One-day trip in Hanoi: where to go and what to eat

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. With its rich history, diverse culture, and unique ancient architecture, Hanoi has attracted visitors from all over the world. So where should you go if you only have one day in Hanoi? Giscoo Job Hub has some suggestions for places to experience and visit in Hanoi, and of course, unforgettable mouthwatering street foods.

Transportation to Hanoi

In order to serve most of the passenger needs from the North and South, from within and outside the country, transportation is a very important part in picking up and dropping off passengers to visit. Therefore, transportation services are also of great interest. Here are some means of transportation for you to refer to and find the one that suits you best!

1.1 Airplane

Hanoi has Noi Bai International Airport, and some famous airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar, and Vietjet Air offer flights from major cities in Vietnam from 1 to 2 hours depending on the location and other cities around the world. Remember to plan and book your tickets early to get better deals.

1.2 Bus

There are also bus routes from other major cities to Hanoi such as: Saigon, Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An... However, you should use the bus if you are in the neighboring provinces of Hanoi to avoid wasting time and energy.

1.3 Train

The train is definitely a safe choice for many tourists because you can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way before embarking on your actual tour. Hanoi also has a central station, and trains from other major cities such as: Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hue, Nha Trang... to Hanoi. However, the train travel time is also quite long, it may take you 30 hours to reach Hanoi if your destination is Ho Chi Minh City. Consider before choosing because of the time factor.

Hanoi: A One-Day Itinerary
Morning

8:00 Have breakfast in Hanoi's Old Quarter

Hanoi's Old Quarter is one of the most famous tourist destinations and attracts visitors with its ancient streets, historical architectural works, rich cultural cuisine, and especially the old-fashioned restaurants. With Hanoi's Old Quarter cuisine, traveling without visiting breakfast restaurants is a pity because it is one of the characteristics of this place. You should fill your empty stomach to serve your day in Hanoi but still ensure your health. Here are some delicious breakfast places in Hanoi's Old Quarter:

• Pho Bat Dan Ky Dong: Located on Ky Dong Street, this restaurant is said to have delicious, fragrant and meaty pho, at reasonable prices.
• Bun Cha Hanoi: This is one of the specialties of Hanoi, including fresh vermicelli, cha and grilled spring rolls, served with herbs, tofu and crispy vermicelli. Bun Cha Hanoi has many places for sale, but the restaurant of Ms. Phuong on Hang Manh Street is considered to be famous and crowded.

• Banh Mi P Hoang Viet: Banh Mi P Hoang Viet is located on Dien Bien Phu Street, with bread made from fresh ingredients, seasoned to taste and professional service. If you like fried egg sandwiches, try this delicious P sandwich.
• Xoi Yen: Xoi Yen is famous throughout Hanoi with its delicious and diverse types of sticky rice, from gac sticky rice, mung bean sticky rice, sticky rice to fried sticky rice... Located in alley 35 Hang Be, this restaurant is always crowded because of its quality and reasonable prices.
• Giang Cafe: Located on Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Giang Cafe is famous as one of the best cafes in Hanoi, especially the delicious egg coffee.

9:00  Visit the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam

The Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam is an important historical and cultural relic of Vietnam, built in the 11th century under the Ly Dynasty and considered one of the attractive tourist destinations in Hanoi. It was considered the first national university of Vietnam and once trained mid-level officials to hold important positions in the court.

Not only is it considered one of the important tourist destinations in Hanoi, the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam was also recognized as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2010. This is one of the reasons why many visitors want to learn and explore this place on their journey when they visit Hanoi.

11:00 Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a famous tourist spot in Hanoi, located in the southwestern area of Hoan Kiem Lake, belonging to the forbidden area of Ngoc Ha ward, Ba Dinh district.

Visitors can visit the areas inside the mausoleum such as the memorial room, exhibition room, ceremony room, and the room containing gifts from world leaders who have visited President Ho Chi Minh. It is also a solemn place, so visitors should take note to leave their shoes outside the gate and wear full, modest clothing when visiting.

Afternoon

13:00 Experience the cuisine of the Old Quarter

If you only have one day in Hanoi, don't forget to experience the cuisine of the Old Quarter here. Simple but delicious, traditional northern dishes are popular and have created a special and unforgettable experience in the capital:

• Thanh Tri banh cuon restaurant to try Hanoi's famous banh cuon (steamed rice rolls). The thin, smooth pancakes are rolled with a savory fish sauce dip, delicious and very typical. Add some gio cha (fried pork sausage) and raw vegetables to the pancakes, and you have a delicious and nutritious lunch.

• You can refer to Pho Gia Truyen restaurant to try traditional chicken pho. The hot pho with the aroma of chicken, full of side dishes such as herbs and delicious broth will fill your hungry stomach after a morning out.

17:00 Visit the Turtle Tower and West Lake

The Turtle Tower and West Lake are two famous and beloved tourist destinations in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The Turtle Tower, also known as the Double Tower, is located on Ngọc Island (Ngoc Island) in West Lake. The highlight of the tower is the ancient tower full of historical significance, built in the 17th century. 

West Lake is one of the largest lakes in Hanoi, with an area of up to more than 3,000 hectares. Visitors can participate in recreational activities such as kayaking, sailing or enjoying Hanoi's special food at restaurants on the shore of the lake.

When visiting the Turtle Tower and West Lake, visitors will experience a quiet, relaxing space and admire the beautiful scenery right in the heart of the capital. This is a great destination to relax and find peace.

Evening

18:00 Enjoy the Thang Long Water Puppet Show

The Thang Long Water Puppet Show is a unique traditional art form that should not be missed when visiting Hanoi. The Thang Long Water Puppet Show is a traditional art form that has been around for centuries and is performed in a water pool. 

Visitors can find many water puppet theaters in Hanoi, but one of the most famous is the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater located on Dinh Tien Hoang Street. The show usually lasts about 45 minutes and is performed in several languages, making it accessible to visitors from all over the world.

20:00 Take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake at night

Hoan Kiem Lake is a beautiful lake located in the heart of Hanoi. You can visit Hoan Kiem Lake in the morning but it has a special charm at night. In the evening, the lake area is bustling with locals and tourists alike. Visitors can take a walk around the lake, enjoy the cool breeze, and admire the beauty of the lake lit up at night.

Around Hoan Kiem Lake, there are many street food vendors selling a variety of delicious and affordable dishes. Visitors can try some of Hanoi's famous street foods such as banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), bun bo (beef noodles), and nem cua be (fried spring rolls).

Conclusion

In a Day with Limited Time, Visitors Can Enjoy the Wonders of Hanoi From savoring traditional dishes like pho and bun cha to exploring iconic landmarks like West Lake and Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, visitors can make the most of their limited time in Hanoi. With careful planning, a touch of local knowledge, and a willingness to embrace the unique experiences Hanoi has to offer, your one-day trip can be a truly unforgettable adventure.