Things to do in Hanoi

Best Things to do in Hanoi

Planning a trip and wondering about the top things to do in Hanoi? From historic landmarks to modern experiences, the city offers something for every traveller, making it a perfect getaway in 2025.

With over 79 activities in Hanoi, there is plenty to explore. Visit some of the most popular tourist attractions in , including iconic sites, vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural hubs. Whether you’re exploring bustling markets, sampling local delicacies or relaxing at scenic spots, every corner has something new to discover.

With experiences starting at INR 331, it’s never been easier to plan your perfect trip. Make the most of your visit to Hanoi in October and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Incredible Things to Do in Hanoi: Where Heritage, Food, and Chaos Collide

About Hanoi

Hanoi doesn’t try to impress you with grandeur—it draws you in with layers. It’s where scooters hum like bees through tight alleyways, lakes reflect stories of old legends, and every street corner feels like an invitation to sit down with a bowl of pho and just be. The city isn’t polished. It’s textured, raw, poetic—and alive.

There’s a long list of things to do in Hanoi, but what makes it special is how the past sits quietly in the present. Ancient temples, French balconies, communist relics, and sidewalk cafes all coexist like it's the most natural thing in the world. You don’t just visit Hanoi—you absorb it.

Hanoi is also the perfect gateway to exploring northern Vietnam. It is close to several prominent areas, where you can indulge in bike tours, day trips, and other activities to keep yourself fully occupied during the trip.

Unique Experiences

The Train That Doesn’t Care

Let’s start with one of the most ridiculous, Instagram-famous, and genuinely thrilling unique things to do in Hanoi—Train Street. Picture this: a narrow residential lane, plastic stools scattered about, coffee cups on tables, and then a massive train barrels through. Locals shift back just in time. Tourists grip their phones. Then it’s gone.

Where: Phung Hưng Street, Old Quarter

Pricing: Free (buy a drink to stay seated safely)

Timing: Around 3 PM and 7 PM

When to Visit: Year-round

A Water Puppet Show That Makes No Sense Until It Does

If you’re expecting crisp Broadway choreography, this isn’t it. But water puppetry—yes, puppets gliding over water—is a centuries-old Vietnamese tradition, and oddly charming. Live music, ancient tales, and hand-carved characters dancing on waist-deep stages of water. It’s one of the most genuinely cultural activities in Hanoi. It not only gives you a glimpse into local culture, but becomes an immersive activity for the entire family.

Where: Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Pricing: INR 300+

Timing: Multiple evening shows

When to Visit: Year-round

Cyclo Through Controlled Chaos

Get in a cyclo (a tricycle with a passenger seat in front), sit back, and let a local steer you through the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Markets, horns, flower sellers, and lantern shops zoom by. It’s slow. It’s bumpy. It’s very much Hanoi. A ride like this is still one of the fun things to do in Hanoi.

Where: Old Quarter

Pricing: INR 500+

Timing: 8 AM – 6 PM

When to Visit: Dry months (October to April)

Top Attractions

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

At the city’s center, Hoan Kiem Lake isn’t just a waterbody—it’s the calm between Hanoi’s storms. Locals walk laps, elderly women stretch, kids laugh, and on weekends, cars vanish and streets become pedestrian-only. Cross the little red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple, and you’ve covered one of the most peaceful tourist attractions in Hanoi. Since it’s right in the middle of the city, it is easily accessible, and is close to several restaurants, bars, and other places of interest.

Where: Hoan Kiem District

Pricing: INR 100+

Timing: 8 AM – 5 PM

When to Visit: Mornings or sunset

Temple of Literature

Built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, the Temple of Literature was Vietnam’s first university. Walk past old stone stelae, turtle statues, and poetic courtyards—it’s one of those top things to do in Hanoi where everything slows down. Here, you can explore the rich literary history of Vietnam and even other places in southeast Asia.

Where: Dong Da District

Pricing: INR 150+

Timing: 8 AM – 5 PM

When to Visit: Early morning

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Stoic. Silent. Stark. This is where Vietnam’s most revered leader rests. You’ll line up early, pass security checks, and eventually walk by Ho Chi Minh himself, lying in a resting state inside a cooled glass chamber. Whether or not you enjoy politics, it’s one of the most important things to do in Hanoi.

Where: Ba Dinh Square

Pricing: Free

Timing: 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM (Closed Mon & Fri)

When to Visit: As early as possible

Sightseeing Tours

Classic Hanoi City Tour

Want to tick off the key landmarks in one shot? Take a full-day tour. You'll visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, and the buzzing Old Quarter. It's one of the easiest and most efficient activities in Hanoi. It gives you a chance to explore everything that Hanoi has to offer.

Where: Central Hanoi

Pricing: INR 2,000+

Timing: 8 AM – 5 PM

When to Visit: Dry season preferred

Street Food Tour on Foot

Eat like a local. Actually, better—eat with a local. These walking tours take you to tiny stools behind lantern-lit alleys where you’ll try egg coffee, pho, sticky rice, grilled pork, banh mi, and more. No better way to understand a place than through its flavors. It’s hands down one of the most fun things to do in Hanoi.

Where: Old Quarter

Pricing: INR 1,500+

Timing: Evening

When to Visit: Year-round

Day Trips

Halong Bay (It’s Worth the Hype)

Even if it’s cliche, Halong Bay is still a bucket-list experience. Picture hundreds of limestone karsts jutting out of emerald water. Cruises include kayaking, seafood lunch, and cave tours. And yes, it’s just as stunning as the postcards. Easily one of the most spectacular things to do in Hanoi, even if it’s technically not in Hanoi.

Where: Halong Bay (3 hrs from Hanoi)

Pricing: INR 5,000+

Timing: Full-day tour

When to Visit: October to April

Ninh Binh—Halong Bay on Land

If you prefer paddling through caves instead of cruising, head to Ninh Binh. Take a boat down river channels through golden rice fields, flanked by steep limestone cliffs. Climb Mua Cave for the famous dragon viewpoint. For nature and photography lovers, it’s among the best unique things to do in Hanoi.

Where: Ninh Binh Province

Pricing: INR 3,500+

Timing: Full-day

When to Visit: November to April

Boat Tours

West Lake Cruise

Hanoi’s biggest lake doesn’t make many itineraries—but it should. Rent a small boat, sip coconut water from a floating cafe, and drift past lotus gardens and old pagodas. One of the gentler, more meditative top things to do in Hanoi.

Where: Tay Ho District

Pricing: INR 1,000+

Timing: 9 AM – 5 PM

When to Visit: Evening for the sunset

Red River Cultural Tour

This boat ride feels like you’re stepping back in time. Drift through the Red River Delta, visit ancient temples, and see traditional ceramic-making villages. If you want stories and stillness instead of noise and neon, it’s one of the more soulful activities in Hanoi.

Where: Red River Delta

Pricing: INR 2,500+

Timing: Full-day

When to Visit: October to March

Getting Around

• Walk: For the Old Quarter, just walk around and pass by numerous pubs, restaurants, and the night market.
• Cyclo: Fun for short loops around lakes.
• Grab App: Cheap, fast, reliable, it’s one of the most popular options for booking a ride.
• Public Bus: Inexpensive but confusing. Can be overwhelming for tourists.
• Taxis: Use reputable ones (Mai Linh, G7).

Traveller Tips

• Currency: Vietnamese Dong (INR 1 = 300 VND)
• Language: Vietnamese, but English works in most tourist areas
• Best Time to Visit: March–April and October–November
• Local Etiquette: Take off your shoes in temples, dress modestly
• Street Crossing Tip: Walk slowly, confidently. Be careful of bikes passing by