Some cities demand an itinerary but, Hanoi politely ignores it.
We spent four full days here… and if we’re being honest?
We didn’t “do” much at all.
No jam-packed schedule.
No rushing between attractions.
And somehow… it was perfect.
Wandering Hanoi With No Plan (And No Regrets)
Most of our days looked like this:
- Walk out of the hotel
- Pick a random direction
- Get mildly lost
- Repeat
The Old Quarter is a maze in the best possible way. Tiny streets packed with scooters, shops spilling onto sidewalks, and alleyways that feel like they lead somewhere secret (sometimes they don’t — but that’s part of it).
The chaos? Very real.
Crossing the street? A full-contact sport.
(Think Frogger, but with motorbikes.)
We wandered to Hoan Kiem Lake, circled it slowly, and popped into Ngoc Son Temple. No rush. No pressure. Just people-watching and soaking it all in.
We also explored the French Quarter, where suddenly everything feels… quieter, wider, and a little more polished. Fancy storefronts, colonial buildings, and a completely different pace.
If you do want a couple of anchor points:
- Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university, dating back to 1070. Peaceful, historic, and a nice contrast to the chaos.
- St. Joseph’s Cathedral – a quick stop, but striking.
- Hanoi Train Street – we skipped it, but yes… the train really does pass that close.
But honestly?
The best moments weren’t the “sights.”
They were everything in between.
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Sitting, Snacking, Sipping (Repeat Daily)
Hanoi isn’t a city you tour.
It’s a city you eat your way through.
We bounced between:
- Street food on tiny plastic stools
- And a few Michelin Guide restaurants (yes, I’m that person)
The Hits:
Bún Chả (Hanoi’s signature dish)
Grilled pork, noodles, herbs, dipping broth.
My husband has been making this for years — and honestly?
Flavour-wise… he nailed it.
The biggest difference: Hanoi uses sliced pork vs. his pork patties.
Chả Cá Lã Vọng
A Hanoi specialty: turmeric-marinated fish cooked with dill at the table.
Fragrant, unique, and very… Hanoi.
Egg Coffee (yes, really)
Created in Hanoi, this is basically dessert disguised as coffee.
Thick, creamy, slightly sweet — and way better than it sounds.
Phở (but make it Hanoi-style)
Traditionally lighter, often chicken-based.
We tried beef versions too — good, but not as rich as what we’re used to back home (though Duong’s came close).
Bánh Mì from Mama’s Banh Mi
Instead of braving the long line in the afternoon we went early in the morning — and it was 100% worth it.
Crispy baguette, packed with flavour, and one of those “okay, I get the hype” moments.
Bonus: they even have breakfast options with egg and cheese.
The Curveball
We were ready to go full Anthony Bourdain…
Until we got very sick.
After that:
- Frog hot pot? ❌
- Snails? ❌ (almost…)
- Dog/cat? Hard pass ❌
We did go to Oc Vi Sai Gon — famous for snails…
…and ordered clams instead.
Zero regrets.
The Thai and lemongrass versions were incredible. Add morning glory (our new favorite green), and it was one of our best meals.
Unexpected Hanoi Favorites
- Don Duck – if you like duck… go. Just go. (My personal #1)
- Duong’s Restaurant – polished Vietnamese food that felt like a safe but delicious middle ground
And yes… I’ll say it:
I did prefer the Michelin spots. They are surprisingly affordable here.
Maybe it’s quality, maybe it’s caters a little more to western taste — maybe I’m just a food snob.
| The Syps Family Hanoi Tip Box 🏯 Cross the street slowly and confidently — don’t stop mid-way 🏯 A small backpack or crossbody is ideal for wandering all day. Carries water, sunglasses and sunscreen, and leaves room for souvenirs. 🏯 Start slow with street food — don’t go full fearless on day one 🏯 Stick to busy stalls — high turnover = fresher food 🏯 A food tour is perfect if you’re overwhelmed by choices |
The Syps Survival Summary
Did we live out our full Anthony Bourdain food fantasy? Not even close. We talked big, then fully chickened out.
If you Google “things to do in Hanoi,”
you’ll quickly notice something:
Most lists… suggest day trips that leave Hanoi.
- Ha Long Bay
- Ninh Binh
- Sapa
- Ha Giang Loop
And that tells you everything.
Hanoi isn’t about ticking boxes.
It’s about feeling the city.
The noise.
The movement.
The food.
The chaos.
Four days was enough for us.
Not because we ran out of things to do…
…but because we fully leaned into doing nothing.
And somehow, that ended up being everything.