Things do to in Hanoi | Honest Guides from Locals
- Jan 6
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 23
Hanoi is not a city you “do” in a rush.
It’s a city you slowly get to know — through food, stories, everyday life, and human connections.
As locals, we often see travelers trying to squeeze too much into a short time. What usually stays with them, though, are not the famous names — but how they felt walking by the lake at sunset, sharing a meal with locals, or watching their kids proudly hold something they made themselves.
This guide is for you if you’re looking for things to do in Hanoi that feel authentic, local, and meaningful, especially for a family trip with kids.
Visit Hanoi’s Iconic Landmarks (At a Slow, Thoughtful Pace)
Hanoi’s famous sites carry layers of history, spirituality, and everyday life. You don’t need to see everything in one day — choose what truly matches your family’s interests and energy level, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple
Hoan Kiem Lake is the emotional heart of Hanoi. Locals come here to walk, exercise, chat, and slow down. Ngoc Son Temple, connected by the red bridge, is a place people pray for wisdom, balance, and clarity. It’s small, calm, and story-rich — ideal for families who want culture without long walks or information overload.
Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu)
Vietnam’s first university, dedicated to Confucius. The courtyards are green and spacious, allowing kids to move freely while adults learn about Vietnam’s respect for education and scholars. It’s calm, symbolic, and easy to appreciate even without deep historical knowledge.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Complex & One Pillar Pagoda
This area helps you understand modern Vietnamese history and values. The mausoleum visit is brief and solemn, while the surrounding gardens and museum are more relaxed. It works well if you want a meaningful, educational stop rather than entertainment.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
A UNESCO site with open space and archaeological remains — surprisingly kid-friendly and less crowded than expected.
Hoa Lo Prison Museum
A powerful stop for older kids and adults to understand Vietnam’s colonial and war history.
O Quan Chuong Gate
One of the last remaining city gates, quietly standing amid busy streets — a great example of old Hanoi meeting new life.
Explore Hanoi’s Museums (Educational but Not Boring)
Museums in Hanoi are excellent for families, especially during hot or rainy days. Many are interactive, spacious, and thoughtfully curated.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
One of the best museums for families. The outdoor area showcases traditional houses from different ethnic groups, which kids love exploring. It helps you understand Vietnam as a culturally diverse country, not just one culture or city.
Vietnamese Women’s Museum
Warm, emotional, and beautifully presented. It focuses on family life, traditions, fashion, and women’s roles in history. The storytelling is accessible and often resonates strongly with parents.
National Museum of History
A good overview of Vietnam’s long timeline, from ancient cultures to dynasties.
Vietnam Fine Arts Museum
Calm and inspiring, with traditional paintings, sculptures, and folk art that help you understand Vietnamese aesthetics.
Join Short Tours to Understand Hanoi Like a Local
You can explore Hanoi independently, but going with locals often helps you understand why things look and feel the way they do.
Walking City Tour (Old Quarter Focus)
Walking tours focus on the Old Quarter and nearby neighborhoods, where history and daily life overlap. With local guidance, streets and houses stop being anonymous and start telling stories — about family trades, food habits, and how people adapt to modern Hanoi.
Hanoi Food Tour (Local Dishes Only)
A food tour helps you eat with confidence and purpose. Instead of randomly choosing stalls, you learn what dishes belong to Hanoi, when locals eat them, and why certain places are trusted. This experience is ideal for curious eaters, families who want shared meals, and travelers interested in culture through food rather than fine dining.
Motorbike, Vespa, Jeep, or Private Car Tours
These tours allow you to cover more ground without physical strain. They work well for families with children or elderly members, or for travelers who want to see local neighborhoods, markets, and city life beyond the Old Quarter without navigating traffic on their own.
Cyclo Ride & Hop-on Hop-off Bus
Cyclo rides offer a nostalgic, slow-paced view of central Hanoi, while double-decker buses provide a relaxed city overview. Both are suitable if you prefer comfort, observation, and minimal walking.
Coffee, Cocktail, Wine, Craft Beer or Tea Tasting Tours
Discover Hanoi’s creative beverage scene, from egg coffee to hidden cocktail bars and traditional tea houses.
Ao Dai Experience & Photoshoot
Try Vietnam’s traditional dress and capture beautiful memories in historical settings.
Creative Workshops – Culture You Can Touch
Workshops often become the most memorable part of a trip, especially for kids. They turn culture into something personal and tangible.
Traditional Art & Craft Workshops
Activities like painting conical hats, bamboo dragonflies, making folk toys, or paper masks introduce Vietnamese culture in a simple, approachable way. They’re light, creative, and work well for children and adults alike.
Pottery, Ceramic Painting & Lacquer Art
These workshops focus on patience and craftsmanship. You learn basic techniques, understand the materials, and gain appreciation for objects often taken for granted. They suit travelers who enjoy calm, hands-on experiences rather than fast-paced sightseeing.
Coffee Brewing & Cooking Classes
Cooking classes and coffee workshops offer insight into everyday Vietnamese life. You learn how locals cook at home or brew coffee slowly and intentionally — practical knowledge you can take with you after the trip.
Watch Traditional and Modern Shows
Water Puppet Show
This traditional art form originated from northern Vietnam’s rice fields. Performed on water with live traditional music, the show tells folk stories and scenes of rural life. It’s short, engaging, and especially suitable for families with kids thanks to its colorful visuals and playful characters.
Tinh Hoa Bắc Bộ (The Quintessence of Tonkin)
This large-scale outdoor performance combines music, dance, farming scenes, and folklore to portray the spirit of northern Vietnam. The show is visually impressive and works best for travelers who enjoy cultural storytelling and don’t mind a longer, more theatrical experience.
Circus & Contemporary Performances
Hanoi also has modern circus and contemporary shows that blend acrobatics, music, and creative staging. These performances are family-friendly and focus more on movement and emotion than dialogue, making them accessible for all ages.
Living Like a Local: Night Markets, Walking Streets & Everyday Hanoi Life
Walking Streets around Hoan Kiem Lake (Weekends Only)
From Friday evening to Sunday night, the area around Hoan Kiem Lake becomes car-free. Families stroll together, kids play freely, and street performers fill the air with music and laughter. It’s safe, lively, and one of the best places to simply observe how locals relax and spend time together.
Night Markets
Night markets are set up along pedestrian streets, with small stalls lining both sides and food, clothes, shoes, and souvenirs in between. Prices are generally affordable, but bargaining is expected — always ask the price first and take it light-heartedly.
Traditional Games in Public Spaces
In parks and walking streets, you’ll often see locals playing đá cầu (shuttlecock kicking), ô ăn quan, jump rope, or tug of war. These simple games instantly connect kids from different cultures, without language barriers. If you’re traveling as a family, this is one of the most natural ways for children to interact with local kids.
Local Markets & Daily Routines
Late night to early morning visits to Quang An flower market or Long Bien wholesale market reveal a side of Hanoi few tourists see. It’s busy yet poetic, chaotic but strangely calm. Walking through these markets helps you understand what locals eat, buy, and value in their everyday lives.
Train Street Visiting Train Street in the evening (around 7pm) is lively, colorful, and full of energy as cafés light up and the train passes through. Safety is essential — always follow local guidance. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, early morning visits offer a calmer, more local feel.
Visit Ancient Villages & Craft Villages Around Hanoi
Ancient Villages
Villages like Duong Lam, Cu Da, and Cuu are known for old houses, village gates, temples, and quiet lanes. Walking here feels unhurried and reflective. These places suit travelers who enjoy photography, history, and observing everyday rural life
Craft Villages
Craft villages around Hanoi specialize in one traditional skill practiced for hundreds of years. Bat Trang and Kim Lan focus on ceramics, Van Phuc on silk weaving, Quang Phu Cau on incense making, while others are known for bamboo weaving, mother-of-pearl inlay, wood carving, or horn craft. Visiting these villages helps you understand the patience, skill, and family traditions behind everyday objects. In many villages, you can meet local artisans, watch them work, and sometimes try the craft yourself.
Relax & Pamper Yourself
With affordable prices and good quality, self-care experiences in Hanoi are easy to fit into your itinerary.
Traditional Hair Washing & Herbal Head Spa
A uniquely Vietnamese experience, this treatment includes gentle scalp massage, herbal water, and slow, careful care. It’s deeply relaxing and surprisingly refreshing, perfect if you want to rest without committing to a full spa session.
Foot & Full-Body Massage
Foot massage is ideal after a day of walking, while full-body massage helps release tension from travel. Quality is generally good and prices are reasonable, but choosing clean, reputable places makes a big difference.
Beauty & Personal Care Services
Haircuts, nail services, lashes, tattoos, and grooming are widely available and affordable. These services suit travelers who enjoy light pampering and want to feel refreshed without spending much time or money.
Connect with Locals
Some of the most meaningful moments come from simple connections.
Facebook Groups & Couchsurfing
Language Exchange Clubs (BlaBla language exchange, Nói Now English, Language Exchange Group Hanoi, etc.)
Morning Jogging, Group Exercise, Community Dancing
These moments help you feel less like a tourist, more like a temporary local. You don’t need to be fluent in Vietnamese; curiosity and openness are enough.
Volunteer & Give Back
For travelers who want their trip to mean something more, joining community-support or volunteer activities offers a different kind of connection. It’s not about “helping for photos”, but about understanding, listening, and contributing respectfully.
It’s a powerful way to understand Hanoi beyond sightseeing and teach kids empathy and global awareness.
Final Thoughts
Hanoi doesn’t ask you to do everything. It invites you to choose what resonates with you — whether that’s walking slowly by the lake, sharing a meal with locals, learning a traditional craft, or simply sitting back and observing daily life.
When planning your trip, think less about ticking boxes and more about how you want to feel: curious, relaxed, connected, inspired. The city has space for all of that.
And if at any point you’d like local insight or thoughtfully designed experiences to support your journey, we’re always happy to share — as locals welcoming you to our home.
Dung (Emma)
Beyond Vietnam
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