Discover Asia's Most Charming City: Hanoi, Vietnam

Tours

• Food Tour: I strongly recommend taking a Food Tour within your first 48 hours of being in the country! Your guide will help you navigate the bustling city streets and help you get grounded in the surrounding areas. These tour guides can be very informative and explain how much past French, Portuguese and Chinese rule over the country heavily influenced not only their culinary world, but shaped Vietnam into what it is today! (Pro Tip- Vegetarian is pronounced Chay in Vietnamese!)

• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: This tour will help you understand the vast number of ethnic groups that make up Vietnam past and present!

Local Attractions

• Walking Old Quarter: The most famous landmark in Hanoi. Surrounded in colonial architecture, you can walk the narrow streets or stop in one of the many Cafe's and watch the endless wave of scooters pass you by.

• Hanoi Train Street: A popular destination among tourists, this landmark is a must if you're ever in Hanoi. (Pro-Tip: This is not always open to the public. There may be a guard stationed at the entrance. If so, wait for one of the Cafe or Bar owners to wave you down and they will accompany you to their establishment on Train Street.)

• Lotte Observation Deck: If you're looking for a bird's eye view of the city or just want to feel on top of the world, Lotte Observation Deck is the place to go with its 360-degree view of Hanoi.

• Hanoi Beer Street- Located in Old Quarter, it's exactly how it sounds. If you had a long day of exploring or just want to indulge in Vietnamese craft beer, Hanoi Beer Street is a must one evening in Hanoi.

• Hoan Kiem Lake: Centrally located in Hanoi and also home to Ngoc Son Temple, you will likely find it even if you're not looking for it. Come sunset, the locals tend to use this as a meeting spot and it's common to find local events happening in this area.

• Ba Dinh Square: One of, if not the most significant relic in Vietnam's history. Located in front of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, get lost in the vast history of Vietnam — or the Square's never-ending courtyards!

Day Trips

Although I wouldn't recommend it, Ninh Binh can he reached and accomplished in a day if you are limited on time in Vietnam! It is certainly a must-visit and a little piece of paradise in the Vietnamese country-side! Ideally, you would want two full days here!

• Banh Mi 25: Simple, delicious, can't go wrong. (Pro Tip: Banh mi's are perfect for a travel day to take on the road!)

• Luna d'Autunno: Premium ingredients with old-fashioned dishes. Great date spot!

• Pho Ha Hang Hom: If you came to Vietnam for Pho, then this is the restaurant you want to be at! Local favorite!

• MET Vietnamese: A great spot for vegetarians in the heart of Hanoi!

• The Note Coffee: If you're looking for a little twist with your morning coffee, The Note Coffee is a must when visiting Hanoi. Leaving a note is all part of the tradition!

• The Hanoi Social Club: Hip cafe with a great social scene and food to match!

• Pizza 4P's Trang Tien: If you're tired of local cuisine and need to give your taste buds a change, then there's no better place than Pizza 4P's. Multiple locations across Hanoi. This isn't your average pizza! (Pro-Tip: These spots can get busy! Be prepared!)

• Sinh to Hoa Beo: Dessert is always on the menu, and Sinh to Hoa Beo is the place to get your authentic Vietnamese treats!