How to Make Most of Your 3 Days in Hanoi

Best time to visit: November – December, March – April
Ideal for: Family, group, or solo travel
Must visit landmarks: Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, Hanoi Old Quarter, and Hoa Lo Prison Memorial
Must-try experiences: Visiting the landmarks; eating famous street foods of Hanoi; shopping from old establishments of Hanoi 
Moving around Hanoi: App-based cabs, motorcycle taxis or shuttle buses
Accommodation: Hotels, resorts, backpacking hostels, and homestays available

Hanoi, the city of pagodas, is often dubbed as one of the most beautiful cities in Vietnam. Bustling with noises and ever buzzing Xe Om’s you will find the city fascinating. A perfect place for a short trip, you can cover the city in three days or an extended weekend off. 3 days in Hanoi is enough to explore the beautiful landmarks of the city as well as have a great time.
 

The first day on your 3 days in Hanoi trip is dedicated to exploring the central neighborhood as well as sampling the stunning street food of the city. Some of the popular landmarks of the region are Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, Old Quarter of Hanoi, French Quarters, and the Hanoi Train Street can be covered within the first day. If all this touring is making you hungry, then you can always sample the delightful and mildly spiced delicacies found on the famous food streets of Hanoi. These dishes will leave a wonderful aftertaste in your mouth.

P.S: While sampling the street foods of Hanoi, remember to try Bánh cuốn, Banh Tom, and ever famous Pho Bo of Vietnam. Also, Vietnamese coffee comes highly recommended.

See also Top 10 Best Restaurants in Hanoi
 The second day of the trip is dedicated to exploring the remaining landmarks of the city as well as exploring the clubs of the region in the night. The areas to cover on the trip include Tran Quoc Pagoda, One Pillar Pagoda, Huu Tiep Lake, and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. For night owls, in these 3 days in Hanoi adventure, spare the evening of the second day for exploring the clubs of the city.
 

Since last night you went clubbing, you will need some time in the morning to rejuvenate your energy. We recommend shopping for therapy for the day. Head to the Silk Street of Hanoi to purchase the traditional handicrafts and apparel from the centuries-old establishments located in the city.

See also Shopping in Hanoi     Best Souvenirs from Hanoi

Some of the must-buy things include Vietnamese patchwork quilts, silk apparels, and home décor items, ceramic bowls and tea sets, local cookies and gourmet foods, metal works, and so on. For the evening, you can head to the quiet jazz bars for some quality music and food.
 

While the peak tourist season runs between November and December, and March and April. During this time of the year, the weather is at its most charming best. Although humid, the temperature is fairly bearable, and there are lesser chances of rainfall during this time of the year. Overall, if you do not mind the tourist influx, then it is the perfect time to stay for 3 days in Hanoi.
 There are numerous options for accommodation, in different budgets, for tourists. In the old quarter of the city is you can find luxury and high-end hotels for accommodation for your trip. Apart from that, you can book homestays, AirBnBs, or backpackers’ hostels for the trip. Early bookings can save you some money.

See also Accommodation in Hanoi
 Travelers have plenty of options for getting around the city. While the motorcycle taxis (or Xe Om) are readily available on the streets of Hanoi, these cabs are not for the faint-hearted. Although they might be the best option for surpassing the crazy Hanoi traffic.

See also Hanoi Transportation

Another reliable mode of transport within the city is the regular taxi. These cabs can be booked via an app or summoned from reliable cab agencies. Usually, these four-wheeler cabs charge around VND200, 000 for two kilometers, and then VND150, 000 for every kilometer. The app-based taxi, Grab, is often recommended by several tourists.
 • In Vietnam, the United States Dollar is widely accepted in-store and shopping venues
• For a three days trip to Hanoi, it is recommended to pack lightly.
• Be careful while handling Vietnamese Dong, since the currency is available in huge denominations.
• Before boarding any cab or motorcycle taxi, take time to fix the rate for transit – it will save you from getting duped.
• Traveling in a motorcycle taxi can be risky, take caution while traveling on them.
 

At the end of the day, Hanoi is a tourist favorite destination – ideal for a short trip. It has witnessed several monumental changes in history, starting from French colonization to the Vietnam War. Yet the locals are still nurturing the age-old traditions to stay connected to their roots.

The scoter-infested streets of Hanoi, its numerous historical pagodas, vibrant nightlife, and stunning eat streets of the city will surely leave you wanting more. Surprisingly, you might realize that 3 days in Hanoi might be not enough.

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