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Hanoi in 3 nights and 4 days: would you rather explore history and nature, or enjoy markets and shopping?

A is a good fit if you’d like a relaxed look at temples, lakes, and natural scenery. Choose B if you’d rather stroll through markets and the Old Quarter, shop, and add a day cruise to Ha Long Bay.

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

Airport Bus 86 runs from 07:00–22:15. A one-way ticket costs 50,000 VND, and the trip to the Old Quarter takes about 45–60 minutes. Grab takes about 30–45 minutes when traffic is light, and recent fare guidance puts the cost at around 250,000–350,000 VND.

3 nights and 4 days, A | Temples, lakes, and river scenery in Ninh Binh

On your first day, arrive in the Old Quarter and explore the lake and shrine. On day two, visit Ba Dinh’s memorial sites and West Lake. On day three, take a boat through Trang An in Ninh Binh. On your final day, visit the Temple of Literature before heading to the airport.

Day 1 | From the airport to Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter

  1. Noi Bai Airport → Hanoi Old Quarter

    Take Airport Bus 86 for about 45–60 minutes. A one-way fare is 50,000 VND, and the bus runs from 07:00–22:15. When traffic is light, Grab takes about 30–45 minutes, with recent fare guidance at around 250,000–350,000 VND.

  2. Old Quarter → Hoan Kiem Lake · Hoan Kiem Lake · Hồ Hoàn Kiếm

    The lake is open at all times and free to visit. Ngoc Son Temple on the northern island is connected by the red The Huc Bridge. Temple admission is 50,000 VND for adults. Dress modestly, covering your shoulders and knees, when visiting the temple. Have dinner at Xoi Yen in the Old Quarter, then stop by Sol Sky Bar in the evening.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapFood · Xôi YếnRooftops · Sol Sky Bar

Day 2 | Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the temples of West Lake

  1. Old Quarter → 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 Tuesday–Thursday, 07:30–10:30 (April–October) and 08:00–11:00 (November–March); on Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays, hours are 07:30–11:00 (April–October) and 08:00–11:30 (November–March). It is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Admission for foreign adults is 25,000 VND. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops; dress modestly. Try lunch at Vi Quang in Ba Dinh.

  2. Ba Dinh → West Lake · Tran Quoc Pagoda

    Head toward West Lake to explore the lakeside and its temple. Tran Quoc Pagoda is generally open around 07:30–17:00–18:00; hours may vary by season, and admission is free. Cover your shoulders and knees when visiting. Have dinner at Chao Ban by West Lake, and if you’d like a bar or pub, end the day at Seven Bridges Hanoi Taproom.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapFood · Vị QuảngFood · Chào Bạn Vietnamese RestaurantCocktail bars · 7 Bridges Hanoi Taproom

Day 3 | Take a boat through Trang An in Ninh Binh

  1. Hanoi → Trang An, Ninh Binh

    Travel to Ninh Binh by day tour, bus, or train, then continue to the Trang An boat pier. Ninh Binh is about 100 km from Hanoi, and recent travel guidance puts the journey at around 1.5–2 hours. Trang An is listed as open from 07:00–16:00. The boat ticket for foreign adults is 300,000 VND. Choose a boat route on site to see waterways, caves, and temples. Check whether lunch is included in your tour, then have dinner at Bun Cha Sinh Tu in the Old Quarter after returning to Hanoi.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapFood · Bún chả Sinh Từ

Day 4 | Visit the Temple of Literature, then head to the airport

  1. Old Quarter → Temple of Literature

    Take bus 02, 23, or 38 and get off at the Temple of Literature stop. Open Tuesday–Sunday: 08:00–17:00 from November–March, and 07:30–18:00 during the rest of the year. Admission for foreign adults is 70,000 VND. Have lunch at Bep Quan Ham Long in the Old Quarter, then head to Hanoi Railway Station to catch Airport Bus 86.

  2. Hanoi Railway Station → Noi Bai Airport

    A one-way ticket for Airport Bus 86 costs 50,000 VND, and the bus runs from 07:00–22:15. The route is listed as taking about 45–60 minutes from the airport to the Old Quarter.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapFood · Bếp Quán Hàm Long

3 nights and 4 days, A: Confirmed admission and transport costs (per adult)

Round-trip airport bus 50,000 × 2 + Ngoc Son Temple 50,000 + Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum 25,000 + Trang An 300,000 + Temple of Literature 70,000 = 545,000 VND. Round-trip transport to Ninh Binh and local travel are extra.

3 nights and 4 days, B | Markets and the Old Quarter, with a Ha Long Bay cruise

Explore the Old Quarter’s markets and lanes, museums, and traditional performances, then take a day cruise to Ha Long Bay on day three. This plan suits travelers who want to shop and explore markets while setting aside a day for sea views.

Day 1 | From the airport to the markets and the Old Quarter

  1. Noi Bai Airport → Hanoi Old Quarter

    Take Airport Bus 86 for about 45–60 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 50,000 VND, and the bus runs from 07:00–22:15. When traffic is light, Grab takes about 30–45 minutes and costs around 250,000–350,000 VND.

  2. Old Quarter → Dong Xuan Market

    The market is about a 12–15-minute walk away; a Grab car costs around 30,000–45,000 VND. Dong Xuan Market is open from 07:00–18:00, and admission is free. Explore the shops and nearby food lanes, then have dinner at Madam Huong. Take a break with an egg coffee at Hanoi Egg Coffee.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapCafés · Madame HuongCafés · Hanoi Egg Coffee

Day 2 | Hoa Lo Prison and a stroll around the lake

  1. Old Quarter → Hoa Lo Prison

    It’s about a 15-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. Open daily from 08:00–17:00; admission for foreign adults is 50,000 VND. After exploring the exhibits, have lunch at Vu Cha Ca in the Old Quarter, then spend the afternoon walking around the lake and the Old Quarter. The weekend pedestrian zone runs from Friday at 19:00 to Sunday at 24:00.

  2. Around the lake → Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

    The theater on the edge of the lake is an easy walk from the Old Quarter. Show schedules vary, and adult tickets cost 100,000–200,000 VND depending on the seating category. Choose a show time and seat when booking, and check the weekly schedule. Have dinner at Met Vietnam Restaurant in the Old Quarter, then visit Ruby Sky Bar.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapFood · Vua Chả Cá - 09 Lý Thường KiệtFood · MẸT Vietnamese restaurant & Vegetarian Food 1Rooftops · Ruby Sky Bar

Day 3 | Ha Long Bay day cruise

  1. Hanoi Old Quarter → Ha Long Bay cruise

    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 on the water. Day cruises usually include lunch, a cave visit, and a short swim or kayaking session. Port, round-trip shuttle, meals, and admission inclusions vary by package, so check when booking. From July 1, 2026, the round-trip passenger fee at Ha Long International Passenger Port is 80,000 VND per person. After returning to Hanoi, have dinner at Essence Restaurant in the Old Quarter and spend the evening at Attic Cocktail & Wine Lab.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapFood · Essence Restaurant Original (since 2011)Cocktail bars · Attic Cocktail & Wine Lab

Day 4 | A final meal in the Old Quarter, then the airport

  1. Old Quarter → Hoan Kiem Lake and the weekend pedestrian zone

    Take a final stroll around the lake and the Old Quarter. The lake is open at all times and free to visit. The pedestrian zone runs from Friday at 19:00 to Sunday at 24:00. Have lunch at Cai Mam Bistro in the Old Quarter, then head to Hanoi Railway Station.

  2. Hanoi Railway Station → Noi Bai Airport

    Airport Bus 86 costs 50,000 VND one way and runs from 07:00–22:15. The route is listed as taking about 45–60 minutes from the airport to the Old Quarter.

Nearby on VietnamTripMapFood · Cái Mâm Bistro - Vietnamese Cuisine & Vegetarian

3 nights and 4 days, B: Confirmed admission and transport costs (per adult)

Round-trip airport bus 50,000 × 2 + Dong Xuan Market 0 + Hoa Lo Prison 50,000 + water puppet show 100,000–200,000 + Ha Long International Passenger Port round-trip passenger fee 80,000 = 330,000–430,000 VND. The cruise package and round-trip transport between Hanoi and Ha Long are extra.

FAQ

Where’s a convenient place to stay for a 3-night, 4-day trip to Hanoi?

The Old Quarter is convenient for a first visit, with Hoan Kiem Lake, restaurants, markets, and tour departure points close by.

Which itinerary is better for a day trip, A or B?

Choose A for river and boat scenery in Trang An, Ninh Binh; choose B for a Ha Long Bay cruise and market visits.

When can I take Airport Bus 86?

According to airport information, it runs from 07:00–22:15, with a one-way fare of 50,000 VND.

Official sources & check dates

Site updated: 2026-10-28