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While it may take months for us to love someone, Hanoi can win your heart within three days. Let’s explore this 3 day itinerary Hanoi featuring various suggestions for a detailed travel plan, cuisine, and top tourist destinations.
Essential Information to know for 3 day itinerary Hanoi
You may have seen many travel videos about Vietnam and Hanoi; however, these short clips often fail to cover everything you need to know and prepare before arrival. The following tips are designed to help you avoid scams, common mistakes, and have a perfect 3 day itinerary Hanoi as your journey to Hanoi begins.
Visa & Travel Insurance
Getting a 90-day e-visa
From August 15, 2023, Vietnam grants 90-day e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories which are valid for multiple entries. Additionally, citizens from 13 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus) enjoying unilateral visa exemptions can stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days. Ensure that you allow enough time for visa approval before your arrival.
When you arrive Noi Bai International Airport, you will be required to complete immigration procedures. While usually straightforward, this process can be time-consuming if you travel during peak seasons.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Vietnam E-visa
Travel Insurance
According to the Australian Embassy in Vietnam website, it is highly recommended that you secure comprehensive travel and medical insurance before arriving in Vietnam. Many insurance companies offer a package that ensures they have appropriate medical insurance to cover them whilst travelling in Vietnam. You can check the following links for travel insurance in Vietnam:
- Bao Viet Insurance: Offers Travel Care for international visitors with up to 3 billion Vietnam dong (nearly 115,000 USD) in medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation. This insurance is also recommended by many travel agents.
- Chubb Insurance Vietnam: Provides the Worldwide Travel Protection Plan, covering medical expenses, trip cancellation, and lost luggage, with 24/7 assistance which value ranging from 1.05 billion to 2.52 billion Vietnam Dong (nearly 95,000 USD).
- PVI Insurance: Known for comprehensive travel coverage up to 2 billion Vietnam dong (nearly 76,000 USD) for foreign nationals visiting or living in Vietnam including 24/7 support.
Best Time to Travel in Hanoi
Unlike Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi has four distinct seasons, and autumn will start from August to October. You will surely fall for the cool air, fresh winds, and scenic landscapes of the Old Quarter. April and October are the best months of the year to travel in Hanoi because of the ideal weather. Although the weather can change unpredictably, Hanoi these days is perfect for wandering around on foot and enjoying local street food as well.
You can find more useful information about the best time to travel to Vietnam here before starting with a 3-day itinerary Hanoi.
Essential Apps
For navigation, Google Maps is highly recommended when traveling to major Vietnamese cities. It is accurate enough for you to discover Hanoi’s most crowded and narrow streets. Additionally, you can find many excellent hotels and restaurants through Google reviews. Apple Maps may not be as concise as Google’s.
For transportation, Grab and Green SM are the most popular apps with clear fares for any traveller to use. Recently, Grab also updated their app with English-speaking drivers for international travellers to easily communicate during their trip. If you already have Grab on your phone, it will automatically roam once you arrive in Vietnam.
Regarding finances, like many other countries in Asia, some local shops will prefer to receive cash or a direct bank transfer. If you are a foreigner, make sure that you prepare some cash before travelling. You can exchange money at the airport, currency exchange shops, or local banks; however, be careful because carrying large amounts of cash while traveling can be risky. I recommend adding your Visa or Mastercard to your phone, as many restaurants and hotels in Hanoi now accept these cards.
You can also use digital remittance apps such as Remitly, Wise, Smiles, Western Union, and MoneyGram to transfer money directly when making purchases.
Packing Essentials for Hanoi
- E-SIM: You can purchase an E-SIM on Klook with data usage for your entire trip. This is particularly useful when walking around the city and using Google Maps or Google Translate to communicate.
- Portable Fan: Even in autumn, Hanoi can be too hot to handle. A portable fan can provide significant relief.
- Umbrella: Because Hanoi’s weather is changeable throughout the day, carrying an umbrella is necessary.
- Dress Code: Since Hanoi combines rich history with a fast-paced lifestyle, it is convenient to pack modest clothing for visiting ancient pagodas or the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Palace.
- Driving License: Vietnam accepts International Driving Permits (IDP) and ASEAN driving licenses. This is helpful if you wish to hire a car or motorbike, especially for a longer stay.
Don’t forget to include these items in your 3-day itinerary Hanoi.
3 day itinerary Hanoi: From Stranger to Lover
Hanoi reveals many different versions of itself through its various slices of life. Let’s discover them in the following 3 day itinerary Hanoi. This journey will not aim to check in as many destinations as you can, but will let you gradually immerse yourself in Hanoi’s daily life.
Day 1: Discover a vibrant and lively Hanoi
Get started with the journey to explore Hanoi by visiting lively local markets. Hanoi has Dong Xuan Market, a central market which is well known for its diversity of goods. Besides, there are a lot of small local markets around Hanoi where you can find much more unique and iconic local food. These small local markets are usually located in hidden neighborhoods or narrow alleys.
For the first lunch in Hanoi, nothing is better than Bun Cha, which is a traditional cuisine with a mix of fresh vegetables, crispy fried spring rolls, rice noodles, and special fish sauce. Enjoying Bun Cha is a culinary experience that you should not skip in your journey to Hanoi.
After being “fueled” by delicious food, let’s discover Hanoi’s cultural diversity through the artisans’ lens. There are many craft villages around Hanoi, such as Chuong Village – Non la craft village, Do paper village, and Quang Phu Cau Incense village. Visiting these craft villages brings you a lot of surprises with hidden artisan workshops and inspiration from the local creative spaces. This is such a great opportunity for you to make a souvenir, such as a Non la (conical hat) or paintings on Do paper, to bring home.
When the sun goes down, walk around West Lake and try herbal tea. It is the time you can feel the inner peace by slowing down your steps and watching the vehicles running busily on the street. In the evening, Hanoi is much more lively with diverse night activities. Travellers can wander around the city and enjoy street food and the night market.
Day 2: The charm of Hanoi
Walking around Hanoi and most of the big cities in Vietnam, you can see a lot of lacquer souvenirs. Are you curious how local people make these art pieces? Hanoi has some unique lacquer workshops that you can join and explore Hanoi’s artistic side by listening to the artisan’s sharing. Under the guidance of artists, guests will engage in a hands-on experience, exploring traditional lacquer techniques when making lacquer keychains, dishes, or other amazing souvenirs. That’s how you can connect with Hanoi’s artisan heritage.
Next, you can visit a 100-year-old restaurant in Hanoi where you can try La Vong grilled fish, Crab spring rolls, and many other traditional dishes. Culinary experience in Hanoi is distinctive because of its delicate way of combining many ingredients and balancing their tastes.
One of the most popular spots that many travellers want to visit in Hanoi is Hanoi Train Street. The atmosphere in Hanoi Train Street, its narrow space and hustle and noisy life can make you feel more excited, especially when the train passes by and blows its horn. Don’t forget to have a cup of lemon tea and “banh com” – a traditional snack in Hanoi. Check the timetable with locals and arrive early to secure a seat at a cafe. It is vital to follow all safety instructions from locals and owners when the train approaches.
At the end of the day, get on a ride to explore meals around the street. Different from Western life, Vietnam has remarkably bustling night markets for both travellers and local people to enjoy food and drinks. Vibrant stalls and local flavors are waiting for you to explore after dark.
Day 3: The ancient soul of Hanoi on the last day of the 3-day itinerary Hanoi
Hanoi has more than 1,000 years of history, but it is not the oldest citadel of Vietnam. The oldest capital is Co Loa Citadel which is located 15 km away from the center of Hanoi. Co Loa Citadel has 2000 years of history, which is now recorded with historical traits as the remaining three walls of the citadel, ancient gates, and a sacred temple. The most visited destination in Co Loa Citadel is An Duong Vuong Temple, where worship the first king who built this place. The calm atmosphere makes you feel the peace of the ancient soul of Co Loa.
Besides visiting the ancient citadel, you can explore the community life around this historical site. Mach Trang Village is a craft artisan village where produce delicate rice noodles. It is ideal for you to try local food with delicious rice noodles at this place. If you still have time for exploration, consider visiting Bat Trang Pottery Village, where you can have a hands-on experience of making pottery products and learn about one of the most popular and large pottery factories in Vietnam.
Unleash Your Creativity with 3 day itinerary Hanoi
My 3 day itinerary Hanoi is based on my travel experience which may not fit with your travel style or time budget. There are many interesting things to do in Hanoi that may be missed, such as cafe hopping, visiting other craft villages, etc. If you want to travel in Hanoi or have another version of “3 day itinerary Hanoi”, read this amazing blog – “Unusual things to do in Hanoi”.
If you are still feeling a bit lost in planning your perfect 3 day itinerary Hanoi Jackfruit Adventure has already done the heavy lifting for you. We have meticulously crafted a comprehensive 3 day itinerary Hanoi that balances Hanoi’s vibrant street life with its serene, ancient soul.
From navigating the bustling local markets and tasting authentic Bun Cha to exploring hidden craft villages like Co Loa and Bat Trang, our guide ensures you experience the very best of the capital without the stress of over-planning. All you need to do is pack your bags and get ready to fall in love with the charm of Hanoi!
