Fly from Indira Gandhi International (DEL) to Noi Bai (HAN). Aim for an early flight to maximise your first day in Hanoi; book a return ticket to keep costs down.
Take the airport shuttle, Grab or pre-booked taxi (approx 30–60 minutes depending on traffic) to your central 3★ hotel in the Old Quarter for convenience.
Try bun cha (grilled pork with noodles) at the famous local spot; it’s hearty and iconic for Hanoi street-food culture. The place is usually open 10:00–22:00.
Wander the narrow streets, shops and cafes; visit Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake and absorb the atmosphere. The lake area is accessible all day but individual temples have their own opening times.
Enjoy a relaxed evening with bia hoi (draft beer) on Ta Hien or, if it’s a Fri–Sun, browse the night market for souvenirs. Markets run roughly 6:00pm–11:00pm on weekend nights.
Visit the mausoleum (view Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body), then walk the Presidential Palace grounds and One Pillar Pagoda. The Mausoleum is typically open 8:00–11:00 (check current opening days/hours — it can be closed for maintenance or on certain days).
A short taxi ride from the centre, this museum explains Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups and is both informative and well laid-out; generally open 8:30–17:30 (closed Mon for some exhibitions).
Watch a traditional water-puppet performance — shows run several times in the evening (commonly 6:00pm–8:00pm), so check the schedule and book ahead for peak season.
See the remains of Vietnam’s 10th–11th century capital with historic temples; usually open 8:00–17:00 and offers good cultural context before the river trip.
Enjoy a 1.5–2 hour sampan boat ride through rice paddies and limestone karsts — one of the highlights of Ninh Binh. Boats operate roughly 8:00–16:00; Trang An tends to be slightly more organised than Tam Coc.
Early departure to reach Halong Bay mid-morning; the drive takes roughly 3.5–4 hours. Book a reputable operator for a day cruise to be back the same evening.
A typical day cruise includes cruising past karsts, kayaking or visiting caves and a seafood lunch on board; day cruises usually depart 9:30–11:00 and return mid to late afternoon.
Browse silk shops on Hang Gai and larger stalls at Dong Xuan Market for textiles, souvenirs and bargains; markets are usually open from morning to early evening.
Splurge a little on your last big meal in Hanoi with elevated Vietnamese cuisine or a recommended mid-range restaurant; make a reservation for a Friday/Saturday evening.