Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, spanning 3,359.82 km2 in area, and is the second most populated city in Vietnam (5.4 million). Hanoi is a great place to visit for its culture and food options. Based on research by wethrift, Hanoi ranks as the second most affordable travel destination in the world in 2024. In gist, when spending 1 day in Hanoi, you can live “luxuriously” without breaking the bank! And most importantly, Hanoi is the gateway to explore Northern Vietnam such as Halong Bay and Sapa.
This guest post was written by Clara from Marco and Clara Travels.
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When to travel to Hanoi?
As Hanoi can get very crowded, and most of the roadside eateries are out in the open air, it would be most comfortable to travel to Hanoi during the winter months (Dec-Jan). The summer months can go up to 30°C and it can get very humid. You will also tend to see more insects during the summer months.
Where to stay for 1 Day in Hanoi?
If you are spending 1 day in Hanoi, I recommend staying in the Old Quarters as that is where most of the attractions and famous local cafes are based. The Soleil Boutique hotel is close to the must-see attractions of the Old Quarters and is the perfect place for a comfortable stay in Hanoi.
1-Day Itinerary for Hanoi
Now that you are set to travel to Hanoi, I have prepared a 1-day Hanoi itinerary for you. In just one day, you can easily visit 6 spots in Hanoi. You will get to explore the Old Quarters (see areas colored in green on the map given by our hotel below), taste the local cuisine, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and end the night at the famous beer street.
Stop 1: Breakfast
Address: Cafe Giảng (39 P. Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam)
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7 am-10 pm; Sun 6 am-10 pm
What better way to start your 1 day in Hanoi than with a cup of coffee? Vietnamese know how to enjoy their coffee, which is unique for its bold and nutty flavor. The local guide told us that coffee is not just a drink to them, it is a way of life. A cup of coffee in Vietnam can instantly awaken your senses and power you on for the rest of the day!
There is one special coffee recipe that originates from Hanoi – the Egg Coffee! The egg coffee was invented in 1946 by Mr. Nguyen Van Giảng. Fresh milk was not easily available in the past, so Mr Giảng decided to substitute the milk with whisked egg yolk to create a Vietnamese version of Cappuccino. Egg coffee has two layers: The top custard cream is made by whisking egg yolks, condensed milk, and sugar. The bottom will be Vietnamese coffee which is very strong and bitter. By mixing both, you get a combination of sweetness and bitterness.
Mr Giảng’s café, also called Cafe Giảng, is located at the Old Quarters and is the birthplace of Vietnamese egg coffee.
Stop 2: Explore the Old Quarters
After breakfast, it is time to explore the streets at the Old Quarters! The Old Quarter is demarcated by 36 streets, where you will find all sorts of shops and café spilling out onto the sidewalk. Immerse yourself in this vibrant area by exploring on foot and keep yourself as close to the sidewalks as possible. During your 1 day in Hanoi, you will experience the busy and chaotic streets first-hand, as scooters and cars swerve past you.
Tip: Our guide taught us how to navigate the busy traffic. We were told not to hesitate when we crossed the road. The vehicles know how to avoid human traffic and swerve around you. If you are hesitant, it would be more difficult for them to predict your speed. In other words, walk with confidence and not be fearful!
If you would like a respite from the busy streets, walk towards Hoàn Kiếm Lake, a natural freshwater lake. The lake is 12 hectares wide, with a width of 200 meters, length of 700 meters, and depth of 1-1.4 meters. This is the green lung of urban Hanoi, where you will see locals exercising and hanging out. If you are early enough, we were told that you would be able to catch locals practicing tai chi. There is also the famous Turtle Tower located in the middle of the lake that has influences from both the French and Vietnamese architectural styles.
Tip: When walking around the Old Quarters, use the Hoàn Kiếm Lake as the guide. It has helped us navigate around much easier because most of the main roads lead to this lake.
Stop 3: Lunch
Address: Bún Chả Số 1 Hàng Mành (1 P. Hàng Mành, Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam)
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7 am-11 pm
Bún Chả is a local Hanoi Cuisine, a dish that Former President Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain had when they visited Vietnam in 2016. We were recommended to visit the Bun Cha shop along Hang Manh Street and were pleasantly surprised by how delicious it tasted!
Bún Chả is a noodle dish (Bún) with grilled pork patties (Chả). The grilled pork patties are served in a broth and pickled papaya. Dry noodles are served on the side for you to dip into the broth. The shop will also serve a plate of herbs, raw chopped garlic, and chili for you to add depending on your taste preference. We were very impressed by the very flavourful broth – which was sweet and savory at the same time. This is certainly a must-do activity for your Vietnam Bucket List!
Stop 4: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Address: 1 Hùng Vương, Điện Biên, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 7am-5pm
Entrance Ticket Fee: VND25,000
We asked our hotel reception and local tour guides, and all of them highly recommended visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum if we had the time. Ho Chi Minh was Vietnam’s Prime Minister from 1945 to 1955 and President from 1945 till his death in 1969. Ho Chi Minh played a pivotal role in leading the Vietnamese people against French colonial rule, which ultimately led to the reunification of Vietnam in 1976. The Vietnamese government preserved his body and enshrined it in this Mausoleum for people to visit and remember him. The Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh was formally opened in 1975.
The architecture of the Mausoleum was inspired by Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow, while also ensuring the incorporation of Vietnamese architectural elements, such as the sloping roof. The Mausoleum stands in the middle of a large plaza decorated by well-tendered greenery.
Tip: If you want to learn more about Vietnamese history, I recommend visiting Ho Chi Minh City as well during your Vietnam trip.
Stop 5: Dinner
Address: Pizza 4P’s Bao Khanh (11B P. Báo Khánh, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam)
Opening hours: Mon-Sunday 10.30 am-11 pm
Our friends who visited Hanoi recommended a pizza restaurant. We were puzzled, as Vietnam is the last place we would think of pizza. However, after many days of Pho and Banh, we decided to give it a go. Pizza 4P’s Bao Khanh had a 4.8-star rating on Google reviews and was reviewed by 14 thousands people! Knowing its popularity, we made a reservation before the visit. They also have a same-day reservation/waitlist, so do pop over in the morning if you are keen to have dinner here.
We learned that this restaurant was a Vietnam-based Japanese Italian pizza restaurant when we saw the menu. Some popular menus are their Soy Garlic Beef Pizza, Hokkaido Scallops Sweet Miso Gratin Pizza, and their Crab Tomato Cream Spaghetti with Ricotta Cheese. The interior of the place was lovely, and the service was very on point! So if you are craving something more Western during your perhaps long trip in Southeast Asia, do give this restaurant a try!
Stop 6: Beer Street (Ta Hien Corner)
Address: Tạ Hiện, P. Lương Ngọc Quyến, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Opening hours: open from 7 pm till late
If you are looking to experience nightlife during your 1 day in Hanoi, there is no better place than Ta Hien Street. Quiet in the day and bustling at night, this street is where you can find numerous options that suit your taste. The street is lined by bars and pubs, some with live music and some that serve local food. As the night gets crowded, more stools will be set up outside the shop, enlivening the atmosphere in the area!
1 Day in Hanoi Itinerary – Final Words
While Hanoi has more to offer and spending at least 2 days in Hanoi would be even better, this 1 day in Hanoi itinerary is the perfect start to let you experience a little bit of everything, such as local food, history, culture, and nightlife!
Do you want to explore more of Northern Vietnam, but don’t know where to start? Check out this guide on how to travel from Hanoi to Sapa, if you want to see more of the North. Sapa is a beautiful getaway where you get to visit local villages amid the beautiful rice terraces and valleys.
And don’t forget to save this post when traveling to Hanoi for one day!
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In just one day, Hanoi offers a lot. I’m excited to see the places you mention as must-sees and hidden gems. Ideal for a short journey