Hanoi: My Unexpected Urban Favorite in Vietnam

As someone who naturally gravitates toward countryside escapes, I didn’t expect to fall so deeply in love with a bustling capital city. But Hanoi completely charmed me. It was the first stop on our Vietnam adventure, and while I anticipated a fast-paced, perhaps overwhelming start, I found instead a city bursting with soul, style, and surprising serenity in its chaos (excluding the chaotic street crossing).

 Unlike Ho Chi Minh City, which feels more modern and commercial, Hanoi is a city steeped in personality. Its narrow, funny-shaped buildings painted in bright hues made every street feel like a work of art. For me, it was photography heaven—I couldn’t go more than a few steps without asking my partner for yet another selfie. Every corner was worthy of a frame.

We spent three nights total in Hanoi, and in hindsight, I wish we’d added a few more. It’s the kind of place that rewards slow exploration. Just wandering aimlessly down the winding alleys, listening to the buzz of motorbikes and the chatter of street vendors, was an experience. The city engages all your senses: the sizzle of street food, the scent of incense from hidden temples, the vibrant scenes playing out in every direction. We stayed at two wonderful hotels during our visit— Meritel Hanoi and The Oriental Jade. Both offered comfort and style, but The Oriental Jade’s rooftop pool was the highlight. Soaking in the view of the city skyline after a long day of walking was pure bliss. We really savored our charcuterie board, wine and Hanoi beer!

Of course, no trip to Hanoi is complete without indulging in the local food scene. One of our favorite bites? The Banh Mi—a delicious Vietnamese sandwich packed with flavor. We grabbed one whenever we could, usually at the end of day craving a quick bite, and it never disappointed. Beyond the beauty and food, Hanoi also carries a deep historical significance. As Vietnam’s capital for over a thousand years, it’s a city layered with stories. From its time as the seat of imperial dynasties to its pivotal role in modern history, the echoes of the past are everywhere—in the French colonial architecture, in the ancient temples, and in the resilience of its people. If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, don’t underestimate Hanoi. Even if you’re a countryside lover like me, you might just find that this colorful, charismatic city becomes one of your favorite stops too.

Accommodation Tip: Both our hotel choices, The Meritel and The Oriental Jade, were just a few blocks from the Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Cathedral and the Hanoi Old Quarter. To be very honest, this is the place to be, especially as a first timer. You can always hop on a taxi or better yet, “Grab” car/Motorbike to move between the different sites or walk on foot. Important tip! Hanoi boutique hotels are mostly in old style buildings where some rooms are front facing and many back or even with internal views to the corridor. If you want a room which is front facing to the street (and get some light in) make sure to choose a room with external view window. We picked the perfect view rooms in both hotels: The Meritel Suite & The Sapphire Old Quarter view room.

Excursions Tip: I will not list here all Hanoi has got to offer… it got plenty! But as promised in my blogs, here are my own personal favorites. To start with, grab your camera and just walk around. There is so much beauty in every corner. At some point make sure to check the “Train Street” timetable and come early to grab a strategic seat in one of the cafes close to the train tracks. We chose a really cool one named “Hanoi 1990’s Train Coffee”. It’s listed as a “must” attraction in Hanoi for a good reason. You do lose a heartbeat being that close to a moving train, but totally worth it. Another interesting experience was a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It is not allowed to take photos of the presented resting body of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh, but it will for sure stay in my memory for a while. Amazing to think the embalmed body is still preserved and protected by a military honour guard this way all these years. Note you need to check in advance opening hours- in our case it was only open until 11am and we just made it! I also loved the visit to the famous “Temple of Literature”. Well worth a walk through the beautiful temple structures. Many students pose for their graduation photos there and its fun to take part. Lastly, it might be a bit touristic, but we really enjoyed the “Water Puppet Show” which has performances multiple times a day. You can really see the effort the puppeteers and narrators are putting in to synchronize between them. You can also get a translation headset, but I recommend skipping it and just enjoy the show.

Gastronomy Tip: As mentioned, we loved the Banh Mi, the typical Vietnamese Sandwich. It’s basically a filled baguette with whatever meat you like and vegetables. I can specifically recommend two spots. One is a famously listed spot “Bahn Mi 25” and the other a super yummy corner spot walking distance from our hotel, Bahn Mi Pho. You may read also recommendations to visit “Beer street” for some late night drinks and bites but for me this was way too loud and you can easily find a much quieter and better quality food and drinks elsewhere in the city.