Exploring Hanoi in 36 Hours: What to Do and Where to Go?

If you had just 36 hours to uncover the wonders of Hanoi, where would you go, what would you do, and where would you indulge in the scenic beauty and delicious cuisines?

Below are the adventures recounted by journalist Robyn Eckhardt in The New York Times, offering intriguing insights into both familiar and unfamiliar destinations in our beloved capital!

Hanoi Getaway in 36 Hours

Indulge in Music and Dance (10 PM)

Located on a tranquil street in Hai Ba Trung District, CAMA ATK bar (cocktail prices starting from 150,000 VND) is quite an intriguing spot. It often hosts music events featuring DJs and foreign bands, with designated smoking areas available. The bar offers a diverse cocktail menu and unique bartender performances. Another interesting choice for you is Madake bar in Tay Ho District, an ideal place to enjoy drinks, lively music performances, and various activities such as movie screenings and dancing.

Saturday

Explore Street Foods (8:30 AM)

Apart from pho, Hanoi boasts a variety of delicious street foods. So, skip breakfast at the hotel and venture out to explore the street food scene here. An exciting suggestion for you is to join Honoi Street Food Tours. For only $75 per person, you'll visit and indulge in most of Hanoi's signature street foods such as crab noodle soup, grilled meat noodles, banh mi, rice noodles, and rolled cakes. If you're interested in learning how to cook Hanoi dishes, you can sign up for a cooking class at Hanoi Cooking Centre (44 Chau Long Street, priced at around $59 per person). Here, you'll be taken to Chau Long Market, where you'll learn how to select ingredients and end the class with a lavish feast.

Discover the City's Historical Sites (1 PM)

Evening at Tadioto (with drink prices for 2 people around 250,000 dong), under dim lights, in the left corner of the bar counter, the music fades, and the bustling space suddenly quietens, then soft poetry emerges, and this delightful experience is one of many cultural activities you'll encounter at Tadioto. It's a cozy bar favored by Hanoi's intellectuals, founded by an American-Vietnamese journalist.

Sunday

Indulge in a Western-style breakfast (9 a.m.)

The increase in the expatriate population in Hanoi has led to the emergence of charming cafes with Western vibes here.

Nestled in the tranquil Hoi Vu alley, featuring warm Western-style interior design, tasty drinks, healthy food options, are the first noticeable qualities of Hanoi Social Club. Another impressive aspect, also a highlight at Hanoi Social Club, is that most food items on the menu are made from fresh vegetables and fruits, hygienic and with a variety of vegetarian dishes, richly diverse and changing with the seasons.

Stroll around West Lake (11 a.m.)

Hồ Tây area stands as a beloved destination for Hanoi's youth. It's a perfect spot for cycling, with picturesque routes like Thanh Nien Street, Korean Pier, and Japanese Pier skirting its shores. Riding leisurely around here, you can catch the scent of pure lotus mingling in the gentle breeze. West Lake Palace is an intriguing starting point for exploring this area.

Hồ Tây isn't just famed for its poetic scenery; it's also a culinary haven with numerous eateries serving specialties like snail noodles, West Lake shrimp cakes, and Lã Vọng fish cakes. You can also visit Vạn Niên Pagoda or drop by roadside cafes before concluding your Hanoi travel journey.

By San San/Traveltimes.vn

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References: Mytour Travel Guide