Hanoi Itinerary 1 days: Highlight of Capital

Whether you have a day or a month in Vietnam, Hanoi should always be the first place you think about as this city is known for its traditional architecture and temples, delicious food, chaotic traffic as well as rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French influences. You have only one day for Hanoi, but want to see the best of Hanoi, follow our guide in this article: Hanoi Itinerary 1 days: Highlight of Capital, you will make the most of your trip here. It includes the best places to visit and things to do in Hanoi for one day.

As you have only 24 hours in Hanoi, don't waste your precious time. Wake up early and feel the early morning in this city by walking around Hoan Kiem lake. Around 6 a.m, you will see innumerable people exercising by the lake, which is considered the centre of the capital.

Local people practice morning exercises at Hoan Kiem Lake

When in Hanoi, try the best dish of Hanoi- Pho noodle soup as nowhere Pho can compare to the bowl of Pho you’ll have here. Pho Bo (Beef Pho) or Pho Ga (Chicken Pho) are the 2 main types of Pho, which are both delicious.

Pho Ga - one of Hanoi's best dish

If you have difficulty finding a restaurant to enjoy Pho, find more information in The Best Pho in Hanoi - A full guide of Pho Hanoi

We now visit important landmarks in the city including ancient temples, pagodas, lakes, and museums… Be quick because most of them close around 5 P.M. To understand Vietnamese history, culture, there are some places which we should never miss: Ho Chi Minh complex, Temple of Literature, Museum of Ethnology, Ngoc Som Temple, Hanoi Old Quarter. Please see the general information about each place below

1. Temple of Literature

Temple of Literature is a temple of Confucius and also hosted Vietnam’s first national university. It features traditional Vietnamese architectural design. Once you enter through the main gate, you’ll see three pathways, 5 courtyards, and the Literature lake. This place can get very crowded because it is one of the most popular places in Hanoi. Even with all hustle and bustle, you will love this place. `

Entrance fee: 30.000 VND

Opening time: 8:00 – 16:30

Temple of Literature is considered to be the first university in Vietnam

2. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is located in front of Ba Dinh Square. Ho Chi Minh was Vietnam’s president from 1945 to 1969, who led Vietnam to victory against the French and led the charge against the U.S. during the start of the American war. The mausoleum is the place where Ho Chi Minh's body is embalmed and put on display. Besides the mausoleum, you can visit the Presidential Palace, a pond, the house where Ho Chi Minh apparently lived and worked, and the One pillar pagoda. 

Opening days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday

Opening hours:  Seasonal:

• April 1st to October 31st: 7:30 a.m – 10:30 a.m (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 7:30 a.m – 11:00 a.m)
• November 1st to March 31st of next year: 8:00 a.m – 11:00 a.m

Entrance fee: Free

3. Museum of Ethnology

Museum of Ethnology Hanoi

Located about 8 km from the city center, the Museum of Ethnology is a place where you can look into a vivid picture of the miniaturized Vietnamese ethnic community’s life. The museum was established with the aim to preserve and present the cultural heritages of these ethnic groups. Coming here, visitors can understand more Vietnamese daily life together with the religious rituals and the symbolic festivals of each ethnic group in Vietnam.

Opening time: 08:30 a.m – 17:30 p.m) from Tuesday till Sunday (except only Monday and the Lunar Tet Holiday)

Entrance fee: 40.000 VND

4. Hoan Kiem lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Now we come back Hoan Kiem lake to explore Ngoc Son temple. Hoan Kiem lake is a small lake with plenty of restaurants and shops nearby.  The lake holds a special place in the heart of Hanoi’s residents, you’ll see many locals and tourists hanging out here especially in the afternoon and early evenings. The Ngoc Son Temple, or Temple of the Jade Mountain, is a small Confucian temple that can be reached by bridge. It is dedicated to a Vietnamese imperial prince who also served as a military commander and fought against Mongol invaders.

Opening time: 08:30 a.m – 18:00 p.m

Entrance fee: 30.000 VND

5. Hanoi Old Quarter

A place you should never miss when in Hanoi is Hanoi Old Quarter. It is best to explore this area on the cyclo. On the cyclo, you pass through narrow streets full of small shops, restaurants, little temples…

 => Best price Travel arranges the full day tour which covers all the places on the list. Book the tour by click: Best of Hanoi City Full day - Private Tour with lunch

You are recommended to visit Lotus Water Puppet Theater or Thang Long Water Puppet Theater to watch the water puppet show- a kind of folk art form that characterizes the Vietnamese’s ancient rice civilization.

Water Puppet Performance

Alternatively, join Hanoi street food tour to taste the best food of Hanoi in particular, and Vietnam in general.

That is a one-day itinerary in Hanoi. There is also a number of other interesting attractions that you can visit on the trip from Hanoi. Plan to spend your holiday in Vietnam longer and visit more.

Jenny Tran

(Image source: Internet)