Hanoi, Vietnam’s thousand-year-old capital, hums with motorbikes, temple bells, and the aroma of grilled pork and fresh herbs. Founded in 1010 as Thăng Long, the “Ascending Dragon,” the city layers imperial citadels, French-colonial boulevards, and a modern café culture into an endlessly walkable core around Hoàn Kiếm Lake.

Fun facts to prime your wanderings: the Old Quarter’s “36 streets” once organized by guild are still named for their wares; egg coffee was invented here in the 1940s; and bia hơi—the city’s fresh, daily-brewed beer—costs less than a bus fare. Must-see highlights include the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the Temple of Literature, and photogenic Long Biên Bridge.

Practical notes: traffic is busy but patient—cross at a steady pace. Dress modestly for temples and the mausoleum (shoulders/knees covered). Expect tropical weather with occasional afternoon showers. Cash is handy, though cards and contactless payments are increasingly accepted.

Hanoi

Hanoi rewards slow exploration: sip coffee along the lake, browse Old Quarter laneways, then slip into leafy neighborhoods for elegant Vietnamese cuisine. Save a full day each for Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh (the “Halong Bay on land”)—two of the North’s most photogenic landscapes.

• Top sights: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Presidential Grounds, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lò Prison, Vietnam Women’s Museum, West Lake & Trấn Quốc Pagoda, Long Biên Bridge, Old Quarter & Hoàn Kiếm Lake.
• Iconic tastes: phở bò (Pho Thìn Lò Đức), bún chả (Bún Chả Hương Liên), chả cá (Cha Ca Thang Long), bánh cuốn (Bánh Cuốn Bà Hanh), egg coffee (Cà Phê Giảng), bia hơi on Tạ Hiện.
• Stellar experiences: an Old Quarter street food tour, a vintage jeep spin at sunset, a Ha Long Bay cruise with kayaking, and a Ninh Binh boat-and-bike day.

Where to stay (Hanoi):

• Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi — historic grande dame in the French Quarter; heritage wing, atmospheric courtyard bar, and superb service.
• Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa — boutique comfort in the Old Quarter with an excellent spa and attentive staff.
• Somerset Grand Hanoi — spacious serviced apartments near the French Quarter; great for families and longer stays.
• Lotte Hotel Hanoi — modern high-rise with skyline views, rooftop bar, and convenient mall access.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Hanoi | VRBO – Hanoi

Getting there & around:

• Fly into Nội Bài International Airport (HAN). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.
• Airport to Old Quarter: 40–60 minutes by taxi/Grab (about 300,000–450,000 VND). The orange 86 bus also runs to the center.
• Trains in Vietnam: check schedules with Trip.com trains. In town, walk, Grab, or hop a cyclo for short scenic rides.

Day 1: Arrival, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, and Old Quarter Street Food

Afternoon: Land, check in, and stretch your legs with a gentle loop around Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Visit Ngọc Sơn Temple on the red bridge, then wander into the Old Quarter’s guild streets—Hang Gai (silk), Hang Bac (silver), and Hang Ma (paper crafts). Coffee stop: Cà Phê Giảng for the original egg coffee or Blackbird Coffee for excellent specialty brews.

Evening: Kick off with a guided tasting stroll: Hanoi Old Quarter Walking Street Food – Small Group (3–4 hours; typically ~$25–35). Expect bún chả, bánh cuốn, phở gà, and sweet chè desserts, plus insider stories and safe local spots.

Post-tour drinks: grab a light bia hơi on Tạ Hiện Street, or try Vietnamese craft beer at Pasteur Street Brewing near the lake.

Day 2: Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, French Quarter, and a Vintage Jeep Spin

Morning: Breakfast on sticky rice at Xôi Yến or steamed rice rolls at Bánh Cuốn Bà Hanh. Head to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (go early; it’s usually open mornings, closed Mondays/Fridays, and for annual maintenance in autumn). Stroll the Presidential grounds and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Afternoon: Walk or taxi to the scholarly Temple of Literature (1070), Vietnam’s first national university. Lunch at KOTO Văn Miếu, a social-enterprise restaurant serving refined Vietnamese dishes (try the green mango salad and caramelized pork). Continue to the Hoa Lò Prison museum for sobering 20th-century history, then admire the French Quarter’s yellow villas and tree-lined boulevards. Coffee: Tranquil Books & Coffee for a quiet read.

Evening: See the city from an open-air icon on the Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep (4 hours; golden-hour views and tasty stops).

Dinner afterward: Bún Chả Hương Liên (the “Obama bún chả”), or upgrade to classic fish with dill at Chả Cá Thăng Long. Nightcap: vintage cocktails at Polite & Co or speakeasy vibes at The Alchemist.

Day 3: West Lake, Trấn Quốc Pagoda, Museums, and Night Markets

Morning: Slurp a restorative bowl at Phở Thìn Lò Đức, then taxi to lakeside Trấn Quốc Pagoda on West Lake. Circle into Trúc Bạch for phở cuốn (fresh rice noodle rolls) at Phở Cuốn Hưng Bền.

Afternoon: Explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (engaging exhibits and reconstructed houses) or the Vietnam Women’s Museum (excellent curation). Swing by Long Biên Bridge for river views and a peek at Hanoi’s rail heritage. If you’re curious about “Train Street,” only visit from a café that’s operating legally and follow staff instructions—trains do run.

Evening: See traditional puppetry at Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre (performances run most nights). Dinner choices: beautifully plated Vietnamese at Home Hanoi, regional favorites at Quán Ăn Ngon, or sizzling Hanoi-style steak on a hot plate at Bò Bít Tết spots around the Old Quarter. For a casual end, wander the weekend night market (Fri–Sun) for souvenirs and snacks.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay Day Cruise (Kayak, Swim, Hike)

Full-day tour (no time breakdown): Get an early pickup from your Old Quarter hotel (around 8:00 a.m.) for a 2.5-hour highway transfer to the UNESCO-listed bay. Board your boat, enjoy a Vietnamese lunch, then spend the afternoon kayaking among limestone karsts, swimming at a quiet cove, and hiking to a viewpoint. Expect to return to Hanoi around 8:00–8:30 p.m. Typical day-tour prices run ~$45–90 depending on inclusions and group size.

Recommended option: Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour – Kayaking, Swimming, Hiking & Lunch.

Dinner back in Hanoi: warm turmeric-dill fish at Chả Cá Thăng Long, or if you crave something different, wood-fired pies at Pizza 4P’s (house-made mozzarella).

Day 5: Ninh Binh (Hoa Lư Citadel, Tam Cốc Boat, Múa Cave Viewpoint & Biking)

Full-day tour (no time breakdown): About 1.5–2 hours south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh’s karst peaks rise over emerald rice paddies. Visit the ancient capital at Hoa Lư, then glide in a rowboat along rivers threading limestone caves at Tam Cốc. Many tours include a short countryside bike ride and the stair climb to Múa Cave’s dragon-topped viewpoint—bring water and good shoes.

Recommended option: Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave (Boat & Bike).

Return by early evening. Easy eats near your hotel: Bún Bò Nam Bộ (beef vermicelli with fried shallots), Bánh Mì 25 for a quick sandwich, and a celebratory drink at Ne Cocktailbar (try the egg-coffee martini).

Day 6: Markets, Last Sips, and Departure

Morning: Browse Đồng Xuân Market for handicrafts, coffee beans, and lacquerware; nearby Hàng Gai (Silk Street) is good for tailored pieces and high-quality scarves. Breakfast at Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn (go early to avoid the queue) or pastries and pour-overs at The Hanoi Social Club.

Afternoon: Final coffee at Cà Phê Đinh (balcony view over the lake) or a modern brew at Laika Café. Quick lunch at Bún Riêu Cua spots (crab noodle soup) or Bún Ốc (snail noodle soup) for something distinctly Hanoian. Transfer to the airport—aim to leave your hotel 3 hours before an international flight, 2 hours for domestic.

Evening: Departure day. If you have extra time, unwind with a last lakeside walk or a brief spa session at your hotel before your flight.

Booking tips: For flights, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. For Hanoi hotels, see Hotels.com or consider apartments on VRBO.

Optional add-ons (time permitting): a hands-on cooking class; a half-day ceramic shopping run to Bát Tràng Village; or a rooftop sunset at Lotte Observation Deck followed by dinner nearby.

In six days, you’ll taste Hanoi’s essential dishes, trace its deep history from Confucian temples to revolutionary sites, and venture into emerald landscapes on two classic day trips. Expect to leave with a camera full of karst peaks, a suitcase scented with coffee, and plans to come back for more.