7 Adventurous and Unique Things to Do in Hanoi

Hanoi is Vietnam's wonderfully chaotic capital city and it's just bursting with must-see tourist attractions.

Everyone should explore the historic Old Quarter, pay a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and see a water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre at least once.

But if you've done all these things before or you're craving a more local, off-the-beaten-path experience, this insider's guide to unique things to do in Hanoi has got you covered. 

Stray away from the tourist hubs of the Old Quarter and the French Quarter, and it won't take long for you to start getting a sense of what life is really like in Hanoi.

From street art and street food to non-touristy markets and authentic neighbourhoods, this local's guide will help you discover some of the best hidden gems and local secrets in Hanoi. 

Taking a food tour is a delicious way to get to know a new city. This is especially true in a foodie paradise like Hanoi. Take a tour at the beginning of your trip so you can use the tips and tricks you learn to eat your way through the city like a local. 

There are loads of generic food tours on offer in Hanoi. But if you're looking for something more curated, Tony from Tony Eats Hanoi offers excellent tours. As a native of Vietnam and long-time resident of Hanoi, Tony will lead you to hidden eateries, unassuming food stalls, and family-run restaurants that you would never find on your own. 

If you're dreaming of sinking your teeth into Hanoi's most famous dishes, take "The Timeless Classics" tour to try culinary delights like bun cha (grilled pork, noodles, and broth), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), and egg coffee. But for one of the most unique things to do in Hanoi, take Tony's "The Bold & The Curious" tour. This option takes you deeper into the local food culture with ten dishes ranging from hot vit lon (fertilised duck egg) to field snails to fermented shrimp paste noodles.  

Whichever option you choose, expect to be entertained and educated by Tony, who is as enthusiastic and charismatic as they come. 

Most tourists flock to Hanoi’s Old Quarter and French Quarter. But why not stray from the masses and explore the lesser-visited Truc Bach neighbourhood? 

Set on the tranquil Truc Bach Lake, this is one of the oldest areas in Hanoi, and it’s chock-full of history, charm, and chaos. If you're looking for unique things to do in Hanoi, you’ll want to visit Tran Quoc Temple, sip Vietnamese coffee at Tranquil Books & Coffee, try Truc Bach's famous pho cuon (pho noodle rolls) at Pho Cuon Chinh Thang, and get lost in Chau Long Market, to name a few experiences that will give you a glimpse of everyday life in Hanoi. 

There are an impressive number of social enterprises in Hanoi that focus on giving back to the community, but KOTO Van Mieu Restaurant is one of the first. This hidden gem has been helping at-risk youth to break the cycle of poverty since 2001. And the result is nothing short of inspiring. 

Each year, 150 disadvantaged young people have the chance to attend KOTO’s 12-month hospitality training program. Graduates have gone on to become chefs, managers, and entrepreneurs. So if you want to dine for a cause, pay a visit to KOTO Van Mieu Restaurant, which is conveniently located across the street from the Temple of Literature. 

When it comes to unique things to do in Hanoi, dining here is a very cool option. Everyone on staff is trained in the certified hospitality program. The food is top-notch and you can expect all the Vietnamese classics. From bun cha to spring rolls, everything is prepared with fresh local ingredients. Not only are you helping these trainees hone their craft, but the cost of each meal goes toward funding this life-changing social enterprise. 

While Train Street isn't exactly a hidden gem anymore, visiting this Insta-famous spot is still one of the most unique things to do in Hanoi. The word "street" is a misnomer because the narrow alley is actually lined with train tracks that run scarily close to residential buildings on both sides. But this is also what makes visiting this quirky attraction so adventurous and thrilling.  

Visit Train Street and you'll find all sorts of cute, lantern-draped cafes that have capitalised on the street's popularity. They all have tables set up on the edge of the train tracks to give visitors up-close views of the passing trains. Pick one at random and enjoy coffee or lunch while you wait for the next train to come chugging along.  

Safety is a big concern here. Be sure to follow the rules, which the cafe owners will tell you about, and always stay behind the safety line. When it comes to adventurous things to do in Hanoi, experiencing Train Street is one of the best. 

Street art isn't exactly legal in Hanoi, which is what makes seeing the expansive Phung Hung Street Murals another one of the most unique things to do in Hanoi. This initiative kicked off in 2017 as an effort to rejuvenate the neighbourhood while celebrating the history and culture of the community.  

As part of the project, Vietnamese and South Korean artists were commissioned to add their pieces onto a 200-metre stretch of wall on Phung Hung Street. Take a stroll down Phung Hung, and you'll see vivid depictions of historic landmarks, Vietnamese legends, local food vendors, everyday street scenes, and moments in history. Murals aside, you'll also spot funky 3D paintings, interactive games, art installations, and other cool hidden gems. 

Looking for adventurous things to do in Hanoi? Seek out the Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural (aka Hanoi Ceramic Road). Beginning near the Old Quarter, this unique art initiative stretches for four kilometres along the Red River dyke system. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this is actually the longest ceramic mosaic in the world. This public art project started in 2007 and took three years to complete. Another cool fact is that all the tiles were made by artists in the nearby Bat Trang Pottery Village. 

With its location along a busy stretch of highway, you'll have to contend with cars and motorbikes honking as they zip past you. Luckily, there are narrow sidewalks on both sides of the road, so you can safely admire the mosaics from up close and from a distance. From epic battles to rural life, the mosaics depict scenes from 6,000 years of regional history.  

One of the most unique ways to get a feel for life in Hanoi is to visit an authentic market. While there are many markets that cater almost exclusively to tourists, there are even more that are visited by locals every day. These are well worth seeking out if you're interested in a more authentic experience than you'll find in tourist hubs like Dong Xuan Market.  

For one of the most adventurous things to do in Hanoi, wake up early and visit Long Bien Market at 4 am. This is when the market is in full swing, with people energetically haggling over wholesale fruits, veggies, seafood, and meats. It's crowded, chaotic, and messy, but that is all part of the appeal. It's a unique place to get a look at what real life is like for Hanoians. 

Some hidden gems in Hanoi are the historic and lesser-visited Truc Bach neighbourhood, the authentically local Long Bien Market, and the colourful Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural. Take the time to explore outside of the touristy Old Quarter, and you’ll inevitably come across even more Hanoi hidden gems. 

Unusual dishes to eat in Hanoi range from oc (boiled or steamed snails) to hot vit lon (fertilised duck egg). Classic Hanoi dishes that may be considered unusual to tourists are pho (noodle soup), banh mi (baguette sandwich), bun cha (grilled pork, noodles, and broth), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), and egg coffee.  

If you're wondering where to try egg coffee in Hanoi, your best bet is to visit Cafe Giang, Loading T, Cafe Dinh, and Hanoi Egg Coffee. But you can find egg coffee in many cafes in Hanoi. 

If you want to see street art in Hanoi, you have a couple of options. While street art is generally prohibited in Hanoi, street art fans should check out the Phung Hung Street Murals and the Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Murals. 

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.  

Wondering where to stay in Hanoi? Mercure Hanoi la Gare is a solid four-star option. Located right next to the Hanoi Railway Station, you'll be within walking distance of top attractions like the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Train Street, as well as some of Hanoi's hidden gems, including the Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural and the KOTO Van Mieu Restaurant. 

The customer service is top-notch and the rooms are modern with crisp white linen, hardwood floors, flat-screen TVs, and rainshowers. There's an excellent buffet breakfast in the morning with impressively good Vietnamese coffee and pho. And if you've got any energy left after your day spent ticking off all the unique things to do in Hanoi, you can take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour gym for your daily workout.