2 days in Hanoi is just enough to make you fall in love with the unique vibe of this city. For 2 days in Hanoi, you can have time to visit some popular landmarks in the city.
Hanoi, the 1000-years-old capital of Vietnam, is a small yet fascinating city. If you only have a chance to visit just one place in Northern Vietnam, that will likely be Hanoi. Its poetic and romantic beauty would charm you so effortlessly, even if your time in Hanoi only lasts for a few days.
Here are some recommended places for you to visit on 2 days in Hanoi:
- Hanoi Old Quarter Area
- Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple
- Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
- Hanoi Opera House
- Temple of Literature
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum
- Museum of Ethnology
- Duong Lam Ancient Village
- Van Phuc Silk Village
- Bat Trang Ceramic Village
Most Popular Places to Visit on 2 Days in Hanoi
- Hanoi Half Day City Tours – 3 Options
- Hanoi 1 Day City Tours – 4 Options
- Hanoi – Halong – Sapa tour in 6 Days
- Hanoi motorbike tour: Fabulous food and sightseeing
- Hanoi – Cat Ba – Lan Ha Bay 2 days
- Hanoi – Halong – Cat Ba 3 days 2 nights
- Mai Chau 3 days complete escape from Hanoi
- Hanoi – Halong Bay 2 Days (Day Cruise + Overnight at Hotel)
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
This gorgeous lake is the most famous and beautiful place in Hanoi. This peaceful lake surrounds Ngoc Son Temple, an 18th century pagoda sitting in on a small island that’s accessible via an ornate wooden bridge. There are altars dedicated to military leader Tran Hung Dao, large bronze bust, some ancient artefacts including ceramics, and a preserved specimen of a giant turtle found in the lake weighing 250kg. Ngoc Son Temple opens from 7:00 to 18:00 everyday, the entrance fee is 30.000 VND
Hanoi Old Quarter
The Old Quarter is Hanoi’s beating heart and undoubtedly one of the most interesting places to visit. As you take a walk down these streets, do not miss Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, a busy street where most trade activities take place, or Hang Ma, the most colourful street of Hanoi selling toys for children and decoration things. Dong Xuan Market is only 2kms away from Hoan Kiem Lake, opened all day with no entrance fee. Coming here, you will get the chance to see the daily life of the Hanoian and don’t forget to take some streetlife photos.
Historical sites
If you want to get to know deeper about the culture here, spend time visiting these famous and sacred historical sites in Hanoi.
Maison Central
Maison Central is a famous historical site near Hoan Kiem Lake and it’s very easy to walk from the Old Quarter. It opens 8:00 to 17:00 everyday and the entrance fee is 30.000 VND. You probably won’t need to allow much longer than an hour or so to visit this site.
The Literature Temple
Not only being the very first University of the nation, Van Mieu is also the place to worship Confucius. The Vietnamese always come here to pray for luck in learning and working by touching the rock tortoises’ head, because it is believed to be very sacred.
Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam street, Dong Da District
Opened everyday: In summer (15/4-15/10): 7:30 – 17:30
In winter (16/10-14/4): 8:00 – 17:00
Entrance fee: 30.000 VND
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Situated at the heart of Hanoi, the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is an outstanding place of interest. The site was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in 2010
Address: 18 Hoang Dieu street, Quan Thanh, Ba Dinh District
Opened 5 days a week (except Monday) : 8:00 – 17:00
Entrance fee: 30.000 VND
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is an important historical attraction of Hanoi, honoring the national hero: President Ho Chi Minh. This is a lively illustrator of national unity.
Address: 17 Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District
Opened 5 days a week (except Monday and Friday):
In Summer (April to October): 7:30 – 10:30
In Winter (November to March): 8:00 – 11:00
Entrance fee: 25.000 VND
One Pillar Pagoda
The One Pillar pagoda or Dien Huu pagoda, has one of the most special architectures in Vietnam. The pagoda has its location next to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and has now become one of the most meaningful symbols of Hanoi.
Address: Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Opened everyday: 8:00 – 17:00
Best Cuisine to Try on 2 Days in Hanoi
Hanoi is definitely the paradise of food and drinks in different kinds. Here are some food recommendations for you to try on your 2 days in Hanoi
1. Top must-try Vietnamese food in Hanoi:
Pho
Talking about Hanoi cuisine means talking about Pho (beef noodles). It is the most popular food in Vietnam. It is available everywhere over the country, but Hanoi is the only place where foodies can enjoy Pho of full and authentic taste.
Where to try:
- Pho Thin: 61 Dinh Tien Hoang Str., Hanoi
- 10 Ly Quoc Su, Hanoi
- Pho Bat Dan: 49 Bat Dan Str., Hanoi
Bun Cha
This dish itself has a special “charm” because of its simplicity and familiarity. A ration of Bun Cha consists of a dish of rice noodles, a dish of barbecued pork and grilled chopped pork, vegetables and a bowl of fish sauce with pickled papaya and carrot. Try Bun Cha in 34 Hang Than- one of the best places served this tasty dish.
Banh Cuon
Vietnamese and particularly Hanoian is proud of their steamed crepe from rice flour and water that is called Banh Cuon. It’s one of the dishes that must be mentioned on the top of the menu. Some recommended restaurants for Banh Cuon: Banh Cuon Tuyet Nhung (17 Hang Ga, Hanoi) – Hang Da market, Hanoi – Banh cuon Ky Dong (11 Tong Duy Tan, Hanoi) – Banh cuon 101 Ba Trieu, Hanoi
Cha ca
This grilled fish pie is listed as one of the top 10 things you must try in Hanoi by many cuisine experts. It is exquisitely grilled fish served with noodles, peanut, green onions, dills and shrimp paste. The most famous Cha Ca can be found at Cha Ca La Vong – a very famous restaurant at 14 Cha Ca Street.
Bun Ca
This kind of fish noodles is a freshwater fish vermicelli soup, serving with deep fried fish pieces for a crunchy touch. Try Bun Ca in 5 Trung Yen Lane of Dinh Liet Street, a very famous place for this dish.
Bun thang
This is one of the most popular yet hidden fares in Hanoi and one can hardly find it outside of the Old quarters or a few special restaurants scattering across the city. Bun thang Ba Duc on Cau Go street is a great place to try the dish. Enjoy Bun thang in such a setting gives the meal enormous highlights in your trip to Hanoi.
2. The most amazing drinks in Hanoi
Local draught beer
On your 2 days in Hanoi, enjoying a glass of Hanoi local draught beer with some special snack on the street is definitely a must-do. Beer is wildly popular for its taste and coolness, which can immediately freeze the heat and thirst, especially in a tropical country like Vietnam. Spending a night in Ta Hien Street in the Old Quarter with your friends, cheering each other and chatting about your day over a plate of roasted or steamed peanuts will definitely be the most memorable moments in your trip.
Egg Coffee
It is undoubtedly the most interesting and tasty drink in Hanoi. This specialty in which a creamy soft, meringue-like egg white foam is perched on dense Vietnamese coffee. Try egg coffee in Café Pho Co (11 Hang Gai), café Dinh (13 Dinh Tien Hoang) or Café Giang (39 Nguyen Huu Huan) for the best of egg-coffee served.
Coconut water
This has been a popular drink in Vietnam for centuries and appears on Vietnam’s streets. Coconut water is served straight from a coconut with the vendors chopping the fruit once you order it. They chop off the outer green husk and keep the small white inner shell, cut into a shape that won’t fall over when put on a flat surface. Try coconut water in Hang Than street and you will fall in love with this simple drink immediately.
There are so much more interesting places that you should visit during your tour to Vietnam. Hopefully, our suggested itinerary will help you make your 2-3 days trip as enjoyable as possible.
Is there any direct flight from Melbourne to Hanoi?
Dear Ms. Florence,
Thank you for your comment. Currently, there is no direct flight from Melbourne to Hanoi. You have to transit in either Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, depending on your airline provider.
Regards,
Chi NGUYEN
Hello, we are a family of 4 with 2 kids 4 and 6 years old. We want to visit Hanoi, Halong Bay and Sapa in 6 days. Can you recommend an itinerary? Thank you!
Dear Ms. Shaffer,
Thank you for your comment. 6 days are perfect to visit the three most popular tourist destinations in the north of Vietnam. This is our suggested itinerary for your reference:
– Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi. Spend your time discovering the Old Quarter area.
– Day 2: Book a Hanoi City tour to get a glimpse into some most famous landmarks of our 1000-year-old capital city: https://www.vietnamparadisetravel.com/hanoi-city-tours. Transfer to Hanoi Railways Station for a night train to Sapa at around 9 pm.
– Day 3: Discover Sapa town and Cat Cat Village
– Day 4: Discover Lao Chai and Ta Van villages. Back to Hanoi
– Day 5: Transfer to Halong Bay for a 2D1N cruise
– Day 6: Brunch on cruise and then back to Hanoi at noon.
If you want to book 6-day tours to Northern Vietnam with Paradise Travel, please take a look at our packages here: https://www.vietnamparadisetravel.com/north-vietnam-tours. Our sales department will help you with the itinerary, accommodation, transportation, and special diet requirements.
See you in Vietnam soon!
Regards,
Chi