According to the Michelin Guide, visitors are advised to spend 48 hours in Hanoi to explore historical sites and discover restaurants ranging from simple to refined.
The Michelin Guide evaluates Hanoi as a dynamic capital, combining history, culture, and modern sophistication. The streets of Hanoi are bustling, filled with motorbikes and street vendors. However, Hanoi also boasts tranquil spaces with its peaceful lakes and ancient temples that bring a sense of serenity. The Old Quarter, tree-lined streets, colonial architecture, and sidewalk cafes are must-see attractions for visitors.
Let’s see how Pruepat ‘Maprang’ Songtieng, a Michelin Guide inspector from Bangkok, Thailand, suggests a 48-hour itinerary in Hanoi. She has over 10 years of experience writing for leading lifestyle and culinary publications.
Top Things to Do in Hanoi: A 48-Hour Michelin Guide
Day 1: Flavors of Tradition and History
Morning
Start your day with a leisurely stroll through the French-era streets. Enjoy a coffee on Trieu Viet Vuong Street, the coffee hub of Hanoi with its sidewalk cafes and French-architectural houses.
Alternatively, try the classic egg coffee at a sidewalk cafe at the Sofitel Metropole Legend Hanoi, a historic hotel dating back to 1901, offering a luxurious and elegant experience.
If you rise early, head to Pho Bo Au Trieu, a Bib Gourmand (delicious, affordable) restaurant in the Michelin Guide, for a steaming bowl of pho. This signless restaurant is famous for its pho bo (or beef noodles) with a rich bone broth simmered for 10 hours, accompanied by well-cooked beef tendon.
Read more: 6 ways to enjoy Vietnamese coffee suggested by Michelin
Noon
Bun Cha
An ideal spot for lunch is Bun Cha Huong Lien in the Hai Ba Trung district, also on the Bib Gourmand list, to savor the “specialty of Hanoi consisting of grilled meat and vermicelli.” This restaurant was visited by former US President Obama, with a photo of him enjoying dinner with culinary expert Anthony Bourdain during his visit to Vietnam in 2016. The menu features the Obama combo, including seafood spring rolls, a special bowl of bun cha, and two bottles of Hanoi beer.
Michelin Guide inspectors describe: “Don’t miss the rustic-flavored bun cha, a fusion of pork pieces, pork patties, and various aromatic herbs.”
Afternoon
Explore French colonial architecture while strolling through old streets like Tran Hung Dao, Ly Thuong Kiet, and Hai Ba Trung. Visit the Vietnam Women’s Museum or the Hoa Lo Prison for historical insights.
Read more: Visit to Hoa Lo Prison – A captivating immersion in the history of Vietnam
Evening
Dine at the 1946 Cua Bac restaurant, located in an old villa painted green and yellow. This is also a restaurant that received a Bib Gourmand mention from the Michelin Guide in 2023. Two signature dishes to try are the fried crab soup and porridge.
Visitors can visit the Cua Bac ruins for 48 hours in Hanoi before having dinner
Day 2: Parks, Gardens, and Cultural Heritage
Morning
Start your day at Thong Nhat Park, one of the largest parks in central Hanoi. Arrive in the morning to enjoy the joyful and lively atmosphere as locals participate in various collective activities and sports.
Noon
Have lunch at Azabu, a Michelin Selected restaurant on the second floor of the Hotel du Parc. An à la carte lunch, renowned for its sushi and sashimi, offering a relaxing culinary experience in a well-serviced setting with a friendly and professional team.
Afternoon
Explore the southeastern area of Hoan Kiem Lake to check in at the Opera House, one of the city’s iconic buildings with French architecture. Next to it is the National Museum of History, housing a rich collection of artifacts about Vietnam’s history.
Evening
Hanoi Opera House
End your trip with dinner at Habakuk, a Bib Gourmand restaurant famous for its beautifully presented dishes at reasonable prices. For a more upscale experience, try Hibana by Koki, a one-Michelin-star teppanyaki restaurant where you can admire the skills of Chef Hiroshi Yamaguchi in a 14-seat basement restaurant at the Capella Hanoi Hotel. The chef prepares teppanyaki dishes with premium ingredients imported directly from Japan twice a week, including abalone, spiny lobster, sea urchin, Yaeyama Kyori beef, and Hokkaido crab.
Read more: Hoan Kiem Lake: Hanoi’s hidden gems
Night
Finish your 48 hours in Hanoi with a cocktail at the Divas Lounge, Capella Hanoi Hotel. The bar is artistically decorated, offers quality cocktails, Vietnamese-inspired tapas, and a view of Hanoi at night from the hotel’s rooftop. All this serves as a farewell and a promise to return to Hanoi soon.
Enjoying coffee on Train Street is one of the reasons why you should visit Hanoi
Even in just 48 hours, every moment in Hanoi provides unique emotions and unforgettable experiences. Although Hanoi is vast and full of other attractions not mentioned here, we hope this itinerary will open up new perspectives and help you appreciate this city even more.
If this itinerary does not match your preferences or you wish to create an itinerary that includes other cities in Vietnam, do not hesitate to contact us so we can create a personalized program just for you.
Read more: Why visit Hanoi? 8 reasons to travel to Vietnam’s art capital
