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HANOI · 2 DAYS
The perfect weekend in Vietnam’s thousand-year capital
2 days / 1 night Walking & cyclo Central Old Quarter hotel Pho, bun cha, egg coffee Best: Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
Walking distance: ~5 km · leisurely pace
Morning
- 8:30 – Breakfast at hotel or local café (try phở or bánh cuốn)
- 9:30 – Begin walking tour of Old Quarter’s 36 streets
- 10:00 – Visit Bach Ma Temple (oldest in Hanoi)
- 10:30 – Explore Hang Bac (silver street), Hang Gai (silk)
- 11:30 – Dong Xuan Market (largest covered market)
Afternoon & evening
- 12:30 – Lunch at famous bún chả spot (Bún chả Hương Liên)
- 14:00 – Hoan Kiem Lake stroll, visit Ngoc Son Temple
- 15:30 – The Huc red bridge, Ly Thai To statue
- 16:30 – Train Street (check train times for photos)
- 18:00 – Water puppet show at Thang Long Theatre
- 19:30 – Dinner in Old Quarter, explore night market (weekend)
Pro tip: Train Street trains usually pass around 4pm and 7pm – confirm with locals. For the best experience, enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes right on the tracks.
Taxi/cyclo between sites · ~3 km walking
Morning
- 8:00 – Breakfast, check out hotel (store luggage if needed)
- 8:45 – Taxi to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex
- 9:00 – Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside only on Mon/Fri)
- 9:45 – Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house and Presidential Palace
- 10:30 – One Pillar Pagoda (iconic lotus-shaped temple)
Afternoon
- 11:30 – Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first university)
- 12:30 – Lunch nearby (try bánh mì or phở)
- 14:00 – Hoa Lo Prison Museum (“Hanoi Hilton”)
- 15:30 – Egg coffee class at historic café (Giảng or Đinh)
- 17:00 – Free time for last souvenirs or relax
- 18:00 – Transfer to airport/train station or extend stay
Pro tip: The Mausoleum is closed Monday and Friday, and from September–November (annual maintenance). Dress respectfully (shoulders and knees covered).
Must-eat in Hanoi
Phở: Phở Thìn (13 Lò Đúc) or Phở Gia Truyền (49 Bát Đàn)
Bún chả: Bún chả Hương Liên (24 Lê Văn Hưu) – Obama special
Chả cá: Chả cá Lã Vọng (14 Chả Cá) – 150-year-old tradition
Egg coffee: Giảng Café (39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân) or Đinh (13 Đinh Tiên Hoàng)
Bánh mì: Bánh mì 25 (25 Hàng Cá) or Phố (26 Hàng Buồm)
Hanoi essentials
Airport: Noi Bai (HAN) – 40 mins by taxi (350–400k VND)
Train station: Hanoi Railway Station – for Sapa, Hue, Da Nang
Getting around: Grab (app), cyclo, or walk
Cash: Many places still prefer cash – have small bills
SIM card: Viettel or Vinaphone at airport
Weather: Check forecast – layers for winter, rain gear for summer
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