Hanoi, the vibrant capital of Vietnam, was a welcoming destination. When I first walked through the city, I saw so many happy people, scooters driving through the streets, lanterns glowing outside every shop, and pagodas at every corner. Food stalls can be found on almost every streets, filled with locals chatting and enjoying the day, and that is one of the things that makes the city so special.
With history around every corner, you’ll notice both French and Chinese influences throughout the city. To help you fully discover the beauty of Hanoi, I created a complete 3-Day Hanoi Itinerary.
The Best 3-Day Hanoi Itinerary: A Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors
I have created an itinerary that covers all the important sites in Hanoi. It is part of a 16-day trip to Vietnam, during which I had the opportunity to discover only part of the country.
Day 1 of Your 3-Day Hanoi Itinerary: A First Taste of Hanoi
We arrived at our hotel around 4:00PM on a saturday, so we didn’t have much energy left for sightseeing. Even though we explored the surroundings area.
Discovering the Heart of Hanoi: Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple & Beyond
Spend the rest of the day enjoying a walk through the narrow streets of Old Quarter, large boulevards of French Quarter and the streets around Hoan Kiem. Admire the illuminated Turtle Tower and the iconic red bridge leading to the Ngoc Son Temple. If you still have the energy, you can visit the temple in the evening. We personally spent our first evening exploring the Old Quarter, French Quarter and the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake.
Water Puppet Show
Book tickets for the Water Puppet Show through GetYourGuide. The tickets can also be purchased directly here. Try to book a later performance, perhaps the last show of the evening, so you have more time to explore during the day.
You’ll be amazed by the difference between the Old Quarter and French Quarter. It feels like a completely different world, with architecture strongly influenced by French style.
After the walk, visit the Night Market and Ta Hien Street(Beer Street). It is a noisy street where you can enjoy a beer.
Night Market
On weekends, there are always night markets, so be prepared for plenty of souvenir stands and food stalls. There is always from Friday to Sunday, around 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. along the streets between Hang Dao and Dong Xuan Market.
Hanoi Travel Itinerary Day 1 – Quick Summary
- Hoan Kiem Lake – Ngoc Son Temple & Turtle Tower;
- Old Quarter – Ta Hien Street(Beer Street) & Night Market;
- French Quarter;
- Buy Tickets For Water Puppet Show.
Day 2 of Your 3-Day Hanoi Itinerary: Hanoi’s Highlights – Temples, Coffee & Local Culture
To make the most of your day, I recommend starting early, around 7:00AM, just as we did. Begin with breakfast in the Old Quarter and enjoy your first Vietnamese coffee of the day.
Coffee Options:
– Cafe Giang – the best EggCoffee;
– Lifted Coffee & Brunch – I had here the first breakfast and it was a very delicious one;
– The Note Coffee.
Văn Miếu – Literature Temple
After breakfast, head to the Temple of Literature. Expect it to be crowded, as it is one of Hanoi’s most popular attractions. Founded in 1070, it was Vietnam’s first university. It was reserved for the country’s most talented scholars and children from prestigious families. The complex is beautiful and rich in history. Because of the heat, you may want to take a short break for a refreshing drink afterward. Just remember that Vietnamese coffee is quite strong, so don’t overdo it!
Useful Information:
– Location: here;
– Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily
– Entrance fee: Adults: 70000 VND, Students: 35000 VND (student cards required)
– Bring cash, as credit cards are not accepted at the ticket counter;
– Dress Code: Dress politely, avoid revealing clothes;
– To avoid the crowds, visit early or at the end of program.
West Lake & Tran Quoc Pagoda
Next, make your way toward West Lake. Along the route, you’ll pass two important landmarks: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda. The main destination is Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest and most beautiful Buddhist temples in Vietnam. You can explore the temple grounds or simply admire the iconic tower from the outside.
Hanoi Train Street & Phung Hung Mural Street
After your visit, take a Grab to Hanoi Train Street. Find a café, order a fresh coconut water, and enjoy the unique experience of watching the train pass through the narrow street lined with cafés and houses. Near the Train Street is the Mural Street. There are more paintings on the walls.
Useful Information
Phung Hung(Location: here):
– Monday – Friday: 08:30 AM, 09:30 AM, 11:50 AM 03:15 PM, 07:50 PM, 09:15 PM, 09:30 PM, 10:00 PM
– Saturday – Sunday: 6:00 AM, 7:15 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:50 AM 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM, 7:30 PM, 7:50 PM, 9:15 PM, 9:30 PM, 10:00 PM
– Train schedules may change without prior notice. It’s recommended to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled train time or ask the coffee owner for specific details.
For dinner, try a traditional Vietnamese restaurant before continuing your evening exploration. You can visit Ngoc Son Temple if you haven’t already, browse the Night Market (on weekends), or simply wander through the lively streets of the Old Quarter and the elegant French Quarter.
If you have tickets for the Water Puppet Show this evening, finish your day at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. And enjoy one of Hanoi’s most unique cultural performances.
Hanoi Travel Itinerary Day 2 – Quick Summary
- Văn Miếu – Literature Temple;
- West Lake & Tran Quoc Pagoda;
- Hanoi Train Street & Phung Hung Mural Street;
- Water Puppet Show.
Day 3 of Your 3-Day Hanoi Itinerary: Hanoi’s Heritage & History
Another full day awaits, although it should be a bit more relaxed than the previous one.
One Pillar Pagoda & Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
After breakfast, head back to the area around the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Start by visiting the One Pillar Pagoda, one of Hanoi’s most iconic landmarks. The pagoda is famous for being built on a single stone pillar rising from a lotus pond, symbolizing a lotus flower emerging from the water. Take some time to explore the surroundings gardens and the grounds around the mausoleum complex.
Useful Information:
– Location: here;
– Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:00 (every day);
– Entrance fee: free;
– Dress code: Choose formal, non-revealing clothing (No shorts, mini skirts, or tank-top).
If you decide to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum itself, keep in mind that this will require some additional time due to security checks and visitor queues. However, even with the mausoleum visit included, this should not be an overlay demanding day.
Useful Information
– Location: here;
– Opening hours: April 1st to October 31st: 7.30 a.m -10.30 a.m, (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 7.30 a.m – 11.00 a.m), November 1st to March 31st of next year: 8.00 a.m – 11.00 a.m
– Entrance fee: free;
– Opening days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday;
– Dress code: Choose formal, non-revealing clothing (No shorts, mini skirts, or tank-top).
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Afterward, make your way to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi’s ancient capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the archaeological remains, historic buildings, and exhibitions that showcase more than a thousand years of Vietnamese history. Plan to spend around two hours here to fully appreciate the site and its significance. On one of the streets near the Citadel is situated a statue with Lenin, walk along the street and see the statue.
Useful Information
– Location: here;
– Opening hours: Regular days: 8 AM – 4 PM, Lunar New Year’s Eve: all night, The 1st and 15th days of every lunar month: 6 AM – 6 PM
– Entrance fee: free
– Opening days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
– Dress code: Choose formal, non-revealing clothing (No shorts, mini skirts, or tank-top)
St. Joseph Cathedral
One trace of Hanoi history is St. Joseph Cathedral. It was built by the French colonials on the site of a former Buddhist pagoda. The architecture is inspired from Notre-Dame de Paris. It has become one of the tourist attractions of Hanoi.
Useful Information
– Location: here;
– Exterior Visits: anytime for exterior viewing and photography, and best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon
Interior Access:
– Weekdays: 5:30 AM and 6:15 PM
– Saturday: 6:00 PM
– Sunday: 5:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM.
Hanoi Travel Itinerary Day 3 – Quick Summary
- One Pillar Pagoda & Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum;
- Imperial Citadel of Thang Long;
- St. Joseph Cathedral
- Exploring the Quarters.
My Travel Map
This map includes all the places I visited in Hanoi, as well as others that were on my list, including restaurants, cafés, attractions, and other points of interest. You can use the search bar to quickly find any of my saved locations. Please note that the search function only works for the pins I’ve added to the map.
Frequently Asked Questions
I never felt unsafe, but you should pay attention to your belongings due to the pickpockets. For me it was much more convenient to wear a crossbody bag for extra safety and comfort.
The best seasons are from November to December, when weather is cooler, drier, and more pleasant, and from March to April, when it is warmer, but still comfortable. I visited Hanoi at the end of March and the weather was perfect.
We mostly walked because most tourist attractions are close to one another. However, if you want to move around faster or visit places farther away, I recommend using the GrabApp. Many people may try to scam tourists with taxis, so be careful and use only GrabApp. A good advice is to install and set up the app before your trip.
The best two options are the Old Quarter and the French Quarter.
– Old Quarter can be more nosier, but if you want to be easier to move around and you don’t have a problem with it, then this is a good option;
– French Quarter is much more quieter and peaceful. If you prefer this type of accommodation, then this is the better option.
I chose the Old Quarter even
If you would like to see the best things to do in Hanoi and Ninh Binh, check these articles:
– Best Things To Do In Hanoi: Complete Travel Guide For First-Time Visitors;
– Best Things To Do In Ninh Binh: Complete Travel Guide For First-Time Visitors.
Final Thoughts for 3-Day Hanoi Itinerary
My first destination in Vietnam was Hanoi city and it hasn’t disappointed me at all. It was a really unique experience and I really loved the city. Even though the Old Quarter is noisy, its vibrant streets, rich history and incredible food, it was the perfect introduction to this country.
Thank you very much for reading this article! I hope this guide for a 3-day itinerary has helped you plan a wonderful trip to Hanoi and given you some inspiration for your own vacation. Don’t forget to take the time to wander, explore and experience the city beyond the main attractions.
