Giorno 2 — Hanoi
Breakfast, We recommend starting your day at around 9:00 AM and spending the morning discovering Hanoi. In the Roadbook app, you'll find a variety of ready-made itineraries and experiences. Our top recommendation is the Iconic Landmarks Walk, which takes you to some of the city's most famous attractions, including the Temple of Literature, the beautiful Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and many other highlights. If you haven't already done so, it's also well worth exploring the Old Quarter and the area around Hoan Kiem Lake. By following the suggested route in the app, you'll wander through the famous "36 Streets Quarter," passing local markets, hidden pagodas, narrow alleyways, and elegant French colonial buildings, including St. Joseph's Cathedral and the Hanoi Opera House. The walk eventually leads to the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, with several recommended cafés along the way where you can stop for a break. For lunch, you can choose one of the restaurants recommended in the app or follow the "Bun Cha, Caramel & Coffee" food itinerary. This route introduces you to three local favorites: a traditional restaurant serving Bun Cha (grilled pork with rice noodles), a small eatery where you can enjoy the city's famous caramel flan while sitting on simple stools, and a charming café and art gallery housed in a colonial villa, featuring works by local artists. These venues are often busy because they are popular with Hanoi residents—making them all the more authentic.
In the afternoon, you can continue sightseeing by choosing from the attractions suggested in the app according to your interests. If time permits, we highly recommend visiting the Vietnam Women's Museum, one of the city's most engaging and thoughtfully curated museums. To get around Hanoi, you can explore on foot, take a taxi, or enjoy a traditional cyclo ride—a charming and relaxing way to experience the city's vibrant streets. ***OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES*** (see supplements)
Adventure Through the Alleys on a Minsk Motorcycle: your Minsk motorcycle and driver will be waiting for you directly outside your hotel, ready to take you on a unique experience aboard this iconic Soviet-era motorbike. Seated on the back, you will ride through hidden alleys and side streets, discovering lesser-known corners of Hanoi far from the usual tourist routes.
The journey will lead you through an authentic urban maze, weaving through narrow alleys, local markets, and lively residential neighborhoods. You will have the chance to interact with local residents, observe everyday life, and discover the most authentic — and sometimes even quirky — side of the Vietnamese capital.
During the tour, you will visit: the vibrant flea market area, a remote neighborhood with a special encounter with a local resident, and the city’s main iconic landmarks, before reaching the peaceful West Lake, where you can enjoy some traditional Hanoi dishes.
The return journey will take you across the historic Long Bien Bridge, where you will have time to take photos and admire the urban scenery. Throughout the experience, you will sample a selection of traditional Vietnamese specialties, from local snacks to the famous egg coffee, along with other typical beverages. (Meals included: snacks + lunch or dinner. Duration: 4h – 4h30. Available times: 08:00 – 12:00 / 12:30 – 16:30 / 17:00 – 21:30) ***OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES*** (see supplements)
In the afternoon, you will visit the fascinating Temple of Literature, widely regarded as Vietnam's first university. Founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, it was transformed six years later into an educational institution reserved for royal princes, the sons of noble families, and high-ranking mandarins. In 1802, when the capital was moved to Hue, Emperor Gia Long also relocated the National University. As you stroll through the peaceful, tree-lined paths of Van Mieu Park, you'll admire the elegant traditional architecture and the serene atmosphere of this remarkable historical site. Be sure to look out for the 82 original stone stelae (out of the original 116), each engraved with the names of successful scholars from Vietnam's imperial examinations. Your tour then continues with an immersive experience that allows you to discover Hanoi through the eyes of a local. Enjoy a 45-minute ride aboard a traditional cyclo (pedicab) through the bustling streets of the Old Quarter. You'll travel through the famous "36 Guild Streets," a living museum where artisans and merchants still sell their traditional goods, including ceremonial objects, pipes, silk, handmade paper, fans, lacquerware, leather products, furniture, carpets, and much more. The excursion concludes with a leisurely walk around the romantic Hoan Kiem Lake, followed by a visit to the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple, set on a small island and connected to the shore by an elegant red wooden bridge—one of Hanoi's most iconic landmarks.,