Hanoi is loud, fast and beautiful, but it can also be chaotic, overwhelming and, at times, a little stressful. There’s a price we travellers pay for seeking out the kind of energy that feels different from home. The rewards are rich, but they don’t come easily.
We arrived in Hanoi in the evening and took the night to ourselves – no plans, just a gentle landing. The next day, we wandered aimlessly, getting our bearings. And honestly? That’s what I’d recommend to anyone arriving here. Use Day 1 to absorb the culture shock. No pressure. Just observe. Find the essentials. Sit down with a coffee and people-watch while the sensory overload washes over you.
1. The pace in Hanoi is fast; slower is better
Although I’ve created a 7-day itinerary for others, we’ve been in Hanoi for 12 days. Life – and travel – has its hiccups, and I won’t lie: the chaos of the city can amplify even the smallest issues. My advice? Don’t rush this place.
If you can stretch your time, do it. Build in slow days, work days or just rest days. It’s not about how much you can fit in – it’s about how much you can actually feel.
2. The food is incredible in Hanoi, but not always easy if your Vegan
As a gluten-free vegan with a peanut allergy, food in Vietnam has been... a challenge. Cross-contamination isn’t well understood here, and peanuts are everywhere.
The markets are vibrant but confronting. You’ll see meat hanging in the heat, animals being butchered on the street, and smells that linger. It’s a raw glimpse into local life – unfiltered and intense. It can be a lot.
But also? There’s beauty in the banter between stall owners, the colour of the fruit, and the rhythm of the chaos. I recommend finding a few aisles you’re comfortable in, and avoiding the ones you’re not.
We booked accommodation with a kitchen and turned cooking into a bit of a game, trying to recreate the flavours we’d seen and smelt with local ingredients. It turned out to be one of the best parts of our stay.
3. Tours are worth it – if you choose well in and around Hanoi
In Vietnam, most things are organised via WhatsApp, and Get Your Guide has become our go-to. It’s like the Expedia of tours, but with better communication.
Each tour we’ve taken has been professional, stress-free and surprisingly comfortable – padded seats with massage functions, personal air con, and great guides. The teams always check in with us the night before and confirm everything, which made us feel looked after.
If you have a great experience, leave a review. These tour operators rely on them. It’s how they stay visible in a crowded market.
4. Ha Long Bay is magical, but over-tourism is real
Ha Long Bay is stunning. It lives up to the hype. But it’s also a victim of its own beauty.
We were lucky to have a half-full boat, which gave us breathing room. Had it been full, the magic might have been harder to feel. Congestion in the bay is very real, and it’s clear the environment is under pressure.
Do your research. Choose companies with responsible tourism practices. Ask questions. It’s our responsibility as travellers to avoid contributing to the problem.
Also, manage your expectations. These places are popular. You’re not the only one who wants to see them. Be respectful to your guides and kind to fellow travellers. We overheard a tourist shouting at a guide, and it was awful. Don’t be that person.
5. Ninh Binh was the hidden highlight
Ninh Binh isn’t for everyone. It’s a trek, and it’s active. Our tour included hiking Mua Cave (over 500 steps), biking through old villages and boating through caves.
But it ended up being our favourite day.
If you can handle the physical side, Ninh Binh offers quiet beauty that feels more personal than anywhere else we visited. It’s raw, green and less polished, which makes it feel more real.
6. The heat and humidity are no joke
The humidity here is no exaggeration. Always carry water. Step into shops for air con breaks. Wear breathable fabrics. Be patient with your travel companions – everyone gets cranky in 38°C heat.
Walking tours sound great... until they don’t. On the hottest days, hop-on-hop-off buses can save you. They might feel a bit tacky, but on certain days, they’re exactly what you need to survive.
7. Hanoi is sensory overload – embrace it
Scooters, horns, smells (some wonderful, some less so), broken pavements, incense, fish sauce, street food, smog – Hanoi is everything all at once.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed, and I did. But try to see it for what it is: a place unlike anywhere else. Culture shock is the point. You came here to feel something different.
Always build in a day for aimless wandering. No plan. No “must-sees”. Just walk, sit and watch. That’s when the real Hanoi starts to reveal itself.
8. Packing regrets and small wins
I live in activewear, but my recycled yoga leggings were not as breathable as advertised. Linen became my best friend. And having a washing machine was a gift.
Genius move: a mini kitchen kit – a sieve and spatula – so we could cook confidently in every apartment. “Fully equipped kitchen” is a vague concept in Asia, so these small additions made a big difference.
Overall, Hanoi didn’t always feel easy, but it always felt alive. I’m left with a deep curiosity about the emotional undercurrent of this country. Years of war and occupation aren’t distant history – they’re present in the atmosphere, in the pride of the people, in the rituals and resistance still woven into daily life.
We were here during the 50-year anniversary of reunification, and the patriotism was profound. It made me think about how deeply conflict shapes not just policy, but energy. Hanoi has a pulse. It’s not a museum – it’s alive with memory.
There’s an invitation to approach this city with curiosity, flexibility and lightness. It will challenge you. It almost swallowed me whole on Day 3. But it will also wake you up, shake you into presence, and leave you with something unforgettable.
And we’re still ten days away from Ho Chi Minh City…
