Hanoi – The capital of a thousand years of culture with the beauty of ancient and modern blends. If you only have one day to explore Hanoi, don’t worry! Below is a detailed 1 -day Hanoi travel itinerary to help you fully enjoy the beauty of Thang Long land.
Hanoi 1 day tour in the morning – Journey to discover culture and history
7:00 – 8:00: Enjoy Hanoi breakfast
To start your one-day tour of Hanoi, a bowl of rich Hanoi pho at famous restaurants such as Pho Bat Dan or Pho Thin Lo Duc will be an ideal choice – where traditional flavors have been preserved through many generations.
If you want to change the taste, you can enjoy bun cha with fragrant, rich grilled meat mixed with sweet and sour fish sauce, or try Thanh Tri soft, elegant rice rolls, served with cinnamon sausage and delicate dipping sauce.
Pho has always been considered a favorite breakfast dish of many generations of people and tourists traveling to Hanoi for one day or many days.
No matter which dish you choose, you will fully experience the quintessence of Hanoi cuisine every morning.
>> To make your 1-day trip to Hanoi more convenient and save maximum time, you can choose to rent a homestay near the center to rest and easily move to sightseeing, tourist attractions, entertainment, and dining places.
8:00 – 9:30: Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square when traveling to Hanoi for only 1 day
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a must-see destination when traveling to Hanoi for 1 day. You can offer incense and pay your respects to the great leader of the nation.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is located at 2 Hung Vuong, Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
Visitors can easily get here by personal vehicle, rent a motorbike or use a passenger car, public bus – all are very convenient.
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum project was started on September 2, 1973 and completed on August 29, 1975. This is the solemn place to preserve the body of President Ho Chi Minh – the beloved leader of the Vietnamese people.
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum relic complex includes many important attractions such as: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Stilt House, Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a destination that tourists cannot miss when traveling to Hanoi for 1 day.
- Note: The mausoleum opens from 7:30 – 10:30 am on weekdays (except Monday and Friday). When visiting the mausoleum, you should wear long, polite clothes. Avoid wearing short pants, skirts or shirts as you will not be allowed to enter the mausoleum.
9:30 – 10:00: Visit One Pillar Pagoda
Right next to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda – a cultural symbol with unique architecture – this is a pagoda shaped like a lotus rising from the water, imbued with the identity of Vietnamese Buddhism.
The One Pillar Pagoda, also known as Dien Huu Tu, was built in 1049 under the reign of King Ly Thai Tong. The pagoda has a unique architecture with a small shrine located on a single stone pillar in the middle of a lotus pond, symbolizing the image of a lotus rising from the water – a symbol of purity and wisdom. Legend has it that King Ly Thai Tong built the pagoda after having a dream of Bodhisattva Quan Am sitting on a lotus pedestal and blessing the king.
If you travel to Hanoi for 1 day, take the time to visit One Pillar Pagoda – a unique architectural work of the capital.
Coming here, you not only have the opportunity to admire the unique architectural work but also can pray for peace and luck for yourself and your family. If you have the opportunity to travel to Hanoi for 1 day, you definitely cannot miss this place.
10:15 – 11:30: Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy
Built in 1070 under the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong, the Temple of Literature was originally a place to worship Confucius and Confucian sages. Six years later, in 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong established the Imperial Academy, becoming the first university in Vietnam, specializing in training talents for the country. This is the place that has nurtured many talented people and cultural figures for feudal dynasties.
Today, the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy is not only a place to visit and learn about history, but also a sacred destination for students and scholars before each important exam. Many people come here to ask for calligraphy, pray for luck and knowledge, and preserve the nation’s tradition of respecting teachers.
Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam – the first university in Vietnam is always a favorite destination for many tourists when traveling to Hanoi for 1 day.
If you love history and want to learn about the studious spirit of the Vietnamese people, a visit to the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam will bring many interesting and meaningful things to your 1-day tour of Hanoi.
When you come to the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, don’t forget to visit Khue Van Cac – a symbol of Hanoi city. Standing under this attic, you will feel your heart calm down, as if blending into the flow of history, where the quintessence of national culture has been preserved for centuries.
What specialties should you eat for lunch if you travel to Hanoi for a day?
11:45 – 12:45: Lunch in the Old Quarter
If you have the opportunity to travel to Hanoi for 1 day, you can choose to enjoy the famous specialties of Hanoi, each dish has a unique flavor and is associated with the old streets:
- Bun Cha Hang Quat – one of the most famous bun cha restaurants in Hanoi, with fragrant grilled pork patties, served with rich sweet and sour fish sauce, soft white noodles and fresh vegetables.
- La Vong fish cake – a traditional dish from over 100 years ago, made from fresh and delicious catfish, marinated with rich spices, fried until golden brown on a cast iron pan and served with vermicelli, herbs, roasted peanuts, and dill, creating a unique and unforgettable flavor.
- Popular rice in the Old Quarter area – although it is a simple meal, the rice shops here still have a strong Hanoi flavor with traditional dishes such as braised meat, braised fish, vegetable soup, fried tofu… all prepared in a rich, familiar style like a home-cooked meal.
The Old Quarter is always a favorite destination for tourists traveling to Hanoi for 1 day.
After lunch, you can spend time walking around Hanoi’s Old Quarter – where every small street bears the mark of history and culture. The ancient houses, bustling shops and people passing by create a vibrant yet nostalgic atmosphere.
You can stop at a roadside cafe, enjoy a cup of rich egg coffee or sip a glass of iced tea, quietly admiring the street corners with the typical features of the thousand-year-old capital.
What to do when traveling to Hanoi for 1 day in the afternoon
13:00 – 14:00: Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple
Hoan Kiem Lake – the heart of Hanoi, is associated with the legend of King Le Loi returning the sword to the Divine Turtle after defeating the Ming invaders.
Strolling around the lake, you can visit Ngoc Son Temple, a sacred temple dedicated to Saint Tran, with ancient architecture. To enter the temple, you will cross The Huc Bridge – a softly curved red wooden bridge, a symbol of the morning light.
If you travel to Hanoi for 1 day, you can visit Hoan Kiem Lake at any time of the day.
No matter what time of day you visit, Hoan Kiem Lake always has a poetic beauty, a place where the past and present intersect, preserving the thousand-year-old cultural imprints of Hanoi.
14:30 – 16:00: Explore Hanoi Old Quarter
If you have the opportunity to travel to Hanoi for 1 day, you cannot miss the opportunity to walk around the 36 streets of Hanoi. You will feel the unique culture through the small alleys, bustling sidewalk shops and moss-covered tiled houses stained with time.
Suggested places to visit:
- Hang Ma – colorful, especially bustling during festivals with all kinds of lanterns and traditional decorations.
- Hang Dao – Hang Ngang – shopping paradise with fashion stores, silk, and unique souvenirs.
- Quan Chuong Gate – the only remaining ancient gate of Hanoi, a historical witness of more than 200 years, a place that preserves the mark of the ancient capital.
Each street in the Old Quarter has its own story, taking you on an exciting journey to discover Hanoi past and present.
16:00 – 17:00: Take a break and enjoy egg coffee
Visit a long-standing cafe like Giang Cafe or Dinh Cafe to enjoy a cup of rich, fragrant egg coffee – a famous specialty of Hanoi. The smooth egg cream layer, combined with the rich coffee flavor, creates a unique flavor, both sweet and warm.
If you travel to Hanoi for 1 day, you cannot miss the opportunity to sip a cup of egg coffee and watch the streets of Hanoi.
Ngồi trong không gian hoài cổ, ngắm nhìn nhịp sống Hà Nội chầm chậm trôi, bạn sẽ cảm nhận được nét đẹp rất riêng của thành phố nghìn năm văn hiến.
See Hanoi sparkling at night when traveling to Hanoi for 1 day
17:30 – 19:00: Enjoy dinner with street food
When traveling to Hanoi for a day, you will be surprised because Hanoi at night is not only beautiful but also extremely bustling with an attractive street food paradise.
Under the warm yellow lights, the street food stalls are bustling with people, bringing a dinner full of Hanoian flavors.
Bun Dau Mam Tom is also a dish you should try when you have the opportunity to travel to Hanoi for 1 day.
Dinner suggestions:
- Crab and beef hotpot – sour hotpot broth from crab, combined with soft and sweet beef, golden fried tofu, served with fresh vegetables, creates an unforgettable flavor.
- Bun dau mam tom – a full plate of vermicelli with crispy fried tofu, fragrant sticky rice sausage, soft and sweet boiled meat, fatty and rich sausage, dipped in rich shrimp paste mixed with a bit of lime and spicy chili.
- Fried sour spring rolls, fried dumplings – crispy, fatty spring rolls, and hot fried dumplings with meat and egg filling, dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce, even more appealing.
Strolling around the streets at night, stopping at a small roadside restaurant, sipping delicious food, you will feel a Hanoi that is both bustling and peaceful in its own unique way.
19:30 – 21:00: Explore the Old Quarter Night Market (Friday – Sunday)
If you travel to Hanoi for 1 day on the weekend, don’t forget to visit the Old Quarter Night Market – a place that not only brings together unique items but also a vibrant atmosphere, typical of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Stretching from Hang Dao to Dong Xuan market, the night market sells all kinds of goods: from clothes, shoes, fashion accessories to handmade souvenirs such as paintings, brocade bags, and gifts bearing the mark of Hanoi.
Not only an ideal shopping destination, the Old Quarter Night Market also offers an interesting cultural space with street art performances, folk music, and sparkling street corners, making every step a memorable experience.
21:00 – 22:00: Check-in at West Lake or Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street
You can end your 1-day Hanoi tour with a relaxing evening stroll around West Lake – where the vast water reflects the shimmering lights, creating a romantic and poetic scene. Check in on the tree-lined lakeside path, enjoy the cool breeze and admire the beautiful sunset on the water.
If you want a more vibrant space, visit Hoan Kiem Lake walking street, where entertainment activities, street art performances, and groups of young people singing and dancing are concentrated. This is also an opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the rhythm of Hanoi nightlife, both modern and full of cultural imprints.
West Lake in the evening brings a very unique beauty – a destination not to be missed if you visit Hanoi for a day.
Whether you choose the romance of West Lake or the bustling atmosphere of the walking street, Hanoi at night will definitely leave you with unforgettable impressions.
Hanoi is not only attractive for its historical relics but also for its rich cuisine and bustling life. With the above 1-day Hanoi travel itinerary, we hope you will have a complete trip, discovering the typical beauty of the capital.
Are you ready for a day of exploring Hanoi? Plan your trip today!
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