1. Eat Pho at Pho 10- (Michelin Bib Gourmand) 
This pho spot in the Michelin guide was just what we needed. This meal was only about $5 USD!! The pho here tastes different from what we are used to back in the U.S.: no hoisin sauce or sriracha, just a peppery dipping sauce and extra herbs and veggies. It tasted so much better!! The wait was about 30 minutes. Seating is first come first served and people are seated together at the first space available at a table. I highly recommend this place.
2. Visit Train Street
This tiny alley in the Old Quarter has an active train track that runs right between cafés, shops, and residents. The track dates back to French colonial times, and several trains currently roll through from morning to evening. You can see the walls of the shops rumble and the crowd jumping last minute just as the train passes. The trains come at different times and the schedule changes frequently. I suggest checking the schedule ahead of time to ensure you can see the passing train. It is a very interesting experience. We had a tour guide and photographer to help capture the moment.
3. Try the original Egg Coffee at Café Giảng
Café Giảng is where Vietnamese egg coffee (cà phê trứng) was invented in 1946 by Mr. Nguyễn Van Giang. Fresh milk was scarce and expensive so he used egg yolks and condensed milk instead which created a rich custard‑like foam over strong drip coffee. The recipe is very specific and is still used today. This place is hidden down a narrow alley at 39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân, and is easy to miss. It’s packed most days, so showing up early (around 7 AM) gives your best shot at a balcony seat but if there is a wait it is worth it!. The proper way to sip your egg coffee slowly with the foam first. I am not a coffee person but this was delicious.
4. Explore the Incense Village (tăm hương long hoà)
We hired a photographer to take us roughly 30–35 km from Hanoi to the tăm hương long hoà village. This village is home to a centuries‑old incense‑making tradition. You’ll see incense sticks in bright reds and yellows laid out to dry under the sun, dozens of yards at a time presenting the perfect picturesque background. You can walk among village workshops, watch artisans slice bamboo, mix incense paste, dye sticks, and dry them in large aromatic lots. You can even try your hand at it with a workshop experience. Best to go on a dry morning around 9 am makes for the prettiest light and ensures the incense will be out drying. Be sure to confirm this before scheduling a tour. We used photographer Long Nguyen who met us at our hotel and rode with us to the location. He was so helpful and took incredible photos.
5. Get your nails done—for next to nothing
This one was such a happy surprise! I got my nails done last minute before a day trip and it only cost me the equivalent of $8 USD and I’m pretty sure that was the tourist price. In the U.S., I would’ve paid at least $25 for the same thing. Nail salons are everywhere in Hanoi, literally on every block, sometimes multiple next to each other. You don’t need a fancy spot or a recommendation. Just walk into whichever one has space. Fast, cheap, and convenient.
6. Get inked at a Tattoo Studio
If you are looking to carry a piece of your trip forever, get a tattoo!! I have started a new tradition of getting tattoos while traveling. All of my tattoos are small and minimal so I have room for a lot more! We stopped in to Hanoi Ink (cant find a website) which was a tattoo studio on the second floor of a restaurant. There are plenty of tattoo studios in Hanoi. If you decide to get a tattoo, be sure to research and ask necessary precautionary questions and follow the directions of after care.
7. Take a day trip to Ninh Bình
Just about 100 km south of Hanoi, Ninh Bình is often called Vietnam’s “land‑based Halong Bay.” Think serene karst limestone peaks, rice paddies, and peaceful rivers where you canoe gently through caves and past temples. I loved how quiet and relaxing it felt—just floating in a rowboat with greenery all around. You can also climb up to Hang Múa viewpoint or visit historical sites like ancient Hoa Lư capital and the Bai Đính pagoda complex.
8. Visit Beer Street in the Old Quarter
This lively stretch is where locals and international travelers mingle over cheap draft bia hơi (local beer) and street snacks. We met folks from Korea and beyond and tried some surprisingly solid food stalls. Sit on a plastic stool, sip a cold beer for under a dollar, snack on fried dishes, grill skewers—it’s casual and fun, and everything’s super cheap. Great place to people-watch, chat, and soak in local life.
9. Sip coffee at The Note Café
The Note Café is exactly what it sounds like, a whole place covered in sticky notes from travelers all over the world. Every table, wall, even parts of the ceiling are layered with colorful notes full of doodles, quotes, and little love letters. It feels like sitting inside a giant scrapbook. The Lemon Ginger tea is so good, I did not try the coffee. The the vibe is the reason to go. It’s such a sweet little pause from the chaos outside and a reminder of how small the world can feel when you see all those messages left behind.
👣 Helpful Information
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Language: Vietnamese
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Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)| $1 USD = 26,214.93 VND. (I suggest planning an itinerary in advance to ensure you bring enough currency for street food and vendors) Credit cards are accepted but not by all vendors. Be sure to contact your credit card company/bank regarding fees and limitations prior to traveling.
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Climate: The north has a subtropical climate with all 4 seasons. The south is generally humid and warm all year round.
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Best time to visit: March to April and September to November. These periods have pleasant weather across the country, less rainfall, making it ideal for both the northern and southern regions.
- Time Zone: Indochina Time: (GMT+7)
- Transportation: Grab app (rideshare), walking, private driver, taxis, bikes
- Plan to stay for at least 5 days. I spent 3 days in Hanoi but I needed more time. I did a lot without many breaks in between and there was still so much to explore.
- Safety– I never once felt unsafe. This does not change the fact that there still may be some crime. I advise to always travel in groups. Be aware of surroundings and pay attention to people. Try not to get too intoxicated as this can hinder ability to notice any potential threat or problem. Always check the travel advisory info on the US Embassy website.
