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Hanoi in 3 days and 2 nights: spend a day at the markets and shopping, or at temples and in nature?

Choose A if you want to see historic sites and river scenery; choose B if you’d like to explore the Old Quarter markets and shops, as well as limestone waterways. Both itineraries start at Noi Bai Airport and head back to the airport on the last day.

How do you get from Noi Bai Airport to the Old Quarter?

Airport Bus 86 costs 50,000 VND one way and runs from 07:00 to 22:15. The trip to the Old Quarter takes about 45–60 minutes. A Grab car takes about 30–45 minutes in light traffic; the latest quoted fare is around 250,000–350,000 VND.

Bus 86 connects to the Old Quarter via Hanoi Railway Station. Check the app for ride-hailing fares.

3 Days, 2 Nights A | Temples and Ha Long Bay

On day one, travel from the airport to the Old Quarter and explore the lake, temple, and water puppet show. On day two, take a day cruise in Ha Long Bay. On the last day, visit the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area before heading to the airport.

Day 1 | From the airport to Hoan Kiem Lake and a water puppet show

  1. Noi Bai Airport → Hanoi Old Quarter

    Take Airport Bus 86 to the Old Quarter via Hanoi Railway Station. It runs from 07:00 to 22:15, costs 50,000 VND one way, and takes about 45–60 minutes to reach the Old Quarter. After dropping off your bags, try lunch at Xoi Yen.

  2. Old Quarter → Hoan Kiem Lake · Hoan Kiem Lake · Hồ Hoàn Kiếm → Ngoc Son Temple · Đền Ngọc Sơn

    Walk from the Old Quarter to see the lake and the temple across the red The Huc Bridge. The lake is open at all times and free to visit; adult admission to the temple is 50,000 VND. Wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees inside the temple. Take a break at Hanoi Egg Coffee in the afternoon.

  3. Hoan Kiem Lake → Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

    Walk from the Old Quarter to the theatre on the edge of the lake. Choose a show time that fits your schedule. Adult tickets cost 100,000–200,000 VND, depending on seat category. Have dinner at Vu Cha Ca, then continue the evening at Sol Sky Bar.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapFood · Xôi YếnCafés · Hanoi Egg CoffeeFood · Vua Chả Cá - 09 Lý Thường Kiệt

Day 2 | Ha Long Bay day cruise

  1. Hanoi Old Quarter → Ha Long International Cruise Port or Tuan Chau Port

    Book a shuttle with your cruise operator or arrange separate transport to the port. Ha Long Bay is about 160 km from Hanoi; the journey takes around 3.5–4 hours each way, with about 4 hours at sea. Day cruises usually include lunch, a cave visit, and a short swim or kayaking session.

  2. Ha Long Bay → Hanoi Old Quarter

    Return by shuttle or other transport after the cruise. Cruise prices vary by operator and what’s included. From July 1, 2026, the round-trip passenger fee at Ha Long International Cruise Port is 80,000 VND per person. For a late dinner, try Bun Cha Sinh Tu in the Old Quarter, and stop for a drink at Attic Cocktail & Wine Lab if you have time.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapFood · Bún chả Sinh TừCocktail bars · Attic Cocktail & Wine Lab

Day 3 | From the Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to the airport

  1. Old Quarter → Temple of Literature and Imperial Academy

    Take bus 02, 23, or 38 to the Temple of Literature stop, or go on foot or by Grab. Open Tuesday–Sunday: 08:00–17:00 from November to March, and 07:30–18:00 during the rest of the year. Standard admission for foreign adults is 70,000 VND. Return to the Old Quarter for lunch at Madame Hien.

  2. Temple of Literature and Imperial Academy → Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda

    Take bus 09, 22, 32, 34, or 45 and get off on Le Hong Phong Street, then walk. The mausoleum is open for visits in the morning: Tuesday–Thursday, 07:30–10:30, and Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays, 07:30–11:00 from April to October. From November to March, hours are 08:00–11:00 Tuesday–Thursday and 08:00–11:30 Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays. Closed Monday and Friday. Admission for foreign adults is 25,000 VND. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops; dress modestly.

  3. Ba Dinh → Noi Bai Airport

    Take a ride-hailing car or taxi to the airport. In light traffic, the drive between the airport and the Old Quarter takes about 30–45 minutes. A Grab ride is around 250,000–350,000 VND, while a metered taxi is around 300,000–400,000 VND. Travel time and fares from Ba Dinh may differ, so check the app.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapCafés · Madame HuongFood · Vị Quảng

3 Days, 2 Nights A: Confirmed Admission and Transport Costs (per adult)

Airport bus round trip 50,000×2 + Ngoc Son Temple 50,000 + water puppet show 100,000–200,000 + Temple of Literature 70,000 + Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum 25,000 + Ha Long International Cruise Port passenger fee 80,000 = 375,000–475,000 VND (excluding Ha Long cruise and shuttle fares)

3 Days, 2 Nights B | Markets and the waterways of Trang An

On day one, explore the Old Quarter markets and pedestrian streets. On day two, take a boat trip in Trang An, Ninh Binh. On the last day, visit Hoa Lo Prison and stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake before heading to the airport.

Day 1 | From the airport to Dong Xuan Market and the Old Quarter

  1. Noi Bai Airport → Hanoi Old Quarter

    Take Airport Bus 86 to the Old Quarter via Hanoi Railway Station. It runs from 07:00 to 22:15, costs 50,000 VND one way, and takes about 45–60 minutes. Start with lunch at Xoi Yen.

  2. Old Quarter → Dong Xuan Market

    It’s about a 12–15-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. A Grab car is quoted at around 30,000–45,000 VND. The market is open from 07:00 to 18:00, with free admission. Browse the market shops and nearby food stalls, then take a break at Hanoi Egg Coffee.

  3. Dong Xuan Market → Old Quarter weekend pedestrian streets

    Walk around the lake and through the Old Quarter. The pedestrian zone is open from 19:00 Friday to 24:00 Sunday. Have dinner at Vietnam Lantern Restaurant, then enjoy a bar or pub atmosphere at Hanoi Blues Bar.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapFood · Xôi YếnCafés · Hanoi Egg CoffeeFood · Vietnamese Lantern Restaurant

Day 2 | A boat trip in Trang An, Ninh Binh

  1. Hanoi Old Quarter → Trang An boat pier

    Travel to Ninh Binh, about 100 km south of Hanoi, by day tour, bus, or train. The journey by car, bus, or train takes around 1.5–2 hours. Choose a boat route on arrival to see limestone mountains, caves, and river scenery. Trang An is listed as open from 07:00 to 16:00; admission for foreign adults is 300,000 VND.

  2. Trang An boat pier → Hanoi Old Quarter

    Return to Hanoi after your boat trip. Check whether lunch is included in your day tour, and try dinner at Bep Quan Ham Long in the Old Quarter. If you’d like to stay out later, stop by Ruby Sky Bar.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapFood · Bếp Quán Hàm LongRooftops · Ruby Sky BarCafés · Cafe Tự Do

Day 3 | Hoa Lo Prison and the trip to the airport

  1. Old Quarter → Hoa Lo Prison

    It’s about a 15-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. Open daily from 08:00 to 17:00, including public holidays. Admission for foreign adults is 50,000 VND. After your visit, return to the Old Quarter for lunch at Cai Mam Bistro.

  2. Hoa Lo Prison → Hoan Kiem Lake → Noi Bai Airport

    Explore the lake and Old Quarter on foot, then take a ride-hailing car or taxi to the airport. In light traffic, the drive between the airport and the Old Quarter takes about 30–45 minutes. A Grab ride is around 250,000–350,000 VND, while a metered taxi is around 300,000–400,000 VND. Check the app for ride-hailing fares.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapFood · Cái Mâm Bistro - Vietnamese Cuisine & VegetarianRooftops · Sol Sky BarCafés · Vie Coffee

3 Days, 2 Nights B: Confirmed Admission and Transport Costs (per adult)

Round-trip airport bus 50,000×2 + Dong Xuan Market 0 + Trang An admission 300,000 + Hoa Lo Prison 50,000 = 450,000 VND; round-trip transport to Trang An is extra.

FAQ

Which day trip suits you better: Ha Long Bay or Trang An?

Ha Long Bay involves a journey of about 3.5–4 hours each way, followed by a cruise with around 4 hours at sea. Trang An involves a 1.5–2-hour journey from Hanoi, followed by a boat trip.

When can you visit inside the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum?

Visits take place in the morning, and the mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Opening hours vary by season, so check the schedule for your visit date.

What’s the easiest way to get from the airport to the Old Quarter?

Airport Bus 86 costs 50,000 VND one way and takes about 45–60 minutes. If you have luggage or want door-to-door service, take a Grab car and check the fare in the app.

Official sources & check dates

Site updated: 2026-10-28