# Explore Hanoi - in 24 hours **URL:** \ **Category:** Others\ **Tags:** travel-itinerary, vietnam\ **Created:** [August 7, 2024, 6:22am UTC](https://community.goniyo.com/t/explore-hanoi-in-24-hours/18121 "2024-08-07T06:22:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Prantick\_Santra](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/user_avatar/community.goniyo.com/prantick_santra/32/33928_2.png) [@Prantick\_Santra](https://community.goniyo.com/u/Prantick_Santra)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 6:22am UTC](https://community.goniyo.com/t/explore-hanoi-in-24-hours/18121/1 "2024-08-07T06:22:59Z")
**Explore Hanoi - in 24 hours** * * * Exploring Hanoi in just 24 hours offers a whirlwind dive into the vibrant heart of [Vietnam](https://youtu.be/WSJupfs74n4?si=WWJdAYH0sSBUskh8). From its bustling streets filled with tantalizing street food to its serene lakes and historic temples, the city brims with culture and charm. Whether you’re sipping on a traditional egg coffee or wandering through the Old Quarter, every moment in Hanoi promises to be an unforgettable adventure. Here is a guide for all of you, which I personally follwed during my solo trip to Vietnam. * * * **Morning** **1. Explore Old Quarter & Hoan Kiem Lake** - **Time:** 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM - **Activities:** - Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple (Entry fee: ~30,000 VND). - Explore the Old Quarter’s narrow streets and traditional shops. - **Cost:** Free (except temple fee) ![French Architecture, Old Quarter, Hanoi](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/1/7/17763c565d8f221bbe7a1a00778c9381a1f67d57.jpeg) ![Plaza near Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/2/d/2d70d94c007ba1440f0b5fa65294a201c3dd7928.jpeg) **2. Breakfast - Pho Gia Truyen** - **Location:** Small shops in Old Quarter - **Food:** Pho/ Banh Mi + Coffee - **Cost:** ~80,000 VND - **Tips:** Book a stay which provides free breakfast. ![Egg Coffee, Old Quarter, Hanoi](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/5/1/51fd9bcaf185feecaf8d067d3ca48699a4050aed.jpeg) ![Complementary Breakfast Spread, Hanoi bagpackers Hostel](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/3/8/38ee3d154adbdf572d863fda3ac64311094f49bd.jpeg) ### **Mid-Morning** **3. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex** - **Time:** 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - **Activities:** - Visit the Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, and One Pillar Pagoda. - **Entry Fee:** Free (Mausoleum and Pagoda); Museum ~40,000 VND - **Note:** Dress modestly. * * * ### **Lunch** **4. Bun Cha Huong Lien** - **Time:** 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - **Location:** 24 Le Van Huu Street (famous for Obama’s visit) - **Food:** Bun Cha/ Pho/ Chicken Rice - **Cost:** ~100,000 VND ($3 USD) ![Chicken Rice](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/4/c/4c8532d29e20340a49c8edd04ce292266d72e0d7.jpeg) * * * ### **Afternoon** **5. Temple of Literature** - **Time:** 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM - **Activities:** - Explore Vietnam’s first university and the serene gardens. - **Entry Fee:** ~30,000 VND ![IMG_20230319_154125](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/3/0/30e8bc393c5b280795fe705d5c6c176469fc7b9e.jpeg) ![Me with School Kids, Inner complex of Temple of Literatre, Hanoi](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/b/d/bd2016b9b38b428fb96baf986c94c34f29f79c7f.jpeg) * * * **6. Hoa Lo Prison (Maison Centrale)** - **Time:** 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM - **Activities:** - Visit the historical prison used during French colonial rule and the Vietnam War. - **Entry Fee:** ~30,000 VND * * * ### **Evening** **7. Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre** - **Time:** 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - **Activities:** - Enjoy a traditional water puppet performance. - **Entry Fee:** ~100,000 VND ![Thang Long Theatre, Hanoi](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/5/6/562ff0e1d259f89a82f5d5167adc9d68329725db.jpeg) * * * **8. Dinner** - **Time:** 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM - **Location:** Restaurant/ food joints around Hoan Kiem Lake - **Food:** Variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes. - **Cost:** ~100,000 VND * * * ![Evening Scene, Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/b/5/b5c522f3cbc0998333f493632db10b954cd5a983.jpeg) ![Pho, Vietnamese Chicken Soup](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/9/f/9f5ce5cac4cd51f7ddd3421d98094b14ddcaf91a.jpeg) ### **Night** **9. Explore the Night Market** - **Time:** 8:00 PM onwards - **Activities:** - Visit the weekend night market (if it’s Friday, Saturday, or Sunday). - **Cost:** Depends on your purchases or food. **10. Explore the Beer Street** - **Time:** 8:00 PM onwards - **Activities:** - Enjoy the lively narrow street, full with bars and music with great food options and beer. - **Cost:** Depends on your food. ![Night Market, Hanoi](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/1/d/1dcad2b3f36bc8713cf08b6550cbf4c3e95dd286.jpeg) ![Beer Street, Hanoi](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/3/7/37a2af9a70082c687868e5cc1d66cdd844b0ab7c.jpeg) * * * **11. Music show at Old Quarter** - **Time:** 8:00 PM onwards - **Activities:** - Enjoy the local music, drama shows around every corner of Old Quarter. - **Cost:** Free of cost. ![Live Music Show, Old Quarter, Hanoi](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/0/7/07a61da4754c4c795d34ee692e5a966d059e3aaf.jpeg) ![Live Music, Old Quarter, Hanoi](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/5/4/541f73c0fcad595faa2b6585af079fbc193ea6f4.jpeg) * * * ### **Accommodation** **Budget Stay - Backpackers Hostel** - **Location:** Old Quarters - **Cost:** ~100,000-500,000 VND/night for a dorm bed (with or without breakfast). - **Amenities:** Locker, Wi-Fi. - **Booking procedure:** Book it in advance through Agoda/Booking.com * * * ### **Currency Exchange** **Currency Conversion Options** - **Locations:** - **ATM:** Withdraw VND cash directly from ATM using Niyo Global debit cards (SBM/DCB) or BMF cards. - **Old Quarter:** Any Gold Shop (Best conversion rate). - **Banks:** Vietcombank, BIDV (may have slightly higher rates). - **Tips:** Check rates online before exchanging, and be aware of closing times (usually 5:00 PM). ![Vietnamese Dong](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/uploads/goniyo/original/3X/0/b/0b5d60d0f2621f36a4df57e84b33985cd690a8e0.jpeg) * * * ### **Must-Do Highlights:** - Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake in the early morning. - Ride through Old Quarter. - Enjoy a Water Puppet Show. - Savor local food at a local eatery and Beer street. - Music Show at Old Quarter. * * * **Total Estimated Cost:** - **Food & Drinks:** ~270,000 VND - **Entry Fees:** ~230,000 VND - **Accommodation:** ~350,000 VND - **Transportation (Optional Grab Rides or Hired Scooty):** ~100,000 VND to 250,000 VND **Total:** ~1,000,000 VND (Rs. 3300/-) * * * The budget provided is based on 2023 figures, which may have increased slightly. I hope this will be helpful for your upcoming trip to Vietnam. If you are wondering about a whole [Vietnam Itinerary](https://community.goniyo.com/t/a-vietnam-itinerary-north-to-central/18109) by @Prantick_Santra or even want to explore [Hidden Gems](https://community.goniyo.com/t/vietnams-hidden-gems-beyond-the-tourist-trail/18077) by @Zahid_Niyo in Vietnam must check out these 2 links. ---
**Author:** ![Zahid\_Niyo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex021/user_avatar/community.goniyo.com/zahid_niyo/32/34768_2.png) [@Zahid\_Niyo](https://community.goniyo.com/u/Zahid_Niyo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 7:08am UTC](https://community.goniyo.com/t/explore-hanoi-in-24-hours/18121/2 "2024-08-07T07:08:47Z")