Water Puppet Show (In the Thang Long Puppet Theatre)

I attended one of these shows on my first ever day in Vietnam, severely jet lagged, over-tired and sat watching puppets moving around an on-stage pool, speaking in a language I didn’t understand – I felt like I was losing my mind. Despite feeling like I was in a fever dream, the show was captivating. It was essentially a medley of Vietnamese myths and legends showcased by an incredibly talented bunch of puppeteers, actors and musicians. A really unique experience if you’re in Hanoi.

The Old Quarter

The streets of Hanoi are MANIC…especially those in the Old Quarter. I had to relearn how to cross a road and just become comfortable walking into oncoming traffic. This might not sound very appealing but the streets of the Old Quarter are filled with character and it’s interesting just to explore these bustling thoroughfares and see what you come across. There are streets dedicated to the sale of specific things (e.g. Toy Street, Sugar Street, etc) and plenty of interesting trinkets and oddities to discover. It’s also the perfect area to  enjoy a drink whilst (as I learnt was customary) sat on a tiny plastic brightly coloured stool during a hot Vietnamese evening.

Note Coffee

Regardless of where you eat or drink in Hanoi you have to try two Vietnamese delicacies – Banh Mi (A very tasty crispy baguette) and Egg Coffee (A strong coffee made with egg yolks and condensed milk that tastes a bit like an egg custard). 

The two times I’ve visited Hanoi, my go to place to chill out is the Note Coffee – a lovely coffee shop filled with sticky notes that overlooks Hoan Kiem Lake. Customers write their own notes and stick them to the wall and it’s just a nice vibe. They do a great vegan Banh Mi and a classic Egg Coffee. 

Hoan Kiem Lake

A lake close to the Old Quarter, steeped in legend where supposedly a giant turtle rose out of the water and took the Emperor’s sword after he’d borrowed it to defeat China.

Hoan Kiem lake makes for a nice daytime or nighttime stroll (with an ice cream), and has a (paid) temple you can access over a red bridge. The temple houses statues of turtles and information about the legend of the lake. 

Train Street

Well….it’s a street where trains run down it!

A long set of railway tracks running through Hanoi which make their way down a street of small and quirky bars and cafes. You can sit at the side of the tracks and enjoy a cold Bia Hanoi (supposedly the world’s cheapest beer), hopefully catching the train’s journey through the streets.

BONUS: Trips to Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh

Whilst you’re in Hanoi you’re in a prime location to book trips to two natural wonders featuring limestone cliffs and incredible landscapes at Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh.

Whilst I’d recommend you just doing one if you’re short on time (with Ha Long Bay probably being the winner) both are stunning and worth a visit. For Ha Long Bay you’ll be on a “cruise” boat and I’d recommend choosing at least a 2 day boat tour to make the most of it, whilst for Ninh Binh you’ll be based in the Vietnamese countryside and excursions on a rowing boat to traverse the caves and waterways winding around the limestone cliffs.

Whilst both have their crowds, Ninh Binh was less crowded and the obvious choice if you’re not wanting to spend most of your time out on the water. The Ha Long Bay option often offers other activities such as swimming and kayaking, and I loved sitting on the top deck at night under the stars, against the backdrop of a unique geographical landscape.