Summer weekend in Hanoi
How locals do summer in Hanoi — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Hanoi
West Lake Sunset Loop
OutdoorsTay Ho
17km lakeside loop past pagodas, lotus ponds and the city's best craft beer bars.
Hoan Kiem Lake
OutdoorsOld Quarter
Red Bridge, Turtle Tower and a 6am tai-chi scene — the city's living room.
Old Quarter Street Food Walk
Food & DrinkOld Quarter
Bun cha, banh mi, egg coffee — bring an empty stomach and 200,000 dong.
Ta Hien Beer Corner
NightlifeOld Quarter
Plastic-stool bia hoi crawl — fresh draft beer for under a dollar.
Where to eat
Bun Cha Huong Lien
$Bun cha · Hai Ba Trung
The Obama–Bourdain shop — grilled pork, vermicelli and Hanoi beer.
Cha Ca Thang Long
$$Cha ca · Old Quarter
Single-dish institution — turmeric fish sizzled tableside with dill.
Giảng Café
$Coffee · Old Quarter
Inventor of egg coffee — sweet, custardy, served in a tiny hot-water bath.
Pho Gia Truyen
$Pho · 49 Bat Dan
30-year-old queue-only counter — order tai nam and don't be shy with chili.
Cau Go
$$$Modern Vietnamese · Hoan Kiem
Lake-view rooftop, refined classics and a great wine list.
Live & on stage
Hanoi New Music Festival
Vietnam Academy of Music · Dec 4–7 · Contemporary
Mid-Autumn Festival
Old Quarter · Oct 6 · Family / Free
Monsoon Music Festival
Hoang Thanh Thang Long · Oct 30 – Nov 2 · Indie / World
Tet Lunar New Year
Hoan Kiem Lake · Feb 17 · Cultural / Free
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter Street Food Walk, West Lake Sunset Loop. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Hanoi and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.