food Alleys – Tiny stools, steaming bowls of pho, and the energy of Hanoi’s street food culture perfectly capture the city’s character.
