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In this article we are going to share 18 awesome things to do in Hanoi at night in 2026. Hanoi is a bustling vibrant city with a buzzing nightlife. There are some really cool things to do in Hanoi at night that you don’t want to miss!
We love Vietnam so much we can’t stop coming back. Exploring Hanoi is one of our favorite things to do in Vietnam. We are super excited to share these ideas and inspiration with you.
Hanoi has it all. Whether you are looking to try some authentic street food, chill out with a tasty drink or experience some quirky cultural highlights. All of the activities and ideas that we share in this article are available in the evening and into the night. So whether you are exploring around sunset time in the early evening or you want to stay out late into the night, there really is something for everyone.
Don’t miss our awesome step-by-step 3 day Hanoi itinerary we also have a self-guided walking tour of Hanoi – perfect to explore all of the main attractions by day
Summary of the best things to do in Hanoi at night
- Visit beer street
- Try some desserts
- Check out train street
- Watch a street performance
- Enjoy Pho Soup
- Try Vietnamese coconut coffee
- Go shopping on the Hanoi night market
- Grab a cocktail at Terraco Sky bar
- Sample some snails
- Watch a water puppet show
- Visit Ngoc Son temple
- Visit the Quang Ba flower market
- Book a local tour
- Try some painting
- Stroll around Hoan Kiem lake
- Grab a Bahn Mi
- Get a traditional Vietnamese massage
- Get a cheeky treat at Chewy Jr
Map of the best things to do in Hanoi at night
What is Hanoi like at night?
Hanoi has great vibes at night. The old quarter really comes to life in the evening. One of the most popular things to do in Hanoi at night is to visit the city’s street food stalls. Hanoi has a well earned reputation for epic street food, and the city comes alive in the evening with vendors serving a range of local delicacies. From Pho noodles to sweet and sticky Che desserts, there’s so much to try. Be sure to try a Banh mi baguette with pickled vegetables and meats.
If you are looking for entertainment, Hanoi offers a range of options. The city’s thriving live music scene features traditional Vietnamese performances as well as more contemporary acts. Alternatively, catch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show, a unique form of entertainment that tells stories through intricately carved wooden puppets (more on this soon).
If you’re looking for a more chilled out experience, head to one of Hanoi’s lakes or parks. Hoan Kiem Lake is a particularly popular spot, surrounded by cafes, restaurants and street vendors. The tranquil atmosphere and stunning views of the lake make it the perfect place to relax and unwind after a busy day exploring the city.
What is the best way to get around in Hanoi at Night?
If you are traveling around Hanoi at night the best way to get around is to use taxis. The best way to get a taxi in Hanoi is to use one of the taxi apps. In Vietnam you can either use the grab taxi app or the Gojek taxi app. Most taxi journeys around Hanoi at night are likely to cost 50,000VND – 200,000VND.
Pssst… don’t miss our FULL GUIDE for Vietnam travel tips
What time do things stay open in Hanoi?
Many places in Hanoi stay open late into the night. It doesn’t seem to get any quieter in the evening. If anything things get more busy and chaotic as the evening rolls on. Cafes, coffee shops, bars and restaurants all seem to stay open very late in Hanoi. Some spas, cafes and coffee shops close around 10 p.m. most bars and clubs stay open late into the night – often into the early hours.
Is Hanoi safe at night?
If you are planning to explore Hanoi by night we recommend taking some precautions. If possible go out with other people and watch out for each other. Hanoi is a relatively safe city; However, there are risks everywhere in the world and we recommend taking precautions. Always be vigilant if you are approached by strangers on the street. Never leave drinks unattended. Try to stay with at least one other person.
1 Visit beer street
One of the most popular things to do in the Old Quarter at night is to visit beer street. This is a bustling area of the old quarter which has a reputation for amazing street food and refreshing beers. Small cafes and bars sell local beer for great prices. Bia Hoi is a refreshing draft beer sold in Vietnam – especially alongside tasty street food. You can also find cans and bottles of beer in small shops. Beer is pretty cheap in Vietnam, normally costing around 20,000 – 40,000VND.
2 Try some desserts
One of the unique and lesser known things to do in Vietnam at night is try some local desserts. There is a real desert culture in Hanoi. around the old quarter you can find small dessert shops serving a wide range of local sweet treats. Traditional Vietnamese desserts normally include ingredients like beans, tarot, sweet potato, jellies, pandan noodles, palm sugar, coconut cream and crushed ice. This may sound like a very strange list of ingredients but somehow it just works. There is also something very enjoyable and memorable about crouching on a small stool on the street side, enjoying a unique Vietnamese dessert.
Details in brief: Grab a local dessert at Chè Ngon 93 cafe in the old quarter. Normally cost between 30,000 – 40,000VND
3 Check out train street
If you are looking for unique things to do in Hanoi at night then check out the iconic Hanoi train Street. Visiting train street was one of our highlights of Hanoi. This Narrow Street has train tracks running down the middle and lots of small cafes and coffee shops lining the street. There are several trains a day that run along train street, and the best time to see the trains is actually in the evening.
4 Watch a live street performance
You can often see live street performances in the old quarter at night. Performances do not follow a timetable or schedule, however it is very common to find people performing at various locations on any given night. Sometimes you will see traditional music and dance performances. Every now and then it is possible to see drama and acting performances. From time to time local bands also perform live to showcase their music.
5 Enjoy Pho Soup
All of the best things to do in Hanoi at night involve food! Hanoi has an awesome street food culture. Street food is cheap and readily available until late in the evening. One of the most popular types of street food in Vietnam is Pho soup. Around the old quester you will see lots of small streetside cafes serving Pho – a noodle soup with a tasty stock, meat and garnishes.
Details in brief: Pho typically costs 30,000VND – 60,000VND. Check out Mỳ Phố cafe in the old quarter.
6 Try Vietnamese coconut coffee
Vietnam has a strong coffee culture. There are so many things to love about Vietnam! If you are looking for a caffeine boost before you head out in the evening, why not try some Vietnamese coffee? Vietnamese coffee can be quite strong so we don’t recommend it before you try to sleep. However, if you need a caffeine hit before going out – then grab a coffee from one of the many coffee shops in the Old Quarter. We highly recommend the amazing Vietnamese coconut coffees. Coconut coffee is a very unique and tasty way of serving coffee – with heaps of delicious iced coconut cream.
Details in brief: Coconut coffee normally costs around 50,000VND
7 Go shopping on the Hanoi night market
If you are looking for fun things to do in Hanoi at night then make sure you check out the Hanoi night market. The Hanoi night market runs along P. Hàng Đào street in the old quarter every friday, saturday and sunday evening. The night market has plenty of stalls selling food, jewelry, accessories, clothing, artwork, gifts and of course plenty of epic street food too! If you are shopping on the night market we recommend bartering to get a good deal.
8 Grab a cocktail at Terraco Sky bar
Hanoi has a buzzing nightlife with bars, clubs and restaurants open late into the night. Grab a cocktail at one of the many bars in the old quarter. We recommend the Terraco Sky bar for good vibes and atmosphere. This stylish bar has great views over the old quarter. They serve an epic range of gourmet food and drinks.
Details in brief: The Terraco Sky bar is located next to the Hoan Kiem lake on P.Hang Dau street. Most food ranges between 100,000VND – 200,000VND. Cocktails cost around 200,000VND – 250,000VND.
9 Sample some snails
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Hanoi at night why not try some snails? Around the Hanoi old quarter you can find plenty of bizarre and interesting street food. We really enjoyed trying snails in the Hanoi old quarter. Snails are boiled and then served in their shells with a spicy dipping sauce. A sharp stick is used to pull the snails out of their shell and eat them. When you first put the snail in your mouth your palate is greeted with slime. However, if you continue to eat you will reach succulent snail meat.
Details in brief: Snails are served in the evening at ốc nóng hà trang on Dinh Liet street. A portion of snails is likely to cost around 60,000VND – 90,000VND
10 Watch a water puppet show
If you’re looking for cultural things to do in Hanoi at night make sure you check out the Hanoi water puppet show. The Hanoi water puppet show is a traditional puppet show performed over a pool of water. Vietnamese artwork, smoke, lighting and traditional live music is used to enhance the performance. The puppet act out traditional stories and tales from Vietnamese folklore.
Details in brief: Go to the Thang Long water puppet theatre (near Hoan Kiem lake). The show takes around 1 hour. Water puppet shows start at 5.20pm and 6.30pm, with an additional 8pm show on fridays and saturdays. There is an early show on Sundays at 4.10pm. Prices range between 100,000 – 200,000VND depending on your choice of seat.
11 Visit Ngoc Son temple
If you’re looking for cultural things to do in Hanoi at night then make sure to check out the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple (also known as the Temple of the Jade Mountain). This Buddhist temple is located on a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake in the Hanoi old quarter. The temple was built in the 19th century and is dedicated to Tran Hung Dao, a national hero who fought against the Mongol invasions of Vietnam, and Van Xuong, a scholar and physician. The temple’s entrance is a red wooden bridge called The Huc Bridge. This temple is very beautiful and well worth a visit. However, it is not very big. We recommend allowing around 20 or 30-minutes to explore the beautiful temple.
Details in brief: It costs 30,000VND to enter the Ngoc Son Temple. You need to pay for a ticket at a small booth near the entrance to the bridge.
12 Visit the Quang Ba flower market
If you’re looking for fun and unique things to do in Hanoi at night then check out the bustling Quang Ba Flower Market. This is a vibrant and bustling market located next to Ho Tay Lake (north of the Old Quarter). The flower market is open through the night. The best time to visit is around midnight when flowers are delivered from surrounding areas. This flower market sells a wide range of flowers – Roses, lilies, delicate orchids and exotic tropical plants. At the Quang Ba Flower Markets to the market you can see traditional flower arranging techniques and purchase a variety of handmade floral arrangements. From bouquets and garlands to intricate floral sculptures, the market offers a wide range of creative and unique flower arrangements.
13 Book a local tour
Another thing you can do in Hanoi at night is visit a Tour Office. Throughout the Old quarter there are many small local tour offices offering a range of services. For example, you can book bus tickets, train tickets or book all-inclusive tours. The staff at tour offices are very helpful and friendly (they generally speak an excellent level of English). Tour operators can give you information about tools and help answer questions about things to do around Hanoi. This is a great way to make sure that you don’t miss a thing.
14 Try some painting
If you are looking for creative things to do in Hanoi at night then watch out for street side artwork. In the old quarter you can find tables setup with art materials and art projects. For a small contribution you are welcome to sit down and try some artwork – whether it’s painting an ornament or painting a picture. This is a fun and unique way to connect with locals and enjoy the lovely ambiance of the Hanoi old quarter by night.
15 Stroll around Hoan Kiem lake
Hoan Kiem lake is located right in the heart of the Hanoi Old Quarter. This is a lovely spot for an evening stroll. Hoan Kiem lake is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Along the paths around the lake you can see local street vendors selling gifts, toys and ice cream. We already mentioned the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple located on a small island in the lake.
16 Grab a Bahn Mi
Another MUST do activity in Hanoi is try a Bahn Mi sandwich. This is a super tasty treat made from a french style baguette filled with fillings like meat, egg, pickled veggies and sauces. Banh Mi sandwiches tend to be toasted before serving and make a very tasty and satisfying snack. Banh Mi is generally available throughout the day in Vietnam – from breakfast and late into the evening. As a super popular food you can get Banh Mi all over the old quarter.
Details in brief: Bahn Mi sandwiches generally cost in the range of 30,000VND – 50,000VND
17 Get a traditional Vietnamese massage
If you’re looking for relaxing things to do in Hanoi at night we highly recommend getting a traditional Vietnamese massage. This is a great way to unwind and experience a traditional part of Vietnamese culture. Vietnamese massages are very relaxing and therapeutic. BUT they can also be pretty intense. Be prepared to be bended, kneaded and twisted in all directions. Vietnamese massage is also impressively cheap. There are many small spas located around the old quarter and you can normally just arrive and get a massage straight away (no need to pre-book). Expect to pay around 100,000VND – 400,000VND for a traditional Vietnamese massage. The exact price depends on the length of the massage, the style of massage and the particular spa.
18 Get a cheeky treat at Chewy Jr
If you are looking for treatful things to do in Hanoi at night make sure you pay a visit to Chewy Puff Junior. This is a small bakery that makes and sells fresh cream puffs. These are made from a light choux pastry filled with delicious sweet cream fillings and topped with rich decadent toppings. Pop in for a delicious cheeky treat!
Details in brief: Chewy Jr is open until around 10pm. Prices range between 20,000VND – 30,000VND.
What are the best places to stay in Hanoi?
There really are some excellent hotels in Hanoi. Whether you’re looking for a cheap budget hotel, a stylish boutique hotel or a luxury 5 star hotel in Hanoi or a great family friendly hotel in Hanoi– there’s something for everyone here. With all this choice it can be hard to narrow it down. HERE are our TOP PICK hotels in Hanoi…
1 Golden Time Hostel
Golden Time is one of the cheapest hostels in Hanoi. All rooms at The Golden Time Hostel are private with, A.C. and ensuite bathrooms. Rooms are pretty small but they are comfortable. Golden time offers affordable, comfortable and secure accommodation. You get a lot for your money. This small hotel is excellently located in the heart of the Hanoi old quarter.
2 Kingdom Hotel Hanoi
Kingdom hotel offers the best value for money in Hanoi. Rooms at the Kingdom are well decorated and offer comfortable and secure accommodation. Kingdom hotel has a family room with two double beds and can sleep up to 4 people. This is a relatively central and quiet location. A great choice if you’re on a budget but still want some style.
3 Hotel Emerald Waters Classy
Hotel Emerald Waters is a beautiful hotel excellently located in the Hanoi old town. We love the elegant interior design and use of stylish art in this hotel. Rooms are spacious and very comfortable. They offer a connecting Family Suite that can sleep up to 4 people.
4 Royal Holiday Hanoi Hotel
Royal Holiday is a glam and stylish hotel excellently situated right next to the beautiful Hoan Kiem lake in the heart of the old quarter. The Royal Holiday is a luxurious and regal hotel with grand and comfortable decadent furniture. If you’re looking for somewhere that offers decadence, style, location and very good prices – this is one of the best choices in Hanoi.
5 Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique hotel
Hanoi has several beautiful 5 star hotels. The Peridot Grand has a fusion of regal, eclectic and classic 1900 interior design. Peridot has a rooftop swimming pool (a unique feature for Hanoi). This hotel offers high quality for the prices. We are amazed how far your money can go in Vietnam.
6 The Oriental Jade Hotel
If you’re looking for decadent 5 star hotels in Hanoi definitely check out the Oriental Jade Hotel. This is a luxurious 5-star hotel with a rooftop swimming pool. Rooms and suites at the Oriental Jade hotel are spacious, luxurious and well furnished. You can choose your view and select rooms with large outdoor terraces.
7 Grand Mercure Hanoi
The Grand Mercure is one of THE BEST 5-star hotels in Hanoi. This superlative property has a luxurious, light and vibrant east Asian interior design theme. This hotel has comfortable and decadent furniture to create the ultimate relaxing environment. The Mercure has large windows offering amazing views and plenty of natural light.
8 Capella Hanoi
The Capella Hanoi is one of the most impressive luxury hotels in Vietnam. This exquisite hotel has a bright vibrant vintage interior design theme. The capella Hanoi really is a dreamy property. There is an indoor swimming pool, 3 restaurants on site, a decadent spa offering luxurious treatments and the spacious suites are absolutely amazing.
