How To Spend 3 PERFECT Days in HANOI | Complete Travel Itinerary

HANOI TRAVEL GUIDE: 3 Days Vietnam Itinerary | Best Things to Do in Hanoi 2024
Complete Hanoi itinerary with authentic local experiences! This Vietnam travel guide shows you insider access beyond typical Hanoi attractions.
✨ HANOI HIGHLIGHTS & LOCAL EXPERIENCES:
🌅 Hoan Kiem Lake sunrise tai chi with locals
🍜 Best pho in Hanoi (Michelin-recommended since 1960s)
🚂 Famous Train Street cafe - egg coffee inches from trains
🏛️ Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & secret war bunkers
⛰️ Ninh Binh day trip - Vietnam's inland Ha Long Bay
🎭 Traditional water puppet theater locals love
🍺 Authentic beer corner experience
VIETNAM FOOD TOUR highlights
DAY TRIPS FROM HANOI: Ninh Binh limestone caves (Kong Skull Island filming location), Trang An boat tours, Hang Mua viewpoint.
Perfect Vietnam itinerary for first-time visitors! Best restaurants in Hanoi, where to stay, transportation tips included.
What's your must-see Hanoi attraction? Comment below!
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▬▬▬▬▬T O U R S & T I C K E T S🎟️▬▬▬▬▬
DAY 1: Old Quarter Soul to French Colonial Elegance
🏨 HOTELS
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
https://www.sofitel-legend-metropole-...
La Siesta Classic Ma May
https://lasiestahotels.com/mamay/
🏛️ ATTRACTIONS
Ngọc Sơn Temple
No booking needed - walk-in only
Hỏa Lò Prison ("Hanoi Hilton")
No booking needed - walk-in only
Thăng Long Water Puppet Theater (Book in advance, especially weekends)
https://thanglongwaterpuppet.com/
https://www.viator.com/Hanoi-attracti...
🍜 RESTAURANTS
Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn (Cash only, no reservations)
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...
https://foursquare.com/v/phở-gia-truy...
Bánh Mì 25
  / banhmi25  
Cộng Cà Phê (Multiple locations)
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...
Bún Chả Hương Liên (Obama Restaurant)
  / bunchahuonglienobama  
Tạ Hiện Beer Corner
No booking needed - street drinking
DAY 2: Imperial Grandeur to Train Track Thrills
🏛️ ATTRACTIONS
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (FREE entry, first-come first-served)
https://www.getyourguide.com/ho-chi-m...
Temple of Literature
No booking needed - walk-in only
Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long
No booking needed - walk-in only
Trấn Quốc Pagoda
No booking needed - walk-in only
🍜 RESTAURANTS
KOTO Restaurant
http://www.koto.com.au/
Chả Cá Thăng Long
https://chacathanglong.com.vn/
🚂 EXPERIENCES
Train Street - Hanoi 1990 Café (Arrive 30-45 min before train time)
No booking needed - cash only
DAY 3: Ninh Binh - Vietnam's Inland Ha Long Bay
🚂 TRANSPORTATION
Train Tickets Hanoi to Ninh Binh (Book 20-30 days in advance)
https://dsvn.vn/ (Official Vietnam Railways)
https://12go.asia/
https://vexere.com/vn/trains/from-nin...
https://vietnamtraintickets.info/trai...
Premium Train Options:
https://lotustrain.com/ (Lotus Train)
https://chapaexpresstrain.com/ (Chapa Express)
🚌 GROUP TOURS FROM HANOI
Day Tour Operators:
https://www.klook.com/activity/145586...
https://www.ninhbinhtours.com.vn/
https://hanoiexploretravel.com/produc...
🏛️ NINH BINH ATTRACTIONS
Hoa Lư Ancient Capital
No booking needed - walk-in only
Trang An Boat Tour
https://www.tranganboattour.com/
Hang Múa (Mua Cave) (500-step climb)
No booking needed - walk-in only
🍜 RESTAURANTS
Trung Tuyết Restaurant (Famous for cơm cháy)
No booking needed - walk-in only
Quán Ăn Ngon (Near Hanoi station for return)
http://quananngon.com.vn/
⏰ C H A P T E R S ⏰
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Beyond The Usual Hanoi Itinerary
00:21 – Day 1: Old Quarter To French Colonial Charm
00:53 – Morning Tai Chi At Hoan Kiem Lake
01:36 – Ngoc Son Temple & Legendary Turtle
02:00 – Breakfast: Pho At Pho Gia Truyen (With Crispy Quay)
02:23 – Exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter Streets
02:51 – Lunch: Banh Mi 25
03:07 – Hoa Lo Prison & Sobering History
03:31 – St. Joseph’s Cathedral & Coconut Coffee At Cộng Cà Phê
03:52 – Evening: Water Puppet Theater & Night Market Food
05:03 – Beer Corner: End Of Day 1
05:23 – Day 2: Imperial Grandeur & Hidden Gems
06:06 – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & One Pillar Pagoda
06:46 – Temple Of Literature & Student Traditions
07:09 – Lunch At KOTO (Eat For A Cause)
07:26 – Imperial Citadel & Underground Bunkers
07:51 – Tran Quoc Pagoda By West Lake
08:14 – Train Street Coffee & Thrilling Close Encounter
09:12 – Dinner: Cha Ca Fish & Lively Bia Hoi Corner
09:51 – Day 3: Ninh Binh – Vietnam’s Inland Halong Bay
10:45 – Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
11:28 – Lunch: Com Chay Crispy Rice Specialty
11:43 – Trang An Boat Caves & Kong Skull Island Film Site
12:30 – Hang Mua Viewpoint Climb & Sunset Views
13:09 – Evening Train Back + Final Dinner In Hanoi
13:22 – Recap: 3 Days Of Unique Vietnam Adventures
13:43 – Outro & Next Destination Teaser