Start your first morning in Hanoi gently with a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, pausing to watch locals practice tai chi and to visit the tiny but serene Ngoc Son Temple on its red bridge. Afterward, head into the Old Quarter for a budget-friendly breakfast of pho at a popular street stall on Hang Bac Street, then browse the colorful handicraft shops and historic tube houses along Ma May Street to get a feel for the city's rhythm before the midday bustle.
Lose yourself in the bustling lanes after lunch by visiting the fragrant Dong Xuan Market to sample local snacks like bun cha and Vietnamese coffee, then stroll toward the nearby Train Street to watch local life unfold as trains pass inches from tiny cafés (go during quieter afternoon hours). Finish with a relaxed break at Cong Caphe for coconut coffee or a budget-friendly craft beer on their retro terrace before an evening of street-food hunting.
As the sun sets, head to Ta Hien Street for a lively, budget-friendly beer street atmosphere-grab a plastic stool, sample local bia hơi, and soak up the people-watching. Later, wander to Ma May Night Market for cheap grilled skewers and sweet chè, then finish with a rooftop view and a nightcap at the affordable Hanoi Rooftop Bar to see the Old Quarter lights before turning in.
Start with a peaceful stroll through the tree-lined grounds of the Temple of Literature, where you can admire classical Vietnamese architecture and the stelae of doctors while enjoying a budget-friendly coffee at the on-site kiosk. From there, walk to the nearby Vietnam Fine Arts Museum to explore centuries of lacquer, ceramics and revolutionary-era posters, then stop at a local bánh mì window on Dinh Tien Hoang for a quick savory bite before the afternoon museum circuit.
After a morning of classical sites, spend the afternoon wandering the leafy campus of Hoa Lo Prison Memorial to learn about Vietnam's modern history, then cross to the nearby Women's Museum for intimate exhibits on daily life, textiles and Vietnamese motherhood. Finish with a slow cup at the tranquil courtyard café inside Phung Hung House or a budget-friendly repeat visit to Ta Hien Street in the Old Quarter for an early evening snack, keeping the day's focus on culture while easing back into the neighborhood atmosphere.
As dusk falls, take a leisurely cyclo ride toward the elegant Long Bien Bridge for sunset views over the Red River and local fishermen, then wander the nearby lanes to sample classic northern flavors at a budget-friendly family-run eatery like Cha Ca Thang Long for its turmeric-fried fish. Finish the night with an atmospheric performance at the intimate Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre (book affordable tickets in advance) or settle into a cozy indie café in the French Quarter for Vietnamese drip coffee and people-watching.
Rise early and catch a budget shuttle to the Tam Coc area, arriving in time for a peaceful sampan ride through the rice paddies and karst cliffs-local boatmen will row you past limestone caves and riverside villages for an intimate view of rural life. After the boat, rent a bicycle to pedal through scenic lanes to Bich Dong Pagoda, climb the short stone steps for panoramic valley views, then grab an affordable riverside breakfast of com tam or fresh spring rolls at a family-run café before the midday crowds arrive.
After a morning boat or sampan, head to Trang An Grottoes for a quieter downstream boat route through caves and limestone cliffs, then rent a bicycle to explore the surrounding rice terraces and village lanes of Tam Coc at an easy pace. Pause at Bich Dong's lesser-known foothill cafes for iced tea and fresh mung-bean cakes, then finish by climbing to the hilltop vantage near Mua Cave for sweeping valley and bay-like karst views as the light softens before your evening return to Hanoi.
After a day on the water or among karst valleys, unwind with a riverside meal at Lobster Wharf Ninh Binh (budget-friendly set plates) or a seafood grill near Bai Chay Beach in Halong where you can pick fresh catch and watch the sunset. Finish with a relaxed stroll along Tuan Chau Marina promenade or sip a cold Vietnamese beer at the open-air Tam Coc Night Market while sampling sticky rice desserts and chatting with local vendors before your overnight return to Hanoi.
Begin with a leisurely breakfast at Café Dinh in the French Quarter, sipping a classic egg coffee while watching locals arrive for work, then wander the nearby lanes to browse antiques and textiles at the charming Hàng Gai Boutique Stalls. Next, head to the lesser-known Quang Ba Flower Market on the West Lake edge for an explosion of color and photo ops, followed by a relaxed brunch of bánh cuốn and fresh fruit at the local favorite Xuan Huong Eatery, giving you time to pack souvenirs and check logistics before midday transit to the airport or train station.
Spend a relaxed afternoon hunting budget-friendly souvenirs at Hang Gai Street and the adjacent stalls of Hoa Market, then sample local sweets like chè and sesame cakes at the family-run counter inside Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food Alley. Pause for a leisurely coffee and paperwork at the tucked-away courtyard of La Place Café, where you can pack purchases and confirm transport details, then finish with a short walk through Truc Bach Lakeside Park to clear your head before evening departures.
As dusk settles, enjoy a relaxed final meal at the homey Pho Thin 13 Lo Duc for a comforting northern pho experience before moving on to an atmospheric stroll through the lantern-lit stalls of Hàng Đào Street to pick last-minute textiles and souvenirs. Finish with a nightcap at the intimate courtyard of Cafe Nola where you can savor a creamy Vietnamese drip coffee or egg coffee, pack small purchases, and arrange final transport to the airport while soaking up one last slice of Hanoi evening life.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hoan Kiem Lake | Free |
| Ngoc Son Temple | ₫30,000 |
| Pho (street stall, Hang Bac area) | ₫50,000 |
| Ma May Street (browsing tube houses / shops) | Free |
| Dong Xuan Market (sampling snacks) | ₫60,000 |
| Train Street (viewing trains, café drink) | ₫40,000 |
| Cong Caphe (coconut coffee / drink) | ₫60,000 |
| Ta Hien Street (bia hơi) | ₫30,000 |
| Ma May Night Market (street food snacks) | ₫70,000 |
| Hanoi Rooftop Bar (drink / view) | ₫150,000 |
| Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam) | ₫30,000 |
| Vietnam Fine Arts Museum | ₫40,000 |
| Bánh mì (Dinh Tien Hoang window) | ₫35,000 |
| Hoa Lo Prison Memorial | ₫40,000 |
| Women's Museum (Museum of Ethnology - Women's Museum Hanoi) | ₫40,000 |
| Cyclo ride (Long Bien Bridge area, short ride) | ₫150,000 |
| Cha Ca Thang Long (meal) | ₫200,000 |
| Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre (ticket) | ₫150,000 |
| Shuttle to Tam Coc / Tam Coc boat (sampan) - budget day trip | ₫400,000 |
| Bich Dong Pagoda (entry / small donation) | Free |
| Bicycle rental (Tam Coc / Ninh Binh) | ₫50,000 |
| Trang An boat trip (shared ticket) | ₫250,000 |
| Mua Cave viewpoint (entry) | ₫100,000 |
| Seafood meal (Lobster Wharf / local seafood set) | ₫250,000 |
| Tuan Chau Marina / promenade (stroll) | Free |
| Café Dinh (egg coffee / breakfast) | ₫80,000 |
| Hàng Gai boutique stalls (browsing / shopping - per-person small purchases) | ₫200,000 |
| Quang Ba Flower Market (visit) | Free |
| Xuan Huong Eatery (brunch) | ₫100,000 |
| Hang Gai / Hoa Market souvenirs (shopping budget per person) | ₫200,000 |
| La Place Café (coffee / paperwork) | ₫70,000 |
| Truc Bach Lakeside Park (walk) | Free |
| Pho Thin 13 Lo Duc (final pho meal) | ₫100,000 |
| Cafe Nola (nightcap / egg coffee) | ₫80,000 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | ₫3,455,000 |