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Forget about the typical touristy things to do. If you’re after an itinerary for Vietnam’s capital city full of must-see landmarks and attractions that you could easily find with one click of a Google search button. Having lived in Hanoi, I pride myself on knowing the hidden corners of Hanoi.
However, this fascinating (and delicious) 4 days Hanoi itinerary is a little more off-the-beaten-track. You see, I called my darling, Hanoi, home for six years, and so much of this agenda is from a local’s perspective. I have included one or two classic Hanoian things (like street tours), but in this insider’s guide you will find many of the weird and wonderful things I love most about Hanoi.
I should add: we do have a “first-timer’s” guide to Hanoi (if that’s what you’re after). But with that, here is my ultimate, insider’s 4 days Hanoi itinerary.
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- Before you go: Planning your 4 days in Hanoi
- Ultimate 4 Days in Hanoi itinerary
- Beyond 4 days in Hanoi
Before you go: Planning your 4 days in Hanoi
Where is the best area to stay in Hanoi?
When recommending the best areas to stay in Hanoi, I usually recommend: the Old Quarter/Hoan Kiem; Tay Ho (where the majority of expats live; a lovely mix of local and international vibes); or Ba Dinh (for a local feel without being too far from everything).
Ultimate 4 Days in Hanoi itinerary
Day 1: Shopping Streets, Hanoi Train Street, Hang Be Market, Hỏa Lò Prison & Top of Hanoi
Morning
Welcome to Hanoi! Your first day out on the city streets during this 4 days Hanoi itinerary involves a local introduction filled with shopping, sightseeing, a taste of how the locals do things, and, of course, Vietnamese coffee!
If your accommodation doesn’t include breakfast, or you’re just keen to get a head start around town, enjoy your first breakfast out in the capital. Do like the locals and lap up a plate of bánh cuốn — a typical northern breakfast dish, it’s steamed thin rice paper rolls. Rolled up, the inside is filled with pork and crispy shallots. Or slurp down a bowl of phở.
You can enjoy both from Tuệ An Bánh Cuốn Nóng & Phở Bò in Hoan Kiem. Not your first Vietnamese city, and you’re in the mood for a more Western-style brekkie? Hit up Muối Tiêu Kitchen (convenient for those staying in the Old Q) or Milk & Honey (if you’re based in Tay Ho-side).
Next, get ready to fill your suitcases! Whilst I usually savor my shopping towards the end, it’s a little different in Hanoi. The Old Quarter is a shopper’s paradise! While you shop (till you drop), you’ll also naturally be doing a wad of sightseeing (make sure you bring your camera).
Did you know that Hanoi is divided into shopping streets? Like, literally, the streets are named after what they’re selling. My go-to streets include:
- Sunglass Street (Phố Lương Văn Can)
- Shoe Street (Phố Hàng Dầu)
- Sewing Street (on the corner of Hàng Bồ and Lương Văn Can Street)
- Silk Street (Phố Hàng Gai)
- Toy Street (on the corner of Chả Cá and Hang Ma Street)
- Stationery & Party Street (Phố Hàng Mã)
Another incredible shopping option is Liu Lo Arts (open daily in Hoan Kiem). Plus, they offer some super-cute art workshops.
While you’re in the photo-snapping mood, here are some not-to-miss mega hotspots in and around the Old Q! Hanoi Train Street is one of the famously iconic counterparts of this city — especially on the socials! An actual train runs through, and the tracks are lined with adorable cafes, souvenir shops, and beer pitstops.
Refuel with a cà phê sữa đá, i.e., classic Vietnamese iced coffee, from a stop along here, or opt to try the city’s famous egg coffee! Some top spots around the Old Quarter include Cafe Giảng (the OGs), Cafe Phố Cổ (by Silk Street), and The Note Coffee (an Instagram famous spot). Then, pop past the 18th-century Ô Quan Chưởng (The Old Gate) and the Thang Ha Market — just past the Old Gate.
If you are a cafe connoisseur, you won’t want to miss our ultimate guide to the best cafes in Hanoi.
Afternoon
Whilst we’re on the whole classic Vietnamese train and getting familiar with all things local during our 4 days Hanoi itinerary, for lunch, we’re staying with the traditional vibe.
Opt for none other than bún chả (if you have the patience for the queues) at Bún Chả Hương Liên, i.e., Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama‘s Dinner Table. It’s one of Hanoi’s traditional foods you have to try. If you’re after something a little more formal, I always recommend the lunch with gorgeous views over Hoan Kiem at Cau Go, listed by Michelin.
Post lunch, it’s time for another cultural pursuit: the infamous Hỏa Lò Prison — a former prison turned museum. The building, experience, stories, and also location are all part and parcel of this museum.
I’m a coffee addict, so I gotta get in my next fix before dinner time. Some incredible coffee shops for a cuppa include saltffe, Brewtify Cafe, HOOGA, and PHIÊU ME COFFEE.
Curious about Hanoi’s cafe scene? Pick from these 10 Best Coffee Shops in Hanoi for 2025
Evening
You have the option to either grab drinks with a view first at this iconic rooftop, then dinner — or vice versa! Top of Hanoi boasts the most visually stunning vistas of the city sparkling below. It’s 65 stories high, so you can expect some stellar views. But the drinks are pricey. For dinner, treat yourselves to the one-Michelin-starred Hibana by Koki.
Day 2: Ha Long Bay Day Trip OR Ba Vi National Park Motorbike Adventure
Ha Long Bay
Out of all the places in Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is one of the most special! There’s a reason its limestone karst cliffs shooting out the water (like a scene from House of the Dragon) is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature! When talking big cities, it’s closest to Hanoi.
Ha Long Bay is one of the most popular day trips from Hanoi. To make the most of our day trip, you’ll need to join a pre-organized tours. You’ll be collected from your stay, then travel via minivan. It’s just under 3 hours from the capital.
Once in Ha Long, board a boat for the day and cruise around the waters. Stop off to explore caves and beaches (where you can go on some short walks), kayak through grottos, and lunch is included onboard.
Ba Vi National Park
A second option, if your heart is set on at least one motorbike trip during your 4 days Hanoi itinerary, is to skip Ha Long Bay and rent a motorbike. Ba Vi National Park is an awesomeeee day motorbiking adventure! It’s only 1.5 hours from Hanoi. Drive up the national park’s mountain (at the top are ancient temples). En route, there’s a derelict hidden French church within the forest. Also at the park is a whole cacti greenhouse and local restaurants. If you’re lucky, you’ll cruise through low-hanging clouds!
For those interested in learning more about cycling through Vietnam, don’t miss our guide to the best cycling routes in Vietnam. And for those less interested in motorbiking, but still keen to experience Ba Vi National Park, you’ll find a number of more relaxed eco-tours which can peacefully guide you around the park.
Order room service for the evening if you’re shattered from all the travel; eat at your accommodation’s restaurant, or grab a bite to eat out if you’re still energy-loaded. There’s always the option to go bar-hopping around the Old Quarter (although it tends to be more backpacker focused) or enjoy drinks at one of Hanoi’s lovely wine bar, like Tannin Wine Bar.
If you are keen on ending day 2 on a high, don’t miss our guide to the best bars in Hanoi!
Day 3: Bat Trang Pottery Village, Street Food Tour & Tay Ho
Morning
Start your day with delicious waffles. Head to The Waffle House in Tay Ho. Citta Café & Vegé in Ba Dinh is for all our plant-based friends. Truc Bach’s Ma Xó does all sorts of yummy fusion options.
Next up on the agenda is the Bat Trang Pottery Village, which holds a super special place in my heart! Local buses run here, too, or catch a taxi just 30 minutes outside of town. I always rode my bike here, but that’s because I lived in Hanoi. If you’re looking to save costs, this group tour runs a pretty solid half-day tour option.
Try your hand at the potter’s wheel, or head inside the huge pottery market and get your full of all things pottery! The local homes around here (forming part of the ancient village) are where the artists stay, and you can park off and walk around or grab a coffee from a roadside stand.
Afternoon
Back in Hanoi, I highly recommend embarking on a street food tour, especially if you consider yourself a “foodie.” These last about two to three hours (tour dependent), and it’s the best way to learn about — and taste — Hanoi’s local street foods! Stop at iconic vendors, markets, and other special local eateries, even Michelin contenders.
Not sold on the street tour? For something unique, try Buffet Sen Tây Hồ! It’s a huge Vietnamese and international food buffet and is literally something out of this world. I’ve never experienced such a thing, and the setting is essentially Vietnamese. There’s seafood, sushi, pasta, oysters, local dishes — it’s endless.
It’s conveniently located in Tay Ho, where you’ll spend the rest of the day until dinner. Home to the majority of the expat community, there’s loads going on!
Go cafe hopping, pop into boutique shops, try a workshop at Sanctuary Art & Drinks, get a tattoo, join a circus demo in the park, take photos inside a “Little Holland,” i.e., Thung lũng hoa hồ Tây, drink a fresh coconut around the lake…there’s so much! End this off with a bicycle/e-scooter/motorbike/walk around West Lake.
(You can start from the beginning of Tay Ho, but near Buffet Sen is a good middle ground.)
Around the lake are dozens of eye-popping coffee shops. Pass Ba Dinh, and end off in Truc Bach. This picturesque part of the city is my absolute favorite. And you have to visit the 11th-century Quan Thanh Temple, as well as Chua Ngu Xa Temple on the lake.
Evening
So many activities, so much time to build up a mean appetite! In the mood for Mediterranean? Stick to Tay Ho-side and book a table at Kali. Tầm vị in Ba Dinh is famed as one of the cheapest Michelin-starred winners in Asia. Or try another favorite of mine: Cin Cin, which offers a mix-mashed of everything: European and local.
And if you are after some French cuisine, we have reviewed many of Hanoi’s best French restaurants.
Day 4: Hoan Kiem and the Hanoi History Museum
Morning
Whether you’ve got a super early start or a more mellow one and are keen on a slow brunch morning, these are some lovely options for the last of your 4 days Hanoi itinerary.
For scrumptious vegan/vegetarian, dine at Lá Studio. Avos and Mango offer healthy options and food bursts with color and freshness.
Have some extra time to kill before leaving Hanoi? Here are a few of my favorite things to do in Hanoi:
- Stroll around the romantic Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Explore Vietnam’s ancient past up till the present at the Vietnam National Museum of History.
- Visit St Joseph’s Cathedral — just up the road from Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Eat a yummy dessert from To The MOON and BACK (coffee included).
If you are the museum-type, you won’t want to miss Hanoi’s excellent museums. From geology to politics, we have written the ultimate guide covering our favorite museums in Hanoi.
Beyond 4 days in Hanoi
If you’re on an extended trip through Vietnam, you won’t want to miss my expert two weeks in Vietnam itinerary.
Otherwise, if you’re looking to extend for a few days, why not visit the hill tribes of Sapa? Need some beach time, what about the resorts of Da Nang? Or head towards the fast-paced Ho Chi Minh City. No matter where you end up, I guarantee you will fall in love with Vietnam just like I did.
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