Exploring Hanoi in one day – The charm of Vietnam's chaotic capital
- Cinti
- 1 day ago
- 11 min read
Our Southeast Asian adventure began in Hanoi, Vietnam. We flew from Budapest via Doha with Qatar Airways and landed at around 7:15 a.m. after an overnight flight. Since we had an entire day ahead of us, we planned to spend it exploring the city. That's exactly what this article is about.
If someone had told me that on our very first day in Hanoi, I would realize I'd lost my camera somewhere, get caught in a downpour, be denied entry to one of the city's major attractions, and still end up calling Hanoi my favorite city in Vietnam, I probably would have laughed.
Before we dive in, I should mention that this article is more of a personal travel story than a straightforward list of tips and attractions. But I promise it's worth reading all the way through. Along the way, I'll also share plenty of useful insights and lessons learned that might help you plan your own visit a little more smoothly than we did.
Content
Getting to know Hanoi
Our day exploring the city
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The Temple of Literature
Hanoi Train Street
What to see in Hanoi if you have more time
Lessons learned & my Hanoi sightseeing map
Places to visit around Hanoi
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Getting to Know Hanoi
Hanoi's history stretches back over a thousand years to the 11th century, when the city, then known as Thăng Long, became the capital of Vietnam. What fascinated me most was how seamlessly the city's rich history and modern development continue to coexist today. At first glance, Hanoi feels like organized chaos. The constant hum of scooters fills the streets, where traffic seems to operate according to some sort of choreographed dance – one that, as a foreign pedestrian, wasn't always easy to follow. The Old Quarter's famous 36 streets, each traditionally named after a specific trade, the French colonial architecture, the peaceful atmosphere around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, and the irresistible aromas of street food all contribute to Hanoi's unique character.
Hanoi doesn't just offer sights to see; it offers an experience that you simply have to immerse yourself in and embrace. Spoiler alert: by the end of our trip, Hanoi had become my favorite city in Vietnam.
Our day exploring the city
We booked a hotel that looked absolutely charming on Booking.com, complete with a tiny balcony and – most importantly – A WINDOW. I feel the need to emphasize that because while you can find plenty of affordable accommodation in Vietnam, many budget hotels come with a catch: some rooms don't have windows at all. I'd never come across that before.
Our room was comfortable, and we booked it with breakfast included. It met all our expectations. The location was excellent, so I can wholeheartedly recommend the Hanoi Media Hotel & Spa. One of my favorite things was standing on our little balcony early in the morning or late at night, listening to the city's constant buzz, watching the flow of people below, and soaking in the atmosphere of this incredible place.
But let's go back to our arrival. By some miracle, we were able to check in early without paying any extra fees. While we were waiting, we were served welcome tea and given cold towels, which felt absolutely heavenly after an overnight flight. We quickly dropped off our bags in the room and were just about to head out fully equipped for a day of sightseeing when, after five minutes of increasingly desperate searching, I realized that, in the best-case scenario, I had left my camera at home. In the worst-case scenario, I'd lost it somewhere along the way. That was the first sign that our day in Hanoi might not go quite as planned.
Ádi and I set off to find a new camera, backpacks on and ready to take on the city. The humidity felt almost unbearable, and after only a few hours of sleep and a long journey, walking around wasn't exactly what we were in the mood for. Trying to make the best of the situation, we stopped by Hoàn Kiếm Lake, which was only a few minutes' walk from our hotel. It was beautiful, of course, but in that moment, it didn't quite live up to the expectations I'd built from all the photos I'd seen. Later that evening, though, I completely changed my mind. Illuminated by colorful lights and surrounded by music, people, and the city's vibrant energy, the lake had a completely different kind of charm.
Fortunately, we managed to find a shop and buy a camera, but just as we did, the sky opened up. And I mean really opened up. We ended up stranded there for a while, and that's when I started to feel that this day might not turn out quite the way we'd imagined. As we waited for the rain to ease, it was fascinating to watch how life around us simply carried on. People continued with their day, scooter riders and pedestrians pulled on their rain ponchos, and everyone just kept moving. At that moment, riding a motorbike in flip-flops suddenly made a lot more sense.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
After studying the map and checking the time, we decided to head to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. To be fair, the weeks leading up to this trip had been incredibly busy, so when it came to planning our sightseeing days, I took a more relaxed, let's-see-how-it-goes approach than usual. We knew which places interested us and where they were located, and then we simply adjusted our plans as we went along. Unfortunately, that's exactly how we ended up in the rather unfortunate situation of being told by a security guard that we wouldn't be entering the mausoleum in shorts. There is a strict dress code, and somehow, we had completely missed that detail. If you're lucky, you can buy a pair of long trousers from nearby vendors for a rather inflated tourist price, but with limited time, we decided to skip it instead. Admission to the mausoleum for foreign visitors is 25,000 VND (about $1 USD), and it's also worth noting that it's closed on Mondays and Fridays, as well as during certain holidays and maintenance periods.
Unfortunately, our little planning mishap meant that not only did we miss out on the mausoleum itself, but also on the nearby One Pillar Pagoda (Chùa Một Cột). At that point, there was only one thing left to do: adapt and come up with a new plan.
Temple of Literature
There was one fixed point in our sightseeing plans: Hanoi Train Street, as we had to be there at a specific time. Looking at the map, though, we realized that we still had enough time to visit the Temple of Literature on the way. What makes this place special, beyond its obvious beauty, is that it was home to Vietnam's first university, whose history dates back to 1070. Originally built in honor of Confucius, it later became the country's first institution of higher education in 1076, serving members of the royal family and the elite. I had been really looking forward to visiting it. It was beautiful, atmospheric, and undeniably unique. However, after everything that had already happened that day and with the post-rain humidity reaching what felt like unbearable levels, I just couldn't fully immerse myself in the experience. I was sweaty, slightly out of breath, exhausted... but sometimes that's just part of traveling. When we arrived, a prayer ceremony was taking place inside. I was quite surprised that visitors were simply allowed to stand there and quietly observe. Personally, I think about an hour is enough to explore the site comfortably, although guided tours are available if you'd like to spend more time there.
The entrance fee is 70,000 VND (around $2.70 USD).
All the mishaps – or adventures, depending on how you look at them – gave us the opportunity to explore parts of Hanoi both on foot and by using Grab. To be completely honest, the everyday street scenes, with their endless colors, details, and people, turned out to be far more memorable than any of the sights we'd visited so far. They engaged all of my senses at once. What I loved most was simply walking around and taking it all in. Everywhere we went, people were kind and welcoming, and it was refreshing to see that nobody seemed to be in a hurry. People sat together chatting or sharing meals, and when street vendors weren't serving customers, they were busy talking and laughing with one another. We also kept coming across those iconic little plastic stools and tables – sometimes empty, sometimes packed with locals enjoying a meal or simply spending time together.
Hanoi Train Street
And then came my absolute favorite experience in Hanoi – the one thing I wouldn't have missed for the world: Hanoi Train Street. Long before the trip, I'd already seen countless photos and videos of it online and on social media, and I couldn't wait to experience it in person. Imagine a railway track with houses built right up against it on both sides. Many of these buildings have been turned into cafés and restaurants, largely catering to tourists. The real highlight is that several times a day, a train passes through the street, and if you're lucky, you can watch it from the front row while sipping a coffee just inches away from the tracks. As we approached the street, a local lady swooped in on us like a hawk, insisting that her café still had a free table and that we should follow her. Since the train was due to arrive soon, the place was already packed. We figured, "What's the worst that could happen?" It turned out to be one of the best decisions we made because, thanks to her, we managed to grab one of the last front-row seats available. Naturally, I immediately ordered an Egg Coffee, which had also been near the top of my Hanoi bucket list, right after Train Street itself. This ended up being one of the highlights of my entire trip to Vietnam. Everything was decorated in every color imaginable, creating an incredibly lively and atmospheric setting. If you arrive a bit earlier, you can even get a seat on one of the first-floor balconies and watch the whole spectacle from above. To have a good chance of getting one of the best spots, I'd recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the train is due. If you're unsure where to go, it's worth asking your hotel staff for recommendations beforehand.
About ten minutes before the train arrived, a bell rang to signal that the tracks had to be cleared. The café staff quickly moved the tables away and rearranged the chairs so that everyone was facing the direction the train would come from. This is also the moment when you still have enough time to place a metal bottle cap from a beer bottle onto the tracks. The train flattens it as it passes, and you can take it home as a unique souvenir. Another bell rang, and within a few minutes, we could see the train approaching. Everyone was taking photos and selfies, people on the train were waving back, and then, just like that, it was all over. Moments later, the street burst back into life like an anthill, and everyone went on their way.
We ended up at Chu Chu Railways Café and entered Train Street from the Điện Biên Phủ intersection. It certainly wasn't the best spot on the street, but there was nothing wrong with it either – that's simply where the lady took us, and it happened to be one of the last places with available seats. We watched the 3:15 p.m. train, although several trains pass through each day, and the schedule is different on weekends.
From there, we returned to our hotel, as we had a reservation that evening at Gia, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Hanoi. But that experience deserves a story of its own, which I'll be sharing soon.
What to see in Hanoi if you have more time?
I think taking a leisurely walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake is the perfect way to start the day in Hanoi. This is also where you can catch a performance at the famous Water Puppet Theatre. This traditional Vietnamese art form dates back to the 11th century. Chances are you'll either absolutely love it or simply endure it somehow, but either way, I think it's worth giving it a chance. It's also worth visiting West Lake (Hồ Tây), home to Hanoi's oldest pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda. I'd definitely visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum as well – this time being better prepared for the dress code and allowing enough time to explore the entire complex properly. Other places still on my list include the French Quarter, the Hanoi Opera House, and St. Joseph's Cathedral. Hop on a cyclo and simply enjoy the atmosphere of the neighborhood. We did get to see some of these places while traveling around the city, so they weren't entirely missed, but experiencing them as part of a dedicated visit would have been different.
Walk as much as you can, but do it slowly. Watch the locals going about their daily lives. If you feel like it, grab an egg coffee, sit in a park or by one of the lakes, or enjoy a bowl of pho from a street vendor while sitting on one of those iconic little plastic stools. Sometimes, that's really all it takes to understand the magic of Hanoi.
Lessons learned
Even though our day exploring Hanoi didn't go according to plan and we encountered more than a few obstacles and unexpected twists, it still ended up being my favorite city in Vietnam. But why?
As a European traveler, even though this wasn't my first time in Asia, I still experience a certain level of culture shock every time I arrive. The constant buzz of people talking – often loud enough to sound like they were almost shouting – could even be heard from our hotel room, blending into the endless roar of traffic to create a strangely comforting soundtrack. Walking through Hanoi's narrow streets, some people might find it overwhelming. The tall, narrow buildings seem to close in around you, and on the sidewalks, you're constantly weaving around something or someone. The smells of street food, exhaust fumes, and the goods sold by street vendors mix together into an aroma that never quite disappears. The colors, shapes, and endless details of everyday street life continuously feed the traveler's eye, always searching for something beautiful to discover. And that's exactly what gives this city its unique charm and makes it feel like a little treasure box that never stops revealing something new.
This was one of those travel days when the real experience didn't come from ticking sights off a list or sticking to the plan. It came simply from being there, getting lost in the moment, and embracing the joy of discovery. And that, to me, is one of the greatest beauties of travel.
From a practical perspective, if you focus on just a few key sights and use Grab instead of walking everywhere, it's absolutely possible to see a lot of Hanoi in a single day. This experience also reminded me that no matter how much I've traveled or how many itineraries I've put together, if I don't leave enough time or prepare thoroughly enough, the chances of things going wrong increase considerably. In those moments, flexibility becomes one of the most valuable travel companions you can have – not only because it helps you adapt, but because it allows you to enjoy whatever happens anyway. Oh, and next time, before heading to the airport, I'll make sure I've packed all the important things. Not just my passport, but my camera too.
I've also put together a map featuring the sights we visited, our hotel, and the restaurants we personally tried, complete with photos and recommendations. If you're a visual planner like me, you might find it helpful when planning your own trip.
Places to visit around Hanoi
Hanoi makes an excellent base for exploring many of northern Vietnam's most famous attractions. We chose to do this through organized day trips. You can browse options on GetYourGuide, but it's also worth asking your hotel or host about available tours and prices. There was no way we were going to miss Ha Long Bay, so we dedicated an entire day to exploring this iconic destination. On another day, we wandered through the stunning landscapes of Ninh Binh, which turned out to be just as unforgettable. I'll be sharing all of these experiences in upcoming articles.
How I planned our trip to Southeast Asia
If you're curious about how I planned our trip to Southeast Asia, this article walks you through the entire planning process.
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