Day 1: Visit the Hanoi Old Quarter which features plenty of narrow streets with small local markets on each side offering handmade souvenirs, street food and numerous shops. Stop by the Dong Xuan Market, the biggest indoor market in Hanoi to witness the local market culture. In the evening, make your way to the Hanoi Night Market, where you can enjoy some street performances and shop for souvenirs.
Day 2: Start your day with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a giant marble edifice where you can see the embalmed body of Uncle Ho, a revered leader in Vietnam. Next, head over to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university dedicated to Confucius before stopping at the Hanoi Opera House. End your day with a cyclo tour around the French Quarter, admiring the colonial-style buildings and enjoying the sunset at Hoan Kiem Lake.
Time and Costs Estimates
Hanoi Old Quarter (2-3 hours, free)
Dong Xuan Market (1-2 hours, free)
Hanoi Night Market (2-3 hours, free)
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (1-2 hours, free)
Temple of Literature (1-2 hours, VND 30,000)
Hanoi Opera House (30 minutes, free)
Cyclo Tour (1-2 hours, VND 100,000)
Total Estimated Costs: VND 130,000
Transportation
Getting around Hanoi is quite easy with several transportation options such as taxis, motorbikes, bicycles or cyclos. Expect to pay around VND 10,000-20,000 for shorter trips and up to VND 200,000 for longer trips.
Useful Tips
If you have more time, consider visiting the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, also known as the "Hanoi Hilton," which was used by the French colonists for political prisoners and later used for prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. Alternatively, you can take a trip to the nearby Ba Vi National Park for some hiking and sightseeing. However, if you only have one day, choose between a day trip to Halong Bay or Ninh Binh.
Airports
The airport in Hanoi is Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), located approximately 35 km north of the city center. The best way to get to the city center is to take a taxi or bus, which takes around 45 minutes and costs around VND 350,000-400,000 for a taxi and VND 40,000 for a bus.