Want to visit Hanoi but unsure if 2 days is too short and 3 days too long ? Good news: 36 hours in Hanoi is the perfect compromise for travelers who want to explore Vietnam’s millennial capital in depth, without rushing or exhausting themselves. What to do in Hanoi ? In this blog, I will guide you through the city while sharing my personal tips for discovering Hanoi in an authentic and well-rounded way. My Hanoi travel itinerary begins on a Friday evening and ends on Sunday afternoon - an ideal format to fully enjoy the capital over a weekend in Hanoi, unhurried yet without missing any of the essentials.
7:00 PM: Stroll around Hoan Kiem lake
My flight landed in the late afternoon. After a quick drop-off at the hotel in the Old Quarter, I headed toward Hoan Kiem Lake around 7:00 PM - a must when spending 36 hours in Hanoi. The cooler evening air contrasted with the heat stored in the surrounding walls. On weekends, cars give way to pedestrians here. It felt like an improvised festival: guitar melodies drifting from a corner, families snacking along the lakeside, and a palpable energy in the air. I could have come at dawn for tai chi, but this lively evening atmosphere was my first real handshake with the city.
8:00 PM: Dinner at Tam Vi Restaurant
Around 8:00 PM, hunger set in. I chose Tam Vi restaurant for an authentic dinner faithful to northern Vietnamese cuisine. Among the dishes served, the one that impressed me most was thịt kho tàu, an emblematic dish that won the championship title on MasterChef USA season 4. And as soon as I tasted it, I understood why. The pieces of pork, meltingly tender, combined the deep red of the meat, the silky transparency of the fat, and the delicate brown of the skin that had been slowly braised, all coated in a golden, glossy caramelized sauce. Served still sizzling, accompanied by a bowl of steaming hot rice, this seemingly simple dish revealed incredible richness and depth. In that moment, I understood that 36 hours in Hanoi could not be complete without a true culinary immersion: here, eating means touching the very soul of the city.
10:00 PM: Evening at Wong Bar Wine
To close this first evening of my 36 hours in Hanoi, I headed to Wong Bar Wine, tucked away at the end of a narrow alley. The discreet entrance led me into a world inspired by films like In the Mood for Love: crimson lighting, embroidered fabrics, and an intimate atmosphere with only about ten seats. I sipped a glass of local wine while chatting with travelers and Hanoians alike. Conversations flowed naturally, filled with shared anecdotes about life in the city.
9:00 AM: Visit to the Temple of Literature and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Saturday began with a journey through time. At 9:00 AM, I headed to the Temple of Literature, a millennia-old site dedicated to Confucius. Walking through its peaceful gardens, surrounded by engraved steles and ancient pavilions, I felt deep respect for Vietnam’s educational heritage. It is a serene place, ideal for a contemplative pause amid the city’s bustle.
Next, I visited the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main gate from the Ly Dynasty, dating back to the 11th century, impressed me with its majesty. I wandered across the vast lawns, admired the 33-meter flag tower, and descended into the underground bunkers built in 1967 to shelter from American bombings. Archaeological remains, including former seats of power, tell a vivid story of resilience.
11:00 AM: Coffee Break in an Old French Villa
I found refuge in an old French villa on Chan Cam Street at Loading T Café. I ordered a cinnamon-roasted coffee, accompanied by homemade yogurt with coconut and banana. Inside, antique tiled floors, stray cats, and soft French music created a peaceful atmosphere - a true haven for a weekend in Hanoi. Just next door, I visited Hien Van Ceramics to admire local pottery, then crossed the street for a cappuccino at Blackbird, a modern, minimalist café.
12:30 PM: Hanoi Vespa Food Tour
At 12:30 PM, I joined a culinary Vespa tour with Vespa Adventures - an unmissable stop in any 36-hour Hanoi itinerary! Riding a classic Vespa driven by a local guide, I weaved through bustling streets. We tasted bún chả (grilled pork with noodles), crispy bánh mì, and bò bía ngọt (sweet crepes). Along the way, we passed the Opera House, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the Presidential Palace. The adrenaline surged as we rode along Train Street, where railway tracks cut through residential neighborhoods. For the more adventurous, rent a motorbike from Flamingo Travel and cross Long Bien Bridge at sunset - a breathtaking view over the Red River, with young locals gathering along the way.
6:00 PM: Gourmet Dinner
In the evening, I dined at Cha Ca Thang Long, considered one of the best restaurants in Hanoi, located in a luxurious villa on Duong Thanh Street. I enjoyed traditional Hanoi specialties such as grilled fish cakes and fresh salads. Alternatively, Chapter on Chan Cam Street offers a 12-course tasting menu featuring ingredients from northern Vietnam - a true feast for the senses.
8:00–9:00 PM: Jazz and Cocktails
What to do in Hanoi at night ? Around 8:00 PM, it was time for jazz. At Long Waits, an intimate bar with a balcony overlooking the stage, I listened to live performances while sipping a cocktail. The cozy ambiance, with chic wood and dim lighting, was perfect. Other options like Hanoi Rock City for rock concerts or Savage for late-night techno extend the evening well into the night.
9:00 AM: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
What to do and see in 36 hours in Hanoi ? For this final day, I headed to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Inside, the costumes and artifacts of the country’s 54 ethnic groups are striking in their beauty and complexity. But it is outdoors, strolling among full-scale communal houses - the imposing 19-meter-high Bahnar house, the 42-meter-long Êđê longhouse - that everything truly comes to life. You can step inside, touch the wood, and imagine communal life. It was a deep immersion, perfect for spending 36 hours in Hanoi with a strong cultural focus.
11:00 AM: Walk Around Truc Bach Lake
At 11:00 AM, I took a stroll around Truc Bach Lake, a neighborhood in full transformation. Once lined with street food stalls, it is now bordered by trendy cafés. I tried phở rolls at Chinh Thang, a Western-style brunch at Ma Xo, and a craft beer at Standing Bar. An old tramway on display, filled with nostalgic artifacts, added a vintage touch. For the evening, Lang Thang would have been perfect for cocktails.
1:00 PM: Souvenir Shopping
In the afternoon, at Kilomet 109 in Tay Ho, I bought naturally dyed clothing such as indigo jackets crafted by local artisans. Zo Project offered notebooks made from traditional dó paper, while TiredCity sold T-shirts featuring works by Vietnamese artists. Finally, Maison Marou provided a modern chocolate experience.
3:00 PM: Modern Art at Manzi Art Space
My final stop at 3:00 PM was contemporary art at Manzi Art Space, housed in yet another beautiful villa. After a coffee on the ground floor, I went upstairs. The artworks - often political and always powerful - by young Vietnamese artists gave me much to reflect on. A fitting artistic ending to my 36-hour Hanoi travel itinerary.
36 hours in Hanoi is an intense journey, lived at a brisk pace, yet one that leaves a lasting impression. More than a simple checklist of things to see, it is a true immersion into the rhythm of the city, balancing moments of calm with constant bustle, the legacy of the past with the energy of the present. You leave with your senses awakened and a strong desire to return and explore what was only briefly touched upon. Over the course of a weekend, Hanoi never fully reveals itself - it suggests, intrigues, and offers just enough clues to make you want to continue the adventure, perhaps with a Vietnam travel agency like Autour Asia, to uncover all of its hidden facets.
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