Hanoi is a popular stop over destination for many travelers hopping around the South East Asian countries. With visa on arrival facility( apply online for a VOA letter) and transit visa facility it is an easy break to hours of journey. It s a city with historical significance over a thousand years. The city has seen multiple invasions , survived the war and still is bustling with energy.
Here is our list for a must do if you have just one day in Hanoi.
Hoan Kiem lake , Hanoi
Hanoi in a day
Rather than catching a tour bus and getting lugged around with a bunch of people ….we would recommend you to try a bit of town by yourself
1) Head to the old quarter and walk around the quaint small roads.
2) With the help of a map and trace your way to the lake Hoen Kiem
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3) Locate the Turtle tower in the lake and enjoy the cool breeze around the lake
Turtle Tower, Hanoi
4) Catch yourself posing for a picture on the red bridge of the Ngoc Son temple.
Ngoc Son temple Bridge
5) Secure a ticket for a show at the Water puppet theater ..based on your time available and watch the show (some slots get booked early hence advisable to get the ticket ahead of time and show up)
Water puppet theatre, Hanoi
6) Pick a Vietnamese style cafe walking around the blocks and gently dip the Vietnamese style coffee as the city goes by busily on its two wheelers.
coffee time
7) Now adventure time.. Cross a street holding your hand up high, be watchful.. Feel the adrenaline rush (attempt at small roads only please.. Don’t try out the junctions)
traffic , Hanoi
8) Navigate your way to the near by St. Joseph’s Cathedral to enjoy the calm amidst the busy moving population and school children in the town.
St Joseph’s Cathedral
9) Pick up some lunch time rolls with rice paper, “bhani mi” or a Pho ” (submarine sandwich or a noodle soup, Vietnamese style) .
Street food Vietnam
10)Ride around with a tricycle for their old world charm.
Tricycle ride, Hanoi
This is a stimulating agenda for a day in Hanoi which has been tried and tested. Hope you enjoy your day in Hanoi too.
Meanwhile if you wish to hop over to, Siem Reap dont miss to check out a tried and tested schedule.
You could also immerse yourself in the post related to the surrounding south east asian countries
Lovely post Seema. Highlight being your beautiful Vietnamese look ..
Thank you dear, yes ticked one off my bucket list.
Hey Joseph,
Thanks for this post. Hanoi is a great city to get lost in and around especially in the Old Quarter. THat’s enough to create a list of 100 things to do. Squat with a local on a tabacco pipe, eat a bowl of pho, stroll the lakeside, etc. The water puppet theatre is great but quite touristy. Of course you had the coffee on there, classic! Love Hanoi and looking forward to going back after this post.
Cheers,
Hey Frances,
Agree that Hanoi old quarter itself is a good place for multiple days. Being a tourist a day is not enough to cover all of it, yet, this was an effective glimpse of our travels. More posts on our adventures up on the line, so hope you stay by….
PS- my name is Seema
Great write up. I was there late last year. I did most of it except the puppet show. Kinda regret skipping it.
Thankyou Chee Yang. Glad to hear you enjoyed Vietnam too. The theatre was awesome