Hanoi · 13–15 October 2026
Called off in October 2026 after Os was injured. A week in Catalonia took its place.
Two and a half days in Hanoi with Os’s parents, at the end of their fortnight in Vietnam, before the two of us fly on to Bangkok. Old Quarter on foot, the lake, egg coffee, water puppets, and nothing that needs a day trip.
The end of Os’s fortnight in Vietnam with family, and the start of ours. Jabari arrives on the 13th, and for two and a half days it is the four of us in the Old Quarter.
No day trips, because there is no time for them. Everything below is walkable or a short ride, and nothing on this page is booked.
One rough shape, easy to ignore.
The lake at dusk, egg coffee, and the 17:20 water puppets if everyone has the energy.
West Lake or the Temple of Literature in the morning, a slow afternoon, Long Biên at sunset, and the street food walk at 17:00 or 18:30.
A last morning in the Old Quarter, then the car to the airport. Os’s parents fly home to Barcelona, and the two of us fly to Bangkok.
Everything here is within 20 minutes’ walk of Hoan Kiem Lake.
The lake the Old Quarter wraps around. The red Huc bridge crosses to Ngoc Son, a small temple on an island, and the whole thing is lit up after dark. A loop of the lake is the easy walk at either end of the day.
Egg yolk whipped with condensed milk over strong coffee, served warm. It was invented here in 1946, down a narrow alley five minutes from the lake, and it tastes more like dessert than it sounds.
A thousand-year-old form staged in a waist-deep pool, with a live band and no language needed. The Thang Long theatre is two minutes from the lake. The 17:20 show fits before dinner on the Tuesday or the Wednesday.
The easy way for four people to eat properly without guessing: a guide, a dozen small stops round the Old Quarter, and dishes like chả cá, fish turmeric-fried at the table with dill. Hanoi Street Food Tour runs it daily at 11:00, 17:00 and 18:30.
The old iron bridge over the Red River, with a footpath along the side and trains rattling past on the middle track. Sunset is around 17:30 in mid-October, so 17:00 to 17:45 is the time.
Ten to fifteen minutes by car, or a long walk.
Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1070. Five walled courtyards, stone stelae on the backs of tortoises, and the quietest place in the city. The best single sight to share with Os’s parents, and it suits the Thursday morning before the airport.
A lane so narrow the train passes within arm’s reach of front doors. Since 2025 nobody stands on the tracks: the way to see it is from one of the licensed cafés along them, with a drink, when a train is due.
The oldest pagoda in the city on a spit of land in West Lake, with a red tower and lakeside cafés all round it. A slow afternoon rather than a sight.
Good, just not first.
The colonial prison later known as the Hanoi Hilton. Sobering, and an hour or so is enough. The night tours only run on weekends.
The best museum in the city, with full-size village houses outside that suit all ages. Half a day, closed Mondays.
Rose Kitchen starts with a market visit and picks up in the Old Quarter. A good half-day for four.
Hanoi’s longest-running gay bar, relaxed on a weeknight, with a pool table.
Prices and hours were researched in September 2026, mostly from travel guides rather than official pages, so worth a check before relying on them.