The best things to do and see in Hanoi, Vietnam

The water puppet show in Hanoi is a traditional art form that dates back to the 11th century. Essentially, performers stand behind a screen and use long bamboo rods to control wooden puppets dancing on water. The scenes are accompanied by live folk music and narration in Vietnamese. The stories often depict rural life, legends, and scenes from Vietnamese history. There is a translator that you can purchase to understand what you are viewing, but honestly, it’s not necessary.

FYI the seating in the theater is tiny as a 6 ft. girly.

The coffee in Vietnam is another level of delicious. As soon as I landed, I took a workshop to get to know the history and different coffee varieties. It was a good guideline as I continue travel throughout Vietnam.

My personal favorite flavors are include:
1. Salt Coffee
2. Coconut Coffee
3. Egg Coffee

Vietnamese coffee is sweet and strong. Make sure you eat a meal prior to taking the workshop.

Now that you have graduated from your coffee workshop, go and explore the cafes that Hanoi has to offer. A cozy spot right by Hoan Kiem Lake is The Note Cafe. It’s famous for its walls covered in colorful sticky notes left by travelers from around the world. Each note shares a message, doodle, or memory. It’s a fun place to enjoy Vietnamese coffee and leave your own little note behind.

Other cafes to check out in Hanoi are Loading T and Cafe Dinh (family owned and the original creator of egg coffee).

The Temple of Literature was Vietnam’s first university founded in 1070. It originally served as a school for nobles and later became an academy for training scholars for royal service.

Continue museum hopping and visit these sights as well:
Hoa Lo Prison Museum
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology – I would recommend visiting this museum prior to doing the Ha Giang Loop tour to get a better understanding of the history and people that live up North.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter was such a fun maze to wander through. It is packed with scooters, street food, and tiny shops selling everything imaginable. I had to learn how to cross the streets over and over again. LOL. Each street has its own character, and I loved getting lost among the chaos, grabbing a bowl of pho, and just soaking in the nonstop energy. It’s the perfect place to feel the real heartbeat of Hanoi. It is also a trinket and souvenir paradise. Don’t forget to bargain!

You’ll need to check the current train schedule to make sure you’re there when a train actually passes. It gets very close. It is way closer than I expected! LOL. Just be sure to keep your hands, legs, and anything else safely out of the way.

It is an experience worth having. Train Street is a narrow residential street where trains pass just inches from homes and cafes. Locals and travelers gather to watch as the train rushes by. It’s so fascinating to people watch especially the cafe owners folding their chairs and tables.

Aside from coffee, Vietnam is known for its cuisine. I ate very well during my time in Vietnam. Make sure to try Pho and Banh Mi. You should take a walking tour to truly sample every type of food.

If you are limited on time, you can take a day trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. It will be a long day as you commute and visit all the attractions.

Dependent on the tour you pick, but these are the sights that you should visit in Ninh Binh starting off with the Trang An boat ride (interesting, but a very long ride), Mua Cave viewpoint (500 steps!) and the Bich Dong Pagoda complex.