3 days in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam
- Anju Chandna
- Aug 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 4
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a city that offers an interesting insight into the Vietnamese way of life and proudly showcases its historical architectural landmarks. It's situated in Northern Vietnam on the banks of the Red River, which owes its name to the reddish-brown colour of its silt-laden water.
There's a lot to do and see, so it's ideal to keep aside at least 3 days for this beautiful city.
Before I elaborate on what we did and my personal experiences in Hanoi, here are the Top 5 common dos and don'ts that all visitors to Hanoi should be aware of ...
The capital city of Vietnam is vibrant, so even if you stay in the Old Quarter in Hanoi, don't confine yourself to it.
Venture out into the city and explore its beautiful architecture and vibe.
Hanoi can be quite cold in winter and extremely hot and humid in summer. Plan your trip keeping the weather in mind. We travelled to Hanoi at the end of March. It was the tail-end of winter and very cold.
We had to buy thick jackets the very evening we landed, like the hundreds of other fellow tourists who came with the misconception that Vietnam is always warm.
For more tips about Vietnam, click on the link below
Since we're discussing buying jackets, let me give you an important tip. Don't forget to bargain while shopping in the local market.
Yes, you heard it right! Vietnamese people love to haggle over prices, so indulge them and walk away with a better deal.
The city has a rich culinary culture with an unmistakable Chinese and French influence. Don't miss the amazing French cuisine in the French Quarter alongside the traditional Vietnamese cuisine comprising the famous Pho and Banh Mi. You will also find most of the popular American fast food outlets like McDonald's, KFC and Domino's in Hanoi, in case you wish to eat on the go.
Download the Grab App. The best way to travel around Vietnam is by hiring a cab through the Grab App.
Please note that your local SIM card will not allow you to download the App.
Of course, you could also hire a cab without the Grab app, but that would involve two challenges: one, explaining the location of your destination to the driver who does not understand your language at all, and two, haggling over the price to be paid.
So, Grab App!!
We had three nights and two full days in Hanoi, and we packed a lot into our itinerary, which I've broken day-wise, rather than attraction-wise, so that you can plan your time accordingly.
Day One - Arrival in the evening
Old Quarter
We reached Hanoi at about 6:00 pm and headed straight to the Old Quarter, where we were staying. The distance between the airport and the Old Quarter is 25 km, and it took us a good 45 minutes to reach.
The temperature in Hanoi was a cold 16 degrees, which was unexpected.
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It happened to be a weekend, and the Old Quarter seemed to be bursting at the seams with so many people all around.
My Tip
Plan to stay in the Old Quarter to get the real touristy vibe of the city and, better still, plan on a weekend stay. As you can see, the Old Quarter comes alive on weekends in the evening with live shows and street concerts.
Day Two - Morning
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ba Dinh Square
Presidential Palace and Gardens
One Pillar Pagoda
We started early in the morning to see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a deeply revered Vietnamese National Monument that must feature on your Hanoi itinerary.
You will also see the famous Ba Dinh Square, the Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda on this trip since they are all right next to each other.
Learn more about the Mausoleum by clicking on the link below
Temple of Literature
After spending about 2.5 hours at the Mausoleum, we headed to this historical site that is about 2 km from the Mausoleum. This is a true specimen of the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam and a must-see sight.
Click on the link below to read more about this amazing attraction
Day Two - Afternoon
Hoa Lo Prison
Hoa Lo Prison is about 2 km from the Temple of Literature, and it takes 8 to 10 minutes on foot.
The Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi was built by French colonists in 1896 to detain Vietnamese political prisoners and revolutionaries with all the trappings of a regular prison of the early 20th century. It has heart-rending torture chambers and dungeons used by the French, even a real guillotine from that era.
After the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945, this prison was converted into an education centre.
Ironically, once America got involved in the Vietnam War in 1965, this prison came to be used again by the North Vietnamese forces to detain the American POWs, earning the prison the infamous nickname 'Hanoi Hilton', and the torture chambers were back in violation of the Geneva Convention.
My Tip
There's a lot to see at the Hoa Lo Prison, which has now been turned into a museum, so allow at least 2 hours for your visit. Don't forget to take the audio guide; it's very informative.
Your tour of the prison will start with the torture chambers and dungeons of the French colonists, with informative displays of maps, uniforms and their sub-human living conditions, like the dingy and narrow corridors that led to the living quarters of prisoners with not a shred of sunlight.
Visitors are then led into an exhaustive exhibit featuring memorabilia from the Vietnam War, including a handwritten letter from President Ho Chi Minh.
Overall, this museum is an evocative experience, the same torture chambers and the same inhuman living conditions that many of us have seen at so many other museums in the world.
Avoid going in the afternoon; it gets very crowded as most people plan to spend the hot day inside the museum.
There's a small cafe on the premises and some interesting souvenir shops to buy trinkets.
Day Two - Evening
Water Puppet Show
This unique puppet theatre will leave you spellbound. Read more about this interesting art form by clicking on the link below
Day Three - Day Trip to Ninh Binh - 8 hours
Ninh Binh, also known as 'Halong Bay on Land', offers scenic views of the Vietnamese countryside, beautiful ancient temples, and stunning landscapes.
Click on the link below to read more