At a glance, Hanoi is famous for its busy and bustling scene during the day. It is because of the dense population and their desire for a better life; people from all around the central north of Vietnam migrate into the capital hoping for a wealthy and adequate future. Mostly everything is available during the day: Foods, goods, tourist attractions, offices,... so there are so many activities to choose from. But when the sun sets and the work day is over, what should you expect and what are the recommended things to do? Let’s find out in this article Hanoi nightlife.
Based on many tourist experiences, Hanoi is considered to be one of the safest places at night. There may be pickpockets happening from time to time but that’s about it. I often hear about how surprised everyone is because they don’t expect Vietnam to be this safe and peaceful.
Moreover, contrary to the chaotic scene of the day, when the sun goes down and the street lights are on, Hanoi radiates a peaceful and charismatic charm. As the night falls, the chaotic vibe of Hanoi transfers from the streets into buzzlings activities, featuring in many night markets, street performances; while lively bars and restaurants provide a vibrant Hanoi nightlife scene that is not to be missed. Whether you are looking for a romantic evening out or a fun night with friends, Hanoi at sundown offers something for everyone.
After dinner, many Vietnamese families and groups of friends often go to cafes to enjoy coffee, tea, juices or many other exotic drinks and talk about their days. The topics vary from dramas at work, to future plans, to remembering the nostalgic days,... No one knows when this habit was formed. It is a special bonding time as well as an important venting session while also being a good opportunity to make friends while relaxing, people watch and blend in the Hanoi nightlife. So instead of trying to fit so many things in such a small schedule, sit back and truly relax. It is a leisure trip after all.
Spend your nightlife in a cafe in Hanoi
To make the best nightlife in Hanoi, you may like to enjoy some live music. In many cafes and lounges, local artists and rising stars often have live shows. It is probably no stranger to tourists because live music is available everywhere. However, each country has different musical touches so why not have a go at it and even see yourself performing on the stage for a bit of fun? There are many cafes offering this type of activity. While some cafes arrange shows daily, others will have a certain schedule, so make sure to catch the shows at the right time. Below are some of the popular stops we recommend you to look into:
There are often live music in weekend evening in some cafe
The Old Quarter and West Lake area are not only tourist attractions but also popular Hanoi nightlifeareas for younger generations of Hanoi. In the late evening, the streets of Ma May, Ta Hien and many more are packed with locals and tourists, hunting for excitement and entertainment. Many go to bars, lounges and clubs for a more exciting and action-packed experience while others visit pubs for a more relaxing and romantic atmosphere. Here are some of the recommended bars, clubs, pubs and lounges:
Vibrant nightlife in 1900 - one of the most famous bars in Hanoi
Along with the famous Hanoi draught beer, a wide range of imported and local craft beers can be found in Ta Hien street as well as other streets in the Bia Hoi junction. The stone-paved streets, lined up with French architecture houses, are always stacked at night. In contrast to the peaceful and quiet scene during the day, the crowded street of Old Quarter’s Bia Hoi Junction is one of the most convincing evidences of the exciting nightlife in Hanoi. After an exhausting day of traveling and exploring, an ice cold beer is a perfect refreshment, especially in the summer. Beside the beer, there are many food shops, clubs, bars located along the streets, all for you to choose. So what are you waiting for, go out and fill your belly with happiness!
Nightlife Hanoi area
You might be asking yourself: “when do street-food vendors in Vietnam close?” The answer is never, one vendor closes just for another to open. As the famous chef Anthony Bourdain once said: “plastic stool: checked; plastic table: checked, something delicious in a bowl: checked.”. There will always be yummy street food available depending on the time period of the day. The habit of late eating of Hanoi people started a long time ago when manual workers toiling at wholesale markets after a late shift. From as early as midnight, there are food carts in any corners of the streets. However, for a proper nightlife experience, please consider visiting Tong Duy Tan, Dong Xuan, Gam Cau, Ta Hien. Recently, late night eating has turned into a night lifestyle where people enjoy the night scene of the city with a different, quieter and mysterious beauty along with friends and lovers.
Here are some of the most wanted food at night:
Taste the variety of street food for a fullest nightlife in Hanoi
During the weekend, many Hanoi streets are reserved for walking, food vendors and night markets. The street is usually open from 6pm - 12am from Friday to Sunday. Besides the delicious snacks, the night market offers endless souvenirs and cheap goods, it is surely a shopper’s paradise. Don’t be worried if your clothes wear out because you can always find replacements in any corner of the market. The many shops of the market means the prices are various too, so you can practice your haggling skills to get a superb deal. The night market and walking streets are great opportunities, created for tourists to experience local nightlife in Hanoi. These experiences, as memorable souvenirs, along with the local products will surely encourage you to return to Vietnam.
Dong Xuan night market
The Quang Ba area (north of West Lake) is well-known by the expat community of Hanoi. Therefore, the nightlife here is guaranteed to be exciting with many unique bars, pubs, restaurants and especially the Night Flower Market. Although it is about 6 - 7 km (3.7 - 4mi) north of the Old Quarter, the Night flower market is one of the most interesting nightlife sites of Hanoi. The Night Flower Market of Quang Ba is the primary flower provider of Hanoi and nearby provinces. The market usually starts meeting from 10pm until 4am, having flowers from many places, even Da Lat, a city 1600 km (870 mi) south of Vietnam, most famous for its beautiful range of exotic flowers. Grab a can of Hanoi beer and blend in the bustling and colorful scene of Hanoi night market is promised to keep your trip entertained.
Quang Ba flower market opens at night till early morning
Water puppetry is a traditional art of Northern Vietnamese people, originated in the early days of civilization in the Red river Delta, the largest delta of Vietnam at the time. It has been an entertainment for all ages, backgrounds and social status. The show includes the singing of Cheo (a northern Vietnam’s opera) combined with the lively acting of the water puppets. Each act builds up a familiar scene which gives the audience a glimpse of how life was in the past. Water puppetry is a simple yet interesting and relaxing art form with humorous twists. It is not only a platform to widely introduce Vietnamese culture to the world, but also an exciting attempt to preserve traditional arts and culture.
Appearing on this list will probably make you think that the Water puppet shows are only scheduled at night time. However, the first show starts as early as 4pm and the last show ends at around 9 - 10pm. We recommend you to take the evening shows so you can enjoy other nightlife activities in Hanoi afterward.
After dinner, watching water puppet show is a must-see
The Quintessence of Tonkin is a spectacular outdoor cultural show that takes place on a giant stage. The show tells the story of Vietnam's history and culture through a combination of theatrically-trained local farmers’ performances, water puppetry, simple countryside surroundings as well as multimedia technology.
First thing that makes the Quintessence of Tonkin unique is the use of natural surroundings to create a stunning visual and auditory experience. The stage is set against a backdrop of lush mountains and the tranquil Thay Pagoda, one of the oldest pagoda of Vietnam
Another interesting aspect of the show is the involvement of the local community; many of the performers are from nearby villages. The show has not only helped to provide employment opportunities but also preserved traditional cultural practices. The costumes, music, and choreography all draw from the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam, showcasing the diversity and complexity of the country's history. Furthermore, show organizers also provide charity programs, helping people in the middle area of Vietnam, whose families and houses were destroyed by natural causes annually.
For a change, the Quintessence of Tonkin is an interesting option for anyone who is looking to explore further into suburban areas and deeper into the beauty and richness of Vietnamese culture. The show is available every Saturday with bothway transfer option recommended since it is quite a distance and it will be difficult to find a taxi back to Hanoi city center after the show.
Recently, Instagram and Tiktok have been very popular promoters for Vietnam tourism. Many beautiful memories of foreign tourists were captured and shared on these platforms. One of the most popular destinations on the list is Train street. Train street is attractive at any time of the day, each period brings a different look and feel. Perhaps, many photos you see were taken during the day; however, the nightlife of the train street is what you should explore. At night, there are around 1-3 trains passing by depending on different days. There are cafes, serving food, coffee and alcoholic beverages, opening from dawn to dusk. At night, the train street is crowded with foreign tourists, blending within locals, sharing stories and experiences. The place gets busier as the night goes on. Personally, people prefer to visit train street after a long traveling day to sit back, relax while enjoying the fun atmosphere here.
Nobody knows when but for a long time, the famous Hanoi Bridge has been a meeting point for night owls of Hanoi. Long Bien bridge, although a beautiful structure under the sunlight, has a different appearance and function during night time. It is a favorite hangout place for the locals, especially young people. The 120 years-old bridge has a peaceful and quiet atmosphere where people open up their hearts and unburden their feelings to friends and partners, while munching on grilled corn and sipping their iced tea (yes, street foods are available on the bridge too). Some said, on the bridge, the wind breezes through you, you feel more relaxed and relieved as if all your concern and anxiousness were gone with the wind. Night time is the best time to visit the bridge, even for a couple of minutes, because there will be little to no traffic and if you plan it well, you will see trains passing by.
We hope that the options given in the article are plentiful for you to understand the exciting scene of Hanoi’s nightlife. Hanoi’s nightlife is a unique picture, painted by everyone from us, the friendly locals, to you guys, the lovely tourists. In this picture, there are many beautiful aspects such as light, colors, melodies, tastes,... But something is still missing, it is you. We hope you can join us in creating an even more gorgeous picture. So join us on this beautiful journey to Vietnam.
For day activities, see more Private Full Day Tour in Hanoi City
