Start your day early with a visit to Hoan Kiem Lake, where you join locals practicing tai chi and aerobics, a popular morning ritual. After exploring Ngoc Son Temple on the lake, head to a traditional café to try Vietnam’s iconic iced coffee, ca phe sua da, and, for the adventurous, sample the famous ‘egg coffee.’ Next, enjoy a banh mi from a street food stall—Vietnam’s beloved baguette filled with a variety of fresh ingredients. Wander through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, taking in the charm of French colonial architecture, including the stunning St. Joseph’s Cathedral, a French Gothic gem from 1886. Continue to the Hoa Lo Prison, once home to Vietnamese, American, and French prisoners of war, before heading to Huu Tiep Lake, also known as ‘B-52 Lake,’ where you see the wreckage of a US B-52 bomber, a striking reminder of the past.
At noon, enjoy Hanoi’s traditional bun cha—grilled pork and rice noodles. In the afternoon, explore the Temple of Literature, built in 1076, where Vietnam’s first university was established to educate royalty, mandarins, and the elite, offering a glimpse into the country’s intellectual history.
Finish the day with a walk along a street where the railway tracks pass just meters from people's doorsteps. Capture photos of this unique sight before concluding with a refreshing glass of draft beer at a local bia hoi spot, where you’ll mingle with the locals.
*Note: As you'll be trying various street foods, we recommend skipping breakfast at your hotel.
