Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is a city of poetic layers: Confucian temples, French boulevards, lakes rimmed with banyans, and a symphony of scooters. Founded a millennium ago, Thang Long—“Ascending Dragon”—still reveals itself in alleyway shrines and market chatter, where history and daily life are inseparable.

Visitors come for the Old Quarter’s guild streets, Hoan Kiem Lake’s dawn tai chi, and museum-rich insights into the country’s modern story. Spend your days tasting smoky bun cha and slurping pho, then nights sipping bia hoi or egg coffee while trains rumble past inches from your table.

Practical notes: the Vietnamese dong (VND) is cash-forward; contactless is growing but small eateries prefer cash. Dress modestly at temples and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum; check seasonal hours. Airport taxis/ride-hailing are affordable, and street crossings are a slow, steady glide—eyes up, keep moving.

Hanoi

Hanoi blends pagodas and colonial facades with irresistible flavors—think charcoal-grilled pork (bun cha), silky crab noodle soup (bun rieu), and creamy egg coffee, a local original since the 1940s. Make the Old Quarter your base: walkable, character-rich, and close to Hoan Kiem Lake.

Top sights include the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Complex, Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake, and the narrow-lens wonder of Train Street. Save a day for Ninh Binh’s limestone peaks, rice paddies, and cave-streaked rivers—often nicknamed “Ha Long Bay on land.”

• Getting there (Flights): Compare fares and connections on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) sits ~27 km from the Old Quarter.
• Arriving by rail (from Sapa, Ninh Binh, Hue, etc.): Check timetables on Trip.com Trains.
• Airport transfer: 45–60 minutes to the Old Quarter; taxi or ride-hail 250,000–450,000 VND (~$10–18) depending on time and vehicle.

Where to stay: First-timers love the Old Quarter for walkability; the French Quarter offers grand boulevards and culture; Tay Ho (West Lake) is airy and café-rich.

• Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi — storied colonial icon, pool, acclaimed dining, Old/French Quarter border.
• Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa — boutique hospitality, excellent breakfast, spa, prime Old Quarter base.
• Somerset Grand Hanoi — apartment-style comfort with kitchenettes; great for families/long stays.
• Lotte Hotel Hanoi — skyline views, rooftop observation, indoor pool; modern base in Ba Dinh.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Hanoi | VRBO: Hanoi

Day 1: Arrival, Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter Flavors, Night Jeep Adventure

Morning: Travel day. Book your flight into Hanoi with Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim to land by early afternoon for a stress-free check-in and a first wander.

Afternoon: Drop bags, then stroll the lakeside paths of Hoan Kiem Lake and the scarlet bridge to Ngoc Son Temple. For a classic pick-me-up, try egg coffee at Cafe Giang (rich, meringue-like foam atop robust coffee) or a light, bright cà phê sữa đá at Blackbird Coffee.

Evening: Dinner in the Old Quarter. Choices: Pho Gia Truyen (Bat Dan) for deeply beefy broth; Bun Cha Huong Lien (Obama-famous) for caramelized pork and herbs; or Home Hanoi (an elegant villa serving modern Vietnamese). After, see Hanoi in motion with this open-air icon:

• Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep — zip past the Opera House, mosaic wall, Long Bien Bridge, and hidden alleys with tastings and stories. Expect ~3.5–4 hours; multiple departures including nighttime.

Nightcap ideas: sip fresh bia hoi (ultralight draft beer) at the Old Quarter’s junction or try a craft brew at Turtle Lake Brewing near West Lake if you prefer something hoppier.

Day 2: Full-Day Ninh Binh — Ancient Capital, Karst Peaks, Boat & Bike

Leave the city for emerald paddies and limestone towers. This full-day tour packs history, scenery, and gentle activity. Hotel pickup typically 7:30–8:15 a.m.; drive time ~2 hours each way; back in Hanoi around 6:30–7:00 p.m.

• Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike — wander the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, row through Tam Coc’s cave-tunneled river, cycle rural lanes, and climb Mua Cave steps for a dragon’s-back panorama. Lunch is typically a countryside buffet.

Back in Hanoi, treat yourself to dinner. Try Cha Ca Thang Long for sizzling turmeric-dill fish with herbs and rice noodles, or book contemporary Vietnamese tasting menus at Gia near the Opera House (reserve ahead). Dessert: young green sticky rice ice cream (cốm) if in season.

Day 3: Temples, Train Street, Markets, and Departure

Morning: Start with a steaming bowl at Pho Thin (Lo Duc), famous for wok-charred beef that smokes the broth. Then dive into a tailored city overview:

• Hanoi City Tour: Private Half-Day Customized with Train Street — see Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Ho Chi Minh area, Temple of Literature, and a safe, guided look at Train Street. Private pace means you can focus on what you love.

Afternoon: Last tastes and souvenirs. Hunt silk on Hang Gai, spices and dried fruits at Dong Xuan Market, or artisan ceramics from Bat Trang boutiques. For lunch, try Banh Mi 25 (crisp baguettes, pate/chili jam options) or Bun Bo Nam Bo (warm beef noodle salad with fish sauce, peanuts, herbs).

Evening: Departure day—aim to leave the Old Quarter ~3 hours before an international flight, ~2 hours for domestic. A taxi/ride-hail to HAN is ~250,000–450,000 VND and 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. If you have extra time, walk West Lake’s edge and peek into Quan Thanh Temple for a final brush with Hanoi’s spiritual calm.

Optional Add-Ons (if you extend)

• BEST SELLER - Halong 5 Star Day Cruise — a full-day yacht-like trip among karsts with kayaking and cave visits; allow ~12–13 hours round-trip from Hanoi.

Food & Drink Cheat Sheet

• Breakfast/Coffee: Cafe Giang (egg coffee), Blackbird Coffee (specialty brews), The Hanoi Social Club (brunch in a leafy townhouse).
• Lunch: Pho Gia Truyen (pho bo), Bun Cha Huong Lien (bun cha), Banh Mi 25 (banh mi).
• Dinner: Home Hanoi (refined Vietnamese), Cha Ca Thang Long (cha ca specialty), Gia (Michelin-star tasting menu, book ahead), Pizza 4P’s (house-made cheese, great for groups).
• Night: Bia Hoi Junction (street-side draft), cocktail bars around the Opera House and French Quarter for a quieter scene.

Insider Tips

• Cross streets at a steady pace; scooters flow around you. Avoid sudden stops.
• Carry small bills for markets and street stalls; many spots are cash-only.
• Mausoleum hours are seasonal and mornings only; dress modestly and expect security checks.
• Train Street access varies; guided visits (as in the private city tour) are the most reliable way to experience it safely and respectfully.

Bookings at a glance

• Hotels: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa, Somerset Grand Hanoi, Lotte Hotel Hanoi, plus Hotels.com: Hanoi and VRBO: Hanoi.
• Flights/Trains: Trip.com Flights, Kiwi.com, and Trip.com Trains.
• Activities: Hanoi Jeep Tour, Ninh Binh Day Trip, Private City Tour with Train Street.

In three days, you’ll savor Hanoi’s culinary heart, trace its temple-to-boulevard history, and trade the city’s buzz for Ninh Binh’s rivers and karsts. It’s a compact trip that feels generous—full of flavors, textures, and stories that stay with you long after you’ve gone.