The 10 Best Things to Do and Eat in Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a city that combines rich history, vibrant culture, and mouthwatering cuisine. With its bustling streets, historic landmarks, and delectable food, Hanoi offers a unique experience that every traveler should have on their bucket list. So, how many days do you need in Hanoi? Is 2 days enough for Hanoi? Is 5 days enough for Hanoi? We would say somewhere in the middle will allow you to immerse yourself deeply in the city's culture and explore its hidden gems.

1. Coffee on Train Street

One of the most unique and thrilling experiences in Hanoi is having a coffee on Train Street. Train Street is a narrow street in the Old Quarter where shops and homes are built right up against the train tracks. Here, you can walk along the tracks, taking incredible photos when the train is not around, and later experience the thrill of sipping a coffee or a cocktail as a train rushes right in front of you.

The train passes through at predetermined times each day, which change throughout the year. You can ask your hotel staff for the schedule, but we found the shopkeepers on Train Street to be the best source of knowledge. They are well aware of the train crossing times and will let you know so you can return and enjoy the spectacle from their shop.

2. Egg Coffee at Cafe Giang

Egg coffee is a Hanoi delicacy that originated during wartime when milk was scarce. It's a creamy and rich coffee topped with a frothy egg yolk mixture. The best place to try egg coffee is at Cafe Giang. We tried one hot and one iced, and while we weren't quite ready to change our coffee drinking habits going forward, it was quite tasty and, when in Rome, right?

3. Massage at Sen Spa Hanoi

Massages in Vietnam, and especially in Hanoi, are extremely affordable. After a day of exploring the city, treat yourself to a relaxing massage. Our favorite spot was Sen Spa Hanoi, where a 90-minute deep tissue full body massage costs about 22 USD.

4. Bun Cha at Bún chả Hương Liên

If you are wondering where did Bourdain and Obama eat in Hanoi, this is the spot. Bun cha is a traditional Vietnamese dish consisting of grilled pork served with rice noodles and herbs. You can eat like a local and sit where the foodie god and a former President famously sat at Bún chả Hương Liên. This restaurant is a little way outside the main area of the city, but it is worth the journey. We tried this dish at other reputed locations around Hanoi, and this one was the best tasting.

5. Nê Cocktail Bar

After a day of sightseeing, you might be ready for a drink. Good thing the #76th best bar in Asia, Nê Cocktail Bar, is located right here in Hanoi. Be sure to try their incredible Pho cocktail, which involves an interesting three-story contraption where the liquor is set ablaze to tumble down. It is then served on an adorable plate with chopsticks and even a side dish of lime and chili.

6. Custom Silk Clothing

Silk is abundant in this part of Vietnam, and you will find many 100% silk pieces for incredible prices in local boutiques. We chose to visit Anh Village Silk to have some custom pieces made. We found the simplest way to ensure satisfaction was to bring in a piece that you already love, and have it replicated in a new fabric.

After browsing through the in-store selection and coming up empty-handed, the seamstress' sister video-called us from the local silk market and allowed us to pick out the colourful vibrant patterns we were looking for over the phone. The skirt took a couple of days to be made, and when we returned to pick it up, we could not believe the masterpiece  in front of us cost only around 25 USD.

7. Pizza at Pizza 4P’s

Pizza in Vietnam? This spot ranks highly on every best restaurant list we read, but we were skeptical too. Finally, one late and hungry night we caved and, after that, we went back again and again. Pizza 4P’s makes incredible wood-fired pizzas and will even let you split one up half and half to try different toppings. Anyways, it's the tandoori chicken curry pizza you should be after.

8. The Note Coffee

The Note Coffee is a quirky multi-story coffee shop in Hanoi's Old Quarter covered in sticky notes. It's very Instagrammable, and if you're lucky, they'll even leave a note on your coffee.

9. Eat Pho in Someone's Living Room

This is first and foremost the BEST bowl of Pho we have ever eaten. Secondly, it was such a fun experience. The owner moved her restaurant inside of her house after being forced by the police to relocate her street-side shop years earlier. There are no obvious signs, but we were able to find the spot on an incredible treasure hunt by using this informative article from Saveur: https://www.saveur.com/hanoi-vietnam-best-pho/

10. Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market

Open Friday to Sunday from 6 pm-11 pm, the Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market is massive. You can wander here for hours between streets. While we weren't particularly impressed with the souvenirs, we were with the food. Tasty treats and cheap draft beers could be found everywhere.

It is difficult to say what is special in Hanoi, when everything feels special here. Hanoi is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and mouthwatering cuisine, and often the best gems are down alleyways and truly hidden. From sipping coffee on Train Street to indulging in traditional dishes like bun cha and pho, Hanoi offers unique experiences that you won't find anywhere else. So, pack your bags (but leave a little room for your new silk clothes) and get ready to explore the best of Hanoi!