9 Of The Best Things To Do In Hanoi, Vietnam

From the Colonial charm of the Old Quarter to the delectable street food begging to be devoured; Hanoi’s frenetic pace will leave you breathless and hungry for more.

1. Go shopping at Dong Quan Market

Hanoi’s biggest market is set in the heart of the Old Quarter and is a rabbit warren of colour and activity.

Built by the French at the end of the 19^th century, you’ll find everything from fashion to homewares, electronics and food. There are also some gorgeous traditional Vietnamese fabrics, which make a great souvenir. Having said that, the market is aimed more toward locals than tourists; a visit here can be rewarding simply for the experience alone.

Dong Xuan Market Hanoi — The action outside Dong Xuan Market

2. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda and the Perfume Pagoda

If you’re going to hit up two pagodas during your time in Hanoi, pick these two.

The One Pillar Pagoda is said to represent a lotus flower growing up out of the water. It is set in a beautiful, quiet garden with plenty of benches, so you can sit peacefully and drink in the surrounds.

The Perfume Pagoda is a little bit out of town, and is part of a sacred site featuring a maze of Buddhist temples set into a limestone cliff, with the Perfume Pagoda at the centre. The area itself is full of natural beauty, and is certainly worth a day trip.

3. Explore the Old Quarter

The mad traffic. The gorgeous Colonial architecture. Buddhist temples and quaint shophouses. There is nothing quite like Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Set over a square kilometre, there is so much to explore in this beating heart of Hanoi. When you get peckish, take a break at one of the many excellent cafes and bakeries, or sample some of the delectable street food on offer from roadside vendors. There are also plenty of great bars in this area, so if you want to kick on in the evening for a bit of bar-hopping, you’ll be well looked after.

4. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

This is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the beloved leader of Vietnam, known to his people as ‘Uncle Ho’. His body is preserved here in a glass case – apparently against Ho Chi Minh’s wishes, but the people wanted a monument so the popular leader could ‘live on forever’. The mausoleum, based on Lenin’s mausoleum in Russia, opened to the public in 1975. A hot tip is to get there early to avoid the queues (and the heat). Be sure to dress respectfully for your visit here.

5. Walk along Hoan Kiem Lake and visit the Ngoc Son Temple

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi, a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake might be just what the doctor ordered. At the centre of the lake, on a small island, is the Ngoc Son Temple. The island on which the temple is built is known as Jade Island, and is accessible by the Huc Bridge or Rising Sun Bridge. It’s a beautiful, peaceful spot to sit and watch the locals going about their day.

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6. Visit the Hanoi Opera House

Modelled on Paris’ Palais Garnier, this is a spectacular neoclassical landmark in the heart of Hanoi. Featuring an Italian-made marble floor, copper chandeliers and exquisite French murals on the ceiling, this French colonial opera house took 10 years to build, and was completed in 1911. The performance space is now used for a wide range of shows – not just opera – so check out the schedule to see what’s on during your visit.

7. Do a street-food tour

One of the greatest things about travelling in Vietnam is the food. You can eat like a king for a pittance, thanks to all the magical street-food vendors. Sometimes it’s a good idea to have a local help you navigate the different delicacies on offer, and there are a number of quality food tours you can do in Hanoi. Hanoi Motorbike Street Foods runs a night-time tour made for the more adventurous traveller, while Hanoi Food on Foot is for those who prefer not to fly around on two wheels.

8. Visit the Temple of Literature

Built in 1070, this temple has a rich history of education. It is dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars and features a number of different courtyards where study sessions and exams have taken place over the last millennium. The temple is home to the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s very first national university. It’s a gorgeous example of traditional Vietnamese architecture and is one of the most photogenic spots in the city. Two of the courtyards boast landscaped gardens, and another is home to a large pond known as the Well of Heavenly Clarity.

9. Check out a water puppet show

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre displays an artform that dates back to the 11^th century. It was a time when the rice paddy fields were flooded and artists performed puppet shows in waist-deep water, making it look as if the puppets were dancing on the water’s surface. Performances here are accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese orchestra. Tickets tend to sell out, so book in advance.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

9 unmissable things to do in Hanoi