15 Unmissable Things to Do in Hanoi’s Old Quarter!

Are you planning to also visit Halong bay/Lan Ha bay with Hanoi and Ninh Bing? Then you definitely should check out this 3 day Ninh Binh, Halong-Lan Ha Bay tour from Hanoi in 5 star luxury cruise for approx $265!
This is one of the most in demand tour in 2026 booked by our readers who travel to Vietnam. See also Banana Island Hanoi.

Stroll along Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake sits in the middle of the busiest streets in Hanoi and is quiet. It has a promenade lining its edges, hence it's a perfect destination for a leisurely stroll. The red Huc Bridge leads to the Ngoc Son Temple on a small island and is definitely a model of traditional Vietnamese architecture steeped in legends, including the one about the Golden Turtle.

Visit Dong Xuan Market

Dong Xuan Market is the biggest and most famous market in Hanoi, housing an indoor combination of every type of vendor, selling everything from cloth to souvenirs, spices, and fresh products. This is real exploration of the local merchandise and, of course, probably a chance to pick up some unique Vietnamese products with the vibe of a market.

Street Food Tour

For foodies, the real treasure is Hanoi's Old Quarter, which has street food almost everywhere. Take a food-guided tour or hit it yourself, but you need to try at least one or two of a few traditional specialties: bun cha, pho, and banh mi are the best among the street food offers. Many of these street food shops spill onto the sidewalk so you can dine like locals do in the narrow streets of the Old Quarter.

Watch a water puppet show

Within walking distance from Hoan Kiem Lake, the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre allows exploration into one of the most unique cultural experiences of your lifetime. The traditional Vietnamese art of the water puppets was done with accompanying live music and storytelling. These are short, accessible, steeped-in-Vietnamese-folklore shows that make the show a cultural highlight not to be missed.

Explore Craft Streets for photo opportunities

Each street in the Old Quarter has something different as a traditional craft, and it covers a gamut from Hang Bac-end to Hang Gai. Spend an afternoon walking down the streets, observing the laborers at work, and taking shots of the old architectural buildings along with street life. Hang Ma is especially noted for its paper crafts and is so vibrantly colored and photogenic.

Go to the Night Market

On weekends, Hang Dao Street turns into a night market beehive, where locals and visitors jostle their way to buy souvenirs, clothes, and food. The night market is extremely famous for variety at its best amidst high energy. During sundown, the real Old Quarter starts to work. Have some street food; enjoy the neon lights and local music to your taste of nightlife in Hanoi.

Relax at a Sidewalk Cafe

Yet the cafes lining the sidewalks in Hanoi's Old Quarter are not bad vantage points through which to look out at the local life across the road with a cup of Vietnamese coffee. Ideal for locals, their menu normally has Vietnamese egg coffee, iced tea, or condensed milk coffee. Take a seat and let the beauty of Hanoi's street life unravel as you sip the coffee.

Visit St. Joseph's Cathedral

With its neo-Gothic architecture and beautiful stained-glass windows, St. Joseph's Cathedral could present itself as one piece of serenity. Dating back to the time of French colonization, it stands to remind one of the mixed architectural influence on the city. The cathedral square is graced with a number of small cafes and is really nice to walk around.

Take a Cyclo Ride

Enjoy a quarter known as the Old Quarter, cyclo-three-wheeled bicycle taxi. Just relax biking on narrow streets and lively alleys to get an intimate view of bustling local culture. A cyclo ride gives you another point of view of the Old Quarter at an easygoing pace that is very easy with great photo opportunities.

Two days here, one day somewhere quiet

The Old Quarter rewards two days and then starts repeating itself. That is not a criticism; it is a small area and this list is most of it.

Most people follow it with Halong or Sapa. The third option is Phong Nha, an overnight train south, where the national park caps entries per day so a guided day has to be booked before you travel. Our Elephant Cave and Ma Da Valley day trek is the short version.

Enjoy Trang Tien Ice Cream

One of the most famous local desserts, Trang Tien Ice Cream, is a delicious stop during one's exploration. Many flavors, ranging from traditional vanilla to coconut, are sold on the streets-that is, refreshing and just the right way to experience one of the most favorite desserts in Hanoi.

Cooking Classes in Vietnamese

For hands-on fun in the culinary world, consider taking a cooking class. Most Old Quarter cooking classes involve a market visit for buying ingredients, followed by lessons on how to prepare the dishes Vietnam is known for. For the true foodie, this is a memory cherished for ages and culturally so Vietnamese-just what you need to take home.

Visit Bach Ma Temple

The Bach Ma Temple is among the most ancient temples of Hanoi and makes available the White Horse deity, thus relieving the people from the busy streets. It dates back to the 11th century and is considered quite important due to its quiet courtyard and intricately designed architectural features; any visit here would thus be considered well spent by those interested in religious history.

Shopping for Souvenirs on Hang Gai Street

It is also called "Silk Street"; Hang Gai is full of all sorts of silk products and traditional craftsmanship. Take a peep at shops selling silk scarves, tailored apparels, and local art; you may be able to bring home a good piece of silk to remind you of Hanoi.

Ta Hien Beer Street - catch the feel of it

Nick-named "Beer Street", Ta Hien is fast becoming one of the most happening quarters in the Old Quarter each evening, with locals and tourists alike meeting for beers and street food. Join the throngs ordering up something cold and soak in the vibe that's always buzzing here at this nightlife.

Cross Long Bien Bridge

Instead, take a quiet moment away from the crowds and walk across Long Bien Bridge, one of the surviving structures of the French colonial era. Taking in the views of the Red River and the cityscape on this bridge, it is just about perfect for a quiet stroll and photo opportunities around sunrise or sunset.

Stay out past six and the Old Quarter changes character. Our roundup of the best places to watch the sunset in Hanoi covers the rooftops, the lake and the bridge, with the timing that actually works.

Quick answers

How long do I need in the Old Quarter? Two days covers the list above without rushing. Most people stay there and use it as a base, which is different from visiting it.

When is the walking street? Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, when the streets around Hoan Kiem close to traffic. It is a different place on those nights.

Is it safe to cross the road? Yes, if you walk steadily and do not stop. Traffic goes around you. Stopping halfway is what causes accidents.

What should I not pay for? Cyclo rides without an agreed price, and anything a person hands you unprompted. Both are the standard Old Quarter complaints.

Is it loud at night? Yes, especially near Ta Hien. If you are booking a room here, ask which side of the building it is on.