11 Things to Do in Hanoi for an Epic Vacation

Culture Trip Travel Team

Hanoi is home to sights the like of which you won’t find anywhere else – and a visit to the city isn’t complete without taking in at least a few of them. Culture Trip’s curated list of Hanoi tours and experiences take you under the skin of the wonderful city.

Vietnam’s capital city has a wealth of unique experiences to offer. Whether you’re looking for an insight into authentic Vietnamese cookery, or want to experience traditional water puppet theatre, we’ve put together the best of Hanoi for you to book now.

1. Private Hanoi City Half-Day Tour

Architectural Landmark

Explore Hanoi intimately with a private sightseeing tour tailored to your interests. Choose from morning or afternoon sessions to visit iconic sites including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and Hoa Lo Prison. With a personal guide to share local insights, this tour ensures a comprehensive overview of the city’s rich culture and history in just half a day.
Navigate the bustling streets of Hanoi with ease on this guided food walking tour, sampling a variety of local delicacies like rice noodle soup with beef, snails, and Vietnamese sandwiches. Depending on your chosen departure time, the tour includes either lunch or dinner at a local restaurant. A vegetarian option is available, ensuring everyone can enjoy the culinary delights of Vietnam’s capital.

2. Overnight in Ta Van Village

Natural Feature

Travelers who love the outdoors will enjoy this two-day hiking tour in the Sa Pa area from Hanoi. Experience some of the most beautiful landscapes in northern Vietnam: terraced fields, mountains, and small villages. Spend the night in a bungalow in a hill tribe village, Ta Van, where you can learn more about rural Vietnamese life and culture. Receive personalized attention on a small-group tour (max. 15).

3. Small Group Hanoi Street Food Tour

Architectural Landmark

Navigate the bustling streets of Hanoi with ease on this guided food walking tour, sampling a variety of local delicacies like rice noodle soup with beef, snails, and Vietnamese sandwiches. Depending on your chosen departure time, the tour includes either lunch or dinner at a local restaurant. A vegetarian option is available, ensuring everyone can enjoy the culinary delights of Vietnam’s capital.Navigate the bustling streets of Hanoi with ease on this guided food walking tour, sampling a variety of local delicacies like rice noodle soup with beef, snails, and Vietnamese sandwiches. Depending on your chosen departure time, the tour includes either lunch or dinner at a local restaurant. A vegetarian option is available, ensuring everyone can enjoy the culinary delights of Vietnam’s capital.

4. Hanoi City Half Day Private Tour

Architectural Landmark

Explore the depths of Hanoi’s rich history and diverse culture with a local guide on this private tour, which takes a different approach from our earlier recommendation. Traverse from ancient pagodas to vibrant markets and tranquil lakes, uncovering the city’s hidden gems. The tour includes hassle-free round-trip transfers from Old Quarter hotels, a traditional Vietnamese meal, and exclusive visits to landmarks like “Train Street” and St. Joseph’s Cathedral, ensuring a deeply personalized experience.Explore the depths of Hanoi’s rich history and diverse culture with a local guide on this private tour. Traverse from ancient pagodas to vibrant markets and tranquil lakes, uncovering the city’s hidden gems. The tour includes hassle-free round-trip transfers from Old Quarter hotels, a traditional Vietnamese meal, and exclusive visits to landmarks like “Train Street” and St. Joseph’s Cathedral, ensuring a deeply personalized experience.

5. Hanoi Motorbike Tours Led By Women

Architectural Landmark

Hop on a thrilling motorbike tour of Hanoi at night, guided by a local female guide. Experience the city’s food scene intimately with stops in iconic areas like the Old Quarter and Ngu Xa village. Savor a variety of dishes, including *banh cuon*, *bun cha*, and *banh ran ngot*, all included in your tour. Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off make this culinary journey seamless and unforgettable.

6. Hạ Long Bay 5* Overnight Luxury Cruise

Natural Feature

The first and currently only 5-star cruise ship in Ha Long to offer a 2-day-1-night itinerary exploring unspoiled spots such as Surprise Cave and Trinh Nu Beach with the longest and most beautiful route in Ha Long Bay. With a modern design fusing a bit of delicate classic styling inspired by European ships, Amanda Cruise is created as a true beauty of harmony, luxury and charm. You can do Hanoi on a budget but some things are worth splashing out on.

7. Hanoi Jeep Tours: Food+ Culture

Architectural Landmark

Explore Hanoi’s vibrant atmosphere in a unique Soviet-era GAZ-69 jeep. Delve into both renowned and obscure parts of the city, learning about Vietnam’s rich history from your knowledgeable guide. Tailor your journey with options for morning, afternoon, or evening tours, each culminating in a delightful street food experience, showcasing flavors that most first-time visitors might miss.

8. From Hanoi to Hoa Lu via Boat and Bike

Hiking Trail

Escape bustling Hanoi city for a few hours, and breath the fresh air on this full-day rural Vietnam tour. With a local lunch of goat meat, fried rice and local fruits onboard, you’ll be fueled for an afternoon of action, taking in the scenery by both bamboo boat and mountain bike. See local villagers going about their daily lives as you come to appreciate a quieter slice of Vietnamese culture. One highlight is the spectacular Mua Cave, which many tourists want to see but don’t get a chance to visit.

9. Traditional Cooking Class and Market Trip

Market

Get all the flavours of Vietnam and learn to cook like a local during this lesson in Hanoi. After meeting up with an informative instructor in the historic Old Quarter, head to the city’s largest market and learn about the basics of Vietnamese cooking. Pick the best produce and spices, then cook several authentic dishes. Afterward, enjoy your creations while sipping complimentary rice wine.

10. Hanoi Countryside Motorbike Tour

Archaeological site

Venture away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and explore the countryside on a vintage Minsk motorbike. Explore the villages along the Red River Delta and learn about what daily life is like for these local residents. Admire the beautiful scenery of farmlands and estuaries and end the tour at the 1000-year-old ceramic village of Bat Trang to learn about the ancient art.

11. Ban Gioc Waterfalls

Natural Feature

Experience the natural beauty of northern Vietnam’s Ban Gioc Waterfall on this multi-day guided excursion. After a convenient hotel pickup in Hanoi, explore the lake and its surroundings—tea plantations and mountains, the fishing village of Coc Toc and Hua Ma Cave, Nang River and Puong Grotto. Enjoy complimentary meals, accommodations, hikes through beautiful scenery and access to a boat and kayaks.

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