As the sun sets, the streets of Hanoi shimmer with lights. No longer crowded with traffic or the sound of horns, Hanoi adorns itself with a new "attire". Hanoi's streets at night are embellished with hundreds of thousands of lights coming from skyscrapers, streets, alleys, restaurants and shops. Every corner, every street in the city has something to offer. Is your visit to this historically rich city even complete without a Hanoi night tour? Here are 15 night tours you can do to fully appreciate Hanoi and its vibrant nightlife. And we guarantee, it's not going to be anything like Hanoi during the day.

1. “Tinh hoa Bac Bo” - “The Quintessence of Tonkin” live performance

“Tinh hoa Bac Bo” or “The Quintessence of Tonkin" is a live performance that takes place on a 4,300-square-meter lake at Thay Pagoda in Sai Son commune, Quoc Oai district, Hanoi.

Based on the story of Zen Master Tu Dao Hanh (also known as Thanh Lang, one of the Four Immortals in Vietnamese beliefs), this Hanoi night tour / live show directed by Director Hoang Nhat Nam takes visitors on a journey into the lives of Northern farmers with the help of over 200 performers and spectacular sound and light performances. There are two groups of performers in The Quintessence of Tonkin: local farmers from Sai Son, and students from the Vietnam College of Dance.

The performance is divided into six parts: Poetry, Buddha’s World, Nostalgia, Art and Music, Joy, and Festival Day. Each part represents the culture, beliefs, and spirit of the Vietnamese people in different areas such as labor, education, knowledge, festivals, and artistic fields.

Ticket prices range from 600.000 to over 1.000.000 VND (depending on seating and whether dinner is included). There are two fixed performances every week on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 

2. Hoa Lo Prison’s Night Tours with 3 different themes

The Hoa Lo Prison is located on Hoa Lo Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Just four years after the construction of the prison on Con Dao, the French colonialists built the Hoa Lo Prison in 1896, named Maison Centrale in French, meaning Central House of Detention. The purpose of the prison was to serve as a central detention facility for both North and South Vietnam, holding political prisoners and patriots opposing French colonial rule from 1896 to 1954. Visitors will witness prison cells designed with strict confinement and various torture devices such as guillotines, electric rotating machines, and punishment boxes.

As part of the "Promoting Destinations - Hanoi Tourism 2020" program, the Management Board of Hoa Lo Prison introduces night tours at Hoa Lo Prison. 

"Sacred Night 1 - Shining Vietnamese Spirit"

The story of revolutionary soldiers imprisoned at Hoa Lo Prison is vividly narrated. In this exploration tour, people get to listen to the escape stories of political prisoners. At the same time, they experience themselves the escape to understand the "steel" spirit of communist soldiers of the past. In addition, visitors can enjoy a flute performance at the historical country almond tree, understanding the optimistic spirit of revolutionary soldiers. 

Ticket price: 199,000 VND/person (2020).

“Sacred Night 2 - Living Like Flowers” 

This tour honors female soldiers and revolutionary female prisoners at Hoa Lo Prison who lived, fought, and dedicated themselves to the independence and freedom of the nation. With a noble spirit, these mothers and sisters have become fragrant flowers in the golden history of the nation. 

Ticket price: 399,000 VND/person.

"Sacred Night 3: Flame Of Youth" 

This tour is a tribute to the significant contributions and great sacrifices of young revolutionary soldiers who were imprisoned by the French colonialists at Hoa Lo Prison. Visitors get to learn about the intense hunger strikes in Hoa Lo Prison and listen to the narration about the difficult treatments that political prisoners were under. 

Ticket price: 499,000 VND/person

Each tour is an experiential, maybe even scary, but definitely emotional journey where visitors can vividly understand what it’s like being a prisoner held at Hoa Lo prison. At the end of the exploration journey, visitors can enjoy drinks and food made from country almonds and receive a meaningful souvenir from Hoa Lo Prison.

3. Hanoi’s pedestrian spaces

The pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, and adjacent areas has become a favorite night time destination in Hanoi for locals and tourists alike. This is not only a place for people to freely stroll, have fun, socialize, and chat, but also where traditional games and cultural and artistic activities take place, both spontaneous and organized.

Trinh Cong Son Pedestrian Street, surrounded by the lotus pond, West Lake Water Park, the streets of Au Co and Lac Long Quan (Tay Ho District), is a distinctive cultural space for art forms such as Cheo (traditional opera), Xam (originally performed by blind artists), folk songs, etc., every weekend.

The third pedestrian street in Hanoi is located around the Son Tay Ancient Citadel (Son Tay town) which is expected to leverage the advantages of the Ancient Citadel. Entering the area, visitors can admire the architecture and ancient beauty of the 200-year-old citadel, visit souvenir shops and enjoy the specialties of Son Tay.

The night food street and pedestrian area at Dao Ngoc - Ngu Xa (Truc Bach Ward) is a new culinary and cultural space that honors the traditional bronze casting profession. This is where you find well-known specialty dishes such as rolled pho, deep fried pho, hot pot…

Tran Nhan Tong Pedestrian Street and its vicinity (Hai Ba Trung District) is Hanoi's fifth pedestrian space. The street is expected to leverage the advantages of Thong Nhat Park, Thien Quang Lake, the cluster of cultural relics of Quang Hoa Pagoda, Thien Quang Pagoda and Phap Hoa Pagoda.
These pedestrian spaces are held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 7 PM to 12 AM.

4. Thang Long Water Puppet Art (Hoan Kiem District)

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is located in the heart of the capital, Hanoi, right next to the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. This is where the unique traditional art form of water puppetry takes place. While puppetry is found in many countries around the world, water puppetry is a cultural specialty unique to Vietnam.

Attracting both domestic and international tourists throughout the year, the Thang Long Hanoi Water Puppet Theater has presented numerous water puppet performances in various forms and genres. These works are closely associated with the country's innovation process, deserving to be the quintessence of Vietnamese culture. Some of the outstanding performances that deeply honor the art of Vietnamese water puppetry are :

Teu

Teu, a kind-hearted and simple young farmer, is the narrator during village festivals. This character has the ability to humorously comment on any event or anyone appearing in the story. He is a beloved and typical character in many Vietnamese folk stories.

“Vinh Quy Bai To” - Honoring the Ancestors

According to the traditional customs of the past, every 3 to 5 years, the royal court organized examinations to select talented individuals. Those who passed the exams would be granted official robes and hats by the court and return to their villages to receive honors. This tradition was a special favor bestowed by the royal court on the talented individuals, and it served as a reminder to everyone to continually cultivate their ethics and talents to contribute to the welfare of the people and the country.

Four Holy Beasts dance

The Four Holy Beasts dance is a performance that symbolizes the sacred and lofty philosophical principles. The Four Holy Beasts are the Dragon, the Qilin, the Tortoise, and the Phoenix, which are mythical creatures bringing luck, wealth, stability, and longevity. These four sacred animals are also commonly seen in Vietnamese temples and pagodas.

There are water puppet shows everyday and ticket prices range from 100.000 to 200.000 VND/person and is a night time activity in Hanoi adored by tourists.

5. “Giai Ma Hoang Thanh Thang Long” or "Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel" Night Tour

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the heart of the capital, Hanoi, boasting a cultural history of over 1300 years.

The "Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel" night tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours, with an itinerary starting from Doan Mon - the gate leading to the Forbidden City, the residence, and workplace of the ancient kings. Here, visitors experience the ambiance of the ancient Imperial Citadel, enjoying a royal court dance right on the unique archaeological relics. The journey continues with the admiration of valuable artifacts and antiques discovered at Thang Long Imperial Citadel in the exhibition hall themed "Thang Long Hanoi - A thousand years of history from the ground". Participants also pay homage to the ancestral kings at Kinh Thien Palace. The final destination in the night tour itinerary is the Archaeological Site at 18 Hoang Dieu. After years of excavation, archaeologists have unearthed millions of artifacts, stacking up over the course of 1300 years.

The tour concludes with the game "Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel" open to all visitors. During this game, representative artifacts of the Imperial Citadel will be showcased using laser projection on the foundations of archaeological relics or on the ancient watercourse, allowing visitors to learn and decipher. Interesting details and decryption clues will be gradually revealed throughout the tour.

This night tour in Hanoi is available every Friday and Saturday at 7 PM, and costs 300.000 VND per person.

6. “Chu Tam Chu Tai” or “Heart and Talent” night tour at The Museum of Vietnamese Literature 

The Museum of Vietnamese Literature covers an area of about 3,000 square meters and is situated at 275 Au Co alley, Tay Ho District. 

The cultural tour "Chữ Tâm chữ Tài'' (Heart and Talent) provides visitors with an emotional experience related to famous literary authors of Vietnam, including many literary giants from ancient to modern literature. The tour offers various experiences such as visiting the garden of 20 literary figures, exploring the space of Vietnamese literature from ancient to medieval times, understanding the transmission of written characters in literature, learning about the first declaration of independence "Nam quoc son ha," the second declaration of independence "Binh Ngo dai cao", the great poet Nguyen Du and the Tale of Kieu, and delving into the love story of two famous Vietnamese poets  Luu Quang Vu and Xuan Quynh that touch the hearts of people.

With a duration of 90 minutes, every Saturday and Sunday, the literary night tour in Hanoi brings visitors closer to authors, stories, and characters through engaging experiences in an emotional space dedicated to famous authors, stories, and characters.

7. Tong Duy Tan - Ta Hien - Dong Xuan Night Market food tour

Tong Duy Tan, Ta Hien and Dong Xuan Night Market are no longer strangers to visitors, especially foodies, as they are the most well known destinations in Hanoi. These streets are even more special because they come alive at night, walking on the stone roads under yellow street lights will make you feel like you’re in one of those Wong Kar Wai movies.

Tong Duy Tan is home to a lot of great foods like Ga Tan (Braised Chicken with herbs), fried rice with chicken, snails (from Oc ba Cam), etc. Ta Hien also houses great street foods but most people come here for the munchies and snacks to enjoy over a pint of beer. People really enjoy french fries, fried Nem Chua, snails or pickled chicken feet with lemongrass with a glass of cold refreshing beer. Ta Hien also boasts tons of bars and pubs that host music events. Dong Xuan Night Market on the other hand is larger, stretching all the way from Hoan Kiem lake, across the streets of Hang Ngang, Hang Dao and Hang Giay. This is where you find amazing food, desserts, drinks for a super affordable price.

8. Hanoi city tour double-decker bus at night

The Hanoi City Tour Hop-on Hop-off tourist bus was officially put into effect on May 30th. This is a double-decker sightseeing bus following the Hop-on Hop-off format, the first of its kind in Hanoi, serving both domestic and international tourists interested in exploring the streets and famous tourist attractions of the capital with high-quality, modern, and cost-effective services.

Equipped with an automated narration system in 10 commonly spoken languages worldwide, the Hanoi City Tour double-decker bus will offer tourists entirely new discoveries and experiences of the thousand-year-old city of Hanoi.

The night tour buses depart at 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM daily, picking up and dropping off passengers at the terminal, without stopping along the way. Tour bus ticket prices are calculated by the hour. The ticket prices vary, the one-hour ticket costs 150.000 VND, with the 4-hour ticket priced at 300,000 VND, the 24-hour ticket at 450,000 VND, and the 48-hour ticket reaching 650,000 VND.

9. Dong Xuan electric car tour (Hoan Kiem District)

Starting from the metro station on Dinh Tien Hoang Street, near Hoan Kiem Lake, the Dong Xuan electric cars will take tourists on a tour of the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake. Seated on the electric car, tourists can listen to introductions about the Old Quarter and its historical landmarks in both Vietnamese and English. At the same time, they can capture vivid and interesting images of the daily life of the people in the Old Quarter, about the historical, cultural, and architectural values that have existed and developed over more than 1000 years in Thang Long - Hanoi.

There are also specialized electric car tours to explore Hanoi's Old Quarter: Sightseeing and shopping on famous streets and Dong Xuan Market; Exploring both tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the Old Quarter; Visiting traditional craft villages in Hanoi; Learning about the street culinary  of the Old Quarter and Dong Xuan Night Market. In addition to the Old Quarter tour, you can also rent a car and have a custom night tour.

There are 3 itineraries for visitors to choose from, taking them to different streets and destinations in Hanoi. A 30 minute ride costs 245.000 VND/7-seat car, a 60 minute ride costs 360.000 VND/7-seat car. A single ticket costs 35.000 VND.

10. Cyclo tour

On weekend afternoons, in front of the fountain at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, in the streets of Hang Ngang, Hang Dao or outside the Thuy Ta ice cream shop on Ly Thai To street, you can find a bunch of cyclos lining up. What better feeling than a night cyclo tour, smelling the fresh milkwood pine flowers and admiring Hanoi and its charming Old Quarter? 

The cyclo drivers, who know basic English and are usually very polite and enthusiastic, will take you through the streets of Hang Trong, Hang Bai, Hang Gai, Hang Thiec... to Dong Xuan Night Market, Hanoi Opera House... so you can take in Hanoi's beauty without having to look through a car window. 

Here are the main cyclo tours in Hanoi:

Route 1:

Yen Phu - Cua Bac - Nguyen Tri Phuong - Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and back.

Route 2:

Yen Phu - Tran Nhat Duat - Tran Quang Khai - Le Phung Hieu - Ngo Quyen - Trang Tien - Dinh Tien Hoang - Le Thai To - Hang Khay - Dinh Tien Hoang - Hang Dau - Cau Go - Tran Quang Khai.

The prices for these cyclo routes may vary depending on the time and negotiation with the cyclo driver, but generally, the prices range from 150,000 to 300,000 VND for each route.

11. Flag-lowering ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Visitors are probably familiar with the sacred flag-raising and flag-lowering ceremony held daily in the square in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. These ceremoníes at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum are important rituals for the people to express gratitude for President Ho Chi Minh's contributions, and are an affirmation of their pride and patriotism.

The formation performing the flag-lowering ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum consists of 34 soldiers marching out from the right side of the Mausoleum, accompanied by the music of the song "Bac dang cung chung chau hanh quan" (Uncle Ho is marching with us). As the flag descends from the top of the pole, the soldiers swiftly fold the flag. Subsequently, the soldiers move towards the right side, walking past the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, waving their hands in salute, marking the conclusion of the flag-lowering ceremony.

The flag-lowering ceremony takes place everynight at 9 PM and is free for all visitors. This is a great stop on your Hanoi night tour!

12. Hanoi Book Street

Located next to the Hanoi People's Court, one end of the 19/12 Book Street connects to Ly Thuong Kiet Street, the other leads to Hai Ba Trung Street. As the first book street in Hanoi, the 19/12 Book Street is a gathering place for numerous books and book series from renowned domestic publishers and reputable book companies. Despite its modest length of 200 meters, the street is designed to give off the impression of spaciousness with tons of trees along the sides and benches in the middle. This street is home to well known domestic and global publishers, including Kim Dong, Nha Nam, Thai Ha Book, Phuong Nam, as well as Penguin Random House, Hachette Livre, Harper Collins, and more.

The Management Board of the Book Street has organized various cultural and literary activities to further develop reading culture, attracting the attention of the general public. These activities include establishing free reading spots, organizing book signing events, holding book discussions, storytelling sessions, stage performances based on literary works, workshops, and more.

The opening hours of Hanoi's Book Street are from 8 am to 10 pm daily.

13. “Huyen Thoai Tuoi Thanh Xuan” - “Legends of Youth” art show at Vietnamese Women’s Museum

Speaking at the program launch ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Huong (Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Women's Union) shared: "Today, on Vietnamese Women's Day, we will together pay tribute to a historical moment, remembering the 10 young female martyrs who sacrificed themselves to protect the independence and freedom of the homeland... “Huyen Thoai Tuoi Thanh Xuan” (Legends of Youth) will be a vibrant program for us to better understand the patriotism, resilience and courage in the fight against foreign invaders of Vietnamese women…”

The night show in Hanoi recreates the story of the 10 young female volunteers who bravely sacrificed, contributing to maintaining the vital transport route during the war against the United States to save the country when they were only eighteen or twenty years old.

The 60-minute show is set against the backdrop of a fierce battlefield, recreated through image technology and 3D effects, featuring bomb craters, A-shaped bunkers, roads crossing strategic points, artillery positions, and images of convoys carrying goods and troops into battle.

The show takes place every Saturday and Sunday night from 8 PM at The Vietnamese Women’s Museum. Ticket prices range from 450.000 to 550.000 VND per person.

14. “Dem Thang Long - Hanoi” - “Night in Thang Long - Hanoi” Bicycle Tour

The National History Museum and Vietnam Sustainable Tourism Company (Vietnam S.T.I.D) have launched a trial bicycle tour with the theme: "NIGHT IN THANG LONG - HANOI" with the expectation of creating a unique and enjoyable experience for tourists in the capital.

Bicycle tours are an eco-friendly form of tourism, minimizing negative impacts on the environment, while also being more cost-effective than using some other modes of transportation.

Participating in the NIGHT IN THANG LONG - HANOI bicycle tour, tourists will explore the capital city by night, learn about culture through famous landmarks, museums, and historical sites to better appreciate and understand the history of Thang Long - Hanoi, such as the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi Flagpole, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, National Assembly Building, Presidential Palace, Quan Thanh Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda, the nocturnal food district of Dao Ngoc - Ngu Xa (to enjoy local specialties), Cua Bac Fortress, O Quan Chuong, Government Guest House (North Palace), National History Museum, and Hanoi Opera House.

These night bycicle tours are available daily from 7:30 PM, which last from 90 to 120 minutes (the fees for audio guide, tour guide, entrance ticket to Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a light snack in Dao Ngoc - Ngu Xa, bicycle fee and travel insurance are included in the ticket price. 

15. “Tinh hoa dao hoc” - “Quintessence of education” night tour at the Temple of Literature

By utilizing 3D Mapping technology, combined with professional lighting and sound techniques, the night tour at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam provides visitors with unique and unforgettable experiences while still maintaining its solemnity and elegance.

When visitors enter the Doctoral Steles Garden, they can admire the Thien Quang Well adorned with LED lights. The Doctoral Steles Garden, which preserves 82 steles honoring 1,304 Vietnamese scholars from the examinations of 1442 to 1779, comes alive with soft and enchanting colors of LED lights. In the Achievements Area, visitors will experience Leap Motion technology (3D motion control) to interact with various books about the heritage site. Visitors will also have a VR experience, where they can create their own calligraphy masterpiece or their own artwork on top of the sparkling starry sky.

At the end of the tour, visitors are treated to a 3D projection show with the theme “Tinh hoa dao hoc” or "Essence of Education". This is the highlight of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam night tour. The entire front facade of the Main Hall on the Thai Hoc courtyard transforms into a giant screen, allowing visitors to explore the most quintessential values of Vietnamese Education and Confucianism.

There are night tours available every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 PM to 10 PM. The ticket price is 199,000 VND/person. Children under 1 meter tall will receive free admission.

=> Top 10 best things to do in Hanoi