Day 1 — Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem lake
Hoan Kiem lake and Ngoc Son temple, the 36 streets of the Old Quarter, the famous Train Street (be careful) and an evening of street food.
Day 2 — History and culture
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and its complex, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo prison. In the evening, a water puppet show.
Day 3 — A trip: Halong Bay or Ninh Binh
A day trip (or an overnight) to Halong Bay and its karst peaks, or to Ninh Binh (Tam Coc, Trang An), the 'inland Halong Bay'.
The logic: group by zone
First put your places on a map to see the clusters. If you have a Google Maps favourites list, start by exporting it or pasting your list. With MyFavsMap, you visualise your Hanoi spots, filter by category and build your days the Old Quarter on foot, the rest by Grab — so you enjoy more and rush less.
Practical tips
- Old Quarter on foot: dense, lively, full of surprises.
- Train Street: respect the timetable and safety rules.
- Grab (car or bike) for longer journeys.
- Day trip: book Halong or Ninh Binh in advance.
- Crossing the street: move slowly and steadily.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Hanoi?
Three days: Old Quarter, historic sites, and a trip to Halong or Ninh Binh.
Should you visit Halong Bay from Hanoi?
Yes: it's the flagship trip, as a day tour or with a night aboard. Ninh Binh is a fine alternative, closer and less crowded.
How do you get around Hanoi?
The Old Quarter is walkable; for the rest, use Grab (car or motorbike taxi).