The Best Hanoi Itinerary for 3-5 Days
Are you visiting Hanoi for the first time and looking for the perfect Hanoi Itinerary? Hanoi is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Vietnam. You can spend several days exploring the city’s attractions and visiting the nearby destinations.
Hanoi is the perfect place to start your Vietnam Itinerary from where you can easily reach Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, or Sapa.
We have put together a detailed Hanoi Itinerary for 5 days, covering the city’s main attractions, best day trips, and some hidden gems. You’ll also find all the useful tips and information you need to plan your North Vietnam Itinerary.
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- The Best Hanoi Itinerary for 3-5 Days
- Where is Hanoi?
- Best Time to Visit Hanoi, Vietnam
- How to Get to Hanoi
- How to Get Around Hanoi
- Hanoi Itinerary for 3-5 Days
- Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, Vietnam
- Day 2-3: Explore Hanoi
- Day 4: Hanoi to Ninh Binh Day Trip
- Day 5: Take a Day Trip to Halong Bay
- Is it Safe to Travel to Hanoi?
- Where to Eat in Hanoi
- Where to Stay in Hanoi
- How many Days do you Need in Hanoi?
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Where is Hanoi?
Hanoi is the capital and second-largest city of Vietnam. It is located in northern Vietnam on the western bank of the Red River Delta.
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Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Vietnam and apply for an e-visa online.
Best Time to Visit Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi has a humid subtropical climate, and the average temperature is 25°C all year round. However, the best time to visit Hanoi is from October to April, when the weather is generally cooler and drier, pleasant for sightseeing and exploring the nearby destinations.
The rainy season runs from May to September. The hottest months are June and July. We did this Hanoi Itinerary at the end of February.
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In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!
How to Get to Hanoi
Hanoi is the best place to start your Vietnam Itinerary. Most travelers to Vietnam arrive at Noi Bai International Airport (airport code HAN), as you can get cheap flights to Hanoi.
There are many direct flights to Hanoi from Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, and other international countries. If you are already in Vietnam, you can also take a short domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, or Phu Quoc to Hanoi.
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Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights to Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hanoi Airport to City Center
It takes approximately 45 minutes to reach the city center from Hanoi Airport. You can get to the city center by taxi, shared minivan, bus, or private transfer.
Book a private transfer from Noi Bai Airport to the Old Quarter (any hotel), which starts from 14 USD, and 5 pax are allowed.
Buy an eSIM and data package for Vietnam.
How to Get Around Hanoi
Getting around in Hanoi is easy, as most attractions are within walking distance. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or Grab (similar to Uber). Traffic in Vietnam is often chaotic, so you can get around faster by motorbike than by car.
Hanoi Old Quarter is just a 30-minute walk or 10-minute taxi ride from Hanoi Railway Station.
Get the most out of your experience and join a Hanoi jeep tour with Vietnam army jeeps. Learn about Vietnamese history and culture, enjoy delicious street food, see Hanoi Train Street, and drink at a rooftop bar.
Book this top-rated Hanoi tour HERE.
Hanoi Itinerary for 3-5 Days
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, Vietnam
Welcome to Hanoi! We hope you had a great flight and are ready to explore this modern, multicultural city.
Hanoi is the perfect place to start your Vietnam trip, try Vietnamese dishes, learn about the culture, and get a glimpse into the lives of the locals. For the best experience, visit the Old Quarter, the oldest part of the city, which offers fantastic photo opportunities.
Depending on when you arrive in Hanoi, you can choose to start exploring or relax at your hotel. We recommend visiting the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre and enjoying the show. Buy a skip-the-line ticket HERE.
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Join a Hanoi food tour and visit Train Street.
Day 2-3: Explore Hanoi
Are you looking for the best things to do in Hanoi? This Hanoi Itinerary gives you 2 full days to explore the city’s sights and hidden gems at your own pace. You can visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ngoc Son Temple, walk around St. Joseph Cathedral, explore the Old Quarter, see Tran Quoc Pagoda & Hoam Kiem Lake, and enjoy delicious Vietnamese coffee and food.
Join a Hanoi motorbike tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.
Alternatively, you can book this private half-day city tour, which includes a private transfer, an English-speaking guide, all entrance fees, and a traditional Vietnamese meal.
Most people spend 3 days in Hanoi and then continue their Vietnam Itinerary. However, Hanoi is the perfect base for day trips to nearby destinations such as Ninh Binh and the famous Halong Bay.
See also → Things to Do on Cat Ba Island
Day 4: Hanoi to Ninh Binh Day Trip
Are you ready for one of the highlights of your Hanoi Itinerary? The nickname of Ninh Binh is “Halong Bay on Land”, so visit it, and you won’t be disappointed. During your tour, you can enjoy a boat trip at Tam Coc, explore Mua Cave, enjoy picturesque views, and visit Hoa Lu, the first ancient capital of Vietnam. Experience local life while cycling through traditional villages, discovering ancient pagodas, and enjoying a delicious Vietnamese lunch.
The tour price includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, roundtrip transportation by bus, a boat trip at Tam Coc, an English-speaking guide, lunch, a small bottle of water, bike rental, 1 traditional hat, and entrance fees.
Book this top-rated Ninh Binh day trip via GetYourGuide or Viator.
Are you spending limited time in Hanoi but want to make the most of your visit? For the ultimate experience, book a 3-day Ninh Binh & Halong Bay Luxury 5-Star Cruise HERE.
Day 5: Take a Day Trip to Halong Bay
Halong Bay is the most popular destination in Vietnam, so don’t miss it in your North Vietnam Itinerary. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with thousands of beautiful limestone karsts and around 1,600 islands. A day trip to Halong Bay is a great way to see one of the most beautiful places in the world.
The tour price includes hotel pick-up and drop-off around Old Quarter, roundtrip transportation by bus, an English-speaking guide, all entrance fees, kayaking & swimming, a small bottle of water, and lunch on board.
Book the best Halong Bay Cruise day tour via GetYourGuide or Viator.
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You can join a 2 Day/1 Night All-Inclusive Halong Cruise from Hanoi.
We hope you enjoyed this 5-day Hanoi Itinerary! But it’s time to leave Hanoi and continue exploring Vietnam by visiting other fantastic destinations, such as Sapa, Ha Giang, Hue, or Da Nang.
Is it Safe to Travel to Hanoi?
Yes, it is generally safe. But small thefts and pickpockets can happen everywhere. So always take care of your valuables!
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Where to Eat in Hanoi
In Hanoi, you can find many local restaurants, vegetarian options, traditional Vietnamese dishes, and the best places to eat with all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best restaurants in Hanoi
- Hong Hoai’s Restaurant (Delicious Vietnamese and vegan dishes)
- Duong’s Restaurant (Great dining experience)
- Banh Mi 25 (Best Viatnemese sandwich)
- Little Hanoi Restaurant (Good place for lunch, vegetarian dishes)
- Tung’s Kitchen (Authentic Vietnamese dishes)
- Viet Restaurant Hanoi (Delicious food and fantastic views of the city)
- Bun Cha Ta Hanoi (Try Bun Cha, a traditional Vietnamese pork dish, near Old Quarter)
- The Note Coffee (Popular place, delicious coffee)
- Hidden Gem Coffee or Loading T Café (Try the typical Vietnamese egg coffee)
Join a Hanoi Street Food Tour.
Where to Stay in Hanoi
Hanoi has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Hanoi, Vietnam
- Luxury: Hanoi Center Silk Hotel & Travel or JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi
- Mid-Range: JM Marvel Hotel & Spa or Pullman Hanoi
- Budget: La Renta Hotel & Spa
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We recommend booking a hotel in the Old Quarter.
How many Days do you Need in Hanoi?
You can easily modify this itinerary to extend or reduce the days. However, most people choose a 3 or 5-day Hanoi Itinerary for their first visit. If you have enough time, we recommend you spend more days in Hanoi and take a multi-day tour to Sapa or Ha Giang.
Are you looking for the best Sapa tours from Hanoi? You can join a 2-day, 1-night, or 3-day, 2-night trekking tour.
The two-day hiking tour to Sapa is perfect for nature lovers. You can experience the most beautiful landscapes of northern Vietnam, see lush rice terraces, eat some delicious local food, and visit traditional ethnic villages.
Book this excellent Sapa tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.
We hope our Hanoi Itinerary will help you plan your next trip to Vietnam. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go
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Great Itinerary, Thanks for sharing!!!
We’re happy it was useful!