Hanoi's Old Quarter is the city's beating heart - a maze of narrow streets packed with street food, temples, markets, and bars. If you are staying here (for example at Quiri Hostel Hanoi on Hang Luoc Street), almost everything below is within walking distance.
The Old Quarter is one of the best street-food areas in Asia. Must-tries: pho (noodle soup), bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), banh mi (Vietnamese baguette), cha ca (turmeric fish), and egg coffee. Many hostels, Quiri included, run a free walking tour that points you to the good spots.
After dark the Old Quarter comes alive: Beer Street fills up, the weekend night market opens along Hang Dao, and rooftop bars light up. Social hostels like Quiri run nightly pub crawls so you can experience it with a group.
Two to three days is enough to cover the Old Quarter highlights and a day trip. Many travellers use Hanoi as a base before the Ha Giang Loop, Cat Ba Island, or Ninh Binh.
Yes - it is compact and best explored on foot. Most sights are within a 15-minute walk of each other.
Stay inside the Old Quarter. Quiri Hostel Hanoi is at 25 Hang Luoc Street, walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake, Beer Street, and Dong Xuan Market.
Ta Hien Street, known as Beer Street, is the most famous nightlife spot.
Yes - Quiri Hostel Hanoi runs a free daily walking tour of the Old Quarter for guests.
Two to three days covers the Old Quarter plus a day trip, before heading to Ha Giang, Cat Ba, or Ninh Binh.