What is the best phở in Hanoi?

Pho Gia Truyen on Bat Dan Street is the canonical pick (queue from 7am, closed by noon). Pho Suong in the Ngo Trung Yen alley is the quieter alternative. Pho Thin for the fattier version.

How do you visit Halong Bay from Hanoi?

A 2.5 hour drive, then a 1 or 2 night cruise. Book a small-group boat (not the mass-market 200-passenger ones) for around 200 to 350 euros per person per night including all meals. Bhaya Cruises or Indochina Junk for the mid-tier.

When is the best time to visit Hanoi?

October to April, the dry and cool months. May to September is hot and rainy. December and January nights get down to 10 degrees, pack a layer.

Where is bia hoi corner?

The intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen in the Old Quarter. Open evening only, 6pm to midnight. The 30 cent draught beer corner where locals and travelers mix.

Hidden Hanoi, 5 min read

Hidden gems in Hanoi, beyond the Old Quarter

Published 5 June 2026

Quick answer

-Tay Ho lake at dawn, the locals jogging and tai chi spot.
-Cha Ca La Vong, the 130 year old turmeric fish restaurant.
-Bia hoi corner in Ta Hien for the local 30 cent beers and plastic stools.
-Long Bien Bridge at sunrise, the colonial-era bridge crossing the Red River.
-Bat Trang ceramic village, 30 minutes from the centre.

Tay Ho lake at dawn

The big lake in the north of the city wakes up at 5:30am. Hundreds of locals jog, do tai chi, badminton, and group dances around the perimeter. The Tran Quoc Pagoda on the lake island opens early. Coffee at Cong Caphe on the lakeside afterwards. The Hanoi the tourists do not see.

Cha Ca La Vong

The only thing on the menu is cha ca, turmeric-marinated catfish grilled at the table with dill, scallions, and peanuts. Around 8 euros per person. The restaurant has been open since 1871, in a slightly faded space on Cha Ca Street. Tourists know about it but most skip it. The crew memorable meal.

Bia hoi corner

The intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen is the bia hoi (fresh draught beer) corner. Around 30 to 50 cents per glass. You sit on plastic stools on the sidewalk, the beer is brewed daily, the snacks are spring rolls and nem chua. Goes from 6pm to midnight.

Long Bien Bridge at sunrise

The Long Bien Bridge across the Red River, built by Gustave Eiffel firm in the 1900s, is now used by motorbikes, trains, and pedestrians. Walk across at sunrise. The view of the river and the lit-up city behind you is the trip most photogenic 20 minutes. Combine with breakfast pho on the far side in the Long Bien neighborhood.

Bat Trang ceramic village

Thirty minutes by Grab south of the city, Bat Trang has been making ceramics for 700 years. Workshop visits, pottery wheel attempts, and a much better selection of Vietnamese pottery than the souvenir shops in the Old Quarter. Half a day.

Cong Caphe and the egg coffee scene

Egg coffee (ca phe trung) was invented at Cafe Giang in 1946 when wartime milk shortages led the owner to whip egg yolks instead. The original Cafe Giang on Nguyen Huu Huan is the cult version. Cong Caphe (a chain) does the casual everyday version.

Frequently asked

What is the best phở in Hanoi?
Pho Gia Truyen on Bat Dan Street is the canonical pick (queue from 7am, closed by noon). Pho Suong in the Ngo Trung Yen alley is the quieter alternative. Pho Thin for the fattier version.
How do you visit Halong Bay from Hanoi?
A 2.5 hour drive, then a 1 or 2 night cruise. Book a small-group boat (not the mass-market 200-passenger ones) for around 200 to 350 euros per person per night including all meals. Bhaya Cruises or Indochina Junk for the mid-tier.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
October to April, the dry and cool months. May to September is hot and rainy. December and January nights get down to 10 degrees, pack a layer.
Where is bia hoi corner?
The intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen in the Old Quarter. Open evening only, 6pm to midnight. The 30 cent draught beer corner where locals and travelers mix.