Oh, Hanoi… What can I even say, you’re perfect.
Your energy. And your people. And of course, your food. Everything about you is perfect. And I can’t wait to go back again.
Read all about why Hanoi is my favorite city in Vietnam!
Hanoi was my first stop on my solo portion of my backpacking trip. I can’t think of a better place to start off a solo trip. I had the best time in this city and the place that I stayed at was a huge part of it. So I checked into Vietnam Backpackers Hostel – The Original. They have multiple locations in Vietnam and two of them are in Hanoi (I also stayed at the one in Hoi An). I chose The Original instead of Downtown because I had heard that it was a bit more mellow than its sister property. It still ended up being incredibly fun and filled with awesome people.
They offer a great walking tour, you’re in an awesome location, the dorms are clean and you don’t have to worry about it being loud because the bar closes around 9/9:30, which is when they begin their nightly bar crawl. Every night they have free beer at 5 pm and then a different activity depending on the day of the week. If you stay there, expect a good time. The staff is amazing and they made a huge effort to make sure that everyone was having fun.
I kept on extending my stay here because I loved it so much!
Some things that you should definitely do while in Hanoi are:
Take a stroll around the Lake.
Hon Kiếm Lake is in the center of Hanoi. It’s a beautiful little oasis within the hustle and bustle of the city. I actually sat down on a bench by the lake and sat there for hours. Several Vietnamese people came up to me and asked if they could practice their English with me. It was a real treat.
Plus, what could be better than spending a few hours sitting on a bench, reading a book, and taking it all in? Hanoi is a really busy city and the lake is a gorgeous place to take a step back from that.
While by the lake, cross the red Huc Bridge to visit Jade Island.
The Ngoc Son Temple is beautiful and crossing the bridge is considered good luck. It also makes a wonderful photo op! Just make sure you’re patient as there are a ton of people waiting around to take photos and cross the bridge. Or, just head there early in the morning to avoid the crowds!
Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
I, unfortunately, missed out on this one as it was closed on all of the days that I was in Hanoi. Apparently, it’s a real sight to see, so definitely make a trip out there. It will definitely be on the top of my list for the next time I find myself in Vietnam.
Head over to the Women’s Museum.
There was so much information at this museum worth knowing. The women in Vietnam were paramount in shaping the country and it was really interesting to gain some insight into that. You could easily spend a few hours here. You’ll want to take your time going through each room and you’ll want to absorb as much info as possible.
Grab a beer at Bia Hoi Corner.
“Beer Corner” is a street in downtown Hanoi where you can find a pint of beer for 5cents. It gets really crazy, so get there early if you want to grab a table. It’s a perfect place to start off your night. This a place where locals and tourists gather together for good food and cheap drinks. You’ll find backpackers, businessmen, English teachers, and more sitting in this alley.
EAT!!!
Of course, you have to eat. Hanoi is known for its street food. Whether you take a street food tour or you try a ton of things on your own, you will not be disappointed. Hanoi had some of the best food I have ever tasted. Some of my favorites were Banh Mi, Pho, and Bun Cha.
Other tips for Hanoi:
When crossing the street, look both ways and then walk. DO NOT STOP WALKING. The traffic will go around you. The worst thing that you can do is stop in the middle of the street. It took me twenty minutes to cross the street for the first time by myself, so take your time, take a deep breath and just go. And if you’re still nervous, just try crossing at the same time as other people around you.
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Originally published on June 15, 2016.
Updated on September 6, 2018.
