Don’t Leave Hanoi Without Trying These 7 Experiences

Hanoi is not simply a city to visit—it is a city to taste, feel and experience.

Behind the busy streets of the Old Quarter, visitors can find traditional food, peaceful lakes, centuries-old art forms and creative activities that reveal a more authentic side of Vietnam’s capital.

If you are looking for the best things to do in Hanoi, these seven experiences deserve a place on your travel itinerary. From making your own Bát Tràng pottery to drinking egg coffee and watching a traditional water puppet show, each activity offers a different way to connect with the city.

Seven must-try experiences in Hanoi including a Bát Tràng pottery class

7 Experiences You Must Try in Hanoi

1. Make your own Bát Tràng pottery

2. Drink egg coffee in the Hanoi Old Quarter

3. Eat authentic Hanoi bún chả

4. Explore the Old Quarter by cyclo

5. Walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake

6. Watch a traditional water puppet show

7. Try Tràng Tiền ice cream

1. Make Your Own Bát Tràng Pottery

Hanoi is famous for its history, food and architecture, but one of the most memorable experiences is creating something with your own hands.

Bát Tràng is a traditional ceramic village with hundreds of years of pottery-making history. Today, visitors can experience this Vietnamese craft without travelling far from central Hanoi.

At Authentic Bát Tràng, located at 115 Hàng Gai in the Hanoi Old Quarter, you can sit at a pottery wheel, work with natural clay and learn how to shape your own bowl, cup or vase.

You do not need any previous pottery experience. An instructor will guide you through the essential steps, from centring the clay to shaping and finishing your piece.

The pottery class includes:

• Approximately three hours of instruction and practice

• Unlimited clay for practising during the class

• One finished piece to be fired and glazed

• Guidance from an experienced pottery instructor

• A creative activity in the heart of the Hanoi Old Quarter

The finished ceramic piece becomes more than a souvenir. It is a personal memory of Hanoi that you created with your own hands.

The experience is also suitable for couples, friends, families and travellers looking for a relaxing indoor activity on a hot or rainy day.

Learn more about the pottery class in Hanoi Old Quarter.

Seven must-try experiences in Hanoi including a Bát Tràng pottery class

2. Drink Egg Coffee in a Hidden Old Quarter Café

Vietnam is one of the world’s great coffee destinations, and Hanoi’s most distinctive coffee is cà phê trứng, or egg coffee.

This rich drink is made by combining strong Vietnamese coffee with a smooth, creamy egg mixture. The result is almost like a dessert served in a cup: warm, sweet and deeply aromatic.

For the best atmosphere, try egg coffee in one of the small cafés hidden inside the narrow streets and old buildings of the Hanoi Old Quarter.

Some cafés are located upstairs, behind shops or at the end of tiny passageways. Finding them is part of the experience.

Take your time, stir the creamy top layer into the coffee and enjoy a quiet moment away from the energy of the streets.

Traditional Hanoi egg coffee in an Old Quarter café

3. Eat Authentic Hanoi Bún Chả

No visit to Hanoi is complete without trying bún chả.

This well-known local dish includes grilled pork, rice noodles, fresh herbs and a light dipping sauce with pickled vegetables. Each element is served separately, allowing you to combine the flavours exactly as you like.

The smell of pork cooking over charcoal is often the first thing that attracts visitors to a bún chả restaurant.

To eat it like a local, place some noodles and herbs into the dipping sauce, add a piece of grilled pork and enjoy everything together.

Bún chả is widely available throughout Hanoi, from simple family-run restaurants to popular Old Quarter food spots. It is an excellent choice for lunch before an afternoon of sightseeing or pottery making.

Authentic Hanoi bun cha with grilled pork and rice noodles

4. Explore the Hanoi Old Quarter by Cyclo

Walking is one of the best ways to discover Hanoi, but riding a cyclo offers a completely different perspective.

A cyclo is a traditional three-wheeled bicycle taxi with a passenger seat at the front. As your driver moves slowly through the streets, you can observe old houses, street vendors, cafés, shops and the everyday rhythm of the city.

A cyclo ride is especially enjoyable around Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Hanoi Old Quarter.

It allows you to experience the movement and atmosphere of Hanoi without having to navigate the busy streets yourself. It is also a good opportunity to take photographs and notice details that are easy to miss when travelling by car.

Before starting, confirm the route, duration and total price with the driver.

Tourists exploring the Hanoi Old Quarter by cyclo

5. Walk Around Hoàn Kiếm Lake

Hoàn Kiếm Lake is the heart of central Hanoi and one of the easiest places to visit from the Old Quarter.

The walking path around the lake offers views of Turtle Tower, Ngọc Sơn Temple, Thê Húc Bridge and the surrounding historic streets.

Early morning brings local residents exercising and practising tai chi. During the day, the area becomes a lively meeting point for travellers and families. In the evening, the lights create a completely different atmosphere.

A walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake can be combined easily with shopping on Hàng Gai Street, drinking egg coffee, visiting the water puppet theatre or joining a pottery class at Authentic Bát Tràng.

The lake is not only a famous Hanoi landmark. It is also a place where visitors can slow down and feel the daily life of the city.

Visitors walking around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi

6. Watch a Traditional Water Puppet Show

Water puppetry is one of Vietnam’s most distinctive traditional art forms.

The performances take place on a water-filled stage, with colourful wooden puppets controlled by skilled performers hidden behind a screen. Music, singing and traditional instruments help tell stories inspired by Vietnamese village life, legends and folklore.

The Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre is located near Hoàn Kiếm Lake, making it convenient to include in an Old Quarter itinerary.

Even if you do not understand every word, the movement, music and visual storytelling make the performance enjoyable for international visitors and families with children.

Shows can become busy, so purchasing tickets in advance is recommended.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre near Hoan Kiem Lake

7. Try Tràng Tiền Ice Cream

After walking through Hanoi’s warm and energetic streets, stop for a Tràng Tiền ice cream.

The brand has been associated with Hanoi since 1958 and remains a familiar treat for local residents. Popular flavours include coconut, chocolate, vanilla and green rice.

The experience is simple, affordable and deeply connected to everyday life in Hanoi.

Visit the shop near Hoàn Kiếm Lake, choose your favourite flavour and enjoy it while walking through the surrounding streets. It is a refreshing way to finish an afternoon or begin an evening in the city centre.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre near Hoan Kiem Lake

How to Experience All Seven Activities in Hanoi

With a little planning, these experiences can be combined into one memorable day:

Morning

Begin with a walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake while the streets are still relatively calm. Afterwards, enjoy an egg coffee in a hidden Old Quarter café and take a cyclo ride through the historic streets.

Lunchtime

Stop at a local restaurant for authentic Hanoi bún chả.

Afternoon

Join a pottery class at Authentic Bát Tràng from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. You will have time to practise on the pottery wheel and create a personal ceramic souvenir.

Evening

After the pottery class, enjoy Tràng Tiền ice cream and finish your day with a traditional water puppet performance near Hoàn Kiếm Lake.

This itinerary combines food, culture, creativity and sightseeing without requiring long journeys outside central Hanoi.

Create Your Own Hanoi Memory

Photographs are wonderful reminders of a journey, but creating something with your own hands offers a different kind of memory.

At Authentic Bát Tràng, international visitors can discover traditional Vietnamese pottery in a welcoming workshop located in the heart of the Hanoi Old Quarter.

You can also explore an authentic Bát Tràng ceramics shop and learn more about how Vietnamese pottery is made.

Authentic Bát Tràng

Address: 115 Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
Pottery classes: 8:30 AM–11:30 AM and 2:00 PM–5:00 PM
Price: USD 38 per person
Website: www.authenticbattrang.vn
Class information: Pottery Class in Hanoi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Hanoi for first-time visitors?

First-time visitors should explore the Hanoi Old Quarter, walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, taste local dishes such as bún chả, drink egg coffee and experience Vietnamese traditions such as pottery making and water puppetry.

Where can I make pottery in central Hanoi?

Authentic Bát Tràng offers pottery classes at 115 Hàng Gai, inside the Hanoi Old Quarter. Visitors can experience Bát Tràng pottery without travelling outside the city centre.

Do I need pottery experience to join the class?

No previous experience is required. An instructor will demonstrate the process and help beginners learn how to centre and shape clay on the pottery wheel.

Is a pottery class a good rainy-day activity in Hanoi?

Yes. A pottery class is an indoor activity and is a relaxing option when the weather is rainy, very hot or unsuitable for extended outdoor sightseeing.

Can these seven Hanoi experiences be completed in one day?

Yes. Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the Old Quarter, Tràng Tiền ice cream, the water puppet theatre and Authentic Bát Tràng are located close to one another. Allow approximately three hours for the pottery class and book water puppet tickets in advance.

Final Thoughts

Hanoi’s most meaningful moments are often found in its simplest experiences: sharing a bowl of bún chả, drinking coffee in a hidden café, watching the city from a cyclo or turning a piece of clay into something personal.

These seven experiences allow you to taste Hanoi, explore its streets, discover its traditions and create a memory that can travel home with you.

Which Hanoi experience would you try first?