Hanoi was one of those cities that asked us to slow down—even while everything around us seemed to move fast. We were warned and ready for Hanoi’s busy streets, but once you’re actually there, it’s a battleground. Traveling with my husband and our preschooler while juggling work on the go meant we had to be intentional with our days. Obviously, we can’t party past 10 PM or go anywhere where kids are restricted. All things considered, we wanted to experience Hanoi in a way that felt realistic, enriching, and family-friendly. So, what are the things you can do with kids in Hanoi?
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We found a city layered with history, flavor, and everyday moments that made our trip memorable. From iconic landmarks to quiet pockets away from the crowds, here is a must-save Hanoi travel guide with the top things to do in Hanoi, including a few hidden gems we discovered along the way.
1. Walk Around Hoan Kiem Lake
If Hanoi had a heartbeat, it would be Hoan Kiem Lake. We visited this area primarily in the afternoons, walking around the lake or resting on benches under the trees after our scheduled activities. Mornings highlight the lake and the fresh flower beds as the sun’s rays slowly creep between the huge trees.
Click here for directions on how to go to Hoan Kiem Lake from your location.
Afternoons meet more crowds and tour buses with heaps of tourists ready to explore the city. There are cyclos and vendors, particularly on the busy right end of the lake. Crowds, locals and foreigners alike, gather there mostly to book a tour bus or relax on the street-side stools. Restaurants and fast food can also be found in the area.
Hoan Kiem Lake at night is less busy as darkness slowly envelopes the lake, highlighting the Ngoc Son Temple bridge in the midst of the lake. At times, some locals jog, practice tai chi, and gather with friends. For families, this is a great place for kids to stretch and have fun. For travelers, it’s a reminder to pause and appreciate the simple things that actually matter.
Klook.com2. Explore the Old Quarter
The Old Quarter in Hanoi is everything you imagine it to be—busy streets, narrow alleys, food stalls, and shops stacked floor to ceiling. Our hotel is in the Old Quarter, and, as we observed, nighttime is synonymous with street parties. But with a preschooler, slow travel was key.
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Instead of rushing through, we chose a few streets to explore per day. Each street has its own specialty, which makes the experience feel educational. Some things that stood out were the street-side stools and chairs, the potted flowers, and the colorful paper lanterns freely decorating the houses and establishments. It was so pretty and unique, and significantly showed a part of Vietnam’s preserved history.
There are blocks where the stalls offer local items and products, perfect if you plan to shop. You will find some of the best street food in Hanoi—perfect for quick meals between sightseeing and work breaks.
3. Enjoy the Hanoi Food Offering
The food in Hanoi was one of the most memorable parts of our trip. Our mornings started with the best food in Hanoi: a warm bowl of pho, sometimes with spring rolls or fried tofu. Simple yet delicious and comforting. You can never go wrong with a perfect bowl of warmth and goodness.
As a family of three, two adults and a toddler, we were always within our food budget, as the offerings in Hanoi are affordable. The total price range we paid for our food was around VND 250,000 to 450,000 per meal, including drinks.
Eating in Hanoi never felt rushed, even with a preschooler in tow. We loved how food was everywhere—making it easy to eat healthy without much effort.
Klook.comEach dish felt balanced, fresh, and thoughtfully prepared, even the most affordable ones. I appreciated that there were dishes that were mild and kid-friendly. Even the food we had delivered to the hotel as I worked was unbelievably fresh and with generous servings.
Food became our way of connecting with the culture, and it is also unbelievably good. I sometimes wish I could just pack up, fly to Hanoi, satisfy my food cravings, then come home. By the end of our stay, Hanoi’s food felt less like something we tried and more like something we lived with.
4. Watch a Water Puppet Show at Thăng Long Theatre
One unique experience for our family was attending a traditional water puppet show. We watched it at Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre. The show runs for 50 minutes. We got our puppet show ticket via Klook. The ticket was VND 100,000 per head – we paid regular for our 4-year-old. The show runs at various times during the day, but we were asked to choose our preferred time slot when we purchased our tickets: 16:10, 17:20, 18:30, and 20:00.
It’s colorful, musical, and tells Vietnamese folk stories in a way that even young children can enjoy. Our preschooler was confused at first, but five minutes into the show, we found him immersed, enjoying with us.
The show is short enough to keep a preschooler engaged, yet culturally rich enough to feel meaningful for adults. If you’re traveling with kids in Hanoi, watching this is highly recommended.
5. Book the (Hop-Off Hop-On) Tour Bus
Taking a double-decker open-roof tour bus in Hanoi is honestly one of the easiest and most fun ways to get to know the city—especially if it’s your first time. We booked our tickets via Klook for Php 710; Php 304 each for 2 adults, and Php 102 for 1 child. We took the 2 PM schedule. The sun was at its peak, but they had let us wear asian conical hats as protection from the heat. We also saw some tour bus ticket outlets near the area where we boarded our bus, right beside Hoan Kiem Lake.
During the tour, you get to see the highlights like the Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Flag Tower of Hanoi, Trần Quốc Pagoda, and the French Quarter without worrying about traffic, directions, or tired feet. Just sit back, listen to the audio guide in your language, and enjoy the view.
You can choose the option to hop off at some famous tourist spots and then hop on again on the next tour bus. Hop off at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Area and the Temple of Literature. These two spots are a must-visit in Hanoi. This tour bus is perfect if you’re short on time, traveling with kids, or simply want a relaxed overview before exploring on your own. As for us, we took the 1-round (no-hop-off, hop-on) option, then explored some more another time.
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6. Experience Train Street (Responsibly)
Train Street is one of Hanoi’s most talked-about attractions. Seeing a train pass just inches away, shaking everything on its way, while enjoying a good coffee with some snacks, is definitely a must-do when in Hanoi.
Unfortunately, we were not able to experience this firsthand as my work schedule did not sync well with the train’s schedule. There were also days when it was temporarily closed to tourists at that time.
Nonetheless, I am still including this in the list as this experience is iconic, unique, and absolutely memorable. Just make safety a priority and follow the local guidelines closely.
See the Map of Hanoi and Where to Find Some of Its Tourist Spots
7. Wander Through Local Markets
Hanoi’s markets are more than places to shop—they’re windows into the culture and daily life. So, experiencing the local markets will continue to immerse you in the lovely culture and the people.
We visited smaller local markets where vendors sold fresh produce, flowers, and household items. Our son loved pointing at unfamiliar fruits and vegetables, turning the visit into a learning experience.
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We also went to Dong Xuan, the largest and most iconic market in Hanoi, and of course, shopping on our last full day was inevitable. We got some toys, some goodies, and some Vietnam shirts to bring home. The stalls seemed never-ending from inside the main market up to the outer parts of the establishment. Hence, if you meant to maximize your baggage allowance, allotting sufficient time and going early would be a wise choice.
8. Discover Hanoi’s Café Culture
Vietnam’s café culture deserves its own spotlight. As someone working while traveling, and a coffee person at that, I was amazed.
Cafés are everywhere—quiet corners, lake views, hidden alleys—and many offer strong Wi-Fi and comfortable seating. The options for satisfying your caffeine fix could fill a whole menu page, from egg coffee, coconut coffee, salted coffee, and other traditional Vietnamese brews that have become part of the daily rhythm. The price range, depending on your coffee of choice, is VND 50,000 to 70,000 and could go as low as VND 35,000 for non-touristy cafes.
These café moments weren’t just about caffeine—they were cradles for us, remotely working professionals where travel and work blended seamlessly.
9. Visit and Enjoy Tourist Attractions for Kids
Traveling with kids could be strenuous sometimes, considering the restrictions of some tourist spots. Beyond the busy streets and historic sites, the city has plenty of family-friendly spots that kept my preschooler excited and gave us parents a break, too.
One of our favorites was the Lotte World Aquarium. It’s located in a Lotte mall, which was very accessible, and we got there via Grab. We paid Php 1,926 for two adults only. Our son got in free as he was still below 139cm.
Inside, it was clean, modern, and stroller-friendly. My son was glued to the glass tunnels, watching sharks and colorful fish swim right over our heads. It offers a wide variety of sea life, from sharks and manta rays to jellyfish and seals, encouraging learning while also having fun. It’s a perfect indoor option when the weather gets too hot or rainy.
We also spent a laid-back afternoon at the Hanoi Zoo (Thu Le Park). We paid VND 30,000 each for 2 adults, and VND 20,000 for 1 child at their ticket booth. It’s not fancy, and we originally thought it only covered a small area. We were surprised by how huge it is. It has open spaces, shaded paths, and playgrounds where kids can run around. We walked slowly and let our little one lead the pace.
There are more kid-approved stops in the city. Add puppet shows, water parks (seasonal), and simple cafés. Hanoi may look chaotic at first, but with kids, it turns into a surprisingly fun and memorable adventure.
10. Take a Slow Afternoon, Observe Everyday Life—The True Hidden Gems
While many travelers rush to various destinations to finish their itinerary, we chose to enjoy slow afternoons in the city.
Sometimes that meant a nap break, sometimes a quiet café, sometimes a leisurely walk through the old quarter, and sometimes just sitting by the lake. Traveling with a child—and working remotely—taught us that rest is part of the journey. Important to note, though, that remote workers like me tend to stay longer in the places that we travel to, allowing these recharging moments.
Watching cyclos pass by along the street, interacting with some vendors, enjoying some games being played by locals near the lake, and seeing families and friends gather for meals on low plastic stools. These moments reminded me why we travel—not just to check landmarks off a list, but to connect, observe, and create shared memories as a family.
Read: Hong Kong Disneyland: Helpful Things to Know before Your Trip
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi, despite its fast lanes, doesn’t demand that you rush. It invites you to adapt.
For first-time visitors, Hanoi offers more than just must-see attractions. It offers rhythm, warmth, and stories that unfold when you slow down enough to notice. The place encourages you to stop a minute, take that pause, and belong.
It initially gave me the impression of chaos, but eventually showed me beauty and depth. There’s something about this city that exhibits strength and resilience.
As a professional working on the go, a wife, and a mom to a preschooler, I found Hanoi to be surprisingly accommodating. It challenged us, yes—but it also gave us space to work, rest, and explore together.
If you’re looking for a city that balances culture, chaos, and quiet moments—add Hanoi to your list.
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