2 Days in Hanoi: An Easy-Paced Itinerary

With 2 days in Hanoi you can slow down. Instead of rushing between sights, this plan gives each day one part of the city: the lake and old streets on foot on day one, then the older royal and scholarly Hanoi to the west on day two, finishing on the river. Each stop has its own guide on this site, listed below.

Who this plan suits

It suits first-time visitors who would rather see fewer places properly than tick off a long list, and families or travellers who like a break in the middle of the day. It assumes you are staying in or near the Old Quarter. If you only have one day, our one-day itinerary squeezes the main central sights into a single route.

Day one: the lake, the Old Quarter and colonial Hanoi

Morning: Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngọc Sơn Temple. Start with a slow loop of Hoan Kiem Lake, then cross the red Thê Húc Bridge to Ngọc Sơn Temple, which charges an entry fee. Our Hoan Kiem Lake guide tells the legend of the returned sword.

Late morning: St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Walk west to the cathedral. Sightseeing is only allowed in set windows, with a pause at midday and none on Sundays, so check the table. Dress modestly.

Lunch and a rest. Eat near the cathedral, then take a break at your hotel or a café. Our guides to Hanoi pho and chả cá explain what to order; we do not recommend individual restaurants.

Afternoon: Hoa Lo Prison Relic. The relic says it is a short walk from the cathedral. The surviving cells, the memorial and the rooms about the “Hanoi Hilton” years are mostly indoors and open every day. Some displays deal with torture and executions, so read our Hoa Lo guide first if you are travelling with children.

Evening: the Old Quarter. Head back to the “Hàng” streets for dinner and an egg coffee. From Friday to Sunday evening, several streets close to traffic and the night market starts at Hàng Đào. If day one falls on a weekday, simply wander and eat; the Old Quarter guide suggests a route.

Day two: royal Hanoi and the river

Morning: Temple of Literature. Take a taxi or ride-hailing car west to the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 as a temple to Confucius, and see the doctoral stelae while the courtyards are calm.

Late morning: Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. The central sector of the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a short taxi ride away; the Temple of Literature guide lists it as a nearby sight. Its official guide says the site is large enough to fill a whole morning or afternoon. Look for Đoan Môn, the gate that led into the heart of the citadel, which the citadel’s researchers date mainly to the early Lê dynasty in the fifteenth century, built over older palace foundations. Work to restore Kính Thiên Palace, the former heart of the citadel, began in late September 2026, so check the citadel’s official website for any changes to the visitor route.

Lunch and a rest. Return towards the centre for lunch and a break.

Late afternoon: Long Bien Bridge. Walk out onto the French-built steel bridge over the Red River, starting near the Old Quarter. Stay on the narrow side walkway, which runs right next to motorbike traffic; our Long Bien Bridge guide covers the rules for the road deck.

Evening: your choice. On some evenings the Temple of Literature runs a ticketed night tour (schedule in the table). Otherwise, return to the Old Quarter or a lakeside café to end your 2 days in Hanoi.

Getting around

Day one is entirely on foot. On day two, the Temple of Literature and the citadel are best reached by taxi or ride-hailing app, while Long Bien Bridge is close to the Old Quarter. Traffic is heavy everywhere, so cross at a slow, steady pace.

Where to stay

The Old Quarter and the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake put day one entirely within walking distance and keep the evening walking streets on your doorstep. We do not rank or recommend individual hotels.

Adjusting the plan

• Rain: swap the lake loop for Hoa Lo in the morning, and save the open grounds of the Temple of Literature and the citadel for a dry spell.
• Heat: do the outdoor sights early and late, and use the middle of the day for lunch and rest, as the plan already allows.
• Sunday: the cathedral is closed for sightseeing, so view it from the square, or swap day one and day two.
• Budget: walking the lake, the Old Quarter and Long Bien Bridge is free. The Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo, Ngọc Sơn and the citadel charge entry fees; the citadel’s is in the table and the others are in their guides.