Things do to in Hanoi | Honest Guides from Locals

When people search for things to do in Hanoi, they often expect a checklist of landmarks. And while Hanoi’s famous sights are an important starting point, they are only the surface of the city. Hanoi is not just about where you go, but how you move, who you meet, and how deeply you engage with daily life.

This guide to the best things to do in Hanoi begins with iconic attractions that most visitors see, then slowly leads you toward more local, hands-on, and lesser-known experiences that reveal the real spirit of the city.

Classic Things to Do in Hanoi for First-Time Visitors

Among the most essential things to do in Hanoi, visiting the city’s historic landmarks helps travelers understand Vietnam’s cultural and political foundations.

The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) is one of the most meaningful places to visit in Hanoi. As Vietnam’s first national university, it represents respect for education and learning, values that still shape Vietnamese society today. Many locals visit not as tourists, but to pray for academic success or personal growth, making it a deeply living heritage site rather than just a monument.

Another must on any list of things to do in Hanoi is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex. This area offers insight into modern Vietnamese history and national identity. Walking through Ba Dinh Square, visiting the stilt house, and observing local respect rituals gives visitors cultural context that goes beyond guidebook facts.

Nearby, One Pillar Pagoda adds a spiritual dimension to the area, while Tran Quoc Pagoda by West Lake offers one of the most peaceful and photogenic religious sites in the city, especially at sunset.

Cultural travelers looking for meaningful things to do in Hanoi should also explore museums. The Vietnamese Women’s Museum stands out for its emotional storytelling and contemporary presentation, while the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum and Hanoi Museum provide deeper understanding of Vietnamese aesthetics and urban history.

Walking and Wandering: Simple Things to Do in Hanoi That Locals Love

Some of the most rewarding things to do in Hanoi require no tickets or plans.

Walking around Hoan Kiem Lake, especially during the weekend walking street hours, is one of the best ways to observe local life. The area becomes a shared public space where families gather, street performers appear, and spontaneous activities unfold. This is Hanoi at its most human and approachable.

Another cultural experience among traditional things to do in Hanoi is asking for calligraphy, known as xin chữ. Whether near the Temple of Literature or around the walking street, receiving a hand-written character for luck, peace, or wisdom is both symbolic and personal.

Local artists also create hand-drawn portraits and caricatures along the walking street, offering visitors a playful and memorable souvenir that reflects Hanoi’s creative energy.

Hands-On and Creative Things to Do in Hanoi

For travelers who want interactive things to do in Hanoi, workshops provide meaningful cultural connections.

Joining a Vietnamese cooking class is one of the most popular experiential activities in Hanoi. Learning to cook traditional dishes while visiting local markets helps visitors understand not just recipes, but food culture and family habits.

Ceramic workshops, especially in Bat Trang or Kim Lan pottery villages, are excellent hands-on experiences. Painting or shaping ceramics alongside artisans allows visitors to participate in a craft that has defined northern Vietnam for centuries.

Other creative things to do in Hanoi include silver ring workshops for couples, scented candle making, stamp carving, painting bamboo dragonflies, decorating conical hats, molding to he figurines, or learning about traditional practices like chewing betel leaf. These activities go beyond sightseeing and allow travelers to create something meaningful with local guidance.

Unique Things to Do in Hanoi: Old Villages Near the City

Exploring nearby villages is one of the most underrated things to do in Hanoi, especially for travelers seeking authenticity.

Duong Lam Ancient Village preserves traditional northern Vietnamese architecture and rural life, while Cu Da Village offers a quieter, more intimate look at old merchant homes and local industries. Cuu Village stands out for its blend of Vietnamese and French colonial architecture.

For adventurous travelers looking for unusual things to do in Hanoi, Le Mat Snake Village provides a rare cultural and culinary experience rooted in centuries-old traditions.

Markets, Streets, and Hidden Corners

Hanoi’s markets show the city at its most honest.

Long Bien Market, best visited before sunrise, supplies much of Hanoi’s fresh produce. It is noisy, chaotic, and completely authentic. Quang An Flower Market, active late at night, fills the air with fragrance and color as vendors prepare flowers for the next day.

Hang Ma Street is another sensory experience, especially during festivals. Bright decorations, lanterns, and seasonal items make it one of the most visually exciting streets in the Old Quarter.

Beyond main streets, wandering through hidden alleys reveals daily life: meals cooked on sidewalks, neighbors chatting, children playing. These small moments often become travelers’ favorite memories.

Coffee, Rooftops, and Night Experiences

Exploring Hanoi’s coffee culture is one of the most relaxing things to do in Hanoi. From hidden cafés in old apartment blocks to creative spaces, each place tells a story.

Places like Note Coffee, filled with handwritten messages from visitors around the world, offer a surprisingly emotional pause. Hidden cafés tucked inside old apartment buildings or above busy streets reward those willing to explore.

Watching the sunset from a rooftop café or bar overlooking the Old Quarter, West Lake, or the Red River is a gentle way to end the day. For something playful, trying a pho-inspired cocktail introduces Hanoi’s creative take on modern drinks, blending tradition with experimentation.

Move Through the City Like Locals Do

Transportation itself can be an experience.

A cyclo ride through the Old Quarter allows you to observe details at a slower pace. Booking a Grab motorbike ride is often a visitor’s first taste of Hanoi’s rhythm — chaotic yet strangely organized. Cycling around West Lake in the early morning or at sunset shows another side of the city, calm and reflective.

Connecting with People: The Most Meaningful Things to Do in Hanoi

Hanoi becomes richer when you meet its people.

Joining Couchsurfing hangouts, language exchange clubs, Girl Gone International events, or local English clubs creates opportunities for real conversations. These spaces often lead to friendships, shared meals, and experiences no guidebook can plan.

Hanoi is not a city to rush through.

Hanoi offers endless things to do, but its true beauty lies in everyday moments - a shared meal, a quiet walk, a conversation with a stranger.

If you’re looking for things to do in Hanoi, start with the landmarks, then slow down and let the city guide you. That’s when Hanoi truly stays with you.

Dung (Emma)

Beyond Vietnam