Perfect 3-Night Itinerary for Exploring Hanoi's Culture and Cuisine

Day 1: Old Quarter & Hoan Kiem

Hanoi, Vietnam on May 21, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Pho Bat Dan

Start your day with a classic Vietnamese bowl of pho at Pho Bat Dan, known for its rich broth and freshly sliced beef, a local favorite located in the Old Quarter. It opens early making it perfect for breakfast.
VND60000, 1h

9:30am

Walking Tour of the Old Quarter

Explore the bustling streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter where narrow lanes overflow with street vendors, traditional shops, and colonial architecture, capturing the essence of Hanoi's daily life.
Free, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Cha Ca Thang Long

Enjoy the famous local dish Cha Ca, turmeric-marinated fish grilled with dill and served with rice noodles, at this renowned Hanoi restaurant, an iconic culinary experience.
VND150000, 1h

1:30pm

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Relax by the serene Hoan Kiem Lake and explore Ngoc Son Temple situated on an island in the lake, rich with local legends and perfect for picturesque views.
VND30000, 1h

3:00pm

Coffee Break at Cafe Giang

Try Hanoi’s famous egg coffee, a creamy and aromatic drink that is a unique local specialty, at Cafe Giang, a historic coffee shop in the Old Quarter.
VND35000, 45m

5:30pm

Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre

Experience the traditional Vietnamese water puppet theatre, a cultural art form unique to northern Vietnam, with a lively and entertaining performance starting at 6pm.
VND100000, 1h

7:30pm

Dinner at Bun Cha Huong Lien

Dine on Bun Cha, grilled pork served with noodles and herbs, at this famous spot where former President Obama once ate. Open until late, it's great for dinner.
VND120000, 1h
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Day 2: Historic Sites & Temple of Literature

Hanoi, Vietnam on May 22, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Xoi Yen

Taste Xoi, a sticky rice dish topped with savory or sweet ingredients, at Xoi Yen, a popular breakfast spot serving authentic northern Vietnamese flavors.
VND40000, 1h

9:30am

Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

Tour the important Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the embalmed president is preserved, along with the surrounding Presidential Palace gardens and the One Pillar Pagoda; opens from 8am to 11am.
Free, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at KOTO Restaurant

Enjoy a delightful lunch at KOTO, a social enterprise restaurant serving contemporary Vietnamese dishes with a focus on fresh, local ingredients and training disadvantaged youth.
VND180000, 1h

1:30pm

Visit Temple of Literature

Explore Vietnam’s first national university, the Temple of Literature, featuring peaceful gardens and traditional Vietnamese architecture symbolizing scholarly values; open until 5pm.
VND30000, 1h

3:00pm

Explore Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Learn about the diverse ethnic groups of Vietnam through fascinating indoor and outdoor exhibits; open from 8am–5:30pm.
VND40000, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner at Quan An Ngon

Savor a wide variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes served in a charming colonial villa, a great place to sample street food-style dishes in a comfortable setting.
VND200000, 1h
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Day 3: West Lake & Markets

Hanoi, Vietnam on May 23, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at The Hanoi Social Club

Relax with a hearty and healthy breakfast featuring both western and Vietnamese fusion dishes in a cozy, artsy café near West Lake; opens at 8am.
VND100000, 1h

9:00am

Walk around West Lake and Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda

Stroll along the largest freshwater lake in Hanoi and visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in the city, surrounded by beautiful lakeside views and gardens.
Free, 1.5h

11:00am

Visit Tay Ho Market

Experience local market life with fresh produce, handicrafts, and street food around West Lake’s vibrant Tay Ho Market.
Free, 1h

12:30pm

Lunch at Madame Hien

Enjoy upscale northern Vietnamese dishes in an elegant historical villa, offering a taste of Hanoi’s culinary heritage in a refined atmosphere.
VND250000, 1h

2:00pm

Shopping and exploring Hang Gai Street

Browse silk shops and boutiques along Hang Gai Street, famous for high-quality silk products and Hanoi souvenirs, perfect for last-minute shopping.
Free, 1.5h

4:00pm

Coffee at Cong Caphe

End your Hanoi experience with a cup of coconut coffee or iced Vietnamese coffee at Cong Caphe, a trendy café with nostalgic décor popular among locals and tourists.
VND40000, 45m
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