With many of my friends becoming dads, we have decided to do a last minute freedom trip to Hanoi. The majority of the activities is situated around the Old/French Quarters. Although it's the capital of Vietnam, I feel it is smaller and less cosmopolitan than Ho Chi Ming. However this is also why Hanoi makes a great weekend trip from Hong Kong. Many people also visits Halong Bay but as it was recommended to reserve 2-3 days for this, we were not able to go visit.
As most of the attractions are situated around one area, you can really just walk most of it. Otherwise a Grab is just super easy.
Accommodation
Since June is probably rainy season in Hanoi, we got a pretty good deal at the Soleil Boutique Hotel. It is located right next to the Train Rail Market and about 10-15 minute walk to other nearby destinations.
Restaurants
Vietnam is known for their foods and Hanoi has plenty of options covering all price points.
Hong Hoai's Restaurant
A great local eatery serving grilled meat and omelet pancakes to be wrapped with lettuce and rice paper. A bit too DIY for me but still pretty tasty.
Banh Mi Vui
Off the roadside Banh Mi restaurant. Pretty decent and generous with their Pate and great for a quick refuel.
Gia
One of the first Michelin Star restaurants in Vietnam. Recommended to book in advance and request seats upstairs. Amazing food but expect a seating of 4hrs. They have an interesting mixed alcohol pairing which I strongly recommend.
Maison 1929.
An upscale local restaurant serving well portioned modern Vietnamese dishes. Great lunch set options in a very clean restaurant.
Loan Mai
Discovered this gem serving up their very popular fried to order Pigeon near our hotel. It takes about 15 mins.
Pizza 4P's
A popular upscale Italian restaurant all around Vietnam. Booking in advance is essential.
Pho 213 Hang Bong
This Pho place has plenty of options with good portions of proteins. It was right next to our hotel. Also recommend their assorted beef cuts in pho broth. Hands-down my favourite Pho in Hanoi.
The Banhmi - Bread & Drinks
This is also right next to our hotel serving up some well filled Bahn Mi. Not too big so worth trying a few things.
Attractions
We did a few pretty standard attractions in Hanoi. They are all very walkable which is nice.
Hanoi Train Street
This is the famous street where trains run through rows of coffee shops and tourists is now banned on the rail. However one of the coffee shop owners will invite you in for a drink. Once you done with your drinks you can roam around. Note that the trains can be unpredictable so you don't know if they will come or not.
Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum & Surrounding Sites
Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh's body is on display in this mausoleum & historic site. There are a bunch of other impressive monuments around the park.
Ho Chi Minh Museum
Presidential Palace
Ba Dinh Square
*Note that to visit these grounds your shoulders will need to be covered and no tanks please.
St. Joseph Cathedral & Hoàn Kiếm (Lake) Areas
St. Joseph's Cathedral is a Catholic church in the Hoàn Kiếm District. It is a late 19th-century Gothic Revival (Neo-Gothic style) church that serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi. The cathedral is named after Joseph, the patron saint of Vietnam. With it's imposing structure, the cathedral is surrounded by hip shops and cafe. You can definite spend half a day roaming around the streets. The cathedral is opened to public to visit inside at 2:30pm.
Late Night and LGBT
There is no shortage of late night venues for Hanoi being the capital of Vietnam. There is plenty of offer spanning from club nights to sophisticated cocktail bars.
The Haflington
Designed to evoke the atmosphere of an Old World private museum, the bar occupies the upper two levels of an aged shophouse in the heart of Hanoi.
The Blues Bar & Beer Street
Despite its name this bar does not play blues music, but it is a somewhat less hectic place to start the evening along the famous beer street. The Street can get quite hectic.
Polite & Co.
The relax cocktail bar with a gastropub vibe.
Pasteur Street Brewing Co.
Hipster Craft Beer joint serving some delicious snacks. Perfect for an afternoon pit stop.
Alley3BK
An atmospheric whiskey bar serving all the classics and more. It's very un assuming and it is my favourite bar for its simplicity and solid cocktails.
