If you are hoping to get off the well-trodden tourist track or looking to buy something a little more unique during your time in Hanoi, this is my insider’s guide of the ‘best shops to visit, and things to do’ during your stay. All of these options are ones that that I personally loved when I lived there and always suggested to visiting friends.

Hanoi is a bustling and vibrant city and there is a vast amount of options for everything – dining, shopping, touring – that it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to start. Coupled with the fact that there is a number of less than desirable establishment that are looking to make a quick buck – usually at the tourist’s expense – it can be quite disheartening. The places on this list that I have curated are all reputable and offer quality products or services. Nearly all of which, have a strong focus on sustainability and offer fair wages to their staff and workers. This may mean they are more expensive than other options you will find in Hanoi, but you can be confident in not only the quality of your purchases, but also the positive impact of them.

Tours and Classes

My advice to everyone who visits Hanoi for the first time is to set yourself up with either a walking tour or a cooking class. This not only allows you to gain your bearings early on – but you also have the invaluable information at your fingertips through your tour guides. Your guides can really set you up for a successful trip by giving you some incredibly helpful tips and tricks of how to navigate the city! How to cross a road for example! My tour guide taught me that – and over the 4 years of living there I would think of him every time I crossed the busy streets.

Hidden Hanoi

Hidden Hanoi offers both cooking classes and walking tours – Both of which are excellent. Oanh who also goes by her English name Nikita, runs Hidden Hanoi. She is a born and bred Hanoian and is not only a wealth of knowledge but she is generous and passionate with it too.

The cooking classes take place in a large house, with a beautiful courtyard. It offers a bit of an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city. What I loved about Hidden Hanoi is that they offers a wide variety of menus to choose from, covering the very popular dishes such as Pho to the lesser well known yet equally delicious dishes such a Snow Ball Tofu.

Top tip: See if you can combine the Pagoda Vegetarian Menu with the Street Food Menu and you will have your self a cracker class!

Urban Adventures by Intrepid Traveller

I love Urban Adventures and have gone on their tours in Paris, Lima and Rio de Janaerio. As a company I love what they stand for, and I have always received quality service from them. I did the Hanoi Street Food Experience tour when I was relatively new in Hanoi, and it was a fantastic way to navigate Old Quarter and get acquainted with local dishes I had not heard of prior. This was where my LOVE of Bhan Cuon was born! Wonderfully thin rice wrappers filled with pork and mushroom which you dip in that tangy-sweet sauce!

Best Shopping in Hanoi

There is an ABUNDANCE of shops in Hanoi! The Vietnamese are hustlers – they work incredibly hard and are not afraid to hop on to new trends and fads. New shops are constantly springing up and old ones closing. Here are a few of my favourites – ranging from the high-end to the souvenir shops.

The ones I have concentrated on are all based between Old Quarter and Tay Ho as this is usually where the majority of tourists will stay and visit.

Chula Fashion

Chula has a very special place in my heart – and I would venture to say in the hearts of many expats in Hanoi! It is so much more than a clothes shop – it is a movement, it is a community and it could even be considered a cultural hub. Run by a friend of mine Laura and her late husband Diego, they have created a truly unique and inspiring slow-fashion brand. Pairing traditional with modernity, East with West their clothes are joyful, hand-made, unique and sustainable. This really is a must stop shop for anyone remotely interested in fashion.    

Tan My Designs

Located in the heart of Silk Street in the Old Quarter – this three generational family run shop, is an excellent place to get good quality Vietnamese made products ranging from handkerchiefs to lacquer trays to designer clothes. The shop coverers multiple floors in a renovated shop house, complete with café on site – it makes for a very pleasant shopping experience.

Amazing Hanoi

On the same street as Tan My is Amazing Hanoi – and like Tan My they have a wide variety of products but far more budget friendly! The shop is filled to the brim with Vietnamese nick-nacks and is the perfect place to get all your souvenirs. What I like about this shop, is that the prices are more or less set (you can always haggle in Hanoi!) and they are fair. I never felt like I was being ripped off and was confident on what I had bought.

Gingko Concept Store

This was one of Vietnam’s first original fair-trade brands. They specialise in 100% organic T-shirts with a very cool and playful Vietnamese inspired designs. Think – the iconic jumble of telephone wires you see throughout the city. Although they do cater for women, I found it to be a really good place to buy presents for the men and boys in my life.

Humanity Hanoi

This shop just opened a few weeks before I left – but I really liked what they sold and love what they stood for. Based in my old neighbourhood of Tay Ho, their products range from fashion to lifestyle but all focusing on emerging socially conscious brands from around Vietnam and South East Asia.

Bookworm Hanoi

This is one for the booklovers out there! It is Hanoi’s only dedicated English book store selling both used and new books – and like all good bookstore it is a pleasure to just be in! Spread over two floors, with a shady courtyard where you can order drinks and snacks – you are encouraged to stay and browse as long as you would like. For those who would like to delve further into Vietnam’s culture there is a room dedicated to Vietnamese literature, cook books and photo books on the top floor.

Huong’s Jewelry

If it is Jewelry you are after – Huong’s Jewelry is a good option. They are a big company but have a small shop in Old Quarter where you can find everything from silver to gold to pearls to gemstone. Their designs range from modern jeweller to Vietnamese inspired pieces. I especially liked their cufflinks with the Constellation of Literature Pavilion on them (Hanoi’s official symbol). They made an excellent Christmas gift for C a few years back.

Hanoia

A luxury lifestyle brand known for their high quality and contemporary lacquer products. Their high-end pricing maybe a bit jarring when your in Hanoi, however, their products are beautiful. I particularly love their lacquer tea caddies and wish I had bought more when I was there. They have 3 locations in Hanoi (including The Metropole) however the one I like the most is their flagship store Hanoia House in the Old Quarter. The house itself is a remodeled ‘tube house’ and is worthy a visit in it’s own right just to admire see the architectual design. In fact, this article from Design and Architecture goes into detail of the remodeling of Hanoia House.

Must Do Things While in Hanoi

Apart from the usual tourist attractions and sight-seeing which you will want to do during your trip, I would highly suggest to make time for the following!

Body and Soul Spa

There are many spas and message places in Hanoi, but I would say hands down that Body and Soul is the best. Professional service, beautiful ambience and wonderful customer service. You will feel truly cared for and pampered during your time here. You can get everything from a simple manicure to a full body message. Set in an old house in Tay Ho the owner has paid particular attention to the décor and has tastefully curated every part of the house with Vietnamese art and artifacts. It truly offers a respite from the hustle of the streets outside.

Water Puppets at Thang Long Theatre

This is on every tourist website out there, but I think it is well worth to go see the famous water puppet show. Thang Long Theatre is right next to the renowned Hoan Kiem lake in Old Quarter, and they are a well-oiled machine in terms of catering to tourists. The show is no longer than 45 minutes long and it is surprisingly entertaining.

Walking Around Hoan Kiem Lake – Friday to Sunday

From Friday afternoon until Sunday evening the road around Hoan Kiem lake in Old Quarter is closed down to traffic and opens up to pedestrians – and it is when the Hanoians reclaim their space. Depending on what time of day you are there you will see all sorts of activities. Exercise classes, Latin dance classes, orchestra recitals or even young men with their portable karaoke boxes singing to their hearts content. It is such a fun and lively experience I would definitely factor in a stroll around the lake in the evening before or after dinner.

I love this video that I took one evening C and I went for an after dinner walk around the lake – I think it sums up Hanoi beautifully

I have created a list of all the above mentioned places with their address and contact details which you can print and pack with you if you would find that easier! Please click on the button below :)