Hanoi

Day Trips

Begin your adventure with a guided walking tour of the Old Quarter at dawn, where narrow streets awaken with the aroma of fresh pho. Watch street vendors craft banh mi and sticky rice while motorbikes buzz by in a lively dance. Admire colonial architecture and hidden temples tucked between bustling market stalls.

Savor a vermicelli bowl at a family-run eatery before exploring the Dong Xuan Market’s colorful corridors. Haggle for handicrafts, textiles and souvenirs from local artisans eager to share their stories. Pause at a hidden cafe to sample egg coffee in a serene courtyard away from the crowds.

Return to Ta Hien Street for a taste of Hanoi’s legendary bia hoi culture amid the buzz of backpackers and locals. Enjoy small plates of grilled meat and fresh herbs alongside ice-cold draft beer under strings of dangling lights. Listen for the distant echo of live street performances as night deepens.

Start with a stroll through the leafy boulevards of the French Quarter, marveling at neoclassical buildings and the Opera House’s ornate facade. Pause for croissants and espresso at a chic Parisian-style patisserie popular with expats. Photograph the elegant Lam Son Square before the mid-morning crowd arrives.

Explore the Presidential Palace grounds and the stilt house where Ho Chi Minh lived in simple surroundings. Wander through the lush Botanical Gardens on paths lined with exotic flora and decades-old trees. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum to gain deeper insight into Vietnam’s most iconic leader.

Dine at a riverside restaurant along the Red River, feasting on fresh catch while the water shimmers under lantern light. Take an evening cyclo ride past the grand colonial edifices, each facade illuminated against the night sky. End the night with a rooftop drink overlooking the city’s glittering skyline.

Arrive early at the Temple of Literature to beat the crowds and soak in the peaceful ambiance of its well-manicured courtyards. Admire ancient stone stelae engraved with Confucian scholars’ names and lush gardens surrounding the ancestral altars. Learn about Vietnam’s first university system amidst ornate gate carvings and lotus ponds.

Head to the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum to view exquisite lacquer paintings, sculptures and traditional textiles spanning centuries of history. Continue to the Vietnam Women’s Museum to appreciate stories of resilience, family and wartime heroism. Stop for a refreshing fresh sugarcane juice at a nearby roadside stand before returning to your hotel.

Attend a live performance at the historic Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, enjoying folk tales brought to life on lit bamboo stages. Relish the hypnotic rhythms of the live orchestra as wooden puppets dance atop the water. Cap the evening with a sought-after glass of mulberry wine at a hidden cellar-style bar.

Join a hands-on cooking class in a local home, learning to craft spring rolls, bun cha and the perfect pho broth under expert guidance. Shop at a bustling wet market alongside your chef-instructor, selecting fresh herbs, meats and spices for your lesson. Feel the anticipation build as you prepare your first Vietnamese dish from scratch.

Travel to Bat Trang village, famous for its centuries-old pottery tradition, and try your hand at molding clay on a potter’s wheel. Wander through artisan workshops where skilled craftsmen paint intricate motifs onto rice bowls and vases. Collect a personalized pottery souvenir before sampling homemade rice wine from a local family.

Return to Hanoi’s center for a street-side dinner at a legendary bun thang joint, savoring the delicate flavors of shredded chicken, pork and egg strips. Stroll along the lakefront promenade of West Lake, watching the sun dip below water lily pads. Cap off the night with live acoustic tunes at a cozy lakeside cafe.

Depart early for Halong Bay, enjoying scenic vistas of emerald waters dotted with limestone karsts as you board a traditional junk boat. Savor a fresh seafood brunch on deck while the vessel glides past mysterious grottoes and floating fishing villages. Feel the bay’s majestic beauty unfold in every direction as you sail deeper into its UNESCO-protected waters.

Disembark for a guided kayak adventure through hidden lagoons, paddle beneath towering cliffs and explore secluded caves illuminated by natural skylights. Relax on a quiet beach fringed with white sand before sipping Vietnamese iced coffee at a shaded spot. Return to the junk boat for afternoon tea and a chance to learn how to prepare authentic rice paper on board.

Enjoy a sumptuous dinner of freshly caught seafood accompanied by fine Vietnamese wine under a starlit sky. Try squid fishing off the deck, following in the footsteps of local bay fishermen. Unwind on the sundeck with the gentle lap of waves as the boat anchors for the night.

Rise with the sun for a sunrise Tai Chi session on the junk boat’s deck before breakfast featuring fresh fruits and pastries. Disembark at the harbour and return to Hanoi, soaking in the rural landscapes along the way. Check in to a boutique spa hotel famed for its serene garden oasis.

Indulge in a traditional Vietnamese massage using herbal oils and warming techniques to ease any travel tension. Lounge by the verdant koi pond or hot stone pool as soft music drifts through bamboo screens. Savor a light lunch of grilled lemongrass chicken and green papaya salad served al fresco.

Sip a signature jasmine cocktail on the hotel’s rooftop terrace at dusk, watching lanterns glow around the city’s lakes. Dine on a chef-curated tasting menu featuring local delicacies reimagined with modern flair. Unwind in your suite with a private balcony overlooking ancient temple rooftops and twinkling lanterns.

Set off before dawn on a day trip to Ninh Binh, often called 'Halong Bay on Land,' where karst peaks rise dramatically from emerald rice paddies. Climb aboard a sampan for a tranquil boat ride through the lush Trang An grotto complex, passing through tunnels carved by centuries of water flow. Feel the misty air and birdcalls as you navigate serene waterways.

Bike through quiet villages, crossing stone bridges and wave past farmers tending to water buffalo in flooded fields. Visit the ancient Hoa Lu capital, exploring the temples of King Dinh and King Le set beneath massive limestone cliffs. Stop at a local home for a hearty lunch of goat meat cooked with galangal and herbs.

Return to Hanoi and head to a hidden jazz bar tucked down a narrow alley, where live bands play sultry tunes amid candlelit tables. Sip single-origin Vietnamese coffee or a smooth local craft beer while soaking up the intimate atmosphere. Wander back to your hotel under a canopy of lantern-lit streets.

Journey southwest to the Perfume Pagoda complex, climbing an ancient stone stairway carved into the limestone mountainside. Pause at small shrines en route and enjoy panoramic views of terraced fields below. Reach the sacred main temple, nestled in a natural grotto, as incense smoke curls in the dawn light.

Explore hidden cave chapels ringing with chants of pilgrims on their spiritual journey. Take a bamboo boat along the Yen Stream, passing verdant karst formations reflected in the clear waters. Share a rustic lunch of pumpkin cake, eel soup and sticky rice at a family-run riverside eatery.

Return to Hanoi and treat yourself to Cao Lau noodles at a legendary local stall, sampling crisp pork cracklings and chewy rice noodles. Wander through the nearby night market, browsing lacquerware and silk scarves under paper lanterns. End the night with a chilled Vietnamese white wine in a lantern-lit wine bar.

Kick off the day with a street food safari led by a local guide, tasting warm banh cuon rolls, savory congee and dripping scallion pancake fresh from the grill. Learn about the history and significance of each dish while weaving through hidden alleys. Discover tucked-away stalls only city insiders know.

Continue the edible adventure with visits to a century-old pho joint and a roadside stall known for its tangy bun bo hue. Cleanse the palate with a refreshing cup of sugarcane juice flavored with lime. Return to your hotel for a short break and to prepare for an evening performance.

Experience the iconic Thang Long water puppet show, where puppeteers stand knee-deep in water to bring folk tales to life. Watch mythical creatures and legendary heroes emerge from the illuminated pool amid traditional Vietnamese orchestral music. Wrap up the night with a dessert of che ba mau, a colorful three-color sweet soup from a local street vendor.

Head to Hang Gai Street’s silk boutiques to browse handwoven scarves, tailor-made ao dai and fine silk carpets. Enjoy a private fitting and learn about traditional weaving techniques passed down through generations. Pick up bespoke souvenirs such as embroidered linens and velvet stoles.

Explore hidden courtyard shops featuring artisanal teas, lacquered artwork and handcrafted ceramics. Stop for a final bowl of bun cha at a renowned eatery, savoring smoky grilled pork and fresh herbs one last time. Relax with a final coffee overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake at a lakeside cafe.

Join a sunset dinner cruise on the Red River or dine in style at a fine-dining restaurant specializing in Vietnamese-French fusion. Toast to an unforgettable journey with a glass of champagne as the city lights glimmer on the water. Return to your hotel to collect your bags, carrying memories and mementos of ten immersive days in Hanoi.