Chris Humphrey from the New York Times recommends a 36-hour whirlwind tour of Hanoi, showing how to experience the best of the city’s culture, food, and vibrant nightlife.
According to Chris, even in this short time, visitors can deeply connect with Hanoi’s culture, food, and people in this “thousand-year-old civilization.”
Bustling nightlife at Hoan Kiem walking street every weekend evening.
On Friday evening, Chris recommends starting by exploring Hanoi’s heart - Hoan Kiem walking street - before heading to Tam Vi, a Michelin-starred restaurant that specializes in home-style Northern Vietnamese dishes.
Intimate “home-style” meals are a highlight at the Michelin-starred Tam Vi. Photo: Tam Vi
"Tam Vi offers a variety of comfort foods, including fried tofu with tomato sauce, braised fish, and cha la lot (grilled pork wrapped in betel leaves),” Chris notes.
To end the evening, Chris suggests visiting a small, nostalgic bar on Hai Ba Trung Street inspired by the films of Wong Kar-wai.
Photo by Klook
On Saturday morning, visitors should stop by the Temple of Literature and the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, two sites steeped in Vietnam’s history. After a coffee break at a classic French villa on Chan Cam Street, Chris suggests an exciting twist - a street food tour by motorbike, organized by Vespa Adventures.
“Riding an old Vespa through Hanoi’s narrow streets, tasting local favorites like bun cha (grilled pork with noodles) and banh mi, is a memorable experience,” Chris writes.
Hanoi motorbike tour. Photo: Hanoi Vespa Adventures
The motorbike tour also covers Hanoi’s top landmarks, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, and the Hanoi Opera House.
For Saturday night dinner, Chris recommends Thang Long grilled fish (cha ca), or dining at Chapter, a high-end restaurant on Chan Cam Street with an open kitchen for those seeking an upscale setting.
After dinner, jazz enthusiasts can visit a jazz club in the Hoan Kiem district to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere.
On Sunday, Chris suggests visiting the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, enjoying pho cuon (rolled pho) near West Lake, and wrapping up the trip by shopping for souvenirs at the famous night market in the Old Quarter.
Vietnamnet.vn
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