2 Days in Hanoi

2 days in Hanoi is just enough to make you fall in love with the unique vibe of this city. For 2 days in Hanoi, you can have time to visit some popular landmarks in the city.

Hanoi, the 1000-years-old capital of Vietnam, is a small yet fascinating city. If you only have a chance to visit just one place in Northern Vietnam, that will likely be Hanoi. Its poetic and romantic beauty would charm you so effortlessly, even if your time in Hanoi only lasts for a few days.

Beautiful sunset at the West Lake, Hanoi

Here are some recommended places for you to visit on 2 days in Hanoi:

• Hanoi Old Quarter Area
• Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple
• Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
• Hanoi Opera House
• Temple of Literature
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum
• Museum of Ethnology
• Duong Lam Ancient Village
• Van Phuc Silk Village
• Bat Trang Ceramic Village

Most Popular Places to Visit on 2 Days in Hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Hoan Kiem Lake, the highlight of Hanoi

This gorgeous lake is the most famous and beautiful place in Hanoi. This peaceful lake surrounds Ngoc Son Temple, an 18th century pagoda sitting in on a small island that’s accessible via an ornate wooden bridge. There are altars dedicated to military leader Tran Hung Dao, large bronze bust, some ancient artefacts including ceramics, and a preserved specimen of a giant turtle found in the lake weighing 250kg. Ngoc Son Temple opens from 7:00 to 18:00 everyday, the entrance fee is 30.000 VND

Hanoi Old Quarter

The Old Quarter is Hanoi’s beating heart and undoubtedly one of the most interesting places to visit.  As you take a walk down these streets, do not miss Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, a busy street where most trade activities take place, or Hang Ma, the most colourful street of Hanoi selling toys for children and decoration things. Dong Xuan Market is only 2kms away from Hoan Kiem Lake, opened all day with no entrance fee. Coming here, you will get the chance to see the daily life of the Hanoian and don’t forget to take some streetlife photos.

Historical sites

If you want to get to know deeper about the culture here, spend time visiting these famous and sacred historical sites in Hanoi.

Maison Central

Maison Central is a famous historical site near Hoan Kiem Lake and it’s very easy to walk from the Old Quarter. It opens 8:00 to 17:00 everyday and the entrance fee is 30.000 VND. You probably won’t need to allow much longer than an hour or so to visit this site.

The Literature Temple

Not only being the very first University of the nation, Van Mieu is also the place to worship Confucius. The Vietnamese always come here to pray for luck in learning and working by touching the rock tortoises’ head, because it is believed to be very sacred.

Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam street, Dong Da District

Opened everyday: In summer (15/4-15/10): 7:30 – 17:30

In winter (16/10-14/4): 8:00 – 17:00

Entrance fee: 30.000 VND

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

Situated at the heart of Hanoi, the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is an outstanding place of interest. The site was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in 2010
Address: 18 Hoang Dieu street, Quan Thanh, Ba Dinh District

Opened 5 days a week (except Monday) : 8:00 – 17:00

Entrance fee: 30.000 VND

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is an important historical attraction of Hanoi, honoring the national hero: President Ho Chi Minh. This is a lively illustrator of national unity.

Address: 17 Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District

Opened 5 days a week (except Monday and Friday):

In Summer (April to October): 7:30 – 10:30

In Winter (November to March): 8:00 – 11:00

Entrance fee: 25.000 VND

One Pillar Pagoda

One Pillar Pagoda – Hanoi

The One Pillar pagoda or Dien Huu pagoda, has one of the most special architectures in Vietnam. The pagoda has its location next to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and has now become one of the most meaningful symbols of Hanoi.
Address: Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

Opened everyday: 8:00 – 17:00

Best Cuisine to Try on 2 Days in Hanoi

Hanoi is definitely the paradise of food and drinks in different kinds. Here are some food recommendations for you to try on your 2 days in Hanoi

1. Top must-try Vietnamese food in Hanoi:

Pho

Talking about Hanoi cuisine means talking about Pho (beef noodles). It is the most popular food in Vietnam. It is available everywhere over the country, but Hanoi is the only place where foodies can enjoy Pho of full and authentic taste.

Where to try:

• Pho Thin: 61 Dinh Tien Hoang Str., Hanoi
• 10 Ly Quoc Su, Hanoi
• Pho Bat Dan: 49 Bat Dan Str., Hanoi

Bun Cha

This dish itself has a special “charm” because of its simplicity and familiarity. A ration of Bun Cha consists of a dish of rice noodles, a dish of barbecued pork and grilled chopped pork, vegetables and a bowl of fish sauce with pickled papaya and carrot. Try Bun Cha in 34 Hang Than- one of the best places served this tasty dish.

Banh Cuon

Vietnamese and particularly Hanoian is proud of their steamed crepe from rice flour and water that is called Banh Cuon. It’s one of the dishes that must be mentioned on the top of the menu. Some recommended restaurants for Banh Cuon: Banh Cuon Tuyet Nhung (17 Hang Ga, Hanoi) – Hang Da market, Hanoi – Banh cuon Ky Dong (11 Tong Duy Tan, Hanoi) – Banh cuon 101 Ba Trieu, Hanoi

Cha ca

Cha ca, one of top must-try specialties of Hanoi

This grilled fish pie is listed as one of the top 10 things you must try in Hanoi by many cuisine experts. It is exquisitely grilled fish served with noodles, peanut, green onions, dills and shrimp paste. The most famous Cha Ca can be found at Cha Ca La Vong – a very famous restaurant at 14 Cha Ca Street.

Bun Ca

This kind of fish noodles is a freshwater fish vermicelli soup, serving with deep fried fish pieces for a crunchy touch. Try Bun Ca in 5 Trung Yen Lane of Dinh Liet Street, a very famous place for this dish.

Bun thang

This is one of the most popular yet hidden fares in Hanoi and one can hardly find it outside of the Old quarters or a few special restaurants scattering across the city. Bun thang Ba Duc on Cau Go street is a great place to try the dish. Enjoy Bun thang in such a setting gives the meal enormous highlights in your trip to Hanoi.

2. The most amazing drinks in Hanoi

Local draught beer

On your 2 days in Hanoi, enjoying a glass of Hanoi local draught beer with some special snack on the street is definitely a must-do. Beer is wildly popular for its taste and coolness, which can immediately freeze the heat and thirst, especially in a tropical country like Vietnam. Spending a night in Ta Hien Street in the Old Quarter with your friends, cheering each other and chatting about your day over a plate of roasted or steamed peanuts will definitely be the most memorable moments in your trip.

Egg Coffee

Vietnamese famous egg coffee

It is undoubtedly the most interesting and tasty drink in Hanoi. This specialty in which a creamy soft, meringue-like egg white foam is perched on dense Vietnamese coffee. Try egg coffee in Café Pho Co (11 Hang Gai), café Dinh (13 Dinh Tien Hoang) or Café Giang (39 Nguyen Huu Huan) for the best of egg-coffee served.

Coconut water

This has been a popular drink in Vietnam for centuries and appears on Vietnam’s streets. Coconut water is served straight from a coconut with the vendors chopping the fruit once you order it. They chop off the outer green husk and keep the small white inner shell, cut into a shape that won’t fall over when put on a flat surface. Try coconut water in Hang Than street and you will fall in love with this simple drink immediately.

There are so much more interesting places that you should visit during your tour to Vietnam. Hopefully, our suggested itinerary will help you make your 2-3 days trip as enjoyable as possible.