Hanoi, Vietnam’s buzzing capital, is one of those cities that instantly wraps you up in its magic. With its maze of motorbikes, centuries-old temples, steamy bowls of pho on every corner, and hidden cafés tucked into winding alleys, Hanoi is a place where history and modern energy collide. It’s chaotic and peaceful all at once — and trust me, once you visit, you’ll want to come back again and again.
If you’re planning your first trip (or even your second!), here’s a fun, easy, and super detailed 4-day Hanoi itinerary you can follow. From insider tips to must-visit spots, we’ve got you covered.
We spent one month in Vietnam so check out some of our other blogs about Sapa, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Phong Nha, Nha Trang, and Saigon (coming soon)!
Curious about other destinations on our journey? Check out our blogs on Laos, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand or the Philippines!
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no additional cost to you.
TLDR 🫣
Hanoi is pure magic — a vibrant, buzzing city where centuries-old temples, mouthwatering street eats, and motorbikes weaving through alleys all collide in the best way possible. In just four days, you’ll wander ancient streets, sip egg coffee, ride boats through limestone caves, and make new friends who feel like old ones.
Itinerary
-Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi from Luang Prabang, snag cash from a TPBank ATM, dive straight into street food heaven at Chợ Hàng Mã Night Market.
-Day 2: Explore Hanoi’s best sights — Hoàn Kiếm Lake, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Temple of Literature, Train Street (hi Linh!), and end the day feasting at night markets.
-Day 3: Day trip to stunning Ninh Binh with Cozy Vietnam tours — think sampan boats, pagodas, caves, and unreal countryside views.
-Day 4: Another self-guided adventure around Hanoi: pagodas, egg coffee, Imperial Citadel, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and a magical Water Puppet Show at night.
Pro Tips:
💬 Withdraw cash early in the day from TPBank ATMs — they can run dry!
💬 Get to Train Street early to snag the best seats — aim for 1 hour before the train.
💬 Use Grab for easy, cheap rides around the city (no haggling!).
💬 Book Water Puppet Show tickets early (morning or the day before) for prime seats.
💬 Carry small change for street food and markets — most vendors don’t break big bills.
💬 Pack light rain gear — Hanoi’s weather can change fast.
💬 Bring your own headphones for the Water Puppet audio guide (you can share one rental and save money).
Top Awards:
- Best Experience: Linh at Train Street's Hanoi 1900s Café — pure heart, pure magic, unforgettable.
- Best Eats: Bun Cha at Bun Cha Dac Kim — smoky, savory, fresh, and under $5 CAD!
- Best "Bang for Your Buck" Hotels: Hanoi Elite Hotel — cozy vibes, amazing service from Michael, and a killer location. Little Hanoi Deluxe Hotel — comfy stay, amazing value, and the sweetest manager, Thuy, who made us feel right at home.
- Best e-SIM: Airalo (You can use our referral code “CELINA4205” to save $4.50 CAD OFF your first purchase).
How to Get a Vietnam E-Visa (It’s Easier Than You Think!)
Getting your Vietnam e-visa is a straightforward process, and it’s a game-changer for travelers who love planning ahead. As of August 15, 2023, Vietnam offers a 90-day e-visa (single or multiple entry) to citizens of all countries and territories.
✅ Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Vietnam E-Visa
1. Visit the Official E-Visa Portal: Head over to evisa.gov.vn. Be cautious—there are many third-party sites out there, so ensure you’re on the official one.
2. Complete the Application Form: You’ll need to provide personal details, passport information, and your intended travel dates.
3. Upload Required Documents:
4. Passport Photo: A recent 4×6 cm photo with a white background.
5. Passport Scan: A clear scan of your passport’s information page.
6. Pay the Visa Fee:
Single Entry (up to 90 days): $25 USD
Multiple Entry (up to 90 days): $50 USD Note: Fees are non-refundable, even if your application is denied.
7. Wait for Processing: Processing typically takes 3–5 working days. You’ll receive an email notification once your e-visa is ready. Please be sure to check for any national holidays as the waiting process will take longer if they are closed (ie, Tet/New Year’s, which is a week long celebration)
8. Download and Print Your E-Visa: Always carry a printed copy of your e-visa to present upon arrival in Vietnam.
💬 Pro Tips for a Smooth E-Visa Experience
–Double-Check Your Information: Ensure all details match your passport exactly. Even minor discrepancies can lead to entry denial. For example, even though it says “middle name (optional)”, if your middle name is in our passport, you should include it!
-Entry and Exit Points: Your e-visa is only valid for the entry and exit points specified in your application. Make sure your travel plans align accordingly.
–Validity Period: You can enter Vietnam on any date within your e-visa’s validity period, not just the exact date specified.
–Beware of Scams: Only use the official e-visa portal. Some travelers have reported issues with unofficial sites leading to costly mistakes.
–Keep a Digital Copy: Besides the printed version, save a digital copy of your e-visa on your phone or cloud storage for easy access.
By following these steps and tips, you’ll have your Vietnam e-visa sorted in no time, leaving you more time to plan your Hanoi adventures!
How to Get Around Hanoi
Getting around Hanoi is half the adventure. You can walk almost everywhere if you’re staying near the Old Quarter. Just put up your hand and walk through the traffic confidently. The motorbikes will drive around you. For longer trips, Grab (Vietnam’s version of Uber) is a lifesaver — cheap, fast, and easy. If you’re feeling brave, hop on a Grab Bike and weave through Hanoi traffic like a local!
Pro Tip: 💬 Always have small bills handy for taxis, bikes, and random street food stops.
How to Get to Hanoi
Hanoi was our first city in Vietnam. We hopped on a direct flight from Luang Prabang, Laos to Hanoi, and it couldn’t have been smoother! We flew with Vietnam Airlines, which quickly became one of our favorite airlines — not only were they super friendly, but their carry-on policy is generous (perfect if you’re using small backpacks or luggage).
Pro Tip: 💬 Download the Vietnam Airlines app to check in early and breeze through the airport.
Where to Stay in Hanoi
We stayed at two fantastic hotels in the Old Quarter and I can’t recommend them enough:
First up, Hanoi Elite Hotel: Michael, the manager, is an absolute gem. He helped us organize tours, like a day trip to Ninh Binh, gave amazing local advice, and made us feel like VIPs. The hotel is quite small, boutique-style, clean, and tucked away from the main hustle but very much inside the old quarter— perfect for a good night’s sleep.
Next, Little Hanoi Deluxe Hotel: Another hit! It’s a bit more expensive, but comes with breakfast and a bigger room. Thuy, the manager, was so kind and welcoming. She helped us with everything from food recommendations to booking transport. The rooms were cozy, clean, and affordable — can’t beat that!
Plus, it’s not that far! You’ll get into the main part of town in less than 15 minutes by foot. But if safety is your top priority, it’s probably better to pick something on the main side of town and save yourself the balancing act.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi!
If you’re like us, you’ll be arriving in the late afternoon/ early evening. Here are the only thing you need to do for your very first day in Vietnam.
Flight from Luang Prabang to Hanoi (Vietnam Airlines FTW!)
Get money from a TPBank ATM: Zero ATM fees! Just look for the purple TPBank booths around the Old Quarter. We used our Wealthsimple Card, which allows us to withdraw cash from any ATM without getting charged by Wealthsimple. However, you need to find ATMs that don’t charge a fee either on their side, to be completely free. Pro Tip: 💬 Try to withdraw money EARLY in the day, before they run out. We think they resupply their ATMs over night.
Dinner at Chợ Hàng Mã Night Market: Dive right into the action with sizzling street food, endless souvenirs, and buzzing night vibes.
We ordered Banh Mi from a street cart in Hanoi for only 70,000 ₫, which is less than $4 CAD.
Day 2: Hanoi Highlights (Self-Guided tour)
Morning Meeting: Meet Michael, the owner of the hotel, at the hotel lobby to chat about tours (he’s the man with the plan). We booked our Sapa bus tickets (more on that in the Sapa blog; this was easily the most premium bus we’d take in Vietnam) and our Ninh Binh day tour— super easy!
Breakfast at The Note Coffee: This adorable café is covered in thousands of colorful sticky notes from travelers around the world. Plus, their coconut coffee = life-changing. We spent about $8 CAD for drinks and pastries.
Walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake: A morning stroll around the lake is pure magic, with mist rising off the water and locals doing tai chi.
Visit St. Joseph Cathedral: Gorgeous neo-Gothic architecture.
We grabbed a random street banh mi nearby for “lunch” — because when in Vietnam, you snack constantly! It was even better than yesterday’s! The name of the place was called Banh mi ngu vi and it cost only 25,000 ₫.
Temple of Literature: An ancient university dedicated to Confucius — beautiful courtyards, dreamy old-world vibes. Entry for two people costs 140,000 ₫, and it was definitely worth it! As a fellow book nerd, it felt just so special to be in a place surrounded by the history of poets and writers.
Train Street: Stop by Hanoi 1900s Café for coffee and watch the train roar past mere inches from your seat. Shout out to Linh, the owner of the cafe! She told us we could call her train lady, but I like her name so much better! 😉
Let me tell you why you should come here. It’s because of Linh! She MADE the experience phenomenal. Linh is funny, sweet, and makes you feel excited for the experience despite the fact that she does this multiple times a day, every day.
We were there 30min before the afternoon train was scheduled to arrive on a weekend and we almost didn’t get seats. But Linh made space for us. So, you should definitely plan to get here way before the scheduled train!
We WhatsApp’ed her business 30 minutes before my arrival (1h before the train was scheduled to arrive), but she didn’t see it until I actually got there (understandably so). We were seated by the tracks quickly by her and her staff (also incredibly sweet people), ordered two drinks for about 45,000 ₫. each, and waited for the train to come. We took pictures, watched the flurry of people come and go, and enjoyed the experience. 10/10 would recommend!
Late Lunch: Bun Cha dac kim: Smoky grilled pork, rice noodles, fresh herbs… chef’s kiss. Spring rolls and one giant bowl only costed us 95,000 ₫.
Then, we headed back to the hotel to rest after a long day. Because the party in Old Quarter doesn’t truly start until after 9:00pm! If drinking and people watching isn’t your scene, check out the night market!
Dong Xuan Night Market: Shop ‘til you drop or just people-watch with a sweet snack in hand. We bought elephant earrings (40,000 ₫), a hair clip (10,000 ₫), two sunglasses (150,000 ₫) and a soursop smoothie (40,000 ₫)! Heads up – buying more than one item from the same seller did not get us a deal, so just keep that in mind if you thought that would help in negotiations here.
Late Dinner: Pho: Night pho tastes better, don’t ask why, it just does. We ordered two bowls and dough fritters for 125,000 ₫.
Day 3: Day Trip to Ninh Binh (Cozy Vietnam day tour)
Booked through Michael at our hotel, we joined a tour with Cozy Vietnam — HIGHLY recommend; not sponsored. You’ll explore stunning limestone karsts, temples, and take a serene sampan boat ride through caves and rice paddies.
Don’t forget your camera — Ninh Binh is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Some refer to it as the “Ha Long Bay of Land.” We made so many good friends on this tour.
Ninh Binh itinerary (from the Cozy Vietnam website):
7:40-08:20 : Our Luxury Car and tour guide will come to pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter Centel for departure to Bai Dinh pagoda.
10:15-10:30 : Arrive in Buddha Prayer place in Bai Dinh pagoda, the biggest pagoda in Vietnam with 500 La Han statues, biggest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam with 10 meters in height, 100 tons in weight. You will have free time with our tour guide to visit this pagoda and learn more about buddism religion.
11:50-12:00 : Have a buffet lunch with Vietnamese cuisine. Ride bicycles around Ninh Binh in our free time
12:50-13:00 : Get on the tourist bus continue going to Trang An wharf, take boat trip to visit Trang An cave complex and the scene of King Kong film.
14:50-15:00 : Come back to Trang An wharf, take your bicycle to visit traditional villages around Trang An area.
15:35-15:40 : Keep going to visit Mua cave. The place attracts visitors with its many interesting stories.
Climb 500 stone steps, here you can see all the way to Tam Coc, enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong river.
16:55-17:20 : Get on our Luxury bus to comeback to Ha Noi.
19:00-19:30 : Arrive Ha Noi, drop off at your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter. Say Good Bye! Tour End!
Pro Tip: 💬 Pack sunscreen, water, and a light rain jacket — it gets chilly on the water! We paid 2,500,000 ₫ for both of us (which was about $136 CAD)
Day 4: Another Self-Guided Hanoi Adventure
Breakfast at the Little Hanoi Deluxe hotel. We changed hotels after the Ninh binh tour, because there wasn’t any availability at the original hotel (Hanoi Elite Hotel).
ATM run (restock up on cash) + Buy Water Puppet Show tickets: Book early for better seats — trust me! The cost for two VIP seats was 400,000 ₫. And one audio guide, which we shared by using our own headphones cost 50,000 ₫.
Ngoc Son Pagoda: A peaceful little shrine right on Hoàn Kiếm Lake.
Café Giang: Home of the original Egg Coffee — thick, creamy, sweet, and totally unique. AH-MAY-ZING. We got one iced and one hot (get the hot one) for 70,000 ₫.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: Explore ancient history in the heart of Hanoi.
Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum: A must-visit for a slice of Vietnam’s modern history. Tickets were 80,000 ₫ for two.
Rest at the hotel before the big night!
9:15pm Water Puppet Show: Absolutely worth it! The puppets glide over water accompanied by live traditional music. Grab a translator headset for the full experience.
Pro Tip:
💬 Book puppet show tickets early in the morning or even the day before, especially during weekends.
Dinner: For dinner, we hopped around a few places. A few banh mis, pho, and a sausage on a stick cost ~125,000 ₫!
TOTAL COST for 5 Nights in Hanoi (Approximate CAD for 2 people):
SIM Cards: $24
Activities: $187
Accommodations (4 days/5 nights): $261
Food: $54
Transportation (Grabs): $15
Souvenirs: $11
E-Visas: $69
TOTAL: $621 (Roughly $62 per person, per night)
Final Thoughts
Hanoi is a whirlwind — a sensory overload in the best way. Four days will give you just a taste, but it’s enough to fall in love with the city’s soul. From steaming bowls of pho to peaceful temple visits, to late-night markets and friendly faces like Michael, Thuy, and Linh — Hanoi has a way of staying with you.
Happy travels — and eat all the bun cha you can!
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