Hanoi itinerary: 1 to 3 days
Plans for one to three days in Hanoi, day by day: Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Turtle Tower, the old centre and West Lake first, then the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, the Opera House, the history and fine arts museums and the ancient Cổ Loa Citadel as you add days. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
Hanoi in 1 day
Day 1
Turtle Tower
A small 19th-century tower on an islet in Hoàn Kiếm Lake, linked to the legend of the golden turtle and the returned sword.
Hoàn Kiếm Lake
The Lake of the Returned Sword at the heart of the city, with Ngọc Sơn Temple reached by the red Huc Bridge.
Hoàn Kiếm District
Hanoi's central district, home to the lake, the Old Quarter's 36 trade streets and the French Quarter.
West Lake
Hanoi's largest lake, ringed by cafés, temples and the Trấn Quốc Pagoda, one of the city's oldest.
Hanoi in 2 days
Day 1
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The granite mausoleum on Ba Đình Square where Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body lies in state.
Ho Chi Minh Museum
A museum near the mausoleum on the life of Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam's revolutionary history.
Hoàn Kiếm District
Hanoi's central district, home to the lake, the Old Quarter's 36 trade streets and the French Quarter.
West Lake
Hanoi's largest lake, ringed by cafés, temples and the Trấn Quốc Pagoda, one of the city's oldest.
Day 2
Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts
Vietnamese art from ancient sculpture and lacquer to silk painting and modern works, in a former French boarding school.
Hoàn Kiếm Lake
The Lake of the Returned Sword at the heart of the city, with Ngọc Sơn Temple reached by the red Huc Bridge.
Turtle Tower
A small 19th-century tower on an islet in Hoàn Kiếm Lake, linked to the legend of the golden turtle and the returned sword.
Hanoi in 3 days
Day 1
Hanoi Opera House
A French colonial opera house of 1911, modelled on the Palais Garnier, still used for concerts and opera.
Turtle Tower
A small 19th-century tower on an islet in Hoàn Kiếm Lake, linked to the legend of the golden turtle and the returned sword.
Hoàn Kiếm District
Hanoi's central district, home to the lake, the Old Quarter's 36 trade streets and the French Quarter.
Hoàn Kiếm Lake
The Lake of the Returned Sword at the heart of the city, with Ngọc Sơn Temple reached by the red Huc Bridge.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The granite mausoleum on Ba Đình Square where Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body lies in state.
Day 2
Ho Chi Minh Museum
A museum near the mausoleum on the life of Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam's revolutionary history.
West Lake
Hanoi's largest lake, ringed by cafés, temples and the Trấn Quốc Pagoda, one of the city's oldest.
Day 3
National Museum of Vietnamese History
Vietnam's national history museum in a French colonial building, from prehistoric bronze drums to the Nguyễn dynasty.
Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts
Vietnamese art from ancient sculpture and lacquer to silk painting and modern works, in a former French boarding school.
Cổ Loa Citadel
The remains of an ancient spiral-walled citadel north of the city, capital of the Âu Lạc kingdom in the 3rd century BC.
Watch: Hanoi
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Hanoi
October to April is the best time, with mild, mostly dry weather; December to February can be cool and grey. May to September is hot and humid, with heavy rain and possible typhoons in late summer. Around Tết, the Lunar New Year in late January or February, many shops and restaurants close for several days.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Hanoi on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Hanoi on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Hanoi on GetYourGuide or on Viator
- From the airport: a private transfer in Hanoi with Kiwitaxi
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Vietnam from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Hanoi with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Hanoi
- The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opens only in the morning, is closed on Mondays and Fridays and shuts for maintenance for part of each year; go early.
- At the mausoleum, dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), stay silent and do not take photos inside.
- To cross the street, walk at a slow, steady pace and let the motorbikes flow around you.
- On weekend evenings the streets around Hoàn Kiếm Lake are closed to traffic and fill with families and street performers.
- Ride-hailing apps such as Grab are the easiest way to get a car or motorbike taxi at a fair price.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Cổ Loa Citadel: ZiYouXunLu, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Hanoi Opera House: xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain
- Ho Chi Minh Museum: Aaron from san francisco, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Hoàn Kiếm District: Cyril Doussin from London, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Hoàn Kiếm Lake: Cyril Doussin from London, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0
- National Museum of Vietnamese History: Alistair Morrenger, Public domain
- Turtle Tower: Jon Rawlinson, CC BY 2.0
- Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts: upyernoz from Haverford, USA, CC BY 2.0
- West Lake: Mlq4296, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
