8 Unique Things to Do in Hanoi: Local & Offbeat Experiences

Hanoi is Vietnam's capital city, full of motorbikes, narrow lanes, and sizzling street-side pans. Most first-timers head straight for the Old Quarter, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and a water puppet show at Thăng Long Theatre, and they're worth your time.

But if you've done those before, or you want a side of the city that's closer to daily life, this guide covers unique things to do in Hanoi that take you past the busiest tourist hubs. You'll cycle around the lakes, walk through a farm island under a railway bridge, follow a Guinness-recognised ceramic mural, or book an evening tour at Hoa Lo Prison.

Whether it's your second visit or your fifth, there's plenty here you won't have seen before.

If you want a quieter side of Hanoi, explore it on two wheels and head for the lakes.

A full 17-kilometre lap of West Lake (Hồ Tây) takes you past lotus ponds, villas, and Trấn Quốc Pagoda along Thanh Niên Street. You can rent up a bike about a minute from the lake. There are no dedicated cycle lanes around the lake, so stay alert near junctions and avoid weekday rush hours.

On the way back, cross Thanh Niên Street into Trúc Bạch, a smaller lakeside neighbourhood in Ba Đình. Have lunch at Phở Cuốn Chính Thắng, a MICHELIN Guide selected restaurant known for phở cuốn, cold rice rolls filled with beef and herbs. Nearby, you can browse Châu Long, a working wet market, or pedal around the lake in swan-shaped boats.

• Bike rental: Hanoi Bikes, 19 Ngõ 282 Lạc Long Quân, Bưởi, Tây Hồ.
• Key stops: Phở Cuốn Chính Thắng (7 Mạc Đĩnh Chi, Trúc Bạch) for Vietnamese meals or Châu Long Market (Châu Long Street).
• Best time: Early morning or late afternoon, avoid weekday rush hours (7am–9am, 5pm–7pm). Allow a half day bike ride.
• Cost: Bike rental only, no entry fee.
• Nearest Mercure: 25-minute walk or a short Grab ride from both Grand Mercure Hanoi and Mercure Hanoi La Gare toTrúc Bạch and around.

Few visitors realise there's a working farm island in the middle of the Red River, right beneath Long Biên Bridge. It's one of the few places in Hanoi where you can see a glimpse into rural Vietnamese life, with the city skyline sitting just across the water.

To reach Banana Island (Bãi Giữa), walk or cycle onto Long Biên Bridge from the Old Quarter side. About halfway across, a narrow staircase leads down to the island. Scooter riders can use lane 76 on An Dương Street instead. From there, you're walking dirt paths between banana trees, vegetable patches, and small farming homes.

This is a working farm, so there's no set route. Stick to the paths and avoid stepping on crops.

• Address/ access: Bãi Giữa Sông Hồng (Banana Island), via staircase on Long Biên Bridge or lane 76, An Dương Street.
• Best time: Daylight hours only; skip it after rain when paths get muddy. Allow 1-2 hours visit.
• Cost: Free, no ticket required.
• What to bring: Water, sun protection, and mosquito repellent, especially in the late afternoon when mosquitoes are worse.
• Nearest Mercure: About 15 minutes by Grab from Mercure Hanoi La Gare to Long Biên bridge.

Ceramics have shaped Hanoi for centuries, and you can trace that story from a record-breaking public artwork to the village that still makes it.

Walk along the Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural

The Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural (Con đường gốm sứ) stretches along the Red River dyke wall, with a Guinness-recognised section running about four kilometres.

The mosaics depict scenes from Vietnamese history, folk life, and children's drawings, all made from ceramic tesserae produced in Bát Tràng village. You can walk sections of it along Trần Nhật Duật, Yên Phụ, and Âu Cơ streets.

• Location: Along Trần Khánh Dư, Trần Quang Khải, Trần Nhật Duật, Yên Phụ, Nghi Tàm, and Âu Cơ streets, ending near Long Biên Bridge.
• Best time: Early morning for softer light and less traffic.
• Cost: Free, outdoor public art.

Continue to Bát Tràng pottery village

The tiles were made in Bát Tràng, a pottery village about 14 kilometres east of the city in Gia Lâm district. The village has been producing ceramics for more than 700 years, and it's still a working community today.

What to do in Bát Tràng:

• Join a pottery-making workshop (from around 10,000 VND).
• Browse the ceramic market for tableware, tea sets, and decorative pieces.
• Visit the Bát Tràng Museum of Viet Soul Art (free).
• Try local snacks like bánh sắn nướng and bánh khoai nướng.

Good to know:

• Address: Bát Tràng commune, Gia Lâm district, on the bank of the Red River.
• How to get there: Bus 47 from Long Biên transfer station (about 30 minutes), or Grab car.
• Best time: Allow a half-day; combine with the mural walk in the morning.
• Cost: Free for the village; pay separately for workshops and food.
• Travel tip: Wear clothes you don't mind getting clay on if you're joining a workshop. Cash is useful at the market stalls.

During the day, the Hoa Lo Prison Relic is a museum you can walk through in under an hour. At night, it hosts the Sacred Night tour, which uses sound, lighting, and individual headphones to guide you through cell blocks, escape tunnels, solitary confinement rooms, and a memorial space. The tour ends with an incense offering and tea in the prison courtyard.

Tickets sell out regularly, especially on weekends, so book ahead rather than turning up on the night. Wear modest clothing out of respect for the site.

• Address: 1 Hỏa Lò Street, Hoàn Kiếm.
• Schedule: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7pm.
• Duration: Around 90 minutes.
• Day museum entry: 50,000 VND per person.
• Night tour: Pricing varies by programme, check before booking.
• Book by phone: +84 825 112 668 or +84 822 446 116.
• Book online: Hoa Lo Prison official Facebook page.
• Arrive: At least 30 minutes before the tour starts.
• Nearest Mercure: Mercure Hanoi La Gare is a 10-minute walk.

At KOTO, the people serving your lunch are hospitality trainees from disadvantaged backgrounds, and your bill helps fund their training. The restaurant is across from the Temple of Literature, and it's been running since 1999.

The menu covers Vietnamese classics like bún chả, fresh spring rolls, and bánh xèo, alongside lunch sets, and Western dishes. Trainees rotate through service and kitchen roles as part of a two-year programme, and proceeds go back into their training. Book a table directly through KOTO's website if you want a weekend dinner slot.

• Address: 59 Văn Miếu Street, Đống Đa, Hà Nội.
• How to book: Through KOTO's official website.
• Best for: Travellers who want a sit-down meal with a purpose, especially after the Văn Miếu night tour nearby.

Hanoi's food culture lives in alleyways and family-run stalls, and a guided tour is the easiest way to find them. Book one for your first or second evening so you can revisit your favourites later in the trip.

Dishes you're likely to try on a Hanoi food tour:

• Bún chả (grilled pork with rice noodles and dipping broth).
• Phở bò (beef pho).
• Bún ốc (snail noodle soup).
• Bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls, often made fresh in front of you).
• Nem rán (fried spring rolls).
• Egg coffee (cà phê trứng).

What to look for in a tour:

• A licensed local guide who handles food allergies and dietary requests in advance.
• Walking or motorbike pillion options to suit your comfort level.
• At least one sit-down dish, not just snacks on the move.
• Clear pricing that covers all food and drink.

Train Street is a narrow residential lane in Hoàn Kiếm where the railway runs within arm's reach of front doors, café tables, and hanging laundry. You've probably seen it on Instagram or TikTok. In person, the train passes closer and louder than any video prepares you for.

Cafés line both sides and pull their chairs back when a train approaches, usually with a few minutes' warning. Order a Vietnamese egg coffee, stay behind the painted safety line, and follow the café staff's instructions.

• Address / district: Along Phùng Hưng between Trần Phú and Điện Biên Phủ, and the alley off 224 Lê Duẩn, Hoàn Kiếm.
• Cost: Free to visit. A café purchase is expected.
• Travel tip: Access has been restricted in the past, so check current rules before you go.
• Nearest Mercure: From Mercure Hanoi La Gare, the Lê Duẩn entrance is a 5-minute walk.

The murals along Phùng Hưng Street show old trams, street vendors, tube houses, and scenes from 20th-century Hanoi life. The 200-metre stretch was painted in 2017 through a collaboration between Vietnamese and South Korean artists, and it's a short walk from here to Long Biên Bridge if you're heading that way.

• Address: Phùng Hưng Street, Hoàn Kiếm, near the Old Quarter.
• Cost: Free, outdoor public art.
• Best time: Morning, before the pavement gets crowded.

For a base close to most of these experiences, Grand Mercure Hanoi in Đống Đa puts you within walking distance of the Temple of Literature, and KOTO Văn Miếu. Mercure Hanoi La Gare, opposite Hanoi Railway Station, is the closest stay to Train Street, Hoa Lo Prison, and the Phùng Hưng murals.

Book either property through ibis.com or the ALL app, and join the free ALL Accor loyalty programme to save up to 10% on direct bookings, plus earn Reward points on eligible stays.

What's the best time of year to visit Hanoi?

October to April is generally the best time to visit Hanoi, Northern Vietnam, with cooler temperatures and lower humidity. These months are more comfortable for walking, cycling around West Lake, and visiting outdoor attractions. June to August is hotter and more humid, which can make long days outside less enjoyable.

Is Hanoi safe for solo travellers?

Hanoi is generally safe for solo travellers, including women, with petty theft the main concern. Keep your phone secure on busy pavements, use Grab for late-night transport, and stick to well-lit streets when walking at night, especially after evening tours.

How do you get around Hanoi?

Getting around Hanoi is easiest with ride-share apps like Grab or by using the public bus system. Grab offers cars and motorbike taxis and works in English. Walking suits areas like the Old Quarter, while bicycles are best around the lakes. For longer distances, a Grab car or bus is the most practical option.

Are the Hanoi attractions in this guide family-friendly?

Many Hanoi attractions are family-friendly, though some suit older children better. The West Lake cycle loop and Bát Tràng pottery workshops are good options, while Train Street and the ceramic mural require closer supervision due to nearby traffic. For more ideas, explore additional family friendly activities to do in Hanoi.

Where can I try egg coffee in Hanoi?

Egg coffee is widely available across Hanoi, especially in the Old Quarter and Hoàn Kiếm. Well-known cafés include Café Giảng, Café Đinh, and Loading T, but many smaller local cafés also serve it. You’ll find it on most café menus, so it’s easy to try without planning ahead.

What are the best non-touristy markets in Hanoi?

The best non-touristy markets in Hanoi are the early morning Quang An Flower Market and the Long Bien Market. However, you will have to visit these bustling wholesale markets at 3am and 4am respectively to see them at their peak. When it comes to unique things to do in Hanoi, these two markets are must-visits.