4 day itinerary for Hanoi

Itinerary

Here's an ideal itinerary for 4 days in Hanoi:

Day 1:

• Start your day with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where you can pay your respects to the beloved Vietnamese leader.
• Next, head to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university and a beautiful example of traditional Vietnamese architecture.
• For lunch, try some delicious pho at Pho Thin, a local favorite.
• In the afternoon, explore the Old Quarter, a maze of narrow streets and alleys filled with shops, cafes, and street vendors.
• End your day with a water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, a unique and entertaining cultural experience.

Day 2:

• Take a day trip to the stunning Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its emerald waters and towering limestone cliffs.
• Enjoy a boat ride through the bay, stopping to explore caves and swim in the crystal-clear water.
• Return to Hanoi in the evening and have dinner at Cha Ca La Vong, a famous restaurant known for its grilled fish.

Day 3:

• Start your day with a visit to the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, also known as the "Hanoi Hilton," which was used to house political prisoners during the Vietnam War.
• Next, head to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which showcases the country's diverse ethnic groups and their cultures.
• For lunch, try some bun cha, a popular Hanoi dish made with grilled pork and noodles.
• In the afternoon, visit the Ngoc Son Temple, located on a small island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake.
• End your day with a stroll around the lake and watch the sunset.

Day 4:

• Take a day trip to the Perfume Pagoda, a complex of Buddhist temples and shrines built into the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich Mountain.
• Take a cable car up to the pagoda and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
• Return to Hanoi in the evening and have dinner at Quan An Ngon, a popular restaurant serving a variety of Vietnamese dishes.

I hope this itinerary helps you plan your trip to Hanoi!