Book a stay at Pan Pacific Hanoi, and let the nostalgic charms of Hanoi’s famed Old Quarter beguile you. 

Here, you can observe merchants plying their trades in narrow streets flanked by old-style buildings, or admire the lovely scenery around the nearby Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake. From your hotel window, you may also be able to spot the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi—the picturesque Trấn Quốc Pagoda, perched on a tiny island in the middle of West Lake.

If you don’t plan on eating out during your staycation, you can always head to our in-house restaurant Pacifica for an international buffet spread, or Ming for Cantonese cuisine. You may also enjoy after-dinner drinks at The Summit, which offers the best rooftop views of West Lake.

Do a DIY Tour of the Old Quarter

Hanoi’s mesmerising Old Quarter is best explored on foot, and Frommer’s has curated a delightful walking guide that will take you through Hoan Kiem Lake, and onto the streets that criss-cross the Old Quarter, each with a distinctive feature or two. The guide also includes recommended stops—be it for food, shopping, or a quick paid tour. 

If you follow the directions religiously, you will need about three hours to complete the tour and be satisfied that you have conducted a thorough survey of the Old Quarter.

Get directions to Hoan Kiem Lake (10-minute drive from Pan Pacific Hanoi)

Spend a Mindful Morning at West Lake

Compared to Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake sees less human traffic, which makes it more conducive for a peaceful day out. Here, you can view a number of pagodas, beginning with Hanoi’s oldest temple, the Tran Quoc Pagoda, which was built in the 6th century. 

While in the area, look out for stalls where you can try street foods such as crispy shrimp cakes and rice dumplings—click here for a detailed area guide.

Get directions to West Lake (7-minute drive from Pan Pacific Hanoi)

Uncover Hanoi’s Best-Kept Secrets

Many of Hanoi’s hidden gems can only be unearthed with the help of a knowledgeable guide. On the Highlights & Hidden Gems with Locals tour, you will get to visit an ancient bookstore and a secret temple, as well as explore alleyways, historic homes, and traditional markets.

Photograph Hanoi’s Beautiful Temples

Planning to capture Hanoi’s temples in their aesthetic glory? You must visit the Temple of Literature. This was the site of Vietnam’s first university, the Imperial Academy (1076­­–1779), where scholars studied Confucianism, literature, and poetry. You will still find students there today, as it has become customary for locals to visit the temple to petition for good grades, or pose for graduation portraits—these are photo-worthy moments too! For other must-see temples in Hanoi, click here.

Get directions to Temple of Literature (10-minute drive from Pan Pacific Hanoi)

Wander through a Mural Street

A collaboration between Vietnam and Korea to commemorate 25 years of good relations, the Hanoi Mural Street (or Phung Hung Mural Street) is a joy to behold. For the project, blank walls on the street served as canvases for meaningful artworks; each mural captures a precious moment in Hanoi’s history, as well as its culture and everyday life. Admire the different artistic styles, and take time to read the captions to understand each painting. Of course, do let your inner shutterbug go wild too!

Get directions to Hanoi Mural Street (6-minute drive from Pan Pacific Hanoi)

Go on a Hanoi Photo Tour

Book the Hanoi on the Tracks Photo Tour to learn new photography skills while touring a gritty part of Hanoi that even locals might not know about: the stretch of railway between the Hanoi and Long Bien stations. You will discover how Hanoi’s locals live and work around the tracks while practising your newfound photojournalism skills.

Try Hanoi’s Best Pho

No visit to Hanoi will be complete without a comforting bowl of pho. Looking for the best pho in town? Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan was recently included on an “Essence of Asia” list, by the same people who brought you Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. 

Get directions to Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan (8-minute drive from Pan Pacific Hanoi)

Enjoy your Bun Cha like a President

It may feel a bit gimmicky, but you might still want to pop into Bun Cha Huong Lien for the “Obama bun cha” (Vietnamese grilled pork noodles). To refresh your memory: in 2016, former US president Barack Obama and the late chef and travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain sat down together at this humble establishment to bond over bun cha and invigorating conversation. 

Get directions to Bun Cha Huong Lien (14-minute drive from Pan Pacific Hanoi)

Visit Hanoi’s Coziest Cafe

Meticulously made coffee in a quiet and inviting environment—this is what regulars love about popping into Tranquil Books and Coffee. If you need a book to lose yourself in, you can browse and borrow something off their library shelf. Note that this is a place for contemplation, rather than conversation, so there are house rules about keeping noise levels down.

Get directions to Tranquil Books and Coffee (10-minute drive from Pan Pacific Hanoi)

Time Travel to an Ancient Village

If you have time to spare, take a day trip to the Duong Lam Ancient Village. This was the birthplace of kings who led resistance wars, and you can pay tribute to these heroic ancient royals at the King Ngo Quyen Temple and the King Phung Hung Temple. To better appreciate the village’s history and current way of life, book a six-hour tour, which also includes a meal with a local host.

Get directions to Duong Lam Ancient Village (1 hr 17 minute-drive from Pan Pacific Hanoi)

Ready to book your Vietnam staycation in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City? Whether you choose a slow-living vacation in Hanoi, or a culturally rich experience in Ho Chi Minh City, we are certain that you will have a splendid time! If you need assistance or travel advice, do get in touch with our Pan Pacific Hanoi and PARKROYAL Saigon teams!