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2 nights, 3 days

Hanoi 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through Hanoi grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Distances are straight-line, so actual transit times will differ. Feel free to reorder the stops. · Updated August 15, 2026

The whole route at a glance

Map and place data © OpenStreetMap contributors Lines are straight connections, not actual routes.

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3

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1

DAY 1

Around Imperial Citadel of Thang Long · Castles & palaces·Views & landmarks

Directions in Google Maps
  1. Morning
    Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

    Castles & palaces

    A former imperial citadel in Hanoi, Vietnam, that holds centuries of dynastic history. Walking through the palace grounds and ruins, you can picture what it once looked like.

  2. After lunch
    Flag Tower of Hanoi

    Views & landmarks · 0 km from the previous stop

    A landmark tower symbolizing Hanoi, standing within the grounds of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As one of the city's defining symbols, it's well worth a visit.

  3. Afternoon
    Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts

    Museums & galleries · 0.4 km from the previous stop

    The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum occupies a former French colonial-era building in Hanoi's Ba Dinh district. It holds a collection of modern and contemporary paintings, sculptures, and lacquerware, making it Vietnam's second-largest art museum after the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts.

  4. Evening
    Temple of Literature

    Heritage & monuments · 0.3 km from the previous stop

    The Temple of Literature is a venerable Confucian temple in Hanoi's Dong Da district and the site of Vietnam's first national university. Strolling through its serene gardens and traditional architecture, visitors can sense centuries of history.

2

DAY 2

Around Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum · Heritage & monuments·Parks & gardens

Directions in Google Maps
  1. Morning
    Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

    Heritage & monuments

    The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum stands on Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi. This grand three-story structure is open to the public and continues to draw a steady stream of visitors paying their respects.

  2. After lunch
    Ba Ðình Square

    Parks & gardens · 0.1 km from the previous stop

    A square that holds the history of Vietnam's independence, where Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the country's founding in 1945. After his death, a mausoleum was built here to house his remains.

  3. Afternoon
    One Pillar Pagoda

    Temples & religious sites · 0.3 km from the previous stop

    This is one of Hanoi's most iconic ancient pagodas, built in 1049 by Ly Thai Tong, founder of the Ly dynasty. It was damaged during the war in 1954 and later restored to its present form.

  4. Evening
    Ho Chi Minh Museum

    Museums & galleries · 0.1 km from the previous stop

    The Ho Chi Minh Museum sits near Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi and opened to mark the 100th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh's birth. It connects to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, so visitors can explore his life and belongings together.

3

DAY 3

Around Hoàn Kiếm Lake · Nature·Views & landmarks

Directions in Google Maps
  1. Morning
    Hoàn Kiếm Lake

    Nature

    This lake in the heart of Hanoi is tied to a legend about a magic sword being returned. Strolling along its shore, you can take in locals' daily life and the city's lively atmosphere.

  2. After lunch
    Turtle Tower

    Views & landmarks · 0.1 km from the previous stop

    Turtle Tower is a small structure standing in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, its name literally meaning "tortoise tower." It's best admired from afar while strolling along the lakeside.

  3. Afternoon
    Saint Joseph Cathedral

    Temples & religious sites · 0.4 km from the previous stop

    St. Joseph's Cathedral stands on Nha Tho Street in Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, built in the late 19th century in Neo-Gothic style. As the seat of the Archdiocese of Hanoi, it features an impressive spired facade.

  4. Evening
    Red River Delta

    Nature · 0.5 km from the previous stop

    The Red River Delta is a vast plain in northern Vietnam formed where the Red River and Thai Binh River meet, crisscrossed by a dense network of waterways. Its sweeping rice paddies offer a glimpse into the charm of rural Vietnamese life.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Around Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the anchor of day one. Staying here keeps your first day's travel shortest.

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