Things to Know When Exploring Hanoi
- 12/05
- Ava
- 02 Bình Luận
Overview of Hanoi
Hanoi is the thousand-year-old capital of Vietnam, famous for its ancient architecture and rich culture. Here, you can see the influence of Southeast Asia and France in both culture and architecture. The city center is bustling with old quarters, where you will find narrow streets with names starting with “Hang.”
Hanoi is a city with many lakes and parks. In the inner city area, West Lake is the largest, covering about 500 hectares. It plays an important role in the urban landscape and is surrounded by many villas and cafes. Hoan Kiem Lake is a famous lake in the historical center of the city, the busiest area, and always holds a special place for Hanoi. Other lakes include Truc Bach, Thien Quang, Thu Le, etc.
Thanh Niên Street
Hanoi is also known for its many small temples, such as Bach Ma Temple, Ngoc Son Temple near Hoan Kiem Lake, or Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake. You should not miss Dong Xuan Market, the largest wholesale market in Northern Vietnam.
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Another attraction is the Ho Chi Minh complex with the Mausoleum, Museum, and One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature from the 11th century, which is also a must-see. It is the first university in Vietnam and a top historical site in Hanoi.
One Pillar Pagoda
From the Opera House to the Cathedral, these are architectural works from the French colonial period. Visit Hoa Lo Prison (also known as the Hanoi Hilton) to see where Vietnamese war prisoners were held. Traditional chamber music, water puppetry, and Tai Chi around Hoan Kiem Lake are other specialties of Hanoi.
Hoa Lo Prison
Hanoi is also famous for its delicious food, especially street food. You can linger in the old narrow streets to enjoy a tasty bowl of Pho or a delicious Banh Mi.
Hanoi Weather
Hanoi’s weather is characteristic of the northern climate, featuring a tropical monsoon nature. The weather includes two main seasons: hot and rainy (April - October), and cold and dry (November - March). However, Hanoi still enjoys four seasons thanks to the transitional months.
The hot and rainy season starts from May to the end of August, with the cool and dry season from September to mid-November being autumn. From late November to the first half of February, the weather turns cold and remains dry as winter arrives. From the latter half of February to the end of March, it is cold with intermittent drizzles, marking spring, the season of growth and love.
Đường Hoàng Diệu buổi sáng mùa hè
You can visit during November - December and March - April when the weather is warm and pleasant. Important holidays include Tet (Lunar New Year), Mid-Autumn Festival, the Full Moon of the First Month, and National Day (September 2).
Tours & Activities in Hanoi
If you only have one day in this vibrant city and want to visit its landmarks, here is a suggested day tour.
The starting point should be Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Sword Lake. Hoan Kiem is a natural freshwater lake in the center of Hanoi. It is the best place to practice Tai Chi in the morning with locals or take a walk in the sunset in the afternoon. The lake covers an area of approximately 12 hectares with the Pen Tower (Thap But) in the middle.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Surrounded by lush greenery and prominent temples, the name Hoàn Kiếm emerged in the early 15th century after several previous names. This name is associated with the legend of King Lê Lợi returning the precious sword to the Turtle.
According to legend, during the uprising against the Ming invaders, King Lê Lợi borrowed the sword from the Dragon King. Thanks to the precious sword, Đại Việt achieved a great victory. One day, while King Lê Lợi was boating, a golden turtle emerged from the lake and asked the king to return the sword. Since then, the lake has been named Hoàn Kiếm (literally: returning the sword).
A 20-minute walk will take you to St. Joseph’s Cathedral, also known as the Big Church, which is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Hanoi. It is also an ancient church for the city’s religious activities.
Hanoi Big Church
Address: 40 Nhà Chung Street
Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 08:00–11:00, 14:00–17:00
Sunday: 07:00–10:30, 15:00–21:00
Major annual celebration: March 19
A 10-minute walk will take you to Hỏa Lò Prison (also known as the Hanoi Hilton), where you will find exhibits recalling the nation’s struggle for independence. During the Indochina War, this was where Vietnamese revolutionaries were imprisoned. The prison also displays a guillotine used by the colonists to execute Vietnamese activists. Some memorabilia related to American pilots held here during the Vietnam War will leave you deeply moved.
Address: 1 Hỏa Lò Street
Opening Hours: 08:00–17:00 daily
Entrance Fee: 30,000 VND per adult
A 10-minute drive will take you to the Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám), one of the 23 special national monuments of Hanoi, located south of the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel.
The Temple of Literature is part of a larger complex dating back to 1070. Other parts include Văn Lake (Hồ Văn Miếu), the Temple of Literature (dedicated to Confucius), and Quốc Tử Giám (Vietnam’s first university), which operated for over 700 years. The temple grounds also preserve 82 stone steles inscribed with the names of doctoral laureates. Every year, many parents bring their children here, hoping for their intelligence and academic success.
Quốc Tử Giám
Nowadays, the temple is not only a tourist attraction but also a place to honor outstanding students. The annual poetry festival takes place here on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Students come here to request calligraphy with the hope of achieving high scores in upcoming exams.
Address: 58 Quốc Tử Giám Street
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 18:00 daily
Entrance Fee: 30,000 VND per adult
Children under 15: Free
A 10-minute drive will take you to the Imperial Citadel, which was an important military base during the Vietnam War. After independence, UNESCO designated this site as a World Heritage Site. Here, you can find about 1,000 years of history, bunkers, a collection of weapons, and military maps.
A 5-minute walk will take you to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you can visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The structure was built to preserve President Ho Chi Minh’s body after his death. The Vietnamese people hope their beloved Father can be pleased seeing the country’s independence. All materials for the mausoleum were sourced from all over the country, reflecting the Vietnamese people’s love for their beloved Father.
Next is the Ho Chi Minh Museum, shaped like a white lotus flower, which houses all items related to the President. The One Pillar Pagoda, a small pagoda resembling a lotus flower standing on a stone pillar, is also located here.
Address: 25 Hùng Vương Street
Opening Hours:
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum:
Summer (April to October): 07:30 to 10:30 (until 11:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays).
Winter (November to March): 08:00 to 11:00.
Closed on Mondays & Fridays.
Entrance Fee: Free
Ho Chi Minh Museum:
08:00 - 12:00 & 14:00 - 16:30 daily except Monday & Friday afternoons.
Entrance Fee: 40,000 VND per adult
A 5-minute walk to West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi with a history of over 1,450 years. Within the grounds of Tran Quoc, you will find many lotus statues and the stone walls of the pagoda are adorned with numerous lotus carvings. In Vietnamese beliefs, the lotus symbolizes the soul and purity of the body, it also represents enlightenment and achievement, reflecting the beauty of Vietnam’s nature.
The harmonious architecture and natural scenery give the pagoda a picturesque beauty, and the sunset view from the pagoda’s courtyard is truly spectacular.
Water Puppet show at Thang Long Theater
You can end your day tour with a Water Puppet show at Thang Long Theater, where they perform in a 4-square-meter waist-deep water pool. Wooden puppets dance under the control of puppeteers hidden behind a screen. Traditional instruments and songs are performed throughout the show, with dancing puppets, stage lights, colorful flags, and background music creating a joyful atmosphere.
A walking food tour or cooking class is also a good option for your day. With the food tour, you can see old corners and taste street food as you go. If you love the food here and want to cook it at home for your family, join a cooking class where the chef will accompany you from buying ingredients at the local market to decorating the finished dish.
Hanoi Motorbike Tour: In this tour, you will get a great introduction to Hanoi’s life without worrying about the risks of driving a two-wheeler yourself. Riding through the streets on a Minsk motorbike with a small group of up to eight people, you will visit the Presidential Palace Historical Site, Hai Ba Trung Temple, and Long Bien Bridge, and taste some of the city’s best street food.
A motorbike tour to the countryside around Hanoi is also a good option if you want to see the rural village life.
Jeep Tour in Hanoi: On a Soviet-era GAZ-69 jeep, you explore the city in a unique way, experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of Hanoi. See the city’s landmarks and learn about the country’s history; you can choose to go in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
Hanoi Cuisine
Vietnamese cuisine varies by region, city, and large village. Hanoi, like other cities, has a list of must-eat dishes. Among this list, the dishes you see on the sidewalk with small plastic tables and chairs best represent Hanoi’s cuisine. If you want to enjoy local and authentic dishes, sit with the locals and try some of their daily specialties.
- Pho
- Banh Mi
- Bun Cha
- Bun Ca
- Nem
- Cha Ca La Vong
- Banh Cuon
- Hotpot
- Che
- Egg Coffee
1. Pho
In Hanoi, Pho is a classic, iconic dish and perhaps the most popular here. You can enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
A bowl of Pho includes thin, soft noodles with slices of beef or chicken, topped with onions, cilantro, and broth. The broth is simmered from beef bones with various spices. The best bowl of Pho should be paired with ground pepper, garlic vinegar, and lime juice.
Pho
If you don’t go to fixed pho restaurants, you can have Pho from street vendors. One side of their carrying pole holds a container with all the ingredients, bowls, chopsticks, and spoons, while the other side has a pot of broth placed on a charcoal stove. It’s quite interesting to enjoy a bowl of street pho while watching the world go by.
You can order a boiled or fried egg for 5,000 VND to dip into your Pho.
Where to eat Pho in Hanoi:
Street Pho on any street.
Pho Gia Truyen: 49 Bat Dan.
Pho 10: 10 Ly Quoc Su.
Daily from 06:00 – 10:30 and 18:00 – 20:30.
Price: 30,000 VND to 50,000 VND.
2. Banh Mi
Originally from France, the sandwich has become banh mi in Vietnam, a truly Vietnamese bread. Banh mi is made from wheat flour with a thin, crispy crust and a soft inside.
Bánh Mì – Vietnamese Sandwich
It includes omelet, pork, pate, ham, vegetables like cucumber, carrot, and cilantro, with different ingredients depending on the region. You can add a bit of chili sauce or mayonnaise, and each bite is a perfect blend of spicy, salty, sweet, and fragrant flavors.
Where to eat:
Banh Mi Ngon: 49 Duong Thanh.
Banh Mi 25: 25 Hang Ca.
Bami Bread: 98 Hang Bac.
Daily from 08:00 to 22:00.
Or some street Banh Mi vendors.
Price: From 15,000 VND to 25,000 VND.
3. Bun Cha
Bun cha is a Hanoi dish made from grilled pork and noodles.
Bun cha includes several components:
Meat: grilled pork slices and patties (belly and shoulder).
Noodles.
Dipping sauce: fish sauce mixed with sugar, lime juice, vinegar, broth, crushed garlic, and chili.
Bún Chả
Pickles: green papaya or carrot, onion, kohlrabi.
Fresh herbs: basil, rice paddy herb, cabbage, bean sprouts, and perilla.
Condiments: crushed chili, crushed garlic, lime slices, vinegar, ground pepper.
Sometimes served with spring rolls.
Where to eat:
Bun Cha 34 – 34 Hang Than.
Bun Cha Dac Kim – 1 Hang Manh.
Bun Cha Huong Lien “Obama” – 24 Le Van Huu.
Bun Cha Ta – 21 Nguyen Huu Huan.
Bun Cha – 74 Hang Quat.
Price: From 30,000 VND to 60,000 VND.
4. Bun Ca
This is a bowl of fish noodle soup, served with broth made from fish bones, topped with green onions, bean sprouts, and dill. This soup, served in a very local corner, will warm your hungry stomach and soul.
Where to eat:
Bun Ca Sam Cay Si: No. 5 Trung Yen. Daily from 08:00 to 20:30.
Or at any street restaurant you see around the old quarters.
Price: 35,000 VND.
FYI: Sam Cay Si also offers Ca Cuon, crispy fried pork rolls with fresh herbs wrapped in fish.
5. Nem
Nem is a popular dish in Vietnamese cuisine.
Nem Ran:
The main ingredients are minced pork, vegetables like carrots, kohlrabi, pickled onions, and herbs. Mushrooms and shrimp can be added to the mixture, which is then rolled in a rice paper sheet. The rice paper is then deep-fried over medium heat until it turns golden brown and crispy.
Nem
Summer rolls (goi cuon) include pork, shrimp, carrots, cucumber, pineapple, herbs, and noodles, all wrapped in rice paper or cold rolls.
Nem can be served with dipping sauce, fish sauce at most Bun Cha restaurants.
6. Cha Ca La Vong
Cha Ca La Vong is a unique specialty of Hanoi and a must-try when in the city. This local delicacy is so important that there’s even a street named after it - Cha Ca Street.
The special ingredient of this dish is fish (usually catfish or snakehead fish), which is cut into pieces, marinated, grilled over charcoal, and then fried crispy in a pan.
Cha Ca La Vong
The dish is served at the table with a hotpot, where the grilled fish is cooked with some dill and turmeric. Some accompaniments include fresh herbs, noodles, roasted peanuts, and shrimp paste with sliced chili. All ingredients are placed on top of the noodles and mixed with a bit of shrimp paste.
For those who can’t eat shrimp paste, fish sauce can be used as a substitute. It’s not a problem, but fish sauce somewhat reduces the flavor of the dish.
Each piece of grilled fish, marinated with turmeric and sauce, combined with fresh herbs, is an explosion of flavors. This dish is a must-try in Hanoi that you must experience.
Where to eat:
Cha Ca La Vong – 14 Cha Ca. The original restaurant of this dish. Daily from 11:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 21:00.
Cha Ca Thang Long Restaurant – 19, 21 & 31 Duong Thanh. Daily from 11:00 to 21:30.
Price: 120,000 VND per person.
7. Banh Cuon
Bánh cuốn is another local specialty that no one wants to miss. Bánh cuốn is a thin rolled rice sheet filled with ground pork, minced mushrooms, and spring onions. The rice sheet is a sheet of steamed fermented rice batter poured on a cloth stretched over a pot of boiling water.
Bánh Cuốn – Steamed Rice Rolls
Each roll, you should have with fried shallots, cilantro herbs, and dip in a special sauce. The sauce is a mix of fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, sliced chili, minced garlic.
Where to eat:
Bánh Cuốn Gia Truyền: 12 Hàng Gà. Every day from 07:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 23:00.
Or at any street restaurant that you see around the old quarters. Look for a yellow board names Bánh Cuốn and a big pot of boiling water.
Price: About 35,000 VND per person (~ 1.54 USD).
8. Lẩu - Vietnamese hot pot
In the cooler months, Lẩu is one of the best choices for you in Hanoi. For Vietnamese, this is a dish for gathering. Anytime of gathering with family or friends, a hot pot will be the first thing they think about. If you go with a group, there is no reason to hesitate to order a pot. This will be a great chance to enjoy one of the authentic Vietnamese dishes in its way.
Lẩu consists of a pot (pan) of broth on top of a charcoal/alcohol fuel stove or an electric cooker. The pot is kept simmering throughout the meal. Aside from the pot is a variety of foods including meat, fish, seafood, noodles, and vegetables. Put the food that you’d like to eat into the pot, stir, and wait for some minutes till it's ready to eat.
There are different kinds of lẩu and its name depends on the meat used. It might be called lẩu gà (chicken), lẩu bò (beef), lẩu ếch (frog meat), or lẩu thập cẩm (mix of meat and seafood).
9. Chè - Vietnamese Sweet Soup
Chè is the perfect dessert to end your meal. Chè is a mixed sweet soup made of mung beans, black-eyed peas, jelly (clear or grass), fruit, and coconut cream. Other types are made with seed of lotus, sesame, and sugar palm, aloe vera, seaweed, taro, sweet potato, and more. The ingredients are cooked in water, sweetened with sugar, and combined with tapioca.
Chè is a kind of 4-season food because it can be refresh with ice in the hot days and served warm (chè nóng) in the cooler days. In Hanoi, it's easy to find chè vendors on the streets. When you order, you can choose the ingredients you'd like to eat.
From the Chinese, chè trôi nước has come to Hanoi. The sweet soup is glutinous rice dumplings with mung bean balls inside dipped in a warm ginger sauce.
Where to eat:
Chè Bốn Mùa: 4 Hàng Cân. Every day from 10:00 to 23:00.
Bánh Trôi Tầu – Diep Beo: 52 Hàng Điếu. Every day from 20:00 until 23:00.
Or any street vendor with a chè sign.
Prices: 10,000 VND to 25,000 VND (0.44 USD to 1.10 USD).
10. Cà Phê Trứng - Vietnames Egg Coffee
It is a kind of drink, but it is like food! Egg coffee or Cà Phê Trứng is the most famous and must have coffee Hanoi. It is a thick Robusta coffee topped with an airy froth of egg yolk whipped with sweetened condensed milk.
Several coffee shops offer this rich in taste egg coffee. Yet, cafe Giảng at 39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân is the one that has an original taste. Mr. Giảng, the founder of the cafe is also the creator of egg coffee. Another place that offers the best view in Hanoi is Café Phố Cổ at 11 Hàng Gai.
Cà Phê Trứng - Vietnamese Egg Coffee
You can approach any cafe on the old streets with an egg coffee sign. From the main ingredient of egg yolk, with different ways of making, each shop makes a different taste of egg coffee.
Opening hours: Every day from 08:00 until 23:00.
Price: ~ 30,000 VND (1.34 USD).
FYI: Hanoi is also a place to experience the Vietnamese beer and the local Bia Hoi (fresh beer).
Hanoi Hotel
In Hanoi, you can easily find any hotel in your budget, from hostels in the Old Quarter to 5* hotels in the French Quarter. Check out our suggested random list of some popular hotels to find one which suits you.
1. Hanoi La Siesta Trendy - 12 Nguyễn Quang Bích
Price from 76 USD including breakfast.
Located in the Old Quarter, Hanoi La Siesta Trendy is within a 15-minute walk of Hoan Kiem Lake. Featured amenities, a 24-hour front desk, house-keeping services, and professional staff. Laundry services, round-trip airport shuttle with a surcharge.
2. Hanoi Royal Palace Hotel 2 - 95 Hàng Bông
Price from 33 USD including breakfast.
Hanoi Royal Palace 2 is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Hanoi Old Quarter. The Royal Palace Hotel 2 offers elegant rooms with old quarter views. It is a short walk to Hoan Kiem Lake, Night market, and many sites around the Old Quarter.
3. Hanoi Marvellous Hotel & Spa - 55 Đường Thành
Price from 73 USD including breakfast.
Hanoi Marvellous Hotel & Spa
600 m to Hoan Kiem Lake and 450m to St.Joseph's Cathedral. 50 rooms & suites, restaurant, spa center, and 24-hour desk.
All rooms have large windows looking over to the city and bringing in natural light.
4. The Oriental Jade Hotel & Spa - 94 Hàng Trống
Price from USD 75 including breakfast.
Less than 5 minutes on foot to the Hoan Kiem Lake and St.Joseph's Cathedra. The Oriental Jade features high-quality amenities and a rooftop freshwater pool. A round-trip airport transfer is available 24 hours with a surcharge.
5. Splendid Hotel & Spa - 6 Hàng Hành lane
Price from 52 USD including breakfast.
Splendid Hotel & Spa offers allergy-free rooms, a spa area, and a sun terrace and proximity to Hoan Kiem Lake.
6. Helios Legend Hotel - 2 Đường Thành
Price from 27 USD including breakfast.
Helios Legend Hotel is only 420 m from Hanoi Train Street and 10 minutes to Hoan Kiem Lake. The hotel offers 50 well-appointed rooms with city views through large windows.
7. O'Gallery Premier Hotel & Spa - 122 Hàng Bông
Price from USD 52 including breakfast.
O‘Gallery Premier provides a perfect base to main attractions in the Old quarter such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Water Puppet Theatre, St. Joseph’s Cathedral. 55 guest rooms, all are well-equipped with leather furnishings and high-quality amenities.
8. Somerset Grand Hanoi - 49 Hai Bà Trưng
Price from 73 USD including breakfast.
Somerset Grand Hanoi is a superb towering serviced apartment in Hanoi Old Quarter. It offers colorful shops, top-flight bars, and many restaurants. 185 well-appointed apartments ranging from 64sqm to 162sqm, from One-Bedroom Deluxe to Penthouses.
9. La Siesta Classic Ma May (formerly Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa) - 94 Mã Mây
Price from 65 USD including breakfast.
La Siesta Classic Ma May features an imposing white exterior and classic Asian-inspired interior. It is situated in the Old Quarter, close to Hoan Kiem Lake, and main attractions of the capital.
10. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel - 15 Ngô Quyền
Price from 180 USD including breakfast.
It offers 364 elegant rooms and suites. All are well-equipped with Sofitel's MyBed, broadband Internet, LCD, and complimentary. The hotel has 2 wings: the historical Metropole Wing with the original grandeur and the Opera Wing with neo-classic elegance.
Hanoi Best Restaurants
Below are restaurants offering fine dining options, if street vendors are not your favorite.
1. La Terrasse Du Metropole - Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
This is one of the finest restaurants in Hanoi. Class and culture seem to embrace this restaurant. Parisian bistros, the ornate facade, and parquet flooring of the 20th century France.
La Terrasse Du Metropole - Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
It is worth stopping by, even for a coffee only in its open bar inspired by Paris' world-famous outdoor cafes. Enjoy the charming design and immerse in the bustling urban life...
Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 - 14:00 and 16:00 - 22:00
Address: 15 Ngo Quyen Street
2. Highway 4 Restaurants
Highway 4 features a large menu of Vietnam’s entire culinary in classic furnishings. Well-served with plenty of local herbs, each dish offers a typical taste of Vietnam.
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 23:30
Address: 25 Bat Su; 5 Hang Tre Street
3. Buffet Sen 60 Ly Thai To
Sen is a sophisticated restaurant serving excellent food in a buffet style. The ivory-color scheme and neo-colonial architecture are also highlights of the restaurant.
Buffet Sen 60 Ly Thai To
The quality and quantity of the buffet are at excellent value.
Opening Hours: Daily 18:00 – 22:00
Address: 60 Ly Thai To Street
4. KOTO (Know One, Teach One)
KOTO is a cafe and restaurant serving Vietnamese coffee and dishes. Opposite the Temple of Literature, the atmosphere here is so pleasant. Not only a restaurant, but KOTO is also a nonprofit social enterprise offering street youth aged 16 – 22 the chance to learn a trade. The learner then can earn their living by working in a restaurant. Here, you will always see genuine smiles and the best serving attitude from the staff.
Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 - 22:00
Address: 59 Van Mieu Street
5. Green Tangerine
The small but beautiful Green Tangerine evokes a quaint bistro found in the back alleys of Paris. The restaurant serves you excellent creative cuisine in Hanoi cooked with French techniques. The set lunch deal is at good value and recommended for any budget!
Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 - 23:00
Address: 48 Hang Be Street
6. Hanoi Social Club
Hanoi Social Club is the place for those looking for a cool, bohemian hangout in Hanoi. It serves you with amazing western brunch dishes and excellent coffee and smoothies. The 2nd-floor chill-out room gives you a feeling of a friend’s apartment. There is a library, free Wi-Fi, and varied soundtrack.
Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 – 23:00
Address: 6 Hoi Vu (off Quan Su Street)
7. Quan An Ngon
Quan An Ngon is ideal for you to try regional specialties from across Vietnam in just one place. All the colorful flavors are cooked fresh to order. The traditional Vietnamese architecture here will surprise you.
Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 – 22:00
Address: 34 Phan Dinh Phung
8. Xuan Xuan
Not special in style, Xuan Xuan BBQ Restaurant is a good choice to eat like a local. It offers a selection of meats and side-dish vegetables brought on a large platter. On top of a small gas stove, you barbeque your delicious meal. How fun it is on eating elbow to elbow among the crowds of happy diners.
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 23:30
Address: 47 Ma May Street, Old Quarter
9. La Verticale
The fine-dining La Verticale restaurant features a special layout with an open kitchen. The kitchen pleases you with fantastic food from a seasonal menu. All the ingredients, herbs, and spices are fresh and produced using French techniques. The food and beverages are excellent and the service is diligent. The romantic ambiance together with a roof terrace overlooking the bustling city...
Opening Hours: Daily 11:30 – 14:00 and 18:00 – 22:00
Address: 19 Ngo Van So Street
10. O’Douceurs Hanoi
O’Douceurs Hanoi is a renowned French patisserie. Here you can enjoy freshly baked cakes, pastries, superb smoothies, teas, and coffees. Here also offers a wide choice of sandwiches, croissants, macaroons, fruit tarts, and cookies.
Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 - 22:30
Address: 91A Tran Hung Dao
Hanoi nightlife
Within the Old Quarter, you can find the best bars and pubs in Hanoi. The citizens, tourists, and ex-pat community are gathering here every night for entertainment. Some say a night in Hanoi is incomplete without a glass of Bia Hoi (fresh beer) on the roadside.
Bars around Hoan Kiem Lake offer a quieter setting with a wide choice of beverages and delicacies. Live performances of various music genres are a highlight here.
1. Bia Hoi Corner
Set in the bustling center of Hanoi Old Quarter, Bia Hoi Corner is a typical nightlife spot in the city.
Here you can enjoy a glass of the famous Bia Hoi for as little as VND 5,000. Spilling out onto the streets are plastic stools and makeshift market stalls selling snacks.
Bia Hoi Corner
It all creates a very busy but exciting atmosphere. Live music performances are one of the bests here.
Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 – late night
Address: Ta Hien & Luong Ngoc Quyen streets.
2. Legend Beer Hanoi
On the 3rd floor of the famous building "Jaw of the Shark", Legend Beer Hanoi offers a wonderful view over Hoan Kiem Lake. The bar serves lager, stout, wheat beers, and a selection of German-style dishes. Drinks of Legend Beer Hanoi are brewed by themselves so the price range is a bit higher than most of the bars in Hanoi.
Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 – 23:00
Address: 01-03-05 Dinh Tien Hoang
3. Le Pub Hanoi
Friendly vibe, live music, stylish decoration, and good drinks are what put Le Pub Hanoi at the place it is now. The pub has a rear courtyard and a street-facing terrace. People also come here for watching sports matches. Every Thursday, an attractive promotion is set for ladies: free cocktails all night and cold beers from 19:30 till 20:30.
Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 – late night
Address: 25 Hang Be
4. King Pirates Pub
Featuring a wide selection of drinks in a relaxing atmosphere, King Pirates Pub is a great place to enjoy Hanoi nightlife. Local bears, rum-based drinks, and house wines are at a reasonable price. Local beers for VND 20,000; signature cocktails for VND 60,000 to 140,000. The friendly and chatty owners are an add-on attracting tourists, locals, and ex-pats. The Walk the Plank! challenge (VND 400,000) is a fun game to play. Upon finishing five shots of Captain Morgan’s rum, you are awarded a T-shirt.
Opening Hours: Daily 09:00 – 01:00
Address: 24B Hang Giay (Hàng Giầy, don't get confused with Hàng Giấy)
5. Binh Minh’s Jazz Club
Binh Minh’s Jazz Club is the legendary spot for fans of jazz. Here, live performances of the finest musicians in the city are played every night.
Binh Minh’s Jazz Club
The club's decoration is modest; the seating is cozy; the service is very efficient. Above them is an extensive food-and-beverage menu.
Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 – 24:00
Address: 1 Trang Tien Street
6. Sunset Bar on InterContinental Hanoi, West Lake
The Sunset Bar on InterContinental Hanoi offers a great view over West Lake and the surrounding area. Walkthrough a torch-lit bridge, the bar with daybeds and woven rattan couches appears in your eyes. It is a perfect space for a peaceful evening with loved ones. Sunset Bar serves an extensive drinks list priced at VND 90,000 onward. Half price promotion for selected drinks happens from 17:00 until 19:00 every night.
Opening Hours: Daily 16:00 – 24:00
Address: 1A Nghi Tam, Tay Ho, Hanoi
7. O'Leary’s Sports Bar Hanoi
O’Leary’s Sports Bar Hanoi is a western-style bar that belongs to a Swedish franchise chain.
Its cozy seats with 50 screens airing the latest sports events making it an ideal place for fans of sports.
O'Leary’s Sports Bar Hanoi
O’Leary’s Sports Bar offers a selection of beers, cocktails, and wines together with pasta, pizza, burgers, and salads.
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday & Sunday: 10:30 – 23:30, Friday & Saturday: 10:30 – 00:30
Address: 38 Ba Trieu Street, Hoan Kiem
8. Rockstore Hanoi
Rockstore Hanoi is a vibrant bar with a mix of DJs and lives music in the Old Quarter. Featuring a large dance floor, an elevated stage, Rockstore will mix and mingle your night. Its music policy varies from classic rock & alternative to techno & house. You can play a game of pool or watch a sports match here.
Opening Hours: Daily 10:30 - late
Address: 61 Ma May, Hoan Kiem
9. Press Club Hanoi
Excellent service and sophisticated setting are highlights of the Press Club Hanoi. Wines, champagnes, and cocktails are served with gourmet western delicacies. Guests also come here for great views of Hoan Kiem Lake and downtown Hanoi. Live rock music from Thursday to Sunday. "Buy 1, get 1 free" on selected drinks happens every Thursday.
Opening Hours: Daily 08:30 – 24:00
Address: 59A Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem
10. Dragonfly Bar
Don't hesitate to choose this longstanding venue for a great time of mingling and dancing. The lounge features 2 floors with a large dance floor and billiards tables on the 1st and a hookah bar on the 2nd floor. Its music policy varies between hip-hop and party pop music. Happy hour promotion when you can get spirits and mixers for only VND 70,000 are from 19:00 until 22:00.
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 23:00 (later if busy).
Address: 15 Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem.
