Best Things To Do In Old Quarter Hanoi, Vietnam
When visiting Vietnam’s busy capital of Hanoi it is a great idea to stay in or as close as possible to the Old Quarter. This is the main area for tourists to explore and enjoy all the interesting activities it has to offer. Below is our list of the best things to do in Old Quarter
CHECK OUT OUR RELATED VIDEO
POST CONTENTS
Visit Hoà n Kiếm Lake
This large lake is a perfect starting point for any trip in the Old Quarter and it can be a great base and escape from the noise and busyness of the city. The lake is small and not even the biggest in Hanoi but it has become a staple part of Hanoi.
There are many cafes surrounding the lake and lots of people either walking, jogging or taking pictures. To walk around the circumference only takes around 30 minutes. If you visit this lake in the morning from around 5am you can see groups of Vietnamese people – usually older, exercising and doing laughing yoga which is an amazing sight to see, some may even let you join in!
There is a great tale about the lake involving an old giant turtle; the only of its kind left, that was spotted living in the lake. Unfortunately the last sighting of the turtle was in 2012 or 2013 so now the only way to appreciate this great symbol of the lake is to admire the little shrine dedicated to him that sits in the middle of the water.
On top of that if you crave even more serenity you can visit the Ngoc Son Temple on the lake which is a 19th Century temple that attracts visitors with its traditional architecture and spiritual setting.
On Friday and Saturday nights the roads around a section of the lake are closed off to bikes and cars. And instead the streets fill with people walking around, vendors selling food or children’s toys plus some street performers. It is a lot of fun to see both locals and tourists enjoying this fun atmosphere.
The Best Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads
The best way to stay safe when you are travelling and in case of any accidents make sure you are protected and insured. The best insurance for travellers is Safety Wing which covers you for any accidents.
Beer Street
Another surprising fact about Vietnam is that it is the world’s 9th largest consumer of beer. Each area in Vietnam whether it is the North, Centre or South have many different local beers each with a slight varying taste. A really fun challenge is to try as many as you can; our favourites are Halida and Larue.Â
The beer street of Old Quarter is the liveliest spot of Old Quarter every day of the week. It runs mainly along Ta Hien street and spills out onto some side streets too. There are small nightclubs with representatives out on the street trying to pull you in offering anything from food, beer and even some naughtier substances. We usually ignore the touts and head to a smaller establishment with lots of small plastic chairs set up around tables. The menu usually consists of bottled beers such as Bia Hoi for around 30,000 VND but the best thing to do is order a ‘draught’ beer in a small plastic cup. We have seen the prices of these cups for as small as 7,000 VND which was unbelievably cheap, nowadays they charge around 10K-15K.Â
There is nothing better than sitting around with an equal number of tourists and locals enjoying cold and cheap beer and just watching the world go by. In our opinion anyway!
Coffee Culture
A suprising fact about Vietnam that not many people are aware of is that it is in fact the second biggest producer of coffee in the world. This becomes quite obvious when walking around the Old Quarter as cafes and coffee shops are everywhere. So immersing yourself in the coffee culture is a must when visiting.
There are a few Vietnamese speciality coffees which are definitely worth trying for the experience.
- Luwak Coffee: A very intriguing experience offered in Vietnam is trying Luwak Coffee or as some people call it; weasel poop coffee. This elite coffee is made from coffee beans that have been partially digested and then passed through a civet; a small weasel. Although this process puts many people off it is a new taste that might surprise you if you can get over the thought of it. To us the coffee tasted very regular however many connoisseurs claim that it is the best coffee in the world. Try for yourself and let us know…
- Egg Coffee: Another Hanoi staple coffee is made with creamy egg white foam mixed with the unmistakably strong Vietnamese black coffee. Again this can seem very strange to some people who question why egg would be anywhere near a coffee. We were pleasantly surprised with the taste and the creamy texture. You should definitely give this interesting coffee a go!
- Condensed Milk Coffee: Coffee differs all around the world but for us Brits it is usually drank with fresh milk mixed in. The Vietnamese however often mix their coffee with sweet and thick condensed milk which creates a very sweet taste to counteract the bitterness of their strong coffee. This coffee is a lovely sweet treat and not to be missed in the Old Quarter
For the less adventurous just trying a classic coffee in Hanoi is enough. Be warned that the beans used create a much more bitter coffee than you may be used to. The strength is also higher than ‘normal’ coffee so be careful how much you consume unless you want to be up all night!
Walking The Streets
A great way to experience the charm of Hanoi’s Old Quarter is simply by walking through the streets. There are around 36 main streets and endless side-alleys that showcase an amazing collection of colonial architecture; some dating back to the 15th Century.
The style of buildings in the Old Quarter are very narrow and tall and can be seen all over Vietnam. The homeowners only pay tax on the ground square footage so going up doesn’t cost anymore!
After being amazed with the architecture of the city, if you keep walking you will find streets completely filled with stores selling the exact same thing. This surprised us as we thought that due to competition they would want to be spread out around the area, but not in Vietnam! When walking around one day we found a glasses street, a fresh noodles street, a padlock and metalwork street then a pots and pans street. This is a truly unique sight to see but so much fun.
Make sure to take care walking around as there have been reports of some people experiencing pickpocketing in the Old Quarter.
If you want more information on staying safe check out this blog post:
Dangers in South East Asia – Must read before visiting! Are there dangers in South East Asia? If you are looking for
Bakeries
Due to Vietnam’s history under French control it is easy to see the influence that France has had on the Old Quarter. This is most obviously seen by the many bakeries that cover the streets selling an array of traditional French bakes with a Vietnamese twist. The freshly baked pastries, breads and cakes are a great treat to grab whilst visiting Old Quarter.
Shopping
Along the streets of Old Quarter there are many market stalls or small shops which sell some of your usual array of souvenirs. From fridge magnets to printed t-shirts Hanoi has you covered. A little bit of bartering is to be expected so make sure to brush up your skills – it is easy to ask for a little discount or deal if you are buying multiple things from the same shop.
There are also plenty of shopping malls so it is easy to purchase anything you may need!
Stamp
A trip to Old Quarter would not be complete without buying a few souvenirs. After shopping in the many markets and shops, another great experience is to buy a hand-made personalised stamp. Tucked away from the busiest streets of Old Quarter are some workers who make and personalise little wooden stamps. You can pick a design and then give your initials which will be hand carved into the stamp, this may be done in front of you or if they are busy you may have to come back in a few hours. The result is a very cute one of a kind stamp that you can keep forever.
Food
The streets of Old Quarter are covered in small carts selling some unique street food. On top of this there are hundreds of small restaurants with small plastic chairs that sprawl out onto the streets. Knowing this it is easy to tell that you can find some amazing and cheap eats.
We highly recommend starting with a Banh Mi; a baguette with various fillings of meat, vegetables, egg or pâté. This will be enough to get you started on your food adventure.
After this try some noodle soup or Phở with either chicken or beef and you will be sure to fall in love with the Vietnamese food.
Some other great dishes to try include:Â
- Spring Rolls – either crispy or fresh
- Local Doughnuts – small balls of friend dough with various fillings (watch out for the ladies selling them from baby prams; they will give you a price and when you have the bag ready to pay they will overcharge you. Find a stall or stand instead)
- Bún chả – a sweet and sour pork and vermicelli noodle dish
If you feel a little nervous about trying new foods or never know what to order you can take part in a food tour. This will involve having a local guide showing you the best dishes to eat and where to get them. This is a great way to learn from someone that knows Vietnamese food inside and out and can be a really cool experience.
St. Joseph's Cathedral
In the centre of Old Quarter surrounded by cafes, hostels and shops you can find a large 19th Century Catholic Cathedral. This is usually a surprising sight to many tourists as not many people would expect a Cathedral in Vietnam but it has become a popular tourist sight. The architecture of the Cathedral is impressive to say the least and the dark and gloomy grey colours add to its Gothic look. St Joseph’s Cathedral, although unusual, has become a staple of Old Quarter sightseeing for good reason – make sure to walk by and take in the view.
Train Street
Although many opinions differ on this famous street as to whether it is a good thing to visit or not, it is undoubtedly a once in a lifetime experience here in the Old Quarter. Train street runs parallel to the popular Le Duan street and is a narrow street with cafes and homes running along it. The tourist attraction is that when a train is coming all the awnings and seats have to be quickly removed to let the train fly past.Â
Many tourists are disappointed when they hear stories of this place and arrive expecting there to be trains constantly running through. In response to accidents that have happened, this street has been closed down and then opened again numerous times. Now the times of the trains are restricted and you can only see the train twice a day at 3:30pm and 7:30pm. This seems to change regularly and is not publicly posted so we recommend taking a trip to one of the cafes where they have information and the times.
We have to warn you that it is a little dangerous and a few tourists have been injured. So please be careful and follow the rules.
Ready to book your trip...
- > BOOK YOUR FLIGHT
We always want to save money when booking flights so we use Skyscanner to compare prices and book. - > BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION
We stick to mainly to booking.com as it is the most widely used platform across the world. - > GET INSURANCE
To avoid any unexpected bills we never travel without insurance. Check out SafteyWing for the best travel insurance.
Social Links
Ready To Book Your Trip?
- > BOOK YOUR FLIGHT
The best way to find flights and the cheapest deals is by using a flight comparison website. Skyscanner allows you to book at the cheapest price and is our number 1 tool when booking flights. - > BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION
For hotels we stick to booking.com as it is the most widely used platform across the world. If you are looking for somethnig more social, we recommend using Hostelworld. - > GET INSURANCE
Travel insurance is the most important thing you need to purchase before any trip. It will protect you from illness, injury, theft and cancellations. To avoid any unexpected bills, we never travel without insurance. Check out SafteyWing for the best travel insurance. - > STAY CONNECTED
The best way to stay connected whilst travelling and avoiding fees is to use an eSIM. Using an eSIM allows you to keep your regular SIM in your phone, so that you can still receive calls and texts to your number. Check out Airalo for the best value on eSIMS. - > FIND THE BEST TOURS
Want to book a tour? Check out Get Your Guide for the best deals on amazing tours and trips. - > READY TO BOOK?
Check out our resource page for the best companies we use when we travel. These are the companies we use each time we travel, and highly recommened them!
