1. Explore the Old Quarter
One of the best activities to do in Hanoi at night is to just stroll around the beautiful Old Quarter. Half of Hanoi seems to hang out here at night, making it a little hectic with so many motorbikes congesting the streets. Walk around the 16 streets, do some souvenir shopping, hop in and out of stores, snap some pictures and join a group of locals for a street side meal. It will be a great way to introduce yourself to the local culture, or even to end your journey in Hanoi.
Distance from La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel: 600 m - 7 min walk
2. Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is just by the Old Quarter, and this is a fun place to walk around and snap some pictures at night. The lights on the buildings and houses surrounding the lake turn on after sunset and get reflected on the water surface, creating a colorful sight. In the center of the lake is an island on which Ngoc Son temple is built, connected by a scarlet bridge. Around the lake is a pedestrian path that becomes popular for health enthusiasts come sundown. You will find joggers and cyclists, and even some elderly using outdoor fitness equipment. It’s also a popular spot for a date — you will find more than a few young couples sneaking kisses on park benches when they think no one is watching.
Distance from La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel: 250 m - 3 min walk
3. Watch a water puppet show
Water puppet shows are a favorite among tourists in Vietnam. This ancient art form features puppets being controlled by adept puppet masters, enacting sketches of the local lifestyle and stories of ancient myths and folklore. The Thang Long Water Puppet House is just by Hoan Kiem Lake and has garnered a reputation for putting on some of the finest shows. Get your tickets early as they run out pretty fast!
Opening Hours: Daily 15:00, 16:10, 17:20, 18:30 & 20:00
Address: 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: +84 43 824 9494
Price Range: VND 100,000
Distance from La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel: 160 m - 2 minute walk
4. Chug Beer at Bia Hoi junction
The Bia Hoi Junction is in the center of the Old Quarter and is the absolute classic night time activity in Hanoi. Over here you’ll find several shophouses that have turned their entrances into street-side bars with plastic tables and stools spilling out onto the sidewalk. They serve fresh beer for as little as VND$10,000 (less than USD$1.00). Street vendors walk around selling steamed peanuts, beef jerky and other exotic snacks.
Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 – late
Address: Ta Hien & Pho Luong Ngoc Quyen, Old Quarter, Hanoi
Distance from La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel: 550 m - 7 min walk
5. Dine at the West Lake
West Lake, called Ho Tay in Vietnamese, is a popular residential area for expats. This is also where you’ll find most embassy residences. Around the lake you get many high-end restaurants and bars catering to crowds looking for a nice night out. Depending where you are around the lake, you will get to see the stupa of Tran Quoc Pagoda standing tall at 50 feet (15 meters). It is the oldest temple in Hanoi, built in 544 by Emperor Ly Nam De.
Distance from La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel: 4.6 km - 12 min drive
6. Shopping at the Hanoi night market
Head over here even if your purpose for going is not for shopping. You can visit the night market just to immerse yourself in the lively night-time atmosphere of Hanoi, meet people, snap some pictures, and enjoy some delicious street-side snacks. Of course, you can buy things too, and you most probably will.This market is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 6pm.
Opening Hours: Friday - Sunday 19:00 - 23:00
Address: Hang Dao Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi
Distance from La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel: 750 m - 9 min walk
7. Visit Quang Ba flower market
We understand that finding a flower market as a night-time activity may be a little weird, but hear us out. Just like produce markets that supply restaurants, the Quang Ba Flower Market reaches its peak right after midnight, around 2am. This commercial market supplies all the floral shops and vendors of Hanoi, so to get the freshest flowers they can for the day, the owners enjoy browsing this market in the wee hours of the morning. There are so many colors and fragrances thanks to the many species of flowers sold here — it’s a little bit like walking into a giant outdoor garden, but at night.
Location: 236 Âu Cơ, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội
Distance from La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel: 5.3 km - 12 minute drive
8. A mellow evening at Binh Minh Jazz Club
Want something a little more relaxed? Head over to Minh’s Jazz Club where you can watch the finest musicians in the city play their instruments with love. The interior is dark, creating a mellow ambiance that couples well with the style of entertainment. Minh is regarded as the best Vietnamese jazz performer in history and you may even be able to shake his hand as he still enjoys jamming with his band on some nights. Drinks may not be cheap but if you factor in the quality of the venue and entertainment, it’s more than worth it.
Address: 1 Tràng Tiền, Phan Chu Trinh, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Hours: 5PM - 12AM
Phone: 024 3933 6555
Distance from hotel: 1.4 km - 4 min by car - 13 min walk
9. A drink with a view in one of Hanoi's rooftop bars
Rooftop bars are aplenty in Hanoi, but the Terraco Sky Bar at La Sinfonia del Rey Hotel sets the bar (pun intended) for the others to reach. Offering 360-degree panoramic views over Hanoi’s legendary Hoan Kiem Lake, the top floor sky bar overlooks fresh angles of Hanoi Old Quarter - the capital’s central icon, with buzzing motorbikes, architectural mismatch and dazzling night lights. Pursue a menu of wines and beers from across the world or consider treating yourself with a personalized cocktail from one of our skilled mixologists. Delve into a menu of classic cocktails or opt for a Terraco signature that takes inspiration from the city - each signature cocktail tells the story of an ancient Old Quarter street through its flavor and character.
*Happy Hour everyday from 16:00 - 18:30: buy one get one free
Location: Top Floor - La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel: 33-35 Hang Dau Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
10. Dance the night away in Hanoi's lively bars
Hanoi's nightlife scene offers a multitude of interesting things to see and places to go well after the sun sets. The city's lively bars and glitzy nightclubs are definitely a must experience for tourists who want to experience the authentic Hanoi nightlife.
See article about the Top Bars in Hanoi