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Having only 2 days in Hanoi and too many things to explore? Don’t worry, this guide will show you every must-try experience while riding a bicycle.
If you just have 2 days to stay in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, and wonder where to start your blueprint, as there are several interesting things you should not miss, I will give you some recommendations. You can have it all, from community activities and social connections to daily life experiences, from early morning until night.
2 Days in Hanoi: Workshops, Coffee, and More
Taking part in a cycling tour allows you to discover every corner like a local while training your physical strength and stamina. Especially for those concerned about sustainability, this is a perfect choice.
On your first day in Hanoi, I would like to suggest a guided bicycle tour with Jackfruit Adventure. Everyone will meet at 7:30 AM to start a 25-km tour running for about 9.5 hours, including breaks. The route is designed for beginner level, so no need to worry about getting tired or exhausted.
During 2 days in Hanoi, you can enjoy a peaceful and unforgettable journey to local artisan workshops, a fine cafeteria, favorite places of the locals, and more. Now, let’s hop on the bike and see what you will get from the tour.
1. The artisan workshop and city view in the morning
Hanoi is home to a range of craft villages with strong cultural imprints of pottery, silk, incense, “nón lá”, water puppet, rice flakes, Vietnamese sausage, and so on. We will take you on a picturesque ride to some of them to see their techniques, meet artisans, and learn about the community impact of their work.
In the early morning, immerse yourself in Hanoi’s pleasant weather and ancient beauty. The next experience promises to be an Instagrammable and unique moment.
2. Hands‑on crafting workshop: Sustainable Art Working
Weaving cloth or making pottery by yourself, why not? Under our skillful and friendly artisans’ guidance, you can absolutely make a complete handicraft product at a creative workshop. Back from the trip, you can be proud to show the item and surprise many after only 2 days in Hanoi.
3. Picnic and Café
It’s time for a break amidst a quiet garden coffee shop or riverside spot. Have some refreshments, connect with others, and reflect on the morning’s activities. Vietnamese milk or egg coffee is one of the top things to try. If you cannot handle caffeine, choose from various kinds of tea, smoothies, juice, or soda.
4. Daily life in Hanoi
Ride through nearby neighborhoods to see daily Hanoi life, traditional markets, street food stalls, and community spaces where residents hang out, work, and socialize. View the busy and nostalgic city, and don’t forget to take photos of it. There are a lot of French colonial remains interspersed with modern buildings.
Strolling through the markets over 2 days in Hanoi,, you might find some goods as souvenirs or gifts. Meanwhile, Hanoi’s cuisine is something no one can deny. If hungry, treat yourself to take-away dishes such as banh mi, banh gio (steamed rice cake), banh ran (Vietnamese donut), nem chua (fermented pork sausage), che (sweet soup), and more.
5. Cycle along West Lake
West Lake is among Hanoi’s most scenic and famous lakes. At the end of the day, ride your bicycle here to admire the colorful sunset and enjoy the comforting moments. After that, the tour ends with best wishes and lasting memories. Take your time for the rest of the first day, savor a tasty dinner, and get a good night’s sleep.
The Second Day in Hanoi: All the Experiences You Should Not Miss
1. A short ride on a bicycle
The tour mentioned above will last until the next day. We will cycle only 5km in about 3 hours. The tour itinerary is as follows.
- Visit the SOS Village Hanoi: Explore a peri-urban community supported by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) or cooperatives and learn how social initiatives improve the lives of children from disadvantaged backgrounds, orphans, and those who are homeless and have no one to rely on.
- Taste a traditional vegetarian meal: Share a wholesome meal prepared by a local social enterprise or cooperative. Enjoy authentic flavors while supporting community-focused initiatives. Vietnam is famed for growing and exporting a wide selection of fresh, delicious, and nutritious fruits and vegetables. A table served with vegetables and plants will help you cleanse your body and change your palate.
The tour includes a bicycle or e-motorbike if needed, a helmet, drinks, exotic fruits, accidental insurance, a tour leader, a support guide, a first aid kit, and ponchos. Spend $150/pax, and you will have one-of-a-kind experiences in 2 days in Hanoi.
2. Visit Hanoi Train Street
The well-known street is one of the unmissable hubs for international visitors. After many times being banned from business, the Hanoi Train Street is open again and welcomes guests to sip a cup of coffee while watching the train whiz past right in front of their eyes at close distance. This is such a thrilling and interesting activity in Hanoi.
3. Try Hanoi’s best foods and “bia hoi”
During 2 days in Hanoi, temporarily set aside the dishes from your hometown to enjoy authentic Hanoi dishes, such as pho, bun cha, bun dau mam tom, banh duc, banh cuon, etc. The prices are super affordable, starting only 40,000 VND (or $1.5). In addition, egg coffee and bia hoi (Hanoi beer) are the must-try refreshments.
The unique flavors will be something you can never forget. Many travelers have returned to Hanoi solely because of its cuisine.
4. Go to cultural and historic sites
Check the following attractions and choose the ones you most want to visit.
- The President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum: This is the burial place of Vietnam’s first President, Ho Chi Minh. The entrance fee is only 25,000 VND (approximately $1). Walk around the famous Ba Dinh Square for free.
- Hoan Kiem Lake: An icon that you cannot miss in your 2 days in Hanoi. Stroll or run around, sit still, and see the sights of a peaceful daily life.
- Ngoc Son Temple: Cross the iconic red wooden bridge at Hoan Kiem Lake, and you will reach Ngoc Son Temple. It costs 30,000 VND (about $1.1) per person.
- Temple of Literature: Vietnam’s first national university is a great place to stop by, featuring significant architecture and tranquil courtyards. The fee is 70,000 VND or about $2.6 for an adult.
- Hoa Lo Prison: Spend only $2, and you will have a chance to enter one of the best relics in Hanoi.
- The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: 100,000 VND (nearly $4) is the cost to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you ever come to its cultural and historic sites, keep in mind to wear modest clothing, covering your shoulders, back, chest, and knees.
5. Watch a water puppet show
Many tourists are impressed by the water puppet show after only 2 days in Hanoi. A water puppet show lasts approximately 45-60 minutes. It is a Vietnamese traditional art form that showcases our cultural values, rural life, and mythological creatures and legends.
You can book the ticket and watch the show at:
- Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre: The leading brand of Vietnamese puppetry art and the only theatre in Vietnam holding the record for “Performing water puppetry continuously 365 days a year” in Asia.
Address: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Price range: 100,000 – 200,000 VND ($4-8)
Duration: 50 minutes
Address: 361 Truong Chinh, Khuong Dinh, Hanoi
Price range: 150,000 VND
Duration: 50 minutes
Address: 16 Le Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Price range: 80,000 – 100,000 VND ($3-4)
Duration: 50 minutes
Two days do not have to feel rushed if you plan well. For a stress-free trip, I would recommend a guided tour. As you can see above, the “2 Days in Hanoi: Hanoi Community & Social Impact Cycling Tour” by Jackfruit Adventure can cover many special sides of Vietnam’s capital.
Read our blog to get more travel tips and essential information about Hanoi and how to uncover its secrets. Now, are you ready to get on a bicycle for a highly anticipated blueprint?
Discover Everything in Just 2 Days in Hanoi
