Last Updated: January 21, 2024
To those who say that one day is enough to see Hanoi, I wholeheartedly disagree. The city is busy, it’s loud and it’s in constant motion, but at the same time, Hanoi it’s such a beautiful mess! We spent 2 days in Hanoi and I’m not gonna lie, the first impression wasn’t the best. We arrived in Hanoi after having spent 2 weeks in Chiang Mai in total bliss so I don’t think anyone can blame me for being overwhelmed at first. My body needed to adjust to the new rhythms but it didn’t take long to sync with the fast-paced vibe of the city.
So if you’re wondering what to do in Hanoi for 2 days, we’re here to introduce you to a bunch of awesome things to do.
Without any further delay, here is How to Spend 2 days in Hanoi, and don’t forget to save to your Google Maps the must-see places mentioned below. Not only that, but this Hanoi itinerary also includes the absolute Best Things to Do!
HOW TO SPEND 2 DAYS IN HANOI: 10 BEST THINGS TO DO!
1. STROLL AROUND THE OLD QUARTER
This historic city dates back 1000 years and still, to this day, the old quarter is where most of the action in Hanoi happens. Most tourists choose to base themselves here because of that reason.
One of the best things to do in Hanoi is stroll its Old Quarter and simply observing everything that’s surrounding you.
The first thing that will catch your attention is most probably the French colonial architecture and the overall bustling vibe.
When you’re ready to take a break and grab a bite, finding a place to eat will be the least of your problems. Street vendors set up their food stalls right on the sidewalks offering a variety of freshly made local food. Whichever you choose, it’s hardly unlikely that you’ll be disappointed; the locals take food seriously.
Word of advice, be extra cautious when you’re exploring Hanoi as the motorbikes here seem to abide by NO traffic laws whatsoever. It takes some time to get used to but once you do, you won’t even notice it anymore.
At night, the Old Quarter becomes even more lively. Most bars open their doors around 6 pm and some of the streets become accessible only to pedestrians.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to sit at a local bar and try the famous Bia Hoi. Drinking this home-brewed beer has become almost like a ritual for most locals over the years, which usually starts daily at 4 pm.
2. ST. JOSEPH’S CATHEDRAL
St. Joseph’s Cathedral was built in the late 19th Century and it’s the oldest church in Hanoi. The most distinct element of this beautiful church is its Neo-Gothic architecture which resembles the famous Notre Dame of Paris.
It is an imposing structure and it feels almost out of place compared to the nearby building. St. Joseph’s Cathedral’s most noteworthy feature is the stained glass windows. Be sure to visit it in the evening when it’s lit up. That’s when it’s truly photogenic.
The entrance to St Joseph’s Cathedral is free and it’s allowed only during Mass.
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3. HOAN KIEM LAKE
Even if you’re spending only 2 days in Hanoi, you’ll most likely be looking to catch a break from the bustling streets, even if only a short one. Hoan Kiem Lake is the perfect place to do that and a walk across its banks it’s quite frankly one of the best things to do in Hanoi.
Start your journey from the Huc Bridge which leads to the Ngoc Son Temple. The temple is small, so you’ll only need 10 to 15 minutes to explore it.
From there, take a casual stroll along the river and enjoy the serenity before you head off to your next destination.
Ngoc Son Temple is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm and the entrance fee is 30,000 VND.
NOTE: If you’ve just arrived in Vietnam and you’re not very familiar with their currency yet, I’d suggest you be extra careful when paying in cash. As I paid for our ticket to Ngoc Son Temple, I naively just walked away from the ticket booth without counting the change, only to realize later that I was 8,000 VND short.
4. TEMPLE OF LITERATURE
This is my favorite place in the entire city to escape the hustle and bustle and it’s an unmissable place to explore during your 2 days in Hanoi. The Temple of Literature has been standing there for almost 1000 years! Originally it served as a temple to honor the Chinese philosopher Confucius. With the passing of the years, it grew in size and its purpose shifted into becoming the first royal school for aristocrats.
The architecture of the temple is incredibly beautiful; it’s one of the reasons why we strongly recommend this as one of the best things to do in Hanoi. The moment you walk past the gates, you instantly feel engulfed in an aura of calmness. It truly makes for a great place to unwind for a little while before you continue exploring Hanoi.
5. SHOP AT THE DONG XUAN MARKET
Dong Xuan Market is located less than 1km away from Hoan Kiem Lake. You can make a quick stop here after you visit the lake, to check out the hundreds of stalls. The market had undergone many renovations since it first opened its doors back in 1889 but to this day, it still maintains its charm. There’s a variety of stalls selling anything from household goods, to clothes, flowers, and of course, food. Even if you’re not into markets, this makes for an excellent place to have a yummy lunch.
The market is open daily from 6 am to 7 pm.
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6. HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM
You can’t visit Hanoi and not see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The building is of important significance for the entire nation. Vietnamese from across the country gather here to show their admiration and gratitude towards their national hero: President Ho Chi Minh.
There is usually a queue to enter the Mausoleum so take that under consideration if you’re visiting Hanoi only for 2 days and you’re short of time.
Be sure to make a stop at the One Pillar Pagoda before you leave. It’s a beautiful temple and it is regarded to be one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples.
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is open every day from 8 am to 12 am, except on Mondays and Fridays.
7. HOA LO PRISON
Visiting a prison museum might not be everyone’s cup of tea but considering Vietnam’s tumulus history, we believe that Hoa Lo Prison is worth a visit. The prison was built in 1886 by the French to imprison mainly Vietnamese revolutionaries and during the later years for American prisoners. It’s called Maison Central, which means “Central House”, however, it was nicknamed “Hanoi Hilton” by the Americans.
Be sure to take the audio guide as it narrates the history of the Hoa Lo Prison and gives detailed information about the exhibits.
The museum is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm and the entrance fee is 30.000 VND.
8. INDULGE IN THE VIETNAMESE CUISINE
There’s nothing better than taking a break from a full day of exploring and enjoying a hearty meal. Vietnamese cuisine may lack complexity but it certainly doesn’t lack in flavors. Depending on the region you’re in, the cuisine varies ever so slightly but it doesn’t stray too far from its roots.
The best place to try the local cuisine here is one of its many street vendors. They line up on the sidewalks, set up small plastic chairs and tables, and cook local favorites such as Pho and Bun Cha.
If you’re not sure what to order, here is a list of 5 best Vietnamese dishes you must try during your visit:
- Bahn Mi – delicious baguette sandwiches made with different variations of fillings such as pate, pickled vegetables, eggs, and more. One of the best places to try Banh Mi in Hanoi is Banh Mi 25.
- Goi Cuon – this is a healthier version of the deep-fried spring rolls. The rolls are wrapped in rice paper and stuffed with vegetables and sometimes shrimp or pork. To enhance the flavors, dip it in the famous Vietnamese fish sauce (Nước chấm) before you take a bite.
- Bun Cha – it’s believed that Bun Cha originated from Hanoi, so don’t miss out on your opportunity to try this local specialty. Bun Cha is essentially meatballs grilled to perfection and served with noodles and various other vegetables. Perhaps one of the most popular places to try this iconic dish, Bun Cha Dac Kim, is located in the Old Quarter. This place attracts tourists and locals alike, so it’s almost always packed with people. However, they have plenty of sitting space on the ground and first floors.
- Pho – perhaps the second most famous Pho – similar to Bahn Mi and Bun Cha, Pho is also a staple of Vietnamese cuisine. Pho is a soup consisting of delicious broth, sliced meat, noodles and seasoned with fresh chopped chilies and herbs. It might sound like a simple dish but it’s so flavorsome!
- Bánh xèo – this is a savory rice pancake with a crispy texture, stuffed with either pork or shrimp. Other ingredients include diced onion and bean sprouts and it’s always served with fresh mint on the side and dipping sauce. Although Bánh xèo looks very similar to an omelet, it tastes nothing like it. The main reason is that no eggs are used for this dish. The color is due to the turmeric that’s being used as one of the ingredients. It sounds like a simple dish but it’s packed with flavors!
9. TAKE A DAY TRIP TO HALONG BAY
Hanoi is conveniently located only a couple of hours away from some of the most amazing MUST-SEE places in entire Vietnam! Halong Bay is just one of them but we’re also thinking, of Binh Minh and Sa Pa to name a few. If you have time to visit just one place during your 2 days in Hanoi, then Halong Bay should be the one. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason. As we got closer to a few of its thousands of islets, we were stunned. The scenery is mesmerizing! As the boat navigated through them in order to reach its destination, we were engulfed in this utopian experience.
There are many ways to see Halong Bay. You can choose a day trip or if you want to live the experience to the fullest, you might want to consider booking the overnight cruise. You can stay either one or two nights but we believe one night is more than enough.
The tours usually include pick up from your hotel, the boat tour, and food.
10. VISIT THE NIGHT MARKET
We LOVE night markets; the stalls look more vibrant with the lights on, the heat has given way to more pleasant temperatures and the whole vibe is lively. The Night Market in Hanoi is a great place to spend some time, especially if you’re looking for cheap clothes, shoes, and souvenirs. Of course, you’ll need to bargain a bit and not just accept the asking price for each item. It’s all part of the experience.
We particularly enjoyed the fact that they close the entire street to cars and scooters and they only allow pedestrians. It sure is a pleasant break from the ever-present Hanoi traffic.
The Hanoi Night Market opens on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 8 pm to 11 pm.
