Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a vibrant city with plenty to see, do, and most importantly, eat and drink. We spent 2 days in Hanoi, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the city’s highlights.
2 days in hanoi itinerary
Day 1
- Egg Coffee at Café Giang
- Ngoc Son Temple
- St. Joseph’s Cathedral
- Prison Museum
- Train Street
- Water Puppet Show
On the first day of our 2 days in Hanoi, we headed to Café Giang, the birthplace of egg coffee. Not much of a coffee fan, I tried the egg hot chocolate which was surprisingly good. It was more like a creamy, chocolaty dessert than a drink. The café is always busy, so you might have to wait for a table, but it’s well worth it.
Afterward, we visited Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake, which cost 30,000 VND to enter. The temple, built in the 19th century, offers nice views of the lake and houses two embalmed giant softshell turtles. The oldest turtle has been on display since 1968, while the more recent one, affectionately called “Cụ Rùa” (great-grandfather turtle), passed away in 2016 at around 100 years old.
We spent about 30 minutes exploring the temple before heading to The Note Coffee, a unique café covered in thousands of handwritten notes from visitors worldwide. The warm pain au chocolat here are really good!
For lunch, we enjoyed a comforting bowl of Vietnamese pho before making our way to St. Joseph’s Cathedral. The cathedral was beautifully decorated for Christmas, with a huge tree and a nativity scene outside. Although we couldn’t go inside at the time, the exterior was still impressive.
Next, we visited the Hoa Lo Prison Museum for 50,000 VND. The museum starts with the history of French colonialism and its impact on Vietnamese revolutionaries, showcasing old cells, clothing, and harrowing punishments. The exhibit then shifts to the Vietnam War, including a section on former U.S. President John McCain, who was imprisoned here. Interestingly, McCain later revisited the prison and met with his former captors as an act of reconciliation.
In the evening, we headed to the famous Train Street to watch a train pass by. Train Street is a famous street in Hanoi lined with bars and restaurants, with train tracks running through the middle and regular trains throughout the day. Its a great spot for a drink after a long day exploring.
Online timetables can be unreliable, so it’s best to visit one of the bars along the tracks to check the daily schedule. We chose the main Train Street (there’s also a quieter South Train Street) and dined at a restaurant right by the tracks. The atmosphere was lively and colorful, and the experience of watching the train zoom past so close was thrilling. The staff ensures everyone stays safe by giving plenty of warning before the train arrives.
At 8:30 PM, we attended a traditional water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Tickets cost 100,000 VND (200,000 VND for front-row seats). Even from the back row, we had a good view. Although the show is in Vietnamese, the music and amusing scenes made it enjoyable. At just 50 minutes long, it’s a fun and unique experience I’d recommend for first-time visitors.
To end the day, we stopped at 2Cream for some incredible homemade ice cream. (I’d recommend trying the lemon curd flavor!)
Day 2
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Temple of Literature
- Museum of Ethnology
- Beer Street
On the second day of our 2 days in Hanoi, we started at the Temple of Literature, which costs 50,000 VND to enter. This site was built in 1070 and is dedicated to Confucius. It served as Vietnam’s first national university and remains a symbol of education and literature in Hanoi. The temple is divided into five courtyards, each with its own unique features, surrounded by peaceful gardens. Inside, there is plenty of information to read if you are interested in the temple’s history. We spent about an hour here before moving on.
After a quick coffee stop, we walked to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where “Uncle Ho” lies in state. Unfortunately, we couldn’t go inside because we didn’t realize it’s only open from 8:00 to 11:00 AM. Nevertheless, the imposing monument was still worth a visit. If you do go, we later read online it’s best to arrive well before 8am to avoid very long queues.
Next, we took a taxi to the Museum of Ethnology, which cost 50,000 VND to enter. The museum is really interesting, showcasing the lifestyles and cultures of over 50 ethnic groups in Vietnam. The outdoor area features traditional housing styles, from straw huts to clay homes. We spent about two hours exploring the exhibits before heading back to our hostel.
In the evening, we stumbled upon Peachy’s Craft Beer and Coffee where we enjoyed Vietnamese cider and rooftop views over the city. Later, we headed to Beer Street, known for its lively nightlife, with numerous bars and restaurants. For a great view of the city, we visited Northern Soul Rooftop Bar which served great cocktails. Finally, we wrapped up the night at Tom’s Bar, a late-night spot with a dance floor and great music. If you’re looking for a night out when you’re in Hanoi, Beer Street is definitely the place to go.
2 days in Hanoi: Final thoughts
Overall, Hanoi quickly became one of my favourite places in Vietnam and one I would definitely return to. 2 days in Hanoi is plenty of time to enjoy all the city’s highlights. If you have more time, you could easily have a couple more to further enjoy the range of amenities the city has to offer at a more relaxed pace.
