Hanoi Vacation Packages - Top Things to do in Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake
Planning a Vietnam adventure? Your hotel location can make a huge difference.
Discover BRAND NEW HERITAGE HAM LONG HOTEL & SPA — a stylish Hanoi stay offering comfort, relaxation, and the perfect base for exploring one of Vietnam’s most fascinating cities.
✨ And right now, travellers can save up to 71% OFF their stay.
📍 Why this location is perfect for exploring Hanoi:
🏮 Hanoi Old Quarter — 850m away
Step straight into the heart of Hanoi’s famous streets, local food, markets, cafés, and cultural experiences.
🌊 Hoan Kiem Lake area — 1.2km away
Explore one of Hanoi’s most iconic landmarks and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere around the city centre.
🚂 Hanoi Train Street — 1.5km away
Experience one of Hanoi’s most unique attractions where trains pass through narrow residential streets.
🚆 Hanoi Railway Station — 1.6km away
Convenient access for travellers continuing their Vietnam journey by train.
🏛️ Hanoi International Exhibition Center — 960m away
A great choice for visitors attending events and exhibitions.
⛪ St Anthony Ham Long Church — only 280m away
A beautiful historic landmark located just a short walk from the hotel.
✨ Why travellers will love this stay:
🏨 Comfortable and stylish accommodation
🧖 Relaxing spa facilities after exploring the city
📍 Excellent location close to Hanoi’s top attractions
💰 Incredible value with massive new hotel discounts
Whether you're visiting Hanoi for food, culture, history, or your next Vietnam adventure, this hotel puts you close to everything you want to experience.
👉 Check availability and book HERITAGE HAM LONG HOTEL & SPA here:
https://www.trip.com/t/tcgp9RlgdV2
Save this Hanoi hotel deal before it’s gone 🇻🇳✨
#travel2026#travel#couplestrip#staycation#thingstodo#familytravel#poolhotel#myitinerary#citydaytours
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hanoi is a vibrant city filled with French colonial architecture, ancient temples, bustling motorbike-filled streets, and an incredible coffee culture.
Here are the 5 essential spots you can't miss:
1. Hanoi Old Quarter & Hoan Kiem Lake 🏮
The historic heart of the city! Wander through the 36 ancient streets named after the traditional crafts once sold there. Cross the red wooden bridge on Hoan Kiem Lake to visit Ngoc Son Temple, right in the center of town.
2. The Famous Hanoi Train Street 🚂☕
Sip an egg coffee at a cozy roadside cafe just inches away from a real train squeezing through a narrow residential alley!
Pro-Tip: You usually need a local cafe owner to walk you past the safety checkpoints onto the tracks.
3. St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Built in 1886, this stunning neo-Gothic Catholic church looks like a mini Notre-Dame of Hanoi. Surrounding street cafes make it a prime spot for people-watching with an iced tea.
4. Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) 📜
Vietnam's very first university, built back in 1070! It’s a peaceful oasis of walled courtyards, traditional architecture, lotus ponds, and ancient stone steles.
5. Tran Quoc Pagoda & West Lake
Located on a small island in West Lake (Ho Tay), this is the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi (over 1,400 years old!). The red multi-tiered stupa against the lakeside setting is breathtaking at sunset.
🥢 What to Eat in Hanoi:
Bun Cha (grilled pork with rice noodles), Pho Bo (traditional beef noodle soup), Banh Mi (crispy pate baguette), Egg Coffee (Ca Phe Giang), Banh Cuon (steamed rice rolls with minced pork), Bun Dieu (crab tomato noodle soup), Nem Ran (fried spring rolls), Coconut Coffee (Ca Phe Cot Dua).
💡 Quick Tip:
Crossing the street in Hanoi looks scary, but the key is to walk slowly, steadily, and predictably—the swarm of scooters will naturally flow right around you! 🛵
Hanoi
🦀 If you're looking for an authentic local seafood street stall (pocha) in Hanoi, I highly recommend 'Ghẹ Hấp Xuân Xuân'!
During my trip to Hanoi, I checked out Ta Hien Beer Street, but it was way too packed. I wanted a more laid-back spot to chill, which led me to Ghẹ Hấp Xuân Xuân.
Sitting on those iconic low chairs, knocking back cold beers with fresh seafood—it was the ultimate local street stall experience. It wasn't just tourists; there were tons of locals too, so I really got to soak in Hanoi's vibrant nightlife.
I ordered the butter-grilled squid and garlic butter razor clams. The sweet and savory butter sauce soaked perfectly into the seafood—it practically begged for an ice-cold beer.
The garlic butter razor clams stole the show, bursting with deep garlic flavor and incredible umami. The broth was so ridiculously good that I wanted to dip bread in it or mix in some noodles. Honestly, it would pair amazingly with soju, not just beer.
Out front, they had live crabs and a variety of seafood on display, which really highlighted how fresh everything was. The staff was super friendly too, making the whole dining experience even better.
📍 Recommended Menu
⭐ Garlic Butter Razor Clams
⭐ Butter-Grilled Squid
⭐ Hanoi Beer or Saigon Beer
If you want to dodge the chaotic Beer Street and enjoy authentic local vibes in a more relaxed setting, you definitely have to check out Ghẹ Hấp Xuân Xuân!
Travel Foodie Pocha Pub Must-Visit Beer
Hanoi
#underratedspots
Looking for a hidden gem in Hanoi? Add Nhà Sách Mão to your list.
This charming bookstore is more than just a place to buy books—it’s a quiet escape from the city’s busy streets. With its cozy atmosphere, unique collection of books, and nostalgic vibe, it’s the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a peaceful moment.
Why visit?
📖 A unique and authentic local bookstore.
☕ A calm break from Hanoi’s bustling streets.
📸 Beautiful, cozy corners for photos.
✨ A hidden gem that many tourists overlook.
Whether you’re a book lover or simply enjoy discovering local spots, Nhà Sách Mão is definitely worth a visit.
Have you ever found a hidden bookstore while traveling?
Cau Go Restaurant
My second trip to Hanoi, and eating my way through the Michelin Guide certainly didn't disappoint! Besides hitting up a few incredible Michelin-listed spots, I also stumbled upon a hidden gem of a cafe with an absolutely stunning vibe. Here's a breakdown of my honest reviews, must-order dishes, and estimated costs—just follow this guide and you can't go wrong!
📍 Stop 1: Cau Go Vietnamese Cuisine
This is a Michelin-selected restaurant specializing in refined Vietnamese cuisine. With an elegant atmosphere overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, it's perfect for anyone wanting to comfortably enjoy authentic Vietnamese home-style dishes.
💰 Estimated Cost: Around 700,000 - 1,500,000 VND per person (approx. HKD 220 - 470 / TWD 900 - 1900). It's a mid-to-high-end fine dining restaurant with a view.
· Deep-fried Tofu with Lemongrass & Chili (Top Left): The tofu is fried to a golden, slight crisp on the outside, but remains as silky as pudding on the inside. The best part is the minced lemongrass and chili sprinkled on top—crispy, fragrant, and slightly spicy. Super appetizing!
· Stir-fried Fresh Squid with Celery & Herbs (Top Right): The squid is incredibly fresh and bouncy. Stir-fried with celery and scallions, the seasoning is on the lighter side, letting the natural sweetness of the seafood shine through. Great for cutting through any greasiness.
· Grilled Beef in Betel Leaves with Rice Noodles (Bottom Left): A total classic! Marinated beef wrapped in betel leaves and grilled, giving it a highly unique aroma. Served with thin rice noodles, assorted lettuce, and green mango slices. The traditional way is to wrap the beef and noodles in the lettuce—the layers of flavor are off the charts.
· Traditional Vietnamese Sour Soup (Bottom Right): Served piping hot, loaded with tomatoes, pineapple, and okra. The broth is sweet and sour with a faint herbal aroma. Having a bowl of this after a meal is incredibly soothing.
📍 Stop 2: Phở Gà Nguyệt (Moon Chicken Pho)
This is a highly renowned Michelin Bib Gourmand chicken pho spot in the local scene. One look at the blue signboard and menu on the wall, and you know there are tons of options, including dry-tossed bowls. Plus, they have an English menu, making it very tourist-friendly.
💰 Estimated Cost: A single bowl of pho is about 55,000 - 120,000 VND (approx. HKD 18 - 38 / TWD 70 - 150), and adding a half-chicken platter is about 350,000 VND. You can get a fulfilling meal for just a few bucks per person—the bang for your buck is insanely high!
· Signature Boiled Chicken Platter (Top Right): The chicken skin is translucent, and the meat is very firm and chewy, absolutely not dry. The standout feature is the ultra-fine shredded lime leaves sprinkled on top; that subtle citrus scent perfectly brings out the umami of the chicken. Eating it plain or dipping it in salt and chili is just divine.
· Chicken Noodle Soup (Pho) (Bottom Left): The broth looks clear, but one sip hits you with a rich, sweet chicken flavor, topped with a thick layer of floating scallions. The rice noodles are silky smooth, paired with tender chicken chunks—it's such a pure, comforting taste.
📍 Stop 3: Quán Ốc Dì Tú
If you want to experience Hanoi's local late-night food culture, you absolutely have to visit this Michelin-recommended street seafood and snail joint. The flavors are bold and heavy, making it perfect to wash down with ice-cold beer.
💰 Estimated Cost: Each dish ranges from about 25,000 - 150,000 VND. A full meal costs about 150,000 - 300,000 VND per person (approx. HKD 48 - 95 / TWD 190 - 380), depending on how much seafood you order. The prices are super wallet-friendly.
· Sweet & Sour Tamarind Stir-fried Razor Clams (Top Left): Plump razor clams coated in a rich sweet and sour sauce. Stir-fried over high heat, they're packed with "wok hei"—you literally won't be able to stop eating them.
· Savory Stir-fried Chicken Feet (Top Right): Fried crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, stir-fried with onions and scallions. Savory with a hint of sweetness, they are incredibly satisfying to gnaw on.
· Salted Egg Yolk Snails (Bottom Left): This dish is hands-down the MVP of the night! The snail meat is crisp, but the main event is the super rich, golden salted egg yolk sauce they generously slather on.
· Stir-fried Instant Noodles with Water Spinach (Bottom Right): A simple dish of stir-fried instant noodles that absorbs the aroma of the veggies and crispy fried shallots, tasting surprisingly amazing. I highly recommend dipping these noodles into the leftover salted egg yolk sauce from the snails—it's a match made in heaven!
☕ Personal Recommendation: MAY KITCHENWARE
Though not Michelin-rated, I highly recommend checking this place out! Hidden in an old building, it's essentially a traditional pottery and homeware boutique crossed with a cafe. The vibe is so good you'll want to chill here all afternoon.
💰 Estimated Cost: Drinks are around 45,000 - 80,000 VND (approx. HKD 15 - 25 / TWD 60 - 100), which is highly affordable for such an aesthetically pleasing cafe.
· Stunning Environment (Top Row): Walking in feels like stepping into a quaint, private art space. Textured mud walls, warm vintage wooden tables and chairs, giant handmade paper lanterns hanging overhead, plus traditional fish-shaped lanterns adding a festive touch. The space is lined with all sorts of exquisite, rustic ceramics. It's quiet, elegant, and full of artistic flair. Just sitting here in the AC, admiring the pottery, feels incredibly healing.
· Exquisite Iced Cream Coffee (Bottom Row): The coffee game here is strong. It's topped with a thick, dense layer of milk foam, with a delicate leaf pattern dusted in cocoa powder on the surface. It goes down silky smooth, with a rich coffee aroma and just the right amount of sweetness. Not only is it gorgeous, but it's also incredibly delicious.
💡 Travel Tips:
These spots are all in downtown Hanoi, so getting around is pretty convenient. If you're planning an itinerary, grabbing afternoon tea and browsing ceramics at MAY KITCHENWARE, then hitting up Quán Ốc Dì Tú for a late-night seafood supper makes for the absolute perfect day!
Tầm vị
I went to a restaurant called 'Tam Vi (Tầm Vị)' in Hanoi!
This is the place to go if you want to taste authentic Northern Vietnamese cuisine! I made a reservation in advance via email!
It's a restaurant that has even received one Michelin star! You can enjoy your meal surrounded by antique furniture and tableware in a retro space that feels like you've traveled back in time to old Vietnam 🤍
Every dish I ordered was delicious and I think it's the kind of food that suits Japanese palates! Each dish was generously portioned, and I was very satisfied ✨
#Hanoi #VietnamTravel
Hanoi Vacation Packages - Top Things to do in Hanoi