Hanoi Tour Day 2: Old Quarter Hanoi – Walking around the Old Quarter. I think 6 days 5 nights are more than enough for you to tour Hanoi. On the second day, I woke up early and took my breakfast at Gondola Hotel Hanoi L floor. A very nice classic Italian style restaurant. It was an international buffet breakfast covered omelette, Vietnamese beef noodle soup, fried rice, breads and drinks like coffee, milk etc. available on 6:30 am to 10 am.

Old Quarter Hanoi Walking Tour

An advantage to stay Old Quarter Hanoi is that many famous places to visit are within walking distance such as the Saint Joseph Cathedral, Thang Long Water Puppet theatre, Hoan Kiem Lake and others. Do mpt forget to visit the traditional Hanoi night market operates from Friday to Sunday 8pm to 12pm, please bargain for whatever you want to buy, and try their street foods too!

This is one of the best Vietnamese foods that I have ever had, I think it is “Bánh chưng”, a traditional Vietnamese rice cake; glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves and stuffed with one kind of bean paste. Yummy! My friend Nhung (Vietnamese) told me that they usually eat this during New Year. Weirdly, I saw locals played firecracker in the middle of the street and a so called “bakery”.

We took our dinner at 8th floor Gondola Hotel Hanoi Cielo Bar with nice Hoan Kiem Lake view. I don’t drink coffee but I think their traditional Vietnamese coffee is nice! Last but not least, let me show you how “Vietnamese Hair Salon” looks like. Need a haircut?

Hanoi Sans Souci IV Hotel

Walked around the Old Quarter Hanoi and I found out that “Church Boutique Hotel Hanoi” located at 95 Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem, Hoan Kiem District – Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam is actually quite good too, if you prefer a more modern and stylish room. Book through Agoda it’s about $USD 69 per night (original price is $USD 90). Another 3 stars hotel recommended is “Hanoi Sans Souci IV Hotel” located at 16 Ngo Huyen Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hoan Kiem District – Ha Noi Cathedral, Hanoi, Vietnam where there are many Hanoi backpackers hostels too.