OLD STREETS TO OPEN WATER
Hanoi 3 consecutive nights,
Ha Long Bay one day.
For 4 days and 3 nights, it is more stable to stay at Hoan Kiem rather than moving to Halong. The round trip on the third day is long, but you don't have to pack, and you can leave the first two days and the final morning in Hanoi intact. In Halong, I chose the 6-hour cruise on Route 2, which connects Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, and Ti Top Island, rather than the shorter 4-hour course.
3 NIGHTS · 4 DAYS
Schedule to follow
From the airport to the old town, a walk around the lake is enough for your first day.
- 0113:00–15:00 Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, enter the country, and secure baggage for 60–90 minutes.
- 02Airport → Hoan Kiem Accommodation Approximately 45–60 minutes by car · App Taxi approximately VND 300,000–450,000
- 03After check-in, take a walk around the old town alleys and Hoan Kiem Lake.
- 0417:30 Pho dinner at Per10 Li Quox
- 05Thang Long Water Puppet Show 50 minutes before and after 19:00 · VND 100,000–200,000 per seat, check the performance in advance
Starting from the Temple of Literature, we connect Hanoi's history with the dining table.
- 0107:30 Breakfast → 08:00 Entry to Temple of Literature and Gukjagam · Adult VND 70,000
- 0210:00 Approximately 10 minutes drive to Hoa Lo camp · Tour 60–90 minutes
- 0311:45 Arrive at Bun Tra Huong Lien before lunch/lunch peak
- 0414:00 St. Joseph’s Cathedral → Cafe → Walk to the French Quarter east of Hoan Kiem
- 0517:30 Early dinner at Chakathanglong
- 06In the evening, take a leisurely stroll through the weekend pedestrian streets or the old town.
Ha Long Bay allows you to spend more time on the boat than on the move.
- 0106:30 Breakfast → 07:30–08:30 Hotel pickup in Old Town
- 02Hanoi → Ha Long International Passenger Port/Tuan Chau approximately 2 hours 30 minutes – 3 hours, including rest area
- 03Boarding around noon, route 2, approximately 6 hours including lunch, recommended
- 04The general order is Sung Sot Cave → Luon Cave boat/kayak → Ti Top Island.
- 05Check whether Ha Long Bay route 2 official entrance fee of VND 250,000 is included
- 06Disembark around 18:00 → Return to Hanoi accommodation at 20:30–21:30
We stay in the old town until the last morning without moving any luggage.
- 0107:00 Breakfast → 08:00 Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake before it gets crowded.
- 0209:00 Dong Xuan Market and Feng Heung Mural Street or cafe
- 0310:30 Early lunch at Banh Mi 25 or takeout for the airport
- 0412:00 Check-out · Pick up luggage from hotel storage
- 05Target arrival at the airport 3 hours before flight departure · Add 30 minutes of traffic on weekdays
EAT ALONG THE ROUTE
From fur to bunjja,
Even chakka and banh mi.
Prices and opening hours are approximate as of confirmation in September 2026. To avoid confusion over closures, material shortages, or branches, please re-check the linked official/Michelin information and address immediately before departure.
DAY 1 · Dinner
Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su
- movement line
- North of St. Joseph's Cathedral · Approximately 10 minutes' walk from Hoan Kiem Lake
- menu
- Purbo Tai·Jin, Beef Rice Noodles, Kkwai
- budget
- Approximately VND 70,000–120,000 per person
- sales
- Normally 06:00–22:00 · Confirm operation on the day
The menu is simple, making it a quick first meal on the day of arrival. Save the address 10 Lý Quốc Sư as there are several branches with the same name on red signs.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 2 · Lunch
Buncha Huong Lien
- movement line
- Approximately 8–12 minutes' drive from Hoa Lo camp
- menu
- Charcoal-grilled pork bun cha, Nem seafood, noodles and herbs
- budget
- Approximately VND 60,000–150,000 per person
- sales
- Normally 08:00–20:30 · Check for congestion and material exhaustion
It is known for President Obama's visit, but the key is the charcoal scent. Instead of pouring the noodles all at once, soak them in the meat broth little by little.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 2 · Dinner
Cha Ca Thang Long
- movement line
- West of the old town, Duong Thanh Street and St. Joseph's Cathedral, about 8–12 minutes on foot
- menu
- Grilled fish with turmeric, dill, green onion, rice noodles, peanuts
- budget
- Approximately VND 170,000–350,000 per person
- sales
- Normally 10:30–21:30 · Check availability in the evening
Fish and dill are cooked in a table pan and eaten with noodles. The direction of taste is different from Buncha, so there is less overlap even if you put it on the same day.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 4 · Early lunch
Banh Mi 25
- movement line
- South of Dong Xuan Market, Hang Ca Street, walking distance to hotels in the old town
- menu
- Pork/pate banh mi, chicken banh mi, vegetarian banh mi
- budget
- Approximately VND 45,000–100,000 per person
- sales
- Official Information 07:00–21:00 · Check the latest announcements
Great for a quick meal or take-out before heading to the airport. There have been cases where the map's closure notation was displayed incorrectly, so please use the 25 Hàng Cá address on the official site as a guide.
Check the latest information ↗THE SIX-HOUR ROUTE
Ha Long Bay
Pick your boat first.
Before looking at the price, look at the port of embarkation, actual sailing time, and whether the official entry fee for Route 2 is included. Products around 6 hours are likely to enter Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island, but the order and port of call may change depending on weather and port control.
The official management committee advises to avoid soliciting customers outside the port and to use approved counters and vessels. Please check before payment whether kayaking/boating, lunch, drinks, round-trip limousine, and entrance fees are included.
BOOKING CHECK
than cheaper products
What you include is important.
A realistic one-day cruise including round trip to Hanoi, lunch, and entrance fee to route 2 is approximately VND 1,000,000–2,500,000 per person. Lower prices that include departure only may include separate vehicle and admission tickets. Be sure to capture your pickup address and return time on the final reservation screen.
WHERE TO STAY
luxury two,
Two cost-effective.
Recommendation Conclusion
Capella is the hotel's strong experience, Metropole is its history and classicism. Tirant is better for practicality in the middle of the old town, and La Siesta is better for quiet service and spa. Please check the Halong tour pickup range from any location before booking.
Capella Hanoi
Behind the Opera House · Approximately 5-8 minutes walk southeast of Hoan Kiem Lake
- price
- Double occupancy approx. VND 12,000,000–25,000,000+ / night
- breakfast
- Benefits include champagne a la carte breakfast for 2 people · Check reservation plan
- Dinner
- Backstage·Hibana by Koki·Diva’s Lounge·Room Dining
- parking
- Check valet/vehicle storage conditions with the hotel before booking.
- Advantages
- Strong design of 47 rooms, indoor swimming pool, and walking route in the French Quarter
- Cons
- Very expensive and requires a 15–20 minute walk to the main alleys of the old town
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
French Quarter · About 5 minutes on foot south of Hoan Kiem Lake
- price
- Double occupancy approx. VND 7,500,000–16,000,000+ / night
- breakfast
- Included in each buffet and room plan, some club benefits excluded
- Dinner
- Le Beaulieu·Spice Garden·Le Club·angelina, etc.
- parking
- Check hotel parking/valet availability and rates before booking
- Advantages
- Historicity of opening in 1901 and accessibility to garden, swimming pool, and opera house
- Cons
- There is a big difference in atmosphere between the Heritage Wing and the Opera Wing, and food and beverage prices are high.
Tirant Hotel Hanoi
Old Town, Gia Ngu Street, Hoan Kiem Lake, about 3-5 minutes walk
- price
- Double occupancy approx. VND 2,000,000–4,500,000 / night
- breakfast
- Tirant Restaurant Buffet · Check whether it is included in each plan
- Dinner
- Tirant Restaurant·Skyline Lounge·Room Service
- parking
- Due to the nature of the old town, do not expect dedicated parking, but inquire in advance.
- Advantages
- Close to the lake, beer street, and pick-up point, and has a rooftop swimming pool.
- Cons
- Lower grades have no windows or limited views and possible alley noise.
La Siesta Classic Ma May
Mamei Street, Old Town Night Market and Lake walking distance
- price
- Double occupancy approx. VND 2,200,000–4,800,000 / night
- breakfast
- Check buffet, a la carte breakfast, and room plans
- Dinner
- Red Bean Ma May Vietnamese Cuisine/Bar
- parking
- Because it is a crowded alley, check vehicle access and parking conditions with the hotel first.
- Advantages
- Quiet service and easy access to spa and Halong pick-up within the old town.
- Cons
- The basic rooms are small and have no windows, so be sure to check the room name.
Rate criteria · Approximate range of 2 people per room per night searchable in September 2026. Tax, breakfast, and cancellation conditions are based on the final payment screen.
BUDGET GUIDE
Estimated cost per person
This is the cost per person for a two-person trip and excludes flights and shopping. If you choose Capella, your lodging costs can go well beyond this range.
GOOD
Advantages of this schedule
- Check-in and baggage transfer limited to once for 3 consecutive nights in Hanoi
- Reduce duplicate travel by dividing the Old Town, French Quarter, and Temple of Literature by direction
- Securing Ha Long Bay as route 2, which is longer than the 4-hour course
CHECK
Things to know
- A round trip to Halong takes 12-14 hours including travel and is physically demanding.
- Cruise may be changed or canceled in case of storm, fog, or port control.
- Old town sidewalks and roads are congested, increasing travel time even for short distances.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Please check again before departure.
Vietnam Tourism Office · Hanoi transportation and travel information ↗Munmyo Shrine/Gukjagam Official · Operating Hours · Admission Fee ↗Ha Long Bay Management Committee · Official entrance fee by route ↗Ha Long Bay Management Committee · Boarding precautions ↗Vietnam Airlines · Thang Long Water Puppet Theater Location/Price ↗Michelin Guide · Hanoi Reasonably Priced Restaurant ↗Times and prices are as of confirmation on September 7, 2026. For flights, performances, admission tickets, cruises and weather information, the official announcement of the date of travel is the final standard.
Photo source · Representative photo isRyan Le / Unsplash. Photo of the location is from Wikimedia Commons.Lake Hoan Kiem · Khoitran1957, CC BY-SA 4.0, Temple of Literature · Jakub Hałun, Sung Sot Cave · Richard Mortel, CC BY 2.0, Old Town · Maryam Laura Moazedi, CC BY-SA 3.0The data was resized and used. food photosfurboWowbanh miIncludes Commons licensed materials, etc., and the accommodation photos are from each hotel's official page or room introduction material.
English edition of our Korean guide. Times and prices retain the source review date; they are not live booking quotes. Check eligibility for visitor fares and plan international flights separately.