Hoan Kiem Lake and the surrounding Old Quarter are where Hanoi reveals itself most clearly. Here, life slows down. Old memories linger, while the capital city of Vietnam continues to move and evolve around them. Without travelling far or planning anything complicated, spending just a morning or an evening around the lake is enough to touch many layers of what makes Hanoi feel so distinct.
Below are experiences we recommend to explore the Hoan Kiem area in the most natural and complete way. And this list is one we know we will return to and update many times.
Walking around Hoan Kiem Lake – beautiful in both the morning and evening
Hoan Kiem Lake is not large. Walking slowly, it takes just over ten minutes to nearly complete a full loop. But precisely because it is short, the walk never feels tiring. Instead, it invites you to slow down and look more closely.
Along the lake, trees gently reflect on the water’s surface. Turtle Tower stands quietly in the middle of the lake, a silent witness to Hanoi’s changes over hundreds of years. Like many visitors, you may find yourself wondering: Why is that tower there? And how does anyone reach it?
Before leaving the lake, don’t forget to take a photo at the entrance of the Hà Nội Mới Newspaper building. It has become a familiar check-in spot, especially among young Vietnamese travellers – almost a small ritual to mark their presence in the capital.
Crossing The Huc Bridge and visiting Ngoc Son Temple
You don’t need to study history in advance. Simply crossing the curved red The Huc Bridge already brings a noticeable shift in atmosphere. As you step through the gate into Ngoc Son Temple, the noise of traffic gives way to quieter footsteps and moments of stillness.
The temple is not large, but it feels enclosed enough that visitors naturally lower their voices, slow their pace, and look around more carefully. Inside this centuries-old space, everything is kept understated: altars, calligraphy panels, soft lighting, and the faint scent of incense.
Many visitors pause longest at the preserved specimen of Cụ Rùa, the legendary turtle associated with Hoan Kiem Lake and Vietnam’s ancient kings. Standing there, it’s easy to feel as though multiple layers of time overlap in one place. It is a gentle experience, yet one that leaves Hanoi feeling deeper in your memory.
Sitting on stone benches along Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, watching the lake drift by
When you see the sign for Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, stop for a moment. Along this road are simple stone benches where many locals like to sit. There is nothing special to do here – just sit, look at the lake, watch people pass by, and listen to distant traffic.
This is one of the most “everyday” ways to feel Hanoi. Hold a cup of coffee in your hand, sit still, and you’ll begin to sense the city the way locals do.
Enjoying egg coffee on Nguyễn Hữu Huân or Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street
Egg coffee is an inseparable part of Hanoi’s identity. A glass of egg coffee can gently wake you up in the morning, or accompany a slow afternoon as the sunlight softens and the city eases into a quieter rhythm.
Egg coffee is considered a modern Vietnamese specialty, and Hanoi is where it is most celebrated. Twenty years ago, visiting Hanoi meant eating a bowl of “bún chả” and a bowl of phở. Today, that list would feel incomplete without adding a glass of egg coffee.
Getting a manicure or light foot massage around Hàng Bông – Hàng Trống
Few people realise that nail services in Vietnam are globally known for their affordability and skilled craftsmanship. Around the Hàng Bông – Hàng Trống area, you’ll find many small salons that are perfect for resting after long walks.
A quick manicure or a light foot massage helps the body relax – an ideal pause before continuing your itinerary or before heading to dinner.
Visiting St. Joseph’s Cathedral in the late afternoon or evening
St. Joseph’s Cathedral is one of Hanoi’s most recognisable landmarks. In the late afternoon or evening, the area becomes lively, with many cafés nearby and warm lights creating a scene where old and new coexist.
It is also one of the most photographed places in Hanoi. Many visitors find themselves asking: How does such a prominent Catholic cathedral exist in a city with a thousand-year history so closely tied to Buddhism? That question alone speaks to Hanoi’s layered cultural identity.
Ending the day with a meal in a French heritage house from the 1920s – Maison 1929
After walking around the lake and exploring the Old Quarter, a good meal in a heritage setting is the perfect way to complete the day. Maison 1929 is located in a French colonial house from the 1920s, at the corner of Cửa Đông and Hàng Gà streets.
Inside, the space is removed from the noise outside, yet close enough to still sense the living rhythm of the Old Quarter. Vietnamese dishes are carefully prepared, easy to enjoy, and suited for lingering conversations. Whether for lunch or dinner, dining while watching Hanoi’s streets drift slowly creates a feeling that is quietly unforgettable.
A Hanoi to walk through, to sit with, and to remember
Hoan Kiem Lake is not a place to “see just once.” It is a place to walk, to sit, to enjoy a slow meal, and to experience Hanoi in its gentlest form. With just one day around the lake, ending with a calm dinner, you can carry away memories that feel honest and deeply rooted in the city.
