48 Hours in Hanoi
Just a two-hour hop from Hong Kong, Hanoi is a no-brainer if you’re planning a weekend getaway.
We’re chock-full of recommendations but have narrowed it down to our favorite sights, streets and eats.
To See
It all starts in the Old Quarter, which branches out from the southeast corner of West Lake. More than 1,000 years old, the historic neighborhood comprises of 36 streets, each dedicated to a specific trade: silk, kitchen supplies, dry foods, ceramics or wood carvings. It’s notoriously difficult to navigate, but try to drop by the amazing Bamboo Street (Hang Buom) if you can weave your way through the moving maze of scooters.
Make your way south on Hang Dang Dao Road to see the 18th century Ngoc Son Temple and the Tortoise Tower in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. The scenic waterfront is a great place to chow down on some street snacks, steal some shade and peek into daily life in Hanoi. From there, head west on Hang Khay Road to see the neo-gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral, which was one of the very first buildings constructed by the French in the late 1800s.
Haven’t had enough of a Francophile fix? Backtrack and head east a couple of blocks till you hit the Hanoi Opera House, a gorgeous landmark constructed in 1911 that still hosts concerts and operas. A quick cab ride will take you to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum—if it seems as though you’ve reached a deserted parking lot, you’re in the right place. Walk along the huge open road till you see the mammoth granite and marble monument take shape above you, juxtaposed by Ho Chi Minh’s humble stilt house a few doors down. From here, it’s a snappy 10-minute walk to West Lake, where you can stop into the Quan Thanh Temple and the Tran Quoc Pagoda.
The Hanoi Opera House hits the high notes
To Eat
Breakfast in Hanoi typically means a tasty banh mi from a street-side stall, but we opted for a sit-down meal in one of the oldest restaurants in Vietnam, Cha Ca La Vong (14 Cha Ca St., Hanoi, +84-4-3825-3929). Opened in 1871, this two-story eatery serves just one dish: grilled fish with fresh noodles and greens. The restaurant has been passed down through five generations of the Doan family. Careful, though, as every restaurant on the street seems to have the same name. Be sure to go to No. 14—and go early, as it fills up by noon.