Having only one day in Hanoi? With a such a tight schedule, I have to admit that it’s hard to explore Hanoi to the fullest.

However, that’s why I’m writing this post. Being Hanoian since the very first day of my life, I love and have deep understanding of this beautiful city. And for tourists coming to Hanoi for the first time, I’ve listed down what you cannot miss if you only have one day in Hanoi, including what to do, what to see and what to eat.

Just follow my local detailed Itinerary for Only one day in Hanoi, you will catch a glimpse of Hanoi without tiring yourself out!

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Some tourists could not believe that they can get into the mood of a new city in just a day. Therefore, they waste their opportunity of exploring a new local life and experience sleeping in a hotel, waiting for new flight to longer vacation.

To advoid this, you can get our Free Advice on Your Itineary by filling in the form. Local Supporter will contact and help you out with the customized itineary based on your travel style and budget.

Hanoi Free Local Tours privides travelers with Free Tours guided by Local University Students to make sure that Your day in Hanoi will be really worthy

Hanoi 1 Day Itinerary Summary

Some notes for you: 

• One day is enough for you to get a taste of local Hanoi. Just do not try to see too much!
• If you’ve got yourself only 1 Day in Hanoi, it is crucial for you to base yourself near the Old Quarter (Central area of Hanoi)
• Visit The Old Quarter and Eat Hanoi local food

1. In The Morning

Breakfast with Pho

Pho – beef noodle is the most famous and popular dish in Hanoi. We daily have pho for our breakfast that bring us enough energy to start a new day! In other parts of Vietnam, you can also find yourself pho but I promise that the original taste of Hanoi pho is much more better!

Your  24-hour-Hanoi exploration will not miss Pho in your one day trip.

Spend Your Morning in Hanoi Old Quarter

The Old Quarter shows you a different face of Hanoi. It features young and exciting Hanoi covered by an old and ancient Hanoi. As a young local here, I’d prefer to present you both sides of hometown to feel the real local experience!

In addition, I carefully select the below destinations for your one day in Hanoi. Following the Itinerary, you undoubtedly see the truly Hanoi with vivid local life!

Obviously, it is impossible for you to see all Hanoi offers. However, we suggest starting your days in the city center early to engage deeper in the local life.

Hoan Kiem Lake is top 1 must-visit destination for tourists and locals in Hanoi. You can take the slow walk around the lake, watch locals doing their first daily activities. Some locals do exercise near the lake, others commune to work and prepare for the coming busy day.

You do not need to walk a full-round around Hoan Kiem Lake but the view from any corner is definitely the same – Amazing. In the centre of Hoan Kiem Lake, there is Pen Tower (Thap But) that you might take notice and question: what is it? It is one of my favorite symbol that represent Vietnam!

Around the Hoan Kiem Lake, there are other fascinating spots such as Ngoc Son Temple and The Huc Bridge you should note to visit!

Hanoi Ancient House – Back in time with ancient Hanoi architecture

Hanoi Ancient House was a typical house of Hanoi in the past. It was built in 1010 in Ly dynasty and still maintained as a symbol of Vietnam architecture!

Dong Xuan Market – The biggest indoor market in Hanoi 

Local market for both locals and tourists to buy what you need during your stay in Hanoi!

Long Bien Bridge – The oldest bridge in Hanoi & a favorite spot for photography 

The best way to save your time is to save your time is being accompanies with a local travel buddy. You can check our Free Local Tour and get yourself ready to join an exciting tour with a Hanoi local!

Book Hanoi Free Tours

Lunch with banh mi

Spend with banh minding your lunchtime in a street food store, enjoy banh mi  (Vietnamese bread) is not bad option. Banh  mi is highlighted on the Top world  cuisine magazine as special, authentic and tasty Vietnamese food.

In Hanoi, we can eat banh mi for breakfast, for lunch or even for dinner. Banh mi is delicious, convenient and …fast-but-healthy-food. I am sure that you could not resist the taste of Hanoi banh mi. Some famous chef did visit Hanoi to find out the recipe of banh mi.

I personally feel proud of “banh mi” and Vietnamese cuisine. It is not just food, but mainly about our sophisticated combination of modern creativity and local knowledge in cuisine.

2. In The Afternoon

Spend Your Afternoon In Hanoi French Quarter 

Hanoi French Quarter is another popular place to get into the local spirit of Hanoi. You definitely visit these destinations and enjoy the inspirational lifestyle here!

St. Joseph Cathedral – “Notre Dame de Paris” of Hanoi 

A rush walk across St. Joseph Cathedral to visit the fascinating cathedral in Hanoi!

Hanoi Opera House – Neo-classical French architecture featuring Gothic themes

The beautiful Hanoi Opera House was built by French in 1911. It is the biggest theater in Vietnam and speaks volumes as historical and cultural evidence of Vietnam under French rule.

The interior is even more magnificent than the exterior with many arguing it is aesthetically even more appealing than the Paris Opera House.

Vietnamese Women’s Museum

The 3 destinations above could take your whole afternoon. For other choices of attraction 4, 5, 6, see more in French Quarter Hanoi.

In case you still have time?

Other City Sight Seeing

If you would like to visit these places below, you need to miss some destinations above or being quite rush!

If you are not in rush and tired, you can also spend time exploring Out of the Old Quarter. But, if you are, do not be ambitious to cover every destination!

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to learn more about local culture and history. If you do not know about my country history, no problem! Ho Chi Minh is our former prime minister who is called Uncle Ho. He played a vital role in bringing freedom to Vietnam and revolutionize the country.

It doesn’t take a lot of time If you visit other close destinations to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda. All these destinations are belong to Ho Chi Minh Complex.

For local, it is very important to visit “Uncle Ho” at your first time in Hanoi to show your respect to the Uncle of Vietnam.

Temple of Literature

The list of “what to see in hanoi for a day” can not miss Temple of literature

The architecture of Literature Temple present strongly the unique Vietnamese culture. Each building has a spiritual meaning and stands for the educational principle of Vietnam in the past.

It is a ritual that we ask from “Ong Do” a word that might be luckiness, health or wealth…All presents the hope of locals to new year with new success and new good things coming.

3. At Night

Dinner with Bun Cha

Locals love “bun cha”, I love “bun cha”. And you will be sure to love it too! Spend your dinner at a luxury restaurant or even a street store, then order yourself a bow of bun cha. You definitely miss this dish whenever you come home!

Drink beer in Ta Hien Beer Street

Drinking Hanoi beer is not merely for your thrust. It is a Hanoi life style and one of top 41 things to do in Hanoi for any visitors. If you need a travel buddy or a local team to drink with, have a chat on the street, why not contact us now?

If you need any support from Hanoi locals, directly ask questions and book a free local tour to see the truly, novel, resh spirit of local experience for only One Day in Hanoi!

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More about 2 days in Hanoi

Transportation

Best transportation for Hanoi 1 Day Itinerary

Vietnam is called “motorbike country”. It might be scary for you to first-time see the crowded and complex transportation in Hanoi. Fortunately, you have many choices to choose your best suitable vehicle to go around the city: Motorbike, Taxi or very convenient Uber/Grab..