Last updated on : August 19, 2026
Sixth Stop on Our Vietnam Trip: Hanoi
After the spectacular landscapes of Ninh Binh, the peacefulness of Pu Luong, and the slower pace of the Vietnamese countryside, arriving in Hanoi was a real shock.
The capital of Vietnam for more than a thousand years, Hanoi is a fascinating city where history, traditions, and modern life coexist in an almost constant whirlwind. More than eight million people, thousands of scooters that seem to defy every traffic rule, horns sounding at all hours, sidewalks transformed into cafés, parking spaces, or street kitchens… Here, the city is alive, noisy, and never seems to stop.
Originally, I had planned five nights in Hanoi. However, the week before our departure, I completely reworked our itinerary to add two nights in Pu Luong, a rural region I had really wanted to discover. This change also meant rethinking our time in Lan Ha Bay and finding a day trip instead of an overnight cruise. Looking back, I can say that this was probably one of the best decisions of our entire trip. If you haven’t read my article about Pu Luong yet, I definitely invite you to take a look. It became one of our biggest highlights in Vietnam.
I also think the context had a big influence on how I experienced Hanoi. After spending several days in peaceful places surrounded by rice fields, mountains, and a much more serene atmosphere, arriving in such a huge city required some real adjustment. The city’s energy is intense and ever-present. Personally, I felt a little overwhelmed by all the activity around me.
And yet, a few months later, when I think back on our stay, I realize that Hanoi still gave me several wonderful discoveries. Behind the apparent chaos are places filled with history, neighborhoods full of character, and a unique atmosphere that I’m now glad I had the chance to experience.
In this article, I’ll take you through our three days in the Vietnamese capital, from lively old streets and historic landmarks to a few wonderful surprises that eventually helped me appreciate this city… in my own way.
🎥 On Video: Hanoi, Beyond the Chaos
If there’s one destination in Vietnam that left me with mixed emotions, it’s definitely Hanoi.
In this video, I’ll take you with us through the lively streets of the Vietnamese capital, from the Temple of Literature to the famous Train Street, as well as Hoan Kiem Lake and its historic neighborhoods. You’ll also discover my first impressions, which were sometimes a little discouraging, but also the places that gradually helped me see this fascinating yet intense city from a different perspective.
⚠️ The prices mentioned in this article reflect our visit in March 2026. They are listed in Canadian dollars (CAD), unless otherwise stated, and may vary over time.
In addition, some links in this article are affiliate links. This comes at no extra cost to you, but if you choose to book or purchase through them, you help support Âme & Aventure. Thank you so much for your support! 🌎🩵
Day 15: Our First Encounter with Hanoi
Our day began with the journey from Pu Luong to Hanoi, a drive of around four and a half hours that, unfortunately, wasn’t the most enjoyable of our trip. The transfer felt extremely long and rather stressful given the circumstances. If you’d like more details about that journey, I talk about it more extensively in my article about Pu Luong.
As uncomfortable as the transfer was, the real shock came when we started entering Hanoi.
After several days surrounded by rice fields, mountains, and much quieter villages, we were suddenly plunged into an almost endless stream of scooters, cars, horns, and traffic. Sitting in the minibus, we silently watched the city go by, mostly trying to make sense of everything happening around us.
I already knew that very large cities generally aren’t where I feel most comfortable. In the particular context of being near the end of our trip, arriving here felt even more intense.
Our hotel, however, helped soften that first impression. We found a beautiful, spacious room with a large balcony. As was often the case in Vietnam, the soundproofing wasn’t perfect, but once we closed the door, we still had our own little haven of peace away from the busy streets.
After settling in, we headed out on foot to find somewhere to eat. At this point in the trip, I was craving a little variety and a break from Vietnamese food. My husband, on the other hand, could easily have kept eating it for several more days! We eventually found a small restaurant offering both international dishes and local specialties. The food was very good, the prices were more than reasonable, and it was exactly what we needed to recharge a little.
By the time we walked back toward the hotel, night had fallen and the streets seemed even livelier than when we arrived. The sidewalks were overflowing with activity, scooters were coming from every direction, and we even managed to get a little lost for a few minutes while Google Maps and we tried to agree on which way we were supposed to go!
When we finally made it back to our room, we were mostly just happy to slow down and catch our breath. This first day hadn’t really helped us get to know Hanoi yet—it had mostly shown us just how intense the city could be.
We went to bed hoping that the next day, once the initial shock had worn off, we would manage to discover the city from a completely different perspective.
Day 16: Getting to Know Hanoi, One Step at a Time
After our rather hectic arrival the day before, it was finally time to start exploring Hanoi.
I was excited to see what the Vietnamese capital had to offer, but I have to admit that I was a little nervous about getting around. From our very first steps outside the hotel, my concerns were confirmed. Crossing the streets in Hanoi is quite an experience!
Even at pedestrian crossings, scooters continue to flow in every direction. Here, traffic doesn’t really stop to let pedestrians cross… instead, pedestrians have to move forward slowly and confidently while the scooters make their way around them. We had already experienced this elsewhere in Vietnam and around the world, but never with this level of intensity.
I even remember looking at the camera, laughing and feeling discouraged at the same time, saying something like: “Oh my God… I have a feeling I’m going to hate walking around the city today!”
Looking back, that moment makes me smile. At the time, though, I found the adjustment rather difficult.
The Temple of Literature
Our first visit of the day was the Temple of Literature, located a little farther away from the other sites we wanted to explore.
The rain followed us for part of the walk, but fortunately, it quickly eased up by the time we arrived.
As soon as I stepped into the first courtyards of the temple, I immediately felt a sense of relief. Finally, a place where the noise of the traffic almost completely disappeared! After the chaos of the streets, that feeling of calm was incredibly welcome.
Built in 1070 in honor of Confucius, the Temple of Literature is also home to the Quốc Tử Giám, considered Vietnam’s first university. I really enjoyed the different exhibits explaining the history of the site, which helped us better understand its historical importance.
Unfortunately for us, the peaceful atmosphere didn’t last very long!
As we made our way through the different courtyards, we came across an impressive crowd of students who had come with their families to take graduation photos. The colorful traditional outfits, bouquets of flowers, and photo sessions created a very festive atmosphere. It obviously wasn’t the most peaceful time to visit, but in the end, it gave us a wonderful glimpse into a Vietnamese tradition.
Despite the crowds, I really enjoyed this visit. I’m convinced that the Temple of Literature must feel even more peaceful when it’s a little less busy.
💲 Admission was 70,000 VND per person.
Train Street: My Favorite Experience in Hanoi
We then continued toward the famous Train Street.
When we arrived, we had a little scare when we realized that a train had just passed. We wondered whether we would have to wait a long time for the next one.
Like pretty much every visitor, we were quickly approached by several café owners trying to convince us to sit at their place. We eventually chose a small café that felt right to us and, after checking the posted schedule, realized there was a little less than an hour before the next train.
Since we weren’t very hungry, we decided to share some fries, enjoy a strawberry smoothie – which was delicious, by the way! -and simply watch the activity around us.
Tourists, just like us, were taking photos on the tracks, café owners were chatting with one another, and the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed.
Then, little by little, everything started to change.
The café owners began moving the tables and pulling the chairs back as far as possible. Some of the women even stepped onto the tracks to check whether the train was approaching.
Within just a few minutes, the entire place went from a peaceful café atmosphere to a hive of activity.
Then the siren sounded.
Watching the train come straight toward us is an experience that’s difficult to describe. Even after watching my footage several times while editing, I still don’t think the video manages to capture just how close the train actually comes.
It’s impressive. It’s loud. It’s completely surreal.
And I loved it!
Without a doubt, Train Street was my favorite experience in Hanoi. If I ever return to the Vietnamese capital, I already know I’ll be going back.
Between French Influences and Vietnamese Traditions
Our walk then continued through the French Quarter.
We admired the beautiful St. Joseph’s Cathedral, whose architecture surprisingly resembles some of Europe’s great churches. We also passed by the Hanoi Opera House. I would have loved to visit the interior, but unfortunately, it was closed for major renovations during our visit.
As we continued walking, the colonial-inspired buildings, wide avenues, and several particularly elegant hotels reminded us of the city’s French heritage. Some of them were so luxurious that it was pretty easy to guess they were well beyond our budget!
A Break by Hoan Kiem Lake
We ended our day at Hoan Kiem Lake, a true green oasis in the heart of the city.
Despite the traffic surrounding it and the many visitors, the atmosphere is surprisingly peaceful. The walkways are pleasant, the gardens are well maintained, and the famous red bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple adds a lot of charm to the scenery.
The temple visit is fairly short, but very enjoyable.
I also found it fascinating to see the enormous preserved turtles displayed in the pavilion. They are a reminder of the famous legend of Hoan Kiem Lake, according to which a sacred turtle came to reclaim Emperor Lê Lợi’s magical sword after his victory, giving the lake its name: “Lake of the Returned Sword.”
Whether or not you believe the legend, it has become an integral part of Hanoi’s identity and adds an interesting historical dimension to the visit.
💲 Admission to Ngoc Son Temple was 50,000 VND per person.
A Full Day
After such a long day of walking, we were completely exhausted.
Even though several places had allowed us to slow down and catch our breath, Hanoi’s energy was still intense and required quite a bit of adjustment.
So we went out for dinner before quietly making our way back to our hotel for an early night, since we had a big day planned for the next morning.
Day 17: One Last Escape Before Leaving Vietnam
Already our last day in Vietnam…
Before continuing our journey to Tokyo, we absolutely wanted to discover Lan Ha Bay, often considered the little sister of the famous Ha Long Bay. With its impressive limestone karsts rising from the water, the scenery is just as spectacular, but the area is generally a little less crowded. In fact, it was this more peaceful atmosphere that convinced us to choose Lan Ha over the much more popular Ha Long Bay.
Originally, we had booked a two-day, one-night cruise through GetYourGuide. The package included an overnight stay on board, kayaking, a stop at a beach, and a visit to Cat Ba Island.
A few weeks before our departure, however, when I decided to change our itinerary to add two nights in Pu Luong, we had to completely rethink our plans. I didn’t want to sacrifice any of our time exploring Hanoi, so I started looking for a one-day excursion that would still allow us to experience Lan Ha Bay. I found an option that perfectly matched what we were looking for: a full day on the water, with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery while discovering a few of the region’s highlights.
The day gave us the chance to admire the spectacular landscapes of Lan Ha Bay. However, I’ll tell you much more about this excursion in a separate article entirely dedicated to Lan Ha Bay, because it truly deserves a closer look.
One Last Evening in Hanoi
We returned to Hanoi in the early evening.
Since several streets were closed because of the night market around Hoan Kiem Lake, our bus dropped us off a little farther away than expected. In the end, this small change of plans gave us the chance to discover another side of the capital.
The Weekend Night Market was in full swing. Between the stalls, street music performances, and festive atmosphere, Hanoi felt completely different from the city we had experienced over the previous few days.
After such a long day, we were mostly just very hungry! And I’ll admit it without any shame: after nearly three weeks in Vietnam, seeing a McDonald’s made us smile.
We stopped there for dinner and, honestly… that meal felt so good. Sometimes, having a familiar taste is simply comforting.
Before heading back to the hotel, we returned to Hoan Kiem Lake for a little while.
After dark, the lights from the red bridge and surrounding buildings, along with their reflections on the water, created a completely different atmosphere from what we had experienced during the day. It was beautiful.
We then slowly made our way back to the hotel to pack our bags.
The next morning, we would be leaving Vietnam for one final stop of a few days in Japan before returning home to Quebec.
As we closed our suitcases that evening, one thing was already certain: this country had left a deep impression on us. Despite a few more intense moments, it had given us countless discoveries, encounters, and landscapes that we wouldn’t soon forget.
Day 18: Goodbye Vietnam, Hello Japan!
Our last morning in Vietnam started off quietly with breakfast at our hotel.
As in most of the places we stayed during this trip, breakfast offered a mix of Vietnamese specialties and more international options. There was a good variety, with a few dishes prepared to order in addition to the buffet. It wasn’t the most memorable breakfast of our stay, but it was still very good and a nice way to start the day.
Since our flight was scheduled for 10:55 a.m., we had asked the hotel to arrange our transfer to the airport. The service was offered at a very reasonable price and meant we didn’t have to worry about any last-minute transportation.
After checking out and finishing our breakfast at a relaxed pace, the staff came to let us know that our driver had arrived. Everything went smoothly and, just a few minutes later, we were already on our way to Hanoi International Airport.
The drive went without any issues, and we arrived well in advance, as we always like to do for international flights.
Our itinerary included two flights with Cathay Pacific: the first from Hanoi to Hong Kong, followed by a layover of just over two hours, and then a second flight to Tokyo Haneda.
With only our carry-on luggage and both flights booked on the same reservation, the journey seemed fairly straightforward. At around two hours and four hours respectively, the two flights almost felt short after some of the long travel days we had experienced earlier in the trip!
This day was mainly about getting from one place to another. After exploring Vietnam for nearly three weeks, it was time to close the chapter on this first part of our adventure and head toward Japan, where three more days of discoveries were waiting for us.
If I Had Had More Time
Before even answering this question, I found myself wondering whether I would actually have wanted to spend more time in Hanoi.
During the trip, my answer probably would have been more hesitant. The city’s energy had really overwhelmed me, and I found its pace particularly intense.
A few months later, however, my answer is different. Yes, I would have liked to have a little more time.
Not because I feel like I missed anything essential, but because I wonder whether a few extra days would have allowed me to become more comfortable with the city. Some destinations need a little time before they reveal all their charm, and I think Hanoi is one of them.
I would especially have liked to explore the area around the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, visit the different historic buildings surrounding it, and discover a few temples and pagodas that we had to leave out because of our limited time.
I also would have liked to spend more time exploring Hanoi’s museums. The city has several that seemed particularly interesting, including the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, which explores the role of women in Vietnamese history and society, and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which introduces visitors to the country’s many ethnic groups and their traditions. These are exactly the kinds of places I usually enjoy visiting when I travel, because they help me better understand the local culture beyond the landscapes and monuments.
I also would have been curious to see the famous water puppet show. It wasn’t a priority for us on this trip, but it’s an iconic Hanoi tradition that seems to be very popular with visitors. Maybe next time.
And if there’s one place I would have returned to without hesitation… it’s Train Street.
I think I could have sat there with a coffee, quietly waited for the train to pass, and experienced that moment again and again. It’s the kind of place where you know exactly what’s about to happen… yet somehow, you still feel the same excitement every time. Without a doubt, it was my biggest highlight in Hanoi.
Ultimately, if I ever return to the Vietnamese capital, it won’t be to check more attractions off a list. It will mostly be to discover whether, with a little more time and a different state of mind, Hanoi might reveal another side of its personality to me.
How to Get Around Hanoi
There are several ways to get around Hanoi:
🚶 Walking
As on most of our trips, we mainly chose to explore Hanoi on foot.
That’s actually one of the reasons we usually choose accommodations in strategic locations. Walking allows you to take your time, observe local life, discover small streets you might never have explored otherwise, and simply get a better feel for the atmosphere of a city.
That said, I have to admit that walking in Hanoi takes some getting used to!
Traffic is extremely dense, and crossing the streets almost becomes part of the experience. Scooters are everywhere, and you quickly learn to move forward at a calm, steady pace rather than waiting for traffic to stop completely. The first few crossings can be a little stressful, but eventually, you start to feel more confident.
🚕 Grab, Taxi, or Private Driver
For slightly longer distances, Grab is probably the option I recommend most. Fares are very affordable, and the app lets you know the price in advance, which helps avoid any unpleasant surprises. Traditional taxis are also widely available, but as elsewhere in Asia, I tend to prefer Grab whenever possible.
For our transfers to and from the airport, we chose to book directly through our hotel. The price was very reasonable, and it meant we didn’t have to organize anything ourselves on the morning of our departure. Everything was perfectly coordinated.
🚎 Public Transportation
Hanoi also has a public bus network, as well as a relatively new metro system that continues to expand. Although we didn’t use public transportation during our stay, it can be an affordable option for getting around the city.
There is also a direct bus service – Bus 86 (Express Bus) – connecting the Old Quarter with the airport, which can be an interesting option for travelers looking to keep transportation costs down.
🚌 Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Finally, we also spotted the famous Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing buses. If you have limited time or would like to get a good overview of the city before heading out to explore on foot, this can be an interesting option.
We didn’t try it ourselves, but it could be a good choice for many travelers.
🚲 By Bike
As for cycling, it is possible to rent a bike in Hanoi, but honestly, it’s not an option I would personally have considered. The traffic is so intense that I wouldn’t have felt comfortable enough riding through the city.
Of course, it comes down to personal preference and experience, but for me, it simply wasn’t a risk I was willing to take.
🛵 Scooter
Another option is to rent a scooter, as many travelers do in Vietnam. However, you need to make sure you have the required permits to ride legally and that you are properly covered by your travel insurance.
In our case, this simply wasn’t an option. And to be honest, even if we had met all the requirements, I’m not sure I would have felt confident enough to ride in Hanoi’s traffic. After seeing how intense it is and the way vehicles move through the streets, I was much happier exploring the city on foot and leaving that impressive traffic to the local drivers!
Where to Stay in Hanoi
For our stay in Hanoi, we ultimately chose the San Premium Hotel.
Originally, several months in advance, I had booked another property, the San Boutique Hotel & Travel, where we were supposed to stay for five nights. When I changed our itinerary to add two nights in Pu Luong, we were left with only three nights in Hanoi. Unfortunately, I couldn’t simply modify my reservation. When I checked the new rates, I even realized that three nights would cost almost as much – or even more – than the five nights I had booked several months earlier!
So I started searching again and eventually found the San Premium Hotel, which better matched the budget I wanted to spend on our stay. And honestly, we had no regrets.
Our room was spacious, comfortable, and very clean. We even had a large enclosed balcony, which we didn’t end up using very much, but which other travelers might certainly appreciate.
The hotel is located in the Old Quarter, a location I found particularly convenient. We were able to do most of our sightseeing on foot, which is exactly what we look for when choosing accommodation while traveling.
Breakfast was included with the room and offered a good selection of Vietnamese and international dishes. While it wasn’t the best breakfast we had in Vietnam, it was varied, good quality, and a nice way to start the day.
I would also like to highlight the quality of the service. Whether in our conversations before arrival or during our stay, the staff was always courteous and efficient. They also arranged our airport transfer on the morning of our departure, and everything went perfectly.
As in several large Vietnamese cities, the soundproofing wasn’t perfect, and we could sometimes hear some of the activity from the street. That said, it was nothing that kept us from sleeping well, and it was something we had already experienced elsewhere in Vietnam.
Overall, if the location and price fit your budget, this is a hotel I would recommend without hesitation. We had a very pleasant stay, and it met our needs perfectly for exploring Hanoi.
💲 Rate in March 2026: approximately 5,505,600 VND (around C$288) for 3 nights in a Double Room with Balcony – City View, breakfast included.
Where to Eat in Hanoi
Since we only spent one full day exploring Hanoi – our other day being dedicated to our excursion to Lan Ha Bay – we didn’t have the opportunity to try a large number of restaurants.
Our main discovery was Au Lac Family Restaurant, located on a small street in the Old Quarter.
When checking Google reviews, we noticed that the restaurant was very highly rated. The menu offered both Vietnamese dishes and a few more international options, which suited us perfectly at that point in our trip. Near the end of the journey, I was starting to crave a little more variety, while my husband was still more than happy to keep discovering Vietnamese food!
The portions were generous, the prices were very affordable, and we enjoyed the place so much that we went back a second time during our stay.
During our visit to Train Street, we also stopped at one of the small cafés set up directly along the railway tracks: Thao Linh No6 Railway. We enjoyed an excellent strawberry smoothie and a small snack while waiting for the train to pass. Honestly, several cafés along the tracks offer a very similar experience. The most important thing is simply to choose a place where you feel comfortable and can fully enjoy the atmosphere.
And finally, I have a little confession to make…
After nearly three weeks in Vietnam, we ended our stay with… McDonald’s! And I have absolutely no regrets.
Sometimes, after spending several weeks discovering a new cuisine, having something familiar simply feels good. And if you’re traveling with children, picky eaters, or just feel like taking a break from local food, Hanoi also has plenty of international chains such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Pizza Hut, along with many restaurants serving Western-style food.
So whether you want to discover Vietnamese specialties or simply enjoy a more familiar meal, you’ll have no trouble finding a restaurant that suits your mood.
In Conclusion
Hanoi is probably the city that unsettled me the most during our entire trip to Vietnam.
Its energy is intense. Traffic is everywhere, horns seem to echo almost constantly, and at times, I felt like everything was moving far too quickly for me.
There was also something else I noticed more here than anywhere else in Vietnam: the cleanliness. Of all the places we visited during this trip, Hanoi was where I noticed the most litter on some streets. Of course, this wasn’t the case everywhere, but it was something that contributed to my first impression of the city.
And yet…
A few months later, when I think back on Hanoi, those aren’t the memories that come to mind first.
Instead, I think about the Temple of Literature, the unique atmosphere of Train Street, our walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and its Ngoc Son Temple, the beautiful buildings of the French Quarter, and that feeling of discovering a capital with a personality completely different from the rest of Vietnam.
I also realize that the context in which I experienced Hanoi probably played an important role. After several days in much more peaceful regions such as Ninh Binh and Pu Luong, the contrast was enormous. And personally, I was already a little tired by that point in our trip. I probably wasn’t in the best state of mind to fully appreciate such a lively city.
Today, I even wonder whether I’d like to give it a second chance. Maybe by spending a few more days there, traveling at a slower pace and without trying to see everything, I would discover another side of the city.
Because ultimately, despite my mixed feelings during the trip, Hanoi still gave me several beautiful moments and some of my favorite memories… including a visit to Train Street that I would repeat without hesitation.
If I ever return to Vietnam – which is far from impossible! – I think I’ll take the time to come back. Not to find out whether my first impressions were right or wrong, but simply to continue getting to know a city that, despite all its contradictions, managed to spark my curiosity.
