Hanoi 3-Day Itinerary: Old Quarter, Temples and Ninh Binh

This three-day route groups Hanoi's historic districts into two unhurried walking days in the city, followed by a third day among northern Vietnam's limestone karsts in either Ninh Binh or Ha Long Bay. Before setting out, review our practical before-you-go tips on street-crossing and temple dress codes.

Day 1: Hoan Kiem Lake, the 36 Guild Streets, French Quarter & Water Puppets

• Early morning: walk around Hoan Kiem Lake while the air is cool, photograph Turtle Tower, and cross the scarlet wooden Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple before sitting down for northern beef pho.
• Mid-morning: wander north into the 36 guild streets of the Old Quarter, linking Hang Gai (silk), Hang Bac (silversmiths), the restored merchant house at 87 Ma May, Bach Ma Temple, Hang Ma and Lan Ong, finishing at the 1902 Long Bien Bridge.
• Lunch and coffee: feast on charcoal-grilled bun cha and crab spring rolls, then duck into Cafe Giang or Cafe Dinh for whipped hot egg coffee (ca phe trung).
• Afternoon: pause at St Joseph's Cathedral, then walk south through the French Quarter past the Hanoi Opera House to visit Hoa Lo Prison Memorial or the Vietnamese Women's Museum.
• Evening: watch a show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre by the lake, followed by sizzling turmeric-and-dill fish (cha ca) for dinner.

Day 2: Ba Dinh Square, Citadel, Temple of Literature & West Lake Sunset

• Morning: start early in Ba Dinh Square (shoulders and knees covered) to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, walking past the Presidential Palace to Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House and the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda.
• Late morning: walk east to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long to inspect the Doan Mon Gate and D67 bunker.
• Early afternoon: after steamed banh cuon rice rolls for lunch, explore the five courtyards and tortoise-mounted doctor stelae of the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu).
• Late afternoon & sunset: pause for coffee at a licensed terrace on Hanoi Train Street, then ride north to West Lake and Truc Bach Lake to see Tran Quoc Pagoda at sunset and eat fresh pho cuon rolls.

Day 3: Choose Between Ninh Binh ("Ha Long Bay on Land") OR a Ha Long Bay Cruise

• Option A (Ninh Binh by train or van): take a morning train from Hanoi Railway Station or a direct van to Ninh Binh, glide by hand-rowed sampan through the river caves and karsts of Trang An or Tam Coc, and climb Mua Cave (Hang Mua).
• Option B (Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay): take an early transfer east to cruise among limestone islands and sea caves in the Gulf of Tonkin.