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If you're planning a short trip and wondering what to do in Hanoi for 3 days, this itinerary offers an insider's look into the city’s soul. Hanoi captivates visitors with its perfect blend of ancient traditions and vibrant modern energy. From morning pho rituals to evening beer street celebrations, each day reveals new layers of this fascinating capital that will inspire your deep appreciation for Vietnamese culture.
Day one introduces you to Hanoi's soul through its most beloved traditions. You'll start where every local begins their day with authentic “pho”, then explore sacred spaces that have witnessed centuries of Vietnamese history. These experiences offer the perfect introduction to a city where every street corner tells a story.
Time
Location/ Activity
Notes
7:00 - 8:30 AM
Have pho at Pho Ly Quoc Su or Pho Thin
Arrive early to avoid long queues and enjoy the freshest broth
9:00 - 10:30 AM
Explore Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple
Stroll slowly and bring a camera since morning light is beautiful for photos
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Walk through Old Quarter & Book Street
Wear comfy shoes and have small cash ready for spontaneous shopping
2:00 - 3:30 PM
Enjoy egg coffee at Cafe Giang or The Note Coffee
Try traditional egg coffee first, then explore more creative versions
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Watch Thang Long Water Puppet Show
Arrive early for good seats and enjoy the live folk music accompaniment
Pho Ly Quoc Su
Pho Thin
Starting your morning like generations of Hanoians have done brings you closer to understanding this city's rhythm. Pho Ly Quoc Su serves authentic Northern-style pho, characterized by its clear, aromatic broth that has been simmered for hours with beef bones and subtle spices. The tender rice noodles pair perfectly with paper-thin slices of beef that cook gently in the hot broth.
What sets Hanoi pho apart is its refined simplicity. The dish comes with just fresh herbs, lime, and chili on the side, letting the pure flavors shine through. Pho Thin creates a unique twist with their stir-fried beef preparation, where skilled cooks sear the meat with onions before adding it to your bowl, creating deeper, smokier flavors that many locals prefer. For a deeper look at this beloved pho place, check out our blog Pho Thin.
The charm of Hanoi pho lies in its pure, delicate simplicity (Source: Internet)
Hoan Kiem Lake
Ngoc Son Temple
Hoan Kiem Lake sits at the beating heart of Hanoi, where tai chi practitioners move gracefully as the city awakens. This legendary lake carries deep spiritual significance for locals who believe it's home to a golden turtle deity. The peaceful waters reflect centuries of history while serving as a natural gathering place for families, couples, and friends.
You can cross the iconic red Huc Bridge to reach Ngoc Son Temple, which was built in the 19th century on a small island. The temple honors General Tran Hung Dao, a national hero who defeated Mongol invasions, along with deities of literature and medicine. Inside this sacred space, intricate wood carvings and traditional architecture create a serene sanctuary. The preserved body of a giant turtle found in the lake adds an element of mystery that connects visitors to local legends about the lake's divine guardian.
Hoan Kiem Lake offers a peaceful escape in the heart of Hanoi, where locals and tourists come to relax (Source: Internet)
Ngoc Son Temple welcomes visitors to explore its sacred halls via the iconic red bridge over Hoan Kiem Lake (Source: Internet)
Hanoi's Old Quarter
Hanoi Book Street (Dinh Le Street)
Hanoi's Old Quarter transports you back through centuries with its maze of narrow streets, each originally dedicated to a specific craft or trade. The colonial-era buildings lean inward, creating intimate corridors where motorbikes weave between street vendors and tiny plastic stools serve as dining rooms.
Every corner reveals something unexpected, with a hidden temple, a bustling wet market, or a craftsperson continuing traditions passed down through generations. You can learn more about navigating this historic area in our detailed Old Quarter guide.
If you prefer a quieter contrast within the Old Quarter's energy, Book Street (Dinh Le Street) offers the perfect escape. This tranquil street invites you to slow down and appreciate a different pace of life. Here, local students and intellectuals browse Vietnamese literature and translated classics while sipping iced coffee under shady trees, creating a peaceful atmosphere where time seems to pause.
Hanoi Old Quarter is a must-visit destination when spending 3 days in Hanoi (Source: Internet)
Dinh Le Book Street attracts book lovers with its cozy bookstores and quiet literary atmosphere (Source: Internet)
Café Giang
The Note Coffee
If you're curious about drinks that tell a story, visit Café Giang to experience egg coffee, a unique beverage created by bartender Nguyen Van Giang in the 1940s. He cleverly whisked egg yolks with sugar and condensed milk, creating a rich, velvety foam that perfectly complemented bold Vietnamese robusta coffee.
Meanwhile, the Note Coffee provides a different atmosphere with its walls covered in colorful sticky notes left by visitors from around the world. Their egg coffee maintains the same traditional preparation, while the creative setting creates perfect moments for photos and memories.
Egg coffee delights visitors with its creamy egg topping blended into strong Vietnamese coffee (Source: Internet)
Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
Visitors can end their first day with the magic of Vietnam’s most captivating cultural performance. Water puppetry dates back to the 11th century as a uniquely Vietnamese performance that takes place on a water stage where wooden puppets seem to dance across the surface. Skilled puppeteers hidden behind screens manipulate the figures with long bamboo rods while live traditional music creates an atmospheric soundtrack.
The stories blend folklore, history, and daily rural life, featuring legendary heroes, playful dragons, and scenes of rice farming that have entertained Vietnamese audiences for nearly a thousand years. You can discover the rich history behind this art form in our blog Water puppet shows.
The Thang Long Water Puppet Show entertains audiences with traditional stories performed on a water stage (Source: Internet)
Day two takes you deeper into Vietnam's revolutionary history and vibrant street culture. You'll visit the nation's most important monuments and experience the energy that makes Hanoi's streets legendary among travelers.
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Have bun cha for breakfast
Go for a local eatery to enjoy freshly grilled pork with the best dipping sauce
9:30 - 11:30 AM
Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & One Pillar Pagoda
Dress modestly and arrive early to avoid long security lines
12:00 - 1:30 PM
Explore Temple of Literature
Take your time walking the courtyards and don’t miss the Stelae of Doctors
2:30 - 4:30 PM
Take double-decker bus city tour
Sit on the upper deck for the best views and bring a hat for sun protection
7:30 - 9:00 PM
Dine on Cha Ca La Vong
Let the staff guide your cooking at the table for the most authentic experience
Bun Cha Huong Lien
Beginning your second day with "bun cha" connects you to a dish that gained international fame when President Obama enjoyed it with Anthony Bourdain during his Hanoi visit. This beloved lunch dish features succulent pork patties and strips grilled over charcoal, served in a sweet-and-sour fish sauce broth alongside fresh rice noodles and aromatic herbs.
You'll find two distinct styles: "bun cha chan" (mixed), where everything combines in one bowl, and "bun cha cham" (dipped), where you dip the noodles and herbs into the flavorful broth. Our blog Bun cha will introduce you to the story behind this iconic dish.
Bun Cha satisfies food lovers with its flavorful grilled pork, rice noodles, and fresh herbs (Source: Internet)
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
One Pillar Pagoda
The solemn Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum stands as Vietnam's most important national monument, where the preserved body of the country's beloved revolutionary leader rests in a crystal chamber. Visitors maintain respectful silence while filing past, witnessing the deep reverence Vietnamese people hold for "Uncle Ho".
While you're there, don't miss the nearby Ho Chi Minh Museum to explore more about his remarkable life and legacy.
Just steps away, there’s also One Pillar Pagoda offering a striking architectural contrast with its lotus-inspired design emerging from a tranquil pond. Built in 1049, this delicate wooden structure represents one of Vietnam's most iconic temples, symbolizing a lotus flower blooming from water. The pagoda's unique single-pillar foundation creates an almost magical effect, especially when reflected in the surrounding pool.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum invites visitors to pay tribute to the nation’s founding leader in a solemn setting (Source: Internet)
The One Pillar Pagoda symbolizes purity and peace with its unique lotus-shaped design on a single column (Source: Internet)
Temple of Literature
Vietnam's first university, the Temple of Literature, represents the country's dedication to education and Confucian values spanning nearly a thousand years. Built in 1070, this peaceful complex honors Vietnam's finest scholars through stone tablets bearing the names of doctoral graduates from royal examinations. Walking through the temple's five courtyards feels like stepping into an ancient center of learning where intellectual pursuit was the highest virtue.
The beautifully preserved architecture showcases traditional Vietnamese design with its curved roofs, ornate gates, and carefully maintained gardens. Oftentimes, students still come here to pray for academic success, particularly before important exams, carrying on traditions that connect modern Vietnam to its scholarly heritage.
The Temple of Literature honors Vietnam’s scholarly traditions as the site of the country’s first university (Source: Internet)
Double-Decker Bus
Here, you'll see Hanoi from a fresh perspective aboard the open-top double-decker bus that offers wide views of the city's architectural evolution. The upper deck provides clear photo opportunities as you pass French colonial buildings, Soviet-era monuments, and gleaming modern skyscrapers that tell the story of Hanoi's complex history.
The audio commentary in English reveals fascinating details about landmarks, neighborhoods, and local life that you might miss while walking. The route connects major attractions efficiently, making it perfect for getting your bearings while enjoying the breeze and elevated city views that few visitors experience.
The double-decker bus offers a fun and scenic way to explore Hanoi’s major attractions from above (Source: Internet)
Train Street
St. Joseph's Cathedral
Train Street represents Hanoi's ability to blend daily life with extraordinary experiences. Tiny cafés line the active railway tracks where locals and visitors sip coffee just inches from passing trains. Don't leave without seeing Hanoi Train Street as it’s truly one of the top things to do in Old Quarter Hanoi.
After experiencing the thrill of Train Street, you can take a short walk to St. Joseph's Cathedral. This neo-Gothic cathedral anchors the scene with its twin towers inspired by Notre Dame de Paris. Built during French colonial rule, the cathedral serves as both a spiritual center for Hanoi's Catholic community and an architectural landmark that demonstrates the city's diverse cultural influences.
Train Street thrills visitors with the unique experience of sipping coffee just inches from passing trains (Source: Internet)
St. Joseph’s Cathedral impresses with its neo-Gothic architecture and peaceful atmosphere in the Old Quarter (Source: Internet)
Cha Ca La Vong Hanoi
There’s no better way to wrap up the day than enjoying "cha ca la vong" at the legendary Cha Ca La Vong restaurant. Servers bring turmeric-marinated fish sizzling on portable burners directly to your table, where you cook the fish yourself with fresh dill and spring onions.
The turmeric creates an aromatic golden sauce that represents one of Vietnam's most unique flavor combinations. The dish originated in this restaurant over a century ago and has become so associated with the street that it was renamed Cha Ca Street in its honor.
Cha Ca La Vong serves up Hanoi’s iconic turmeric fish dish in a sizzling, herb-filled skillet (Source: Internet)
Your final day balances peaceful morning activities with vibrant evening experiences. You'll discover Hanoi's quieter side around West Lake before diving into the famous nightlife that makes the capital legendary among travelers.
8:00 - 10:00 AM
Cycle around West Lake & visit Tran Quoc Pagoda
Start early to enjoy cooler weather and peaceful views by the water
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Explore Hoa Lo Prison Museum
Read the exhibits carefully to better understand Vietnam’s layered history
12:30 - 1:30 PM
Grab banh mi for lunch
Try a classic mixed version or explore fusion flavors from popular stalls
2:30 - 5:00 PM
Shop at Dong Xuan Market
Bargain politely and bring cash for the best local deals
7:00 PM onwards
Experience Ta Hien Beer Street
Join locals and travelers for a lively night with cheap beer and street food
West Lake
Tran Quoc Pagoda
West Lake offers a peaceful escape from Hanoi's bustling streets with its 17-kilometer shoreline dotted with pagodas, cafés, and luxury hotels. Renting a bicycle lets you explore at your own pace while joining locals who use the lakeside path for morning exercise and evening relaxation. The ride reveals a different side of Hanoi where modern residential developments blend with traditional architecture.
Meanwhile, Tran Quoc Pagoda stands as Hanoi's oldest Buddhist temple, founded in the 6th century on a small peninsula extending into West Lake. Its distinctive 11-story lotus tower creates stunning reflections in the lake, especially during golden hour when the structure seems to glow against the water. Inside, ancient Buddha statues and intricate wood carvings preserve artistic techniques passed down through fourteen centuries of Buddhist tradition. Discover more about this historic temple in our blog Tran Quoc Pagoda.
Cycling around West Lake allows travelers to enjoy fresh air, lakeside temples, and quiet neighborhoods (Source: Internet)
Tran Quoc Pagoda stands as Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple, gracefully set on a small island in West Lake (Source: Internet)
The former Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the "Hanoi Hilton" by American prisoners during the Vietnam War, now serves as a powerful museum documenting different chapters of Vietnamese history. Originally built by French colonizers to imprison Vietnamese revolutionaries, the preserved cells and exhibits reveal the harsh conditions endured by independence fighters who later became national heroes.
The Hoa Lo Prison museum presents multiple perspectives on this complex historical site, including the experiences of American pilots shot down during the war. Walking through the cramped cells and seeing the leg restraints used on prisoners provides sobering insights into the human cost of colonization and conflict that shaped modern Vietnam.
Hoa Lo Prison reveals powerful stories from Vietnam’s history through its haunting exhibits and preserved cells (Source: Internet)
Banh Mi Pho Hue
Banh Mi 25
Vietnam's famous banh mi represents the perfect fusion of French colonial influence and Vietnamese flavors in a crispy baguette. Near West Lake, several family-run shops have perfected this portable meal with their own signature combinations of grilled meats, pâté, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and chili sauce. Each bite delivers contrasting textures and flavors that make banh mi one of the world's great sandwiches.
The best shops use fresh baguettes baked multiple times daily and prepare their fillings with care. They serve marinated pork that's grilled to caramelized perfection, house-made pâté, and tangy pickled carrots and daikon that add essential crunch and acidity to balance the rich meats. For different tastes, explore other must-try banh mi places around Hanoi in our blog about Hanoi Banh mi.
Banh mi blends crispy French bread with savory Vietnamese fillings for the perfect on-the-go snack (Source: Internet)
Dong Xuan Market buzzes with authentic Vietnamese commerce across three floors of vendors selling everything from silk scarves and conical hats to traditional handicrafts and street food. This covered market has operated since French colonial times, making it Hanoi's oldest and largest traditional market where locals still shop for daily necessities alongside tourists hunting for souvenirs.
The ground floor specializes in textiles and clothing, perfect for finding embroidered ao dai fabric or hand-woven scarves. Upstairs, vendors offer lacquerware, wooden sculptures, and ceramic pieces that showcase Vietnamese craftsmanship. Don't miss trying local snacks like "nem chua" (fermented pork rolls) and "che" (sweet soup desserts) from the food stalls that have served the same recipes for decades.
Dong Xuan Market bustles with stalls selling clothes, food, and souvenirs in Hanoi’s largest indoor market (Source: Internet)
Finishing your Hanoi adventure at Ta Hien Beer Street reveals where the real magic happens after sunset. This pedestrian-only stretch transforms into an outdoor party where locals and travelers share ice-cold Bia Hoi (fresh beer) and grilled street food. The atmosphere embodies Hanoi's social spirit, where strangers become friends over shared tables while motorbikes weave through the crowds.
The street food here reaches legendary status with vendors grilling everything from "nem nuong" (grilled pork sausages) to fresh seafood right on the sidewalk. Cold beer costs less than a dollar, while the energy and friendship create memories that capture why so many travelers fall in love with Vietnamese hospitality.
Ta Hien Beer Street comes alive at night with cold drinks, street food, and the buzz of both locals and tourists (Source: Internet)
If you’ve ever wondered what to do in Hanoi for 3 days, the itinerary shared above proves that the magic lies in both iconic sights and simple everyday moments shared with locals. From sharing pho with locals at dawn to celebrating with strangers over beer at midnight, you've experienced the genuine warmth and cultural richness that make Vietnam's capital so special.
For more travel inspiration and helpful planning tools, visit Vietnam Airlines’ Travel Guide to discover your next Vietnamese adventure.
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