Hanoi Itinerary 7 Days

7 Days in Hanoi - Perfect 1 Week Guide

Presenting to you an eclectic mix of history, culture, sights, and food, Hanoi is credited to be one of the best budget places to travel all across the world, time and again. In the form of attractions, one has a wide array of museums, lakes, streets, cathedrals and a number of tourism-specific attractions to explore in Hanoi. Not to mention its proximity to one of Vietnam’s highlight the spectacular Halong Bay, that can be reached by seven different ways - helicopter, bike, car, train, shuttle buses, local coaches, and even a seaplane!

All this goodness can be best explored by efficiently spending 1 week in Hanoi, which brings to the next concern - where to stay in Hanoi? This colonial city is divided into numerous districts each fitting varied interests. By far, the quaint Hoàn Kiếm District has garnered a lot of tourist attention. Owing to the fact that Hanoi is mostly flocked by budget-travelers and backpackers, this district which is also the center of the city is home to budget places to stay in Hanoi, not to mention a vibrant cafe culture.

But before you embark on this sojourn make sure you meet all the norms and regulations of entering Vietnam. To get a visa approval you must possess the following:

1. A passport with six months’ validity

2. Blank passport pages

3. Other requirement eligibilities subject to your country

Finally, don’t forget your Travel Insurance!

And now coming to how to spend 7 days in Hanoi, here’s what an ideal plan must resemble.

What to see in Hanoi in 7 days?

Day 1 of Hanoi Itinerary 7 Days

Begin your first day in Hanoi by venturing some of the sights that introduce you to the city’s colonial heritage.

Morning: Hoan Kiem Lake, St Joseph's Cathedral

Afternoon: Vietnamese Women's Museum

Evening: West Lake

Night: Head to explore the night markets that also give you a glimpse into the eccentric food culture of Hanoi.

Day 2 of 7 Days in Hanoi

The second day beckons some more insights into the city’s culture and history and that is why you should visit the following:

Morning: Temple Of Literature And National University

Afternoon: Old Quarter

Evening: Leisure

Night: Hang Gai Street

Day 3 of Hanoi 7 days 6 nights

The third is a brilliant day to take the opportunity of visiting some of the museums among the plethora that Hanoi is home to.

Morning: Vietnam Military History Museum, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Afternoon: Arts Museum, Vietnam Museum Of Ethnology, Hoa Lo Prison

Evening: Leisure

Night: Leisure 

Day 4 in Hanoi

The fourth day in Hanoi is free for relaxation and leisure mostly. However, checking out the Ho Chi Minh’s Residence in the morning and then heading to for a fun evening at the Binh Minh Jazz can be a good idea.

Morning: Ho Chi Minh’s Residence

Evening: Binh Minh Jazz

Day 5 of a Hanoi holiday

On this day, ditch the attractions and dive deep into the experiences Hanoi has to offer. Downtown Saigon or downtown Hanoi proves to be a great place to take a cooking class, get a blissful massage and even embark on a walking tour.

Day 6 of your holiday in Hanoi

For those looking forward to exploring the lovely adjoining regions of Hanoi, taking a day trip to the tiny yet packed with serenity city of Ninh Bình can be befitting. There are a handful of worthy attractions here like the Phát Diệm Cathedral which is incidentally voted as one of the most beautiful churches in Vietnam. Apart from this Cuc Phuong National Park, Tam Cốc-Bích Động, Tràng An Scenic Complex, and the Bái Đính Pagoda are some of the most popular things to do in Ninh Bình before you return back to Hanoi.

Day 7 in Hanoi 

Before you leave Hanoi, make sure to take back some local sojourns. Spend your last day in Hanoi indulging in food and shopping! This can be a lovely balance of activities, as shopping in Hanoi is majorly characterized by streets. The Old Quarter of Hanoi is the best place for some retail therapy, given the presence of places like Hang Gai Street (Silk Street). If you happen to spend your last day in Hanoi on the weekend, you must check out the weekend market of Hanoi Weekend Night Market. Other popular places to shop in Hanoi include Dong Xuan Market, Lotte Center Hanoi, Trang Tien Plaza, Hang Bac Street, and the Nha Tho Street.