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Hoan Kiem Lake spans about 12 hectares, with a circumference of 1.7 km. Photo: Hoang Ha

Sunrise in Hanoi

Begin your day by witnessing the flag-raising ceremony at Ba Dinh Square, in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It starts at 6:00 a.m. in summer (April 1 - October 31) and 6:30 a.m. in winter (November 1 - March 31).

Then head to Thanh Nien Street for morning views of West Lake and Truc Bach Lake, enjoying the fresh, cool air.

At 8:00 a.m., make your way to Hoan Kiem Lake for breakfast and coffee. The most iconic morning dish here is pho, with well-known long-standing spots like Pho Thin Bo Ho, Pho Tu Lun Au Trieu, Pho Khoi Hoi, and Pho Bat Dan.

Afterward, try Hanoi’s famous egg coffee at Dinh Café by the lake or Giang Café on Nguyen Huu Huan Street. Egg coffee has become an internationally recognized drink, recently ranked among the world’s 63 best coffee beverages by Taste Atlas in early 2025.

Exploring the Old Quarter

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Bun cha in Alley 74 Hang Quat delights diners. Photo: Linh Trang

After breakfast, wander the Old Quarter to admire landmarks such as St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hanoi Post Office, Hanoi Opera House, Dong Xuan Market, and Long Bien Bridge. You can also opt for a double-decker bus tour.

For lunch, enjoy Hanoi specialties like bun cha, cha ca, or bun rieu. A popular choice is bun cha in Alley 74 Hang Quat, where the grilled pork is tender, lightly charred for aroma, and paired with a flavorful dipping sauce made from fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, water, garlic, and fresh chili.

Afternoon sights
As evening falls, sunlight sparkles on the lake, creating a poetic scene. Photo: Hoang Ha / Pham Hai

Spend the afternoon visiting key historical and cultural sites such as the Temple of Literature, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and Tay Ho Temple. Around 5:00 p.m., head to Tran Quoc Pagoda to watch the sunset over West Lake. With a history of 1,500 years, Tran Quoc is one of Vietnam’s oldest temples and has been ranked among the world’s 10 most beautiful.

Hanoi by night
Hanoi’s signature dishes captivate visitors. Photo: Linh Trang

For dinner, savor dishes like Thang Long grilled fish, garlic-fried duck at Hang Luoc, eel vermicelli, or home-style rice.

To explore Hanoi’s history and culture, join night tours such as “Sacred Night” at Hoa Lo Prison, “The Quintessence of Education” at the Temple of Literature, or “Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel.”

For a lively nightlife experience, visit Ta Hien Street or the Hoan Kiem night market.

If you’ve already explored the city center, consider nearby destinations like Duong Lam Ancient Village, Bat Trang Pottery Village, or Ba Vi National Park.

Besides pho and bun cha, Hanoi offers delicacies like West Lake shrimp fritters, La Vong grilled fish, bun thang, cold snail vermicelli, and mung bean congee. Local specialties to bring home include young green rice, ripe dracontomelon, preserved fruits, and lotus tea.

Linh Trang