Taking photos, experiencing food tours, visiting exhibitions and viewing Hanoi from above are suggestions for tourists when coming to Hanoi for a day. The experiences have many activities that only take place in the fall, concentrated in the Old Quarter and the area near Hoan Kiem Lake.
Morning
Get up early and walk around downtown
In autumn, Hanoi will have a later morning than in summer. At around 6am, stepping out into the street, visitors will feel the fresh, cool air, bright sunshine but not too cold or hot enough to sweat. Humidity is usually below 50% so it will feel a bit dry.
This is a special experience of autumn weather, not available at other times of the year. Autumn in Hanoi is usually short, so enjoy this moment. If coming from the South, visitors should bring a light jacket or long-sleeved shirt.
Breakfast at a Michelin Pho restaurant
During Michelin’s first visit to Vietnam, many pho restaurants in Hanoi received the Selected and Bib Gourmand titles, including Pho Tu Lun (or Pho Au Trieu) next to the Cathedral. The rich, fatty broth is the specialty of this pho restaurant. The restaurant opens from 6:30 a.m. If you choose to sit on the sidewalk, you have to use a chair as a table or hold a bowl to eat.
Coffee in front of the Cathedral
The autumn “combo” cannot lack a cup of tea or coffee with some green rice flakes, stir-fried green rice flakes and a few bananas or pickled ripe dracontomelon. These are typical autumn dishes in Hanoi. Visitors can easily buy them at many street vendors or shops along Ly Quoc Su Street in front of the Cathedral.
Around the church area, visitors can choose sidewalk cafes or more “luxurious” ones, and view the church from the attics, depending on their style. The cathedral is quite quiet in the morning.
Hanoi Photography
In October, passing through famous places in Hanoi such as Hoan Kiem Lake, the Cathedral, the Old Quarter, Long Bien Bridge, you will see many people taking pictures, including tourists and Hanoians, wearing Ao Dai. The autumn sunlight creates sparkling photos. If you want it to be quiet, take photos early in the morning, when combined with a walk, if you want to have brilliant photos with the golden autumn sunlight, visitors should take photos around 9-10am.
Noon
Explore a culinary alley
Trung Yen, the entrance from Dinh Liet street or from Hang Be market, is an alley with many famous food stalls, rated as high quality in Hanoi. This alley is always bustling, with dishes such as Pho Suong, Ngan Nhan, Bun Ca Sam Cay Si . These are all street foods, loved by Hanoians.
In addition, in the central area of Hanoi there are other famous food alleys such as Dong Xuan, Trang Tien, Phat Loc, Hang Hanh.
Afternoon
Watch the “Hang Street Stories” tour
Visitors to Hanoi in October will have the opportunity to experience the lifestyle of Hanoians nearly 100 years ago at the ancient house at 87 Ma May on the “Stories of Hang Street” tour. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and is performed on weekends.
During the tour, visitors are introduced to the lifestyle and activities of selling traditional medicine of the owner, participate in some steps such as grinding medicine, rolling medicine, heating moxa, steaming, and enjoying rustic dishes. After having an overview of the traditional medicine profession, visitors watch the play “Stories of Hang Street” performed by actors of the Youth Theater.
Dinner with La Vong fish cake
La Vong fish cake is one of the dishes associated with Hanoi. Fish cake is usually made from fresh catfish, with few bones and sweet meat. The fish pieces are marinated with spices to create a fragrant aroma and a turmeric yellow color. Then, the fish is lightly fried, when customers order, it is stir-fried in a hot pan, adding dill and green onions. Fish cake is eaten with fresh vermicelli, shrimp paste and roasted peanuts. Visitors can choose to eat on Cha Ca Street or Duong Thanh Street.
Evening and night
Instead of viewing Hanoi from familiar street corners during the day, visitors should go to a bar to see the center from a high angle. Many tall hotels around the Old Quarter often use their rooftops as bars. Visitors can go early to watch the sunset or go later when it is completely dark to see Hanoi sparkling under the lights and enjoy live music.
