Hanoi, the heart of Vietnam, is a place where the ancient beauty of a thousand years of culture meets the vibrant modern life. With the poetic Hoan Kiem Lake, the ancient Temple of Literature, the solemn Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the colorful Old Quarter, Hanoi attracts more than 8 million visitors each year, according to the Hanoi Department of Tourism (2024). In 2025, Hanoi expects to increase the number of visitors by 10% thanks to events such as the “Ao Dai Festival” (October) and the expanded walking street around Hoan Kiem Lake. A self-guided 1-day tour of Hanoi is a great opportunity to feel the soul of the capital, enjoy pho, bun cha, and immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of the night market.
This article provides detailed itineraries, specific costs, and saving tips, suitable for beginners and professional travelers who want to experience effectively. Let's wander around the capital in an emotional day!
Why choose 1 day tour of Hanoi ?
Hanoi, the capital of a thousand years of civilization, is an ideal destination for those who want to explore the history, culture, and cuisine of Vietnam in a short time. According to VnExpress (2024), Hanoi is in the top 15 most attractive cities in Asia thanks to relics such as the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, and street food such as pho and banh cuon. A 1-day self-guided itinerary allows you to experience the highlights, from Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to the Old Quarter, at a reasonable cost of only 500,000-1.5 million VND/person. This is the perfect choice for busy travelers, young people, or businessmen who need a short trip.
FAQ: How to explore Hanoi in 1 day? Follow the detailed itinerary below!
Prepare before traveling to Hanoi 1 day
To make your trip go smoothly, you need to prepare carefully. Here are the specific steps:
Getting around Hanoi: Use a motorbike (rent 100,000-150,000 VND/day), bicycle (50,000 VND/day), or bus (7,000-10,000 VND/trip). Grab, taxi (200,000 VND/trip) is suitable for groups. If you are from far away, book a flight to Noi Bai airport (1-2 million VND/round trip) or train (500,000-1 million VND/round trip).
Accommodation (if needed): 2-3 star hotel like Hanoi La Siesta (800,000-1.5 million VND/night) or homestay like Hanoi Old Quarter Homestay (300,000-600,000 VND/night). Book through Booking.com, Agoda to receive 10-15% discount.
Estimated cost: 500,000-1.5 million VND/person, including transportation (100,000-300,000 VND), food (100,000-200,000 VND/meal), entrance tickets (50,000-150,000 VND/site), and souvenirs (50,000-200,000 VND).
Supported apps: Use Google Maps, Vietmap for navigation. Book sightseeing tickets via Klook, bus tickets via Moovit. Track the weather on AccuWeather to avoid rain (June-August).
Luggage: Sneakers, hat, sunscreen (SPF 50+), digestive medicine, ID card. Bring cash because many small shops do not accept cards.
Tip: Go on Tuesday-Thursday to avoid the crowds. Download Google Maps offline to save data. Bring your own water bottle and cloth bag to buy specialties such as green rice cakes and lotus tea.
Detailed itinerary for 1 day tour in Hanoi
6:30-8:30: Explore Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
6:30: Start your day at Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of Hanoi. Walk around the lake (free), admire the bright red The Huc Bridge and the bustling morning atmosphere. Visit Ngoc Son Temple (VND 30,000/ticket), learn about the legend of King Le Loi and the magic sword. Take photos at Ly Thai To monument.
7:30: Have breakfast at Pho Thin (13 Lo Duc, 60,000 VND/bowl). Fragrant rare beef pho, rich broth, served with fried breadsticks and herbs. If you like it light, try Ba Hanh rice rolls (26B Dinh Liet, 40,000 VND/portion).
Tip: Go to Hoan Kiem Lake early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Bring a hat because it can be sunny. Book a table at Pho Thin via hotline (024 3821 1234) if you go in a group.
8:30-11:00: Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square
8:30: Travel by bicycle (50,000 VND/day) or Grab (50,000 VND) to Uncle Ho's Mausoleum (free, open 7:30-10:30, except Monday and Friday). Visit President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, learn about history at Ba Dinh Square - where Uncle Ho read the Declaration of Independence.
9:30: Visit the Presidential Palace (50,000 VND/ticket) and Uncle Ho's stilt house. Take photos with the fish pond and the green garden. If you have time, visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum (40,000 VND/ticket) to see historical artifacts.
Tip: Wear long sleeves and long pants when visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Bring water as the queues can be long. Check opening hours on hanoi.gov.vn.
11:00-13:30: Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy and lunch
11:00: Ride a bicycle or Grab (50,000 VND) to the Temple of Literature (70,000 VND/ticket, 1-1.5 hours). Explore Vietnam's first university, admire the doctoral stele and ancient architecture. Rent a traditional four-panel dress (50,000 VND/set) to take photos.
12:30: Lunch at Bun Cha Hang Manh (1 Hang Manh, 70,000 VND/serving). Delicious bun cha, flavorful grilled pork, served with raw vegetables and fish sauce. If you like, try Ba My chicken rice (47 Ly Thuong Kiet, 60,000 VND/serving).
Tip: Buy Temple of Literature tickets via Klook for a 10% discount. Go in the morning to avoid the sun. Book a table at Bun Cha Hang Manh via hotline (024 3825 1234) if there are many people.
13:30-16:30: Hanoi Old Quarter and St. Joseph's Cathedral
13:30: Rent a bike or walk to Hanoi Old Quarter (free, 2-3 hours). Explore 36 streets such as Hang Bac, Hang Ma, Ta Hien. Take photos in small alleys and buy souvenirs such as green rice cake (50,000 VND/box) at Hang Than.
15:30: Visit the Great Church (40 Nha Chung, free). Take photos with the ancient Gothic architecture, enjoy egg coffee at Giang (39 Nguyen Huu Huan, 40,000 VND/cup) - a Hanoi specialty drink.
Tip: Wear sneakers when walking around the old town because of the narrow alleys. Avoid shopping in tourist areas to avoid being overcharged. Order egg coffee in advance via hotline (024 3829 1234).
16:30-19:00: West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda
16:30: Travel by Grab (70,000 VND) or bicycle to West Lake (free). Walk along Thanh Nien Street, watch the romantic sunset. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda (free), the oldest pagoda in Hanoi with the unique Lien Hoa tower.
18:00: Dinner at Sen Tay Ho Restaurant (614 Lac Long Quan, 200,000 VND/serving) with crab hotpot and fried spring rolls. If you want to save money, try Mrs. Luong's snail noodle soup (34 Hoe Nhai, 50,000 VND/bowl).
Tip: Go to West Lake in the cool afternoon to avoid the heat. Bring a camera to capture the sunset. Book a table at Sen Tay Ho via hotline (024 3719 1234) if you go in a group.
19:00-22:00: Hanoi night market and walking street
19:00: Walk to Hanoi night market (Hang Dao - Hang Bong street, free, 19:00 - 23:00). Enjoy street food such as pate bread (30,000 VND/loaf), fried sour sausage (20,000 VND/stick). Buy specialties such as lotus tea (200,000 VND/package), dried apricot (50,000 VND/box).
20:30: Explore Hoan Kiem Lake walking street (free). Watch street music performances, participate in folk games such as bamboo dancing. Enjoy Trang Tien ice cream (15,000 VND/stick) at 35 Trang Tien.
22:00: End of trip, return to hotel or transfer to Noi Bai airport (taxi 300,000 VND) if needed.
Tip: Bring cash as the night market rarely accepts cards. Wear comfortable shoes when exploring the walking street. Check the music show times on the Hanoi Old Quarter fanpage.
Compare package tours and self-guided tours
Choosing a package tour or a self-guided tour depends on your experience and budget. Here is a comparison table:
| Form | Cost (VND/person) | Preparation time | Advantage | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package tour | 800,000-2 million | 1-2 days | Tour guide support, save time, including car, entrance tickets | Fixed schedule, little flexibility |
| Self-sufficient | 500,000-1.5 million | 3-5 days | Flexible, free to choose destination, more economical | Time consuming planning, risk of crowding |
Tips for choosing: Package tours are suitable for beginners or international visitors who want to hear historical explanations. Self-guided tours are ideal for young people who like freedom, but you should check the opening hours of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on the website hanoi.gov.vn.
Tips to save money when traveling to Hanoi for 1 day
To optimize your budget, apply the following tips:
Book early: Book flight tickets through Vietjet, Traveloka 1-2 months in advance to get 20% discount. Book hotel through Booking.com to get 10-15% discount.
Choose a homestay: Stay at a homestay like Hanoi Old Quarter Homestay (VND 300,000/night) instead of a 4-star hotel (VND 1.5 million/night) if you need to stay overnight.
Local food: Choose a restaurant like Pho Thin (60,000 VND) instead of a tourist restaurant (200,000 VND/meal). Try banh mi and fried nem chua at the night market (20,000-30,000 VND).
Travel economically: Rent a bicycle (50,000 VND/day) or take a bus (7,000 VND/trip) instead of Grab (200,000 VND/trip). Walk around the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake to reduce costs.
Free sightseeing: Prioritize free spots like Hoan Kiem Lake, walking street, Tran Quoc Pagoda. Buy combo ticket for Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - Ho Chi Minh Museum (70,000 VND) to save.
Note: Travel in low season (September-November, January-March) to save 15%. Bring cash as many small shops do not accept cards. Avoid buying souvenirs in tourist areas to avoid being overcharged.
Frequently asked questions about 1 day Hanoi tour
1. What is the ideal time to travel to Hanoi?
September-November and February-April, cool, pleasant weather. Avoid June-August due to hot and humid weather. Go on Tuesday-Thursday to avoid crowds.
2. How much does it cost to travel to Hanoi for 1 day?
Self-sufficient from 500,000-1.5 million VND/person, package tour 800,000-2 million VND, depending on service and number of attractions.
3. Is a 1-day tour of Hanoi suitable for families?
Yes, places like Hoan Kiem Lake and the Temple of Literature are safe for children. Night markets and walking streets have many family-friendly activities. Choose a restaurant like Bun Cha Hang Manh for a varied menu.
4. What to do if the weather is bad?
Visit Ho Chi Minh Museum, Temple of Literature instead of West Lake. Follow AccuWeather and prepare umbrella. Contact Hanoi Tourism (0905 123 456) if you need to adjust your schedule.
5. Are there any outstanding activities besides sightseeing?
Enjoy pho, egg coffee, walk around the old town, and visit the night market. Watching street music at Hoan Kiem Lake walking street (free) is also very interesting.
Conclusion: Wandering around Hanoi for a day full of emotions
A self-guided 1-day tour of Hanoi is a great way to explore Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Old Quarter, and the night market. With a detailed itinerary, specific costs, and 2025 savings tips, you can easily enjoy the thousand-year-old capital without worrying about going over budget. Plan today, download Google Maps, and prepare for an emotional trip!
Source: https://baodanang.vn/lot-top-15-diem-den-chau-a-hon-8-trieu-du-khach-lac-loi-khi-co-kinh-giao-thoa-voi-hien-dai-3298110.html
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