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Hanoi Itinerary: How to Explore Vietnam’s Capital Right

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Vietnam is a beautiful country, and each of its cities has something to give you. In particular, Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, never misses a chance to impress anyone. 

With the right Hanoi itinerary, you can witness the whole beauty of Hanoi: from music, dance, art, architecture, food, cultural events, party places, and so on.

If you are planning a four-day Hanoi, Vietnam itinerary, you must plan well to visit some of the must-visit spots and the less-explored places for a different experience. 

Just to help you with that, I am going to tell you an unexpected side of Hanoi City. And, an add-on to the usual Hanoi life during night and day. So, this article reveals to you every little thing you can experience. 

Best Places to Stay in Hanoi

Choosing where to stay can help you avoid many unnecessary problems you face while in a new city. You might stay in a place with no tourist attractions or in a place that is unreasonably expensive, so let’s learn about the costs and the best places to stay in Hanoi to avoid such issues. 

There are a few areas you can stay in Hanoi. To access all the tourist attractions, or if you want a quiet stay away from the bustling streets, or a place that offers you the best street food, take note of the areas listed below.

Old Quarters:

This packed street is famous among first-time travellers, with many hostels and hotels in all price ranges. And fingers crossed, this area has all year round for the best time in Vietnam experience. 

Tay Ho (West Lake):

With a lake view, it’s a much quieter place than the old Quarters. Most expats spend their days around this area and also live here. You can also find luxuriously upscale accommodations here; the whole place gives a Western lifestyle.

French Quarters:

In the central part of Hanoi, there is a touch of French in every corner. Here you can find sophisticated luxury accommodations, shopping malls, cafes, and fine dining restaurants. 

Ba Dinh District:

It’s called the political heart of Hanoi, as it is covered with incredible places and historical sights. This area is so much calm, making it a great place for families with the presence of a residential area. 

Overall Budget View for Accommodation

Now that you know where to stay, you should also know the cost so you can be prepared when you make this trip. 

  • Budget-Friendly: For an average hotel, the cost starts at 1500 INR
  • Mid-Range: A 3-star accommodation will start from 2500 INR
  • Luxury: A 4 or 5-star hotel will start from 4000 INR.

Note: Usually, in a room, two people can accommodate unless it’s a hostel. So if you are travelling with someone, it’s much cheaper when you share. 

Now let’s see some of the best Hotels from 5-4-3 stars for your reference in budget-

Hotel Name Type Area Starting Price in INR 
Diamond Westlake Suites 5 Star Tay Ho (Westlake)  5,000
Oakwood Residence Hanoi 5 Star Tay Ho (Westlake)  7,500
VNAHOMES APARTHOTEL 4 Star Tay Ho (Westlake)  2,500
Le Jardin Hotel And Spa 4 Star Ba  Dinh 5,000
Aira Boutique Hanoi Hotel & Spa 4 Star Ba  Dinh 6,500
Super Candle Hotel 4 Star Ba  Dinh 4,500
Golden Rooster Hotel 3 Star Old Quarter 2,300
Splendid Hotel & Spa 3 Star Old Quarter 2,500
Mayflower Hotel Hanoi 3 Star Old Quarter 2,500

Perfect 3 Nights 4 Days Hanoi Itinerary

Now, get prepared to know day-wise activities scheduled for you on this four-day trip to Hanoi. 

Day 1: Arrival & City Tour

Morning: At 11:00 AM, you will land at Hanoi Airport. Private transport will be arranged from the airport to your hotel. 

Afternoon: Around 2:00 PM, you will reach your stay and do the check-in process. Then you get one hour to freshen up; the next activity is arranged in an hour. 

Evening: Early evening, around 3:00 PM, we will organise your Hanoi City Tour. Let me explain in detail all the places that will be covered in this tour.

City Tour in Hanoi 

Listed below are the places that are covered in your city tour.

Ba Dinh Square:

In earlier days, the prime cultural events under the rule of King Gia Long took place here. After the French left, the Vietnamese now use this for their country’s events, and there is a flag raising every day at sunrise. 

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum:

This is named after Ho Chi Minh, the President and the founder of the democratic republic of Vietnam. And inside the Mausoleum, his body is still stored in a glass case. And now it’s a great historical place and a hope for many locals and tourists. 

One-Pillar Pagoda:

Quan The Am Bo Tat is the Buddhist Goddess. And in the Ly Dynasty, this temple was constructed to honour the goddess. Inside this Pagoda is a Lotus Station, a three-arched entrance Gate, the stairs leading to the Main Hall, and the Bodhi Tree. 

Temple of Literature:

This was Vietnam’s first university, established in 1070. Now it’s this, the symbol of literature and learning. Even the students studying in Vietnam come here to pray before exams.

Old Quarter:

A thriving nightlife scene makes this place a lovely and cheerful spot. This place is filled with restaurants, famous beer stalls, food vendors, historical references, and French buildings. 

Sword Lake:

(Hoan Kiem Lake): This lake has a short story on why it is named Sword Lake, which is that the sea god gave King Le a sword to fight the invaders. Later, one turtle asked the king to return the sword, and then, after getting it from the king, it disappeared into the lake.

When you stop at every place mentioned above, the guide will give a brief explanation of the history of each of the places.

Day 2: Full Day Trip 

After you take your breakfast, at 7:30 am, we will take you out for a full-day trip. You will have an SIC transfer to explore the city. 

What is SIC?

It is a sit-in-couch transfer, and you will be sharing it with other guests as well. 

From the hotel, you will reach Ninh Binh, which is 100 km south of Hanoi. This trip will give you the time away from the loud city life. In Tom Coc, you will be taking a long boat ride, and the river flows in a narrow path, giving you a view of a huge and lush green mountain on both sides.

You will cover a lot of areas and caves and get a chance to see the untouched beauty of the villages where people live. 

7.30 AM – You will be picked up to go to the Ninh Binh province via SIC. 

9.30 AM –  Now you will go to the ancient capital of Vietnam, Hoa Lu. Then you will stop at Ding King and Le King Temple.

10.30 AM – Visiting Mua Cave, also called Dancing Cave, where you can get the impressive panoramic view of Tam Coc and Ninh Binh city when you reach the top point of Ngoa Long mountain 

12.00 PM –  Have Vietnamese cuisine for lunch.

1.00 PM – Then find the beauty of Tam Coc on the bamboo boat in almost 2 hours, passing through 3 caves. At times, Tam Coc is temporarily closed for maintenance, and the boat trip can be replaced by Trang An or Thung Nang, which is the same.

3.00 PM – Cycling and walking through the countryside to embrace the beauty of North Vietnam. 

4.00 PM – Relax by swimming

4.45 PM – Return to Hanoi, and you will reach your hotel in 2 hours.

Day 3: Full Day Cruise With Lunch – Ha Long Bay

Leave at 8:30 am from your hotel, hop in the boat, and cruise the whole day. If you are thinking it’s just sitting inside and just sailing for hours, you are wrong. This day cruise is packed with many activities, making this a fun and memorable day. 

What you will be experiencing here- 

08.30 AM – Start from your hotel, and you will be taken to Halong Bay, which will take 2.5 hours. 

12.00 PM –  You will be at Tuan Chau harbour and checking in on the boat. After that, you will be served with some yummy lunch.

01.30 PM – Explore the caves.

2.45 PM – Go for a kayak or go on a bamboo rowing boat in Luon Cave

3.45 PM – At Titov Island/Ti Top, swim and trek up to the Peak of Titov to take pictures and feel the nature. 

5.00 PM –  Take a Tea break on the sundeck to enjoy the sunset.

5.30 PM – Back to Ha Long Harbour.

8.00 PM – You will be returned to your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter. 

Day 4: Departure

12:00 PM – You will check out of your hotel. If your flight is at night, then you have the whole day to roam around and visit restaurants. You can use this time to buy souvenirs for your family and friends back home. 

Conclusion

The important part of any trip is making the right plan. So when you are planning your Hanoi tour itinerary,​ there are a lot of things to consider apart from where to go and what to eat.

Factors like seasons, how many days to plan, budget, transportation, whether family-friendly or couple-friendly, whether you can get Indian food, and so on are more important.

And the questions and doubts will never stop, and if you have such a question, I say it’s a good thing, which only makes you get prepared well. 

And having a travel partner will take away all your worries, and you will get all the answers with no sweat. For that, Dimaak Tours is here to plan and execute the trip you wish to make. 

Let us take care of your planning; all you have to do is call us, and our travel partner will guide you through the itinerary and budget based on your preference. 

Frequently Asked Questions on Hanoi Itinerary 4 Days​

What is Hanoi famous for?

Hanoi is the capital city, and everyone goes there when in Vietnam. It offers you the best nightlife, historical sights, quick access to authentic Vietnamese local food, cultural events, and so on. 

Can I take night walks in Hanoi?

Yes, you can. The city is always awake, not just with tourists but also the locals like to spend late nights or catch up with their friends and colleagues. So, taking a night walk is very common. However, you need to take care of yourself when in a new city. 

Where to party in Hanoi?

Ta Hein Street is the right spot to hang out with friends for a night party. And most famously, it is called The Beer Street. There are so many bars and eateries for you in every few steps you take here.

Where can I buy souvenirs in Hanoi?

There are a few markets and places like Dong Xuan Market, Hang Da Market, and Vincom Mega Mall Royal City for you to explore and buy gifts.

What can you buy in Hanoi?

When in Hanoi, don’t miss the special things the city offers. In some local markets, you can buy silk, jewellery, Vietnamese coffee beans and powder, Vietnamese dress called Ao Dai, Lacquerware, ceramics, bamboo products, and so many little things you can take back to your loved ones. 

Varshini IR

With a passion for traveling and storytelling, the job found me for my crazy obsessions. For all the beauty I saw, I was still left wanting more. I guess that's what travel does to you. Now, I am on a quest to discover surreal places and connect with new people. And the longing to know every corner of the world will always be unstoppable for me.