3 Days in Hanoi: Suggested Itineraries
The northern Vietnamese city of Hanoi is a beguiling mix of modern and ancient, Asian traditions and colonial legacies. Elegant balconied buildings front tree-lined boulevards, while cyclists and mopeds weave through the city’s narrow backstreets. Join the fans and discover the many sights and tastes of exciting Hanoi.
Day 1: Hello Hanoi
Follow the scent of pho (noodle soup) wafting from cafes as you head down alleyways thronged with passers-by, shoppers and street stalls. Fuel up with super-strong, super-sweet coffee then plunge into the city’s sights. The Old Quarter is especially appealing, near Hoan Kiem Lake, and it’s a good area to hunt for tailors and souvenirs. Why not get your bearings on a cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, or for something different take a Ho Chi Minh-themed walking tour to Uncle Ho’s mausoleum.
Day 2: Friendly Pho and Other Dishes
The subtle, more traditional flavors of Hanoi’s northern cuisine are legendary, and enjoyed all around the world. Some of Vietnam’s most famous dishes come from the Hanoi region, including the famous pho which is a good example of how spices, seasoning and condiments are used to add flavor to a base dish. Other northern specialties you might encounter include bun cha (vermicelli noodles with pork and salad), rice paper rolls filled with pork and salad, and fragrant pork gio cha spring rolls. To taste the essence of Hanoi, dine at Cha Ca La Vong, reputed to be the city’s oldest restaurant, or take a Vietnamese cooking class at the Hanoi Cooking Centre.
Day 3: How Long to Halong Bay
Vietnam’s classic postcard shots of calm blue sea dotted with tree-clad limestone islands were most probably taken in World Heritage-listed Halong Bay. To relax into the beguiling rhythm of Halong Bay, join a 3-day junk boat cruise to do nothing much except dine on seafood, go swimming in the bay, kayak through limestone caves, go night fishing or read a book while you adjust your suntan on the boat’s tanning deck.
We had a fantastic time on the junk boat cruise and highly recommend it to others. The sleeping cabins were delightful, clean and surprisingly spacious. The crew were friendly, helpful and seemed to really enjoy their jobs. The scenery in Halong Bay was beautiful, including the cave tour and the kayaking tour. This tour was one of the highlights of our trip to Vietnam.
Continue Reading »
The highlight of our trip, tour takes you around halong bay on a fantastically furnished boat. The dinner/lunch was more than anyone could possibly eat and unbelievably tasty (surprising what they cook in a galley these days!!)
Huong, the tour guide, is fantastic and makes your trip as amazing as the surroundings!
Continue Reading »
Would definitely recommend to others. Service was amazing and along it is only a short time spent in Halong Bay itself due to the 4 hour trip from Hanoi it is still worth it.
There is soooo much food on this boat, you will never go hungry and it was all delicious.
Our tour guide was really lovely and helpful. We visited a cave, climbed to the top of a mountain (ish) and also went kayaking and swimming.
It's a small group as well which is nice.
3 Days in Hanoi: Suggested Itineraries Written by Viator
Hidden Gem must see Island Written by koalakiss86
