How Many Days In Hanoi
The general consensus is that 2-3 days in Hanoi is enough.
I personally spent 5 days in the capital and really enjoyed the slower pace of travel. I had more time to take day trips to neighboring villages and got to know the city a little more intimately.
If you're planning a trip to Vietnam, this article will help you decide how long to spend in the capital with some suggestions for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 day itineraries.
About Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the second most populous city in the country.
It’s a popular first destination for travelers because Noi Bai International Airport is located only 40 minutes from the Old Quarter and offers direct flights from many international cities around the world.
Hanoi is the birthplace of pho and egg coffee, but beyond its culinary accolades, it's a vibrant city that is rich in culture and history and does an incredible job of setting the tone for the rest of your Vietnam trip.
How To Get To Hanoi
The best way to get to Hanoi is by plane.
With over 30 direct flights from countries like France, Korea, Australia, and Turkey, Hanoi is a pretty international city. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from the states, but you can take a layover in either Europe or Asia and make an entire slow travel adventure out of it.
I flew directly from Taiwan while visiting family, and it was a quick and easy 3-hour journey.
If you’re already in Vietnam, you can get to the capital by sleeper bus, train, or plane. Furthermore, if you're in a nearby country in Southeast Asia (like Laos or Thailand), you can access the city by bus, car, or plane.
The directions are going to vary by transportation type, so I recommend checking the details by using a navigation platform like 12Go.
Do I Need A Visa?
Before you pack your bag, it's important to know that most visitors will need a visa.
Don’t just assume your passport privilege and get turned away at the door (like my ex did).
The application is pretty straightforward and relatively painless. Usually takes 3 to 5 business days to process and grants tourists a 90 day stay. You can pay for a single entry or multiple entries if you plan on dipping out and exploring neighboring countries before revisiting. (Application website here.)
I recommend applying at least two weeks to one month before your travels to ensure proper delivery. Sometimes accidents happen and documents get lost in the system, so it's always nice to have a little bit of leeway just in case.
How Many Days Is Enough For Hanoi?
Alright, so let's get to the heart of it then: how many days is enough for Hanoi?
As I mentioned in the intro, most people would recommend two to three days in the city. This gives you just enough time to see all the main attractions.
However, if you're short on time, you can easily see some of the highlights in just 24 hours or if you prefer to take it slow (and do better for the environment and the people), you can stay for up to five days.
Below are some itinerary suggestions so you can get a feel for just how much you can see in a specific amount of time.
One Day Hanoi Itinerary
Oof--it's a little unfair to give such a beautiful city so little time but I get it, sometimes, you literally don't have enough vacation days.
If you only have 24 hours in Hanoi, I'd prioritize exploring the Old Quarter and enjoying delicious street food like pho, egg coffee, and bun cha.
How To Spend 24 Hours In Hanoi
Morning
Fly into Hanoi, take the bus to Old Quarter, and leave your luggage in storage
Decompress from the journey with a comforting bowl of steaming hot pho for breakfast
Visit Cafe Giang and enjoy a luxuriously creamy egg coffee straight from the original source
Grab lunch on the go with a banh mi stuffed with Vietnamese ham, herbs, and maybe even a fried egg
Afternoon
Get lost wandering the guild streets of Hanoi Old Quarter
Stop by Dong Xuan Market and browse for unique souvenirs to take home
Go temple hopping, making sure to stop by Bach Ma Temple, Ngoc Son Temple, and the Temple of Literature
Visit Hanoi Train Street for Instagram photos and watch local trains whiz by just 2 cm from your nose
Stop by the old city gate for a glimpse of the ancient Thang Long Imperial Citadel
Evening
Learn about traditional arts with a water puppet show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
Enjoy a classic Hanoian bun cha (grilled pork patties and vermicelli) for dinner
Wrap up your evening with a chill hang out around Hoan Kiem Lake
Two Days In Hanoi
48 hours in Hanoi gives you just enough time to fully explore the city.
You'll spend the first day wandering through Old Quarter like we outlined above, and then get to know other neighborhoods like the French Quarter and West Lake on the second day.
Hanoi French Quarter is a historically significant neighborhood with lots of adorable colonial-style dwellings, museums, and government buildings.
On the other hand, West Lake is a hip and residential neighborhood. It's a good way to get out of the old city center and get to know a more relaxed and modern side of Hanoi.
How To Spend 48 Hours In Hanoi
Day 1
Follow the itinerary outlined above for one day in Hanoi.
Day 2
Morning
Take a walking tour of Hanoi French Quarter and admire examples of French colonial architecture including St. Joseph's Cathedral and the Opera House
Get an overview of Vietnam by visiting the National Museum of Vietnamese History
Celebrate the accomplishments of women in society at the Vietnamese Women's Museum
Learn about the horrors of imprisonment at the Hoa Lo Prison
Afternoon
Visit the Presidential Palace and wander Ho Chi Minh's stilt house
Stop by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to learn about the communist leader
Dive into the country's complex military past at the Vietnam Military History Museum
Tour the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and admire the Tran Quoc Pagoda (the oldest buddhist temple in Hanoi)
Evening
Grab a drink at happy hour and watch the sunset at West Lake
Decompress with an evening stroll around the sophisticated, safe, and (relatively) quiet neighborhood
Three Days In Hanoi
Three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Hanoi as a first time visitor.
The first two days are spent exploring the city and the third day gives you an opportunity to step out into neighboring cultural villages and provinces.
For example, you can easily take a day trip to Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, Bat Trang Pottery Village, or Ba Vi National Park.
If you're short on time (and don't have them as part of your overall Vietnam itinerary), you can even squeeze in a day trip to signature destinations like Halong Bay or Ninh Binh. I would personally recommend staying overnight in either of those destinations, but if you're in a crunch, you can definitely tack them on to your 3-day itinerary.
Hanoi Itinerary 3 Days
Day 1
Follow the itinerary outlined above for exploring Old Quarter
Day 2
Follow the itinerary outlined above for exploring French Quarter and West Lake
Day 3
Option 1: Quang Phu Cau Incense Village
Hanoi Incense Village is one of the most popular day trips from the city.
The village itself is located an hour away from Old Quarter, and the best way there is either by bus or by guided tour.
A visit to the village usually entails a tour of the factories, lunch with locals, and a photo opportunity at one of the established photography spots.
It’s definitely a favorite amongst bucket-list checkers, but I wouldn’t say that it’s necessarily the most authentic showcase of Vietnamese culture. You can read more about my thoughts on the experience here.
Option 2: Bat Trang Pottery Village
Bat Trang Pottery Village is also another quick day trip from Hanoi.
It’s 30 minutes by car and is one of the most accessible traditional handcraft villages around the capital.
If you are into pottery or simply want a hands-on experience, this is a great option for day three. You can start your day learning about the history of the village at the Bat Trang Pottery Museum and then swing by the pottery market to pick up some souvenirs or even join in on a pottery making workshop.
These two cultural villages are both relatively small so if you end up returning to the city early, book a massage for the evening. Trust me, your body will thank you for it.
4 Days In Hanoi
Hanoi is a highly stimulating and anxiety-triggering city so after two or three days in the capital, you'll definitely want to rest and restore for at least one day.
The best way to spend four days in Hanoi is to take two days to explore city center and two days to escape into nature or visit smaller villages.
At this point, the order of your itinerary doesn't really matter. You can mix and match the days according to your energy levels and preferences.
So here are some thoughts on how to spend four days in Hanoi.
Hanoi Itinerary 4 Days
Day 1
Spend your day exploring Old Quarter
Day 2
Get to know the Hanoi French Quarter and West Lake neighborhoods
Day 3
Take a day trip to a traditional handicraft village
Day 4
Take a day trip to into nature
Option 1: Soc Son
Spend your day picnicking around the blue green waters of Dai Lai Lake in Soc Son.
This hidden gem is a peaceful spot located 45 minutes away from Hanoi.
One of the best things about staying in a place for longer is that you get to allocate time to explore treasures like this.
Retreat into the mountains and spend your afternoon reading by the lake or take a more active approach by hiking up to Ham Lon Peak for scenic views of the city.
Option 2: Ba Vi National Park
The second option is Ba Vi National Park, which is an hour and 45 minutes away from Hanoi.
Take the day to unwind in nature and go for a casual trek through the forest to some cultural slights like Uncle Ho's Temple, or the Upper Temple (Den Thuong) at Tan Vien Peak.
I would definitely recommend taking a guided tour for this excursion because driving through the winding mountainous roads of Vietnam can be quite precarious.
Again, the order of each of these days is pretty flexible at this point. I would just keep Old Quarter as Day 1 but you can switch it up for the rest of the schedule.
5 Days In Hanoi
With five days in Hanoi, you can really get to know the city.
Slow travel is such a wonderful way to see the world because you get to sit in the experience and gain a deeper cultural insight than if you were to rush from attraction to attraction.
To spend five days in Hanoi, I would keep a similar itinerary for the first four days and then add one more day trip for the last day.
Option 1: Perfume Pagoda
Perfume Pagoda is a major attraction near Hanoi but most first-time travelers skip it because they simply don't have time.
This stunning complex of Buddhist temples built into dramatic limestone mountains is an hour and a half away from the city. The destination is a perfect balance of nature, culture, and art, and allows you to get a more authentic taste of the country's past.
Option 2: Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is a huge province that is best reserved for a multi-day stay, but if you're short on time, then it's definitely worth incorporating into your Hanoi agenda.
This province located roughly 2 hours from Hanoi is known for its stunning landscapes of waterfalls, rivers, grottoes, and caves.
I made the most of my one-day trip by booking a tour to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, the emerald grottoes of Tam Coc, and the iconic Lying Dragon Mountain. It was a packed itinerary but I'm glad that I went because I wouldn't have seen Ninh Binh otherwise.
On top of that, wrapping up my five-day stay with incredible sunset views from the Mua Caves was definitely the cherry on top of the whole experience!
Taking Day Trips From Hanoi
You’ll notice that a lot of these itineraries included day trips from Hanoi.
That's because the city is centrally located in the north of Vietnam which makes it the perfect transportation hub and departure point for buses, trains, and tour groups.
I've included some of my top picks for day trips and half-day trips from Hanoi, if you need further recommendations, here's a comprehensive list.
Where To Stay In Hanoi
The best place to stay in Hanoi for the first time is Old Quarter.
It’s the beating heart of the city and where most of the attractions are located. It’s also a central gathering point for tour groups and excursions.
Old Quarter is a safe and versatile neighborhood that offers a wide range of different accommodation types from budget-friendly backpacker hostels to luxury hotels that overlook Hoan Kiem Lake.
Here Are Some Of The Best Places To Stay In Old Quarter By Budget:
Budget:
Hanoi Buffalo Hostel: I stayed here for one night after my trip to Ha Giang and it was lovely. The dorms were clean; staff was welcoming; and the amenities (pool + breakfast) were a great deal for the price point.
Labevie Hotel: large spacious rooms, free breakfast, and a free airport transfer all for less than $35 a night...what's not to love?
Mimosa Homestay Hanoi: for those who prefer a homey feel, Mimosa Homestay is the spot for you! Clean and bright accommodations in a smaller establishment.
Mid-Range:
San Grand Hotel & Spa: luxury at a reasonable price! This hotel offers 40 rooms and suites with stunning views, a rooftop bar, a spa, and a lounge.
Grande Collection Hotel & Spa: this 4-star hotel lies in the heart of Old Quarter and offers unique amenities to help you stay fresh. Get a cut at the barber shop or relax with a soothing oil massage at the spa before you head out again!
Bella Premier Hotel & Rooftop Skybar: check in to this luxurious boutique hotel and enjoy a refreshing cocktail with panoramic views of Old Quarter below.
Luxury:
Sofitel Legend Metropole: this newly renovated hotel was established during colonial times and has over 100 years of history. Enjoyclassic Vietnamese iced coffee at their sky cafe with views of the city or relax with a cocktail by their poolside-bar.
CLASSYC Hotel: luxurious rooms with an outdoor rooftop pool, 24-hour concierge service, and a daily breakfast with buffet, à la carte and continental options.
La Passion Premium Cau Go: this exquisite hotel offers rooms that blend traditional Vietnamese elegance and contemporary comfort with breathtaking views of the Hanoi skyline and Hoan Kiem Lake.
Tips For Visiting Hanoi
Pack Light: the streets of Hanoi are narrow and with all the congestion, lugging a large suitcase around can get pretty annoying. Do your best to pack minimally with just a carry-on duffel bag or backpack!
Check Your Visa Requirements: again, make sure you have all the logistics sorted before you arrive.
Withdraw Enough Cash: a lot of street vendors and small restaurants only take cash. Make sure you have enough before your arrive because it might be hard to find a reputable place to exchange cash last-minute.
Be Respectful Of Local Customs: I feel like there aren't that many rules in place in Vietnam, but just make sure that you dress appropriately for temples and the mausoleum.
Two to three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Hanoi for the first time as a solo traveler. You get to see all the city's main attractions and even step out to some nearby cultural villages.
Once you're done with the capital, head north into the mountains to explore the rice terraces of Sapa or the famous Ha Giang Loop (here's how to decided between them) or slowly make your way down south to the imperial city of Hue or the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City.
I hope that you have a great time exploring this beautiful and safe country and if you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below or reach out on Instagram!
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