5 best things to do in Hanoi
The essentials of Hanoi with the booking notes that actually matter — which tickets sell out, which slots are quietest, which formats reward the advance purchase. Every booking happens with the provider you choose.
Browse all Hanoi activities
Attractions, tours, day trips and transport passes from major providers — instant mobile tickets.
The Hanoi shortlist
- Old Quarter walking tour & Hoan Kiem — the 36 streets and the lake with the legend at its temple.
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex — morning-only viewing; the stilt house and One Pillar Pagoda beside.
- Temple of Literature — Vietnam’s first university, 1070, in quiet gardens.
- Halong Bay day cruise — the classic out-of-town format; newer Lan Ha Bay routes are quieter.
- Egg-coffee & street-food evening — the Old Quarter’s café heritage and night-market lanes.
Flying in, Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) serves the city — attraction districts sit 30–60 minutes away at typical city speeds.
Compare Hanoi activity providers
- Klook — Hanoi activities — the widest catalogue, instant QR tickets, strong on transport passes and day trips.
- KKday — Hanoi experiences — local-led formats and small-group tours.
- Tiqets — museums and landmarks with instant mobile entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Hanoi?
Old Quarter walking tour & Hoan Kiem — the 36 streets and the lake with the legend at its temple. Start there, then build the itinerary around it.
Do I need to book Hanoi attractions in advance?
The headline attractions reward advance booking — timed-entry systems and quota tickets mean walk-up availability is worst exactly when you want to visit. Everything on this page links to providers showing live availability.
How many days do you need in Hanoi?
Three to four days covers the shortlist above at a humane pace for a first visit; add days for the day-trip formats rather than compressing the city itself.
Is a city pass worth it in Hanoi?
Run the arithmetic honestly: a pass wins when you would genuinely visit three-plus ticketed attractions in its window. Our provider links show pass options side by side with single tickets — compare before committing.