Take a stroll around Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake Night Market, one of the most colorful spots in town, shimmering with great street food, cute souvenirs, and engaging cultural encounters.
Top Best Things To Do in Hanoi at Night
Hanoi’s nightlife offers visitors a plethora of unique activities from cultural immersion to exciting entertainment.
Wander around Hanoi Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake
Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake are probably the two most famous places that any visitor would not miss, and they are even more beautiful at night. The Old Quarter offers an immense and confusing network of narrow, sinuous streets fully packed with shops, restaurants, and cafes. This is one area from where one can more or less amble around and soak in an atmosphere. Situated right in the center of the city, Hoan Kiem Lake is a beautiful lake and an ideal place to enjoy one’s self and behold the scenic beauty.
Explore Long Bien Bridge
Long Bien Bridge is the oldest in Hanoi and looks amazingly beautiful at night, with the headlight of moving vehicles and fine, wide views of the Red River. The following are some specific recommendations:
- Walk across the bridge: This is a magnificent way to view the city from above.
- Take a bike ride along the river: There are bicycle paths along it, and that way you will be able to see the city.
Drink Lemon Tea at a Corner of St. Joseph’s Cathedral
St. Joseph’s Cathedral: This beautiful Gothic Revival church is in the very center of Hanoi. It is one of the best places for you to sit, relax, and get a cup of lemon tea, which is a fever among young people in Hanoi. All around this cathedral are very many lemon tea shops so you will surely get one in your taste.
Chill at West Lake
West Lake is Hanoi’s biggest lake and very popular with the local people and tourists. It is surrounded by parks, restaurants, and cafés offering you relaxation and viewing the scenery.
See Hanoi from Above
One of the best views Hanoi will afford is from a rooftop bar, cafe, or restaurant. Many rooftop bars and cafes around town offer wonderful views over the city skyline. You can have a drink or meal with a view, which is definitely going to be great for relaxation after a whole day of touring around the city.
Explore nightlife at Long Bien Market
Long Bien Night Market is a wholesale market. The visit is itself a showpiece experience – from the market to the hustling of the traders. This market will give one a lot of insight into Vietnamese culture and what goes on in daily routines for all locals. Here are some specific recommendations:
- Visit the market at night: The market comes even more alive at night; it becomes so noisy and busy probably due to the fact that all the traders have come to sell their goods.
- Taste some of the different foods: The markets have many types of food, and there is no better place to experience and taste the local specialities.
- Bargain for goods: Traders in the market often leave room for bargaining, so there is nothing to be scared of when you try to bargain for a better price.
Visit the Quang Ba Night Flower Market
Quang Ba Flower Market is the most energetic and diversified flower market. It is an ideal destination to buy flowers for your beloved ones, or you can go there and see the beauty of each type of flower yourself. It is also good for taking pictures and enjoying the lively atmosphere here. Some specific recommendations are as follows:
- Visit early in the morning: The market is most busy during the morning period, as this is the time that the traders are bringing in their fresh flowers.
- Take pictures of the flowers: The flowers, which are available in the market, are really very beautiful, and it is simply an excellent place for picture taking.
- Send some flowers to someone you love: If you care about a person, then flowers will surely speak your heart out.
Watch a Water Puppet Show
Water puppetry is the traditional Vietnamese theater arts performed in a pool of water. The puppets are manipulated with the help of puppeteers standing behind a screen. Knowing that and being revered, Water Puppet shows are a great way for one to learn and explore Vietnamese culture and history. Here are some more specific recommendations:
- Watch a program at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater: This is one of the most popular theaters for water puppet shows in Hanoi.
- The history of water puppetry: An introduction to this is included briefly before each performance begins at the theater.
- Enjoy the music and atmosphere: The music and atmosphere at water puppet shows are really nice to relax with.
Watch a show at Hanoi Opera House
The Hanoi Opera House is classified under the existing French colonial building category and is situated in the center of the city. It is among the finest places to enjoy an opera or musical performance. Apart from this, the Opera House happens to be among the most frequently visited tourist spots and where photos are also at their best. Here are some specific recommendations:
- Check the performance schedule: The Opera House frequently hosts various performances throughout the year, so do make sure to check the schedule of performances.
- Buy tickets well in advance: Popular performance tickets can sell out quite fast; therefore, it is advisable to book your tickets well in advance.
- Dress appropriately: Since it is a formal place, do dress accordingly for visiting an Opera House.
Street Food Adventure with Local Guide
Perhaps the best way to sample Hanoi’s street food is by joining a street food tour. One of the best stands to get street food from is on a street food tour with a local guide. You’ll learn the history of Hanoi’s street food and culture. Some specific recommendations are:
- Take a local food expert tour. A local guide will bring you through the street food scene and pick the best dishes.
- Sample as many street foods as you can in Hanoi because there is a huge range available.
- Hear the story of Hanoi Street Food History and Culture: Your guide can introduce the history and culture of every dish you try.
Explore Motorbike Tour by Night
A motorbike tour will be an effective way to view Hanoi by night. You will see a different view of the City, stopping here and there on the way. Very popular among travelers who come looking for a taste of the city’s nightlife and culture is the motorbike tour. Here are recommendations:
- A local guide will lead you on a tour of the city and show you the way.
- Taste some street food: There are several nice carts of street food in this way, so make sure you taste some of the indigenous foods.
- Nightlife: Hanoi is very much enriched with developments in nightlife activities. A lot of bars and various clubs can be found for one to try out.
Catch a show at Vietnam Central Circus
Vietnam Central Circus is the hub of excellent family time outdoors. The circus includes various shows, like acrobatic displays and clown and animal acts. It’s just the right place to be for fun and an enjoyable night out. There are some specific recommendations to make.
- Check the circus performance schedule: The circus will hold numerous performances at different times of the year, so do make sure to check their schedule before heading out.
- Get advance tickets: Shows that are in great demand may sell out very fast, so buy your tickets in advance.
- Get the best view: The circus is definitely going to be full of people, so arrive in time to get a good seat.
See Lonah Show
Lonah Show is a new art form that combines dance, circus, music, and technology. Fantastic show that promises to be breathtaking and amazing. It’s a great idea to make your experience exclusive and memorable. Here are a few detailed recommendations:
- Learn More About the Show: Lonah Show is a relatively new form of art, so it is a good idea to get to learn more about it before you go. You can read online reviews of the show or even better, see different videos of the show.
- Book your ticket early enough: the Lonah Show tickets easily get swept by the market, so ensure you do an early booking.
- Arrive early to get a good seat: The theater can get crowded, so it’s best to arrive early to get a good seat.
Lang Toi Show – My Village
Lang Toi is a colorful performance that sketches the life of rural Vietnam. It features dancers, jugglers, and acrobats; thus, it is such a nice way to learn something about Vietnamese culture. Some possible recommendations include:
- Know more about the show: The show Lang Toi is a pretty new show, so it is advisable to learn more about it before one attends it. Read the reviews online or watch the videos of the show online.
- Personalize: Book your tickets in advance. Tickets for Lang Toi Show might sell out pretty quickly, and so Lily’s Travel would advise you to book your tickets at an early date.
- Arrive early for a good view: The auditorium can get filled to capacity, so it always helps to arrive early.
Chug beer at the Bia Hoi Junction
Known to every traveling soul, Bia Hoi Junction is the number one place to drink beer in Hanoi. It’s good for people to meet up and enjoy a lively atmosphere with its really cheap and excellent beer. It’s one of the best ways to experience Hanoi nightlife. Here are some specific recommendations:
- Take it with a group of friends: Bia Hoi Junction is just the place to be for a night out with friends.
- Try different kinds of beers: At Bia Hoi Junction, you can sample numerous types of beers to meet your taste.
- Ambiance: There is a very lively atmosphere at Bia Hoi Junction, and this is the right place to witness and enjoy people watching with local culture.
Shopping at Hanoi Night Market
The Hanoi Night Market takes pleasure in offering patrons varieties of goods, ranging from souvenirs, among other commodities. It is open every night, and in fact, it is a place for bargaining, so please get ready to bargain. Here are some specific recommendations:
- Go around at night; this is when the vendors sell their goods, and that is when the marketplace is most busy.
- Haggle for merchandise: The vendors in this market tend to reduce their prices, so one should not shy away from haggling.
- Local foods; there are many various foods available at the market, and the place is a food haven for anyone to try out local delicacies.
Go to Hanoi Night Bars, Clubs, and Pubs
Hanoi has a vibrant nightlife with lots of bars, clubs, and pubs spread all over. Some of the popular bars and clubs in Hanoi include Legend Beer, Hero Club, Binh Minh’s Jazz Club, Dragonfly Bar, and Sunset Bar. Some specific recommendations include:
- Experience the live music scene: In these venues, a lot of bars and clubs in Hanoi, the live music is just what one needs to have a great night out in the city.
- Dance the night away: Some of them include dance floors where, probably, that’s the best place one could let go.
- Meet new people: Bars and clubs are just that one place from where you can make friends with people; whether locals or tourists.
Want to experience all of these fancy things? At Lily’s Travel, you are able to customize your tour based on your interest and time. Book a tour now and let Lily’s Travel help you to create unforgettable memories in Vietnam.
Read more: What Makes Hoan Kiem Lake Special?
Best Foods & Drinks to Try Near the Walking Street
These thousands of traditional Vietnamese foods and beverages nicely decorate the very busy Walking Street, testament to Hanoi’s serious culinary tradition. Among the must-haves:
1. Cha Ca La Vong – Fish with Dill & Turmeric
Cha Ca La Vong is quite an old dish originating in Hanoi. Traditionally, it would be made with the snakehead fish cooked at the table, swimming in fresh dill and scallions. The fish is marinated with turmeric, garlic, shallots, and galangal, then grilled and fried before serving. The flavorful fish is served with rice vermicelli, freshly roasted peanuts and a touch of shrimp paste known locally as mam tom — a less potent dose of fish sauce is also provided.
- Price: VND 135,000 ($5.72) per portion
- Where to try:
- Cha Ca La Vong, 14 Cha Ca Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Cha Ca Phan, 14 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Hai Ba Trung District
- Cha Ka Restaurant, 15 Ngo Thi Nham Street, Hai Ba Trung District
2. Pho Bo & Pho Ga – Beef and Chicken Noodle Soup
The most recognized Vietnamese noodle soup must be Pho. Pho Bo, beef noodle soup, and Pho Ga, chicken noodle soup, both use a rich and see-through water base that has been slowly cooked for a long time with bones. The beef version comes with its several cuts, such as brisket and raw beef, while the chicken one has the succulent meat quite tender. Northern pho is plain with a clear broth and flat noodles; herbs or bean sprouts are not usually added to this dish.
- Price: VND 35,000-90,000 ($1.48-3.82) per bowl
- Where to try:
- Pho Bo: Pho Thin, 13 Lo Duc Street, Hai Ba Trung District; Pho Nho, 27A Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Dong Da District
- Pho Ga: Pho Ban, 172 Ton Duc Thang Street, Dong Da District; Pho Cham, 64 + 68 Yen Ninh Street, Ba Dinh District
3. Bun Dau Mam Tom – Vermicelli with Fried Tofu and Shrimp Paste
A real Hanoi special, Bun Dau Mam Tom is a dish of fried tofu and vermicelli, served up with that quintessential Vietnamese ingredient, lots of green herbs, and a pungent shrimp paste sauce. Many can top it off with boiled pork, cha com (green rice pork cake), and pig tripe. An acquired taste for many, milder substitutes is fish sauce.
- Price: VND 35,000 ($1.48) per serving
- Where to try:
- Bun Dau Trung Huong, 49 Phat Loc Alley, Hang Buom Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Bun Dau Co Tuyen, at the end of Alley 29, Hang Khay Street, Hoan Kiem District
4. Banh Cuon Thanh Tri – Thanh Tri Steamed Rice Rolls
Banh cuon Thanh Tri is a very fragile, disembodied dish of steamed rice rolls, traditionally served with cha que and fish sauce. The thin, chewy rice sheets are served cold and topped with crispy deep-fried shallots. The light-in-weight yet heavily flavored dish brings the simplicity and grace of Hanoi’s culinary tradition to the spotlight.
- Price: VND 20,000 (85 cents) per serving
- Where to try:
- Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh, 66 To Hien Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Banh Cuon Ba Hanh, 16B Tho Xuong Street, Hoan Kiem District
5. Bun Oc & Bun Rieu – Snail and Crab Noodle Soups
The northern delta has not one but two classic noodle soups: Bun Oc and Bun Rieu. The former is studded with freshwater snails, tomatoes, and tofu in a light, sour broth, while the latter just replaces the snails with crab. Both are enriched with tomato-based broth and go best with a bit of spicy chili oil.
- Price: VND 30,000 ($1.27) per bowl
- Where to try:
- Bun Oc: Bun Oc Co Hue, 26 Dang Dung Street, Ba Dinh District
- Bun Rieu: Bun Rieu Hong Phuc, 22 Hong Phuc Street, Ba Dinh District
6. Bun Thang – Noodle Soup with Chicken, Pork, and Egg
Bun Thang is a complex noodle dish with chicken, pork, egg, and shrimp floss in a flavorful broth. This dish is often compared to a medicinal recipe due to the fact that its ingredients must be meticulously prepared. As it combines the characteristics of different textures and flavors, it really offers just one unique culinary experience.
- Price: VND35,000 ($1.48) per bowl
- Where to try:
- Pho Ga – Bun Thang Lan Ong, 16 Lan Ong Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Bun Thang Ba Duc, 48 Cau Go Street, Hoan Kiem District
7. Bun Cha – Grilled Pork with Vermicelli
This is the consensus of many of its aficionados: Bun Cha is essentially a dish featuring grilled pork served with rice vermicelli noodles, with a tangy dipping sauce. The pork component is basically a charcoal-grilled piece of either pork belly or meatball, marinated by the charcoal grill. Fresh herbs are normally given as side dishes and, if one wants added indulgence, then deep-fried spring rolls to round up the meal.
- Price: VND35,000 ($1.48) per serving
- Where to try:
- Bun Cha Cua Dong, 41 Cua Dong Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Bun Cha Dac Kim, 1 Hang Manh Street, Hoan Kiem District
Read more: Wander the Shores of Hanoi West Lake
8. Com – Young Green Rice
Com, or young green rice, is one of the delicacies that interests many people, especially during autumn, in Hanoi. This is a light, fragrant snack made of immature grains of rice, usually pounded flat into flakes after roasting. The signature green color and slight sweetness make it one of the favorite local snacks in this beautiful city.
How to enjoy Com:
- Cha Com: These green rice patties combine green rice flakes with lean pork and pork paste. Then it is molded into small patties and deep-fried until golden brown. Cha com is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a beautiful mixture of savory pork and the fragrant smell of young rice. These patties can be taken alone or served with other food like bun dau mam tom.
- Banh com: Green rice cake – this traditional sweet treat is made from glutinous rice, mung beans, and green rice flakes. It is wrapped in green leaves and has the texture of chewing with sweet fillings that come with the mung bean paste. Banh com is often given as presents to special occasions and is loved by people of all ages.
- Com and banana: Probably the easiest way to eat com but also one of the most popular is just to pair it with a ripe banana. The combination of light sweetness from the corn and a rich creamy flavor from the banana gives birth to a unique and sumptuous snack.
Price: Com prices start at VND200,000 ($8.46) per kilogram.
Addresses:
- Com lang vong Ba Can, No. 19, Alley 85, Xuan Thuy Street, Cau Giay District.
- Com vong Co Man, No. 10, Alley 86, Lane 44 Tran Thai Tong Street, Cau Giay District.
- Banh com Nguyen Ninh, 11 Hang Than Street, Ba Dinh District.
9. Ngan – Mule Duck
Ngan is a local name for mule duck, which is quite rare and mainly raised in northern Vietnam, especially in Hanoi. This dish is not so popular among the other Vietnamese foods. But it will be one of the must-try types if you want to indulge in the real taste of the local kind of this food. The size of this mule duck is much bigger and meatier compared to a regular duck. The taste is rich and savory, unlike any other poultry dish.
There are two popular ways to enjoy ngan in Hanoi:
- The more popular dish now is the Bun Ngan: Served in a clear, tasty, broth prepared by repeatedly simmering the duck and bamboo shoot. Garnished with fresh herbs, this noodle soup is appetizing, light and deeply satisfying. The broth is light and flavorful with the natural rich taste of the duck that is naturally sweet and savory. This is served with the dipping sauce of minced garlic, chili, and vinegar, which gives it a spicy and tangy tickle.
- Ngan chay toi: This dish contains mule duck that is fried with garlic. It is first boiled and then marinated with seasonings then deep-fried until crispy. The most predominant is a whole lot of fried garlic – it is fragrant in nature and combined with duck, this dish is pungent and aromatic. As it stands today, this dish is traditionally served in portions that cater for two people, thus making this a highly social dish to dine with a huge family or friends.
Price: Bun ngan starts at VND 35,000 ($1.48) per bowl. Ngan chay toi starts at VND 140,000 ($5.93) per serving.
Addresses:
- Bun ngan: Bun ngan Nhan, 11 Trung Yen Alley, Hoan Kiem District; Bun ngan Minh Thu, 31 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District.
- Ngan chay toi: Ngan chay toi Thuy Duong, 54 Hang Manh Street, Hoan Kiem District; Ngan chay toi Thu Phuong, 98 Cau Go Street, Hoan Kiem District.
Tips on Getting Out at Night in Hanoi
Here are some tips for getting out at night in Hanoi and making the most of your visit to the Hoan Kiem Lake Night Market:
- Dress comfortably: Hanoi can become really hot and humid, so light and airy clothes are recommended.
- Be aware of your surroundings: Well, this is quite general advice when visiting tourist attractions. Be wary of any suspicious identity who would steal something from you or any person close to you.
- Haggle for souvenirs: Vendors at this Hoan Kiem Lake Night Market do not have problems with haggling. Thus, never hesitate to bargain for better prices on souvenirs.
- Try the local food: Never be afraid to try out new things and have an adventure with regards to the local food available at the night market. The food choices can be delicious and cheap.
- Be respectful to the local customs: The very first important thing while visiting the Hoan Kiem Lake Night Market is to show respect towards the local customs and traditions. Never be noisy and never disturb other people around you.
The Hoan Kiem Lake Night Market is an animated, full-of-life location worth visiting, with just a little something to suit everyone’s needs. Be it a foodie, a shopaholic, or just one seeking fun at night, there is something to enjoy. Tasteful street food, distinctive souvenirs, and haunting cultural experiences are reasons as to why you should check out the Hoan Kiem Lake Night Market during your visit to Hanoi.
