Hanoi in three days

3 days · 2 stops · North

Three days is enough to get under the skin of Hanoi if you base yourself in or near the Old Quarter and walk. Add a day trip to Bac Ninh for pagodas and folk-art villages that most visitors never see.

October and November are the most pleasant months; March and April are also good.

1. 1

   directionsFly into Noi Bai airport

   

   Days 1–3

   Hanoi

   2 nights

   Day 1: Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter and a street-food evening. Day 2: the Imperial Citadel, One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, then sunset on Long Bien Bridge.

2. 2

   directionsUnder an hour by car — a day trip from Hanoi

   

   Day 3 (day trip)

   Bac Ninh

   Day trip

   Dau Pagoda, Dinh Bang Communal House and Dong Ho woodblock-print village, back in Hanoi for dinner.