From the excellent coffee to the garbage trucks, Hanoi, Vietnam, lived up to the hype. I spent a week in Hanoi and loved it so much that I returned for a week after traveling to China and Laos. I came up with a list of unique, less-touristy, and somewhat controversial things to do in this amazing city.
Watch the Singing Garbage Trucks
Seriously. Only Hanoi could make taking out the trash fun. The garbage trucks, like the ice cream man, play a children’s song as they drive down the street. It encourages people to collect their trash and keep Vietnam clean.
Take a Food Tour
A food tour is my favorite thing to do when I arrive in a new city. I learn about the culture and local dishes, so I don’t look like a deer in the headlights at the night markets. My friend Mel and I recommend this tour. Our young tour guide, Chip, is a Hanoi native who loves food, and it showed.
Try a Salt Coffee
Coffee is a way of life in Hanoi. Stalls and cafes line the streets selling classic Vietnamese drip coffee, usually paired with condensed milk. Be sure to try unique variations like Coconut Coffee, Egg Coffee, and, my favorite, Salt Coffee. Salt coffee is coffee mixed with condensed milk and topped with a sweet, thick cream with a hint of salt.
Eat Street Food in a Little Plastic Red Chair
Food stalls and small restaurants line the streets of Hanoi. They are marked by small red plastic chairs and tables spilling onto the sidewalk. If you are looking for a specific restaurant or stall, you might be confused as all of them have similar but different names. A perfect example of the Southeast Asian phrase “Same Same but different.” I learned from Chip on our food tour that the best restaurants and stalls in Hanoi serve only one dish. The restaurant’s name is the name of the dish, followed by the owner’s name.
(Don’t) Visit The Note Coffee
I planned to recommend avoiding The Note Coffee because it was too touristy. But as my friend Jeff said, “Always go up when you can.” The Note Coffee has killer views. Get a cup of coffee, enojy the view and check out the poo review notes in the bathroom.
Pro Tip: Vietnamese children come to the store with their families to practice English. They might ask to read with you or have you help with their school lessons while their parents enjoy their coffee. It is not a scam.
Look for the Vietnam Tube Houses
Tall, narrow ‘tube houses’ as small as 6 feet wide and up to 12 floors tall line the streets of Hanoi. These houses are narrow and deep due to land taxes that are based on the width of the street. Each home has a unique architectural style.
Get a Hair Cut by a Hanoi Street Barber
I was at a park when I noticed two guys giving haircuts under a tree. They had an open briefcase hanging from the branches, complete with a mirror. This makeshift barber shop is a common sight on the streets of Hanoi, where you can get a haircut for as little as $1.00.
Visit a Speakeasy
I love speakeasies. The Haflington is a stark contrast to the chaotic, dirty streets of Hanoi in both style and price. They usually require reservations, but we went right in when they opened and were able to get two seats at the bar.
Visit a Less Touristy Train Street
If you have Googled Hanoi, the first picture that appears is of Train Street. The tracks lay mere inches away from homes and shops. Chip took us to a less crowded, lesser-known section of Train Street. Is it as close as it looks? It was closer. Only in Asia will they feed you beer and let you sit on a half-broken plastic chair while a huge train passes inches from your face. Order a beer and put the cap on the track for a souvenir.
Spend the Night in Sapa
Mel and I spent two days hiking through rice fields and small Hmong villages near Sapa. It is one of the few places where you can see Villagers still wearing their native dress, and not just for tourists. We took a sleeper bus from Hanoi. Beware of the happy water, a homemade rice wine that can lead to quite a hangover. We stayed in Sapa town, but it was very touristy. I would stay in Lao Chai for a more chill vibe. I recommend booking your transportation and trying to find a private tour versus a big group.
Visit Trompe-l’œil Murals of Hanoi
Cool street art that depicts scenes from Hanoi. Make sure you have the correct address if you are using a Grab. Mel and I ended up 30 minutes outside the city. We found a nice park and a carnival, but no murals.
Walk Along the Lake
Hồ Tây, or West Lake, is a freshwater lake with a pagoda in the middle. Take a walk along the water’s edge in the evening, where you can watch locals fishing, exercising, and enjoying a coffee in one of the waterside cafes.
Don’t Eat at Bahn Mi 25
It’s nothing personal, but Bahn Mi 25 isn’t that good. It became famous after popular YouTubers Kara and Nate ate there. Now, it is a tourist attraction that has expanded across the street and includes a hidden bar. The bar was cool, but the Bahn Mi 25 just isn’t as good as it probably once was.
Do Eat at Pizza 4P’s
I was actually told about 4P’s by a local. It is a famous pizza chain in Vietnam. I am a New York pizza girl. I have strong opinions about pizza. The pizza was delicious. I won’t judge you for having pizza in Vietnam.
Take Public Transportation
Vietnam and most of Asia use Grab as their ride-share app. Be adventurous and take the bus. Riding local transportation is a good way to immerse yourself in the city. Riding the bus in Hanoi is simple. I use Google Maps to plan the route. The bus stops are well-marked. If you see your bus, wave your arm so the driver knows to stop. A person will collect your money once you are aboard.
Have A Local Craft Beer
Hanoi has an up-and-coming brewery scene. Check out Hanoi Homebrew. They have multiple locations. Try the stout.
Hopefully, my post will inspire you to get off the beaten path and explore unique things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam. After Hanoi, I recommend taking the night bus further south in Vietnam or even to Laos.
