# 2 days in Hanoi: an itinerary day by day

> Two days in Hanoi: the city and Ha Long Bay. Day one: Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Thang Long Citadel, St Joseph's Cathedral, Hoan Kiem Lake and the water puppets. Day two: Ha Long Bay, nearly two thousand limestone islands and a UNESCO site. It is 2.5–3 hours from Hanoi, the cruise spends 4–6 hours on the water, and the entry fee is 250,000 VND. You are back by evening.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/in-2-days

## Day 1

1. [Tran Quoc Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/tran-quoc-pagoda.md) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free
   ↓ 21 min by transport
2. [Temple of Literature](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/temple-of-literature.md) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 70,000 VND, under-16s free
   ↓ 11 min on foot
3. [Imperial Citadel of Thang Long](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/thang-long-citadel.md) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 100,000 VND
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 18 min on foot
4. [St Joseph's Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-cathedral.md) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
   ↓ 6 min on foot
5. [Hoan Kiem Lake](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoan-kiem-lake.md) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; Ngoc Son Temple 50,000 VND
   ↓ 6 min on foot
6. [Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-water-puppet-theatre.md) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 100,000–200,000 VND

Total with walks: 7 h 22 min

## Day 2

1. [Ha Long Bay](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/ha-long-bay.md) — YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Fee 250,000 VND; tours cost more

Total with walks: 4 h

## How the two days work

Day one is the one-day Hanoi itinerary. Day two is a full-day trip: transfer from Hanoi in the morning, the cruise and the drive back by evening.

Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.

## Ha Long Bay day trip from Hanoi

A day tour from Hanoi costs unofficially 35–120 dollars depending on the boat and lunch. Boats leave from dawn and, from November to March, return by 19:00. The entry fee is 250,000 VND and is often in the tour price.

## Is 2 days in Hanoi enough?

For Hanoi and Ha Long, yes. Add [Train Street](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-train-street) if it is open that day, and the Old Quarter for street food in the evening.

## Tips

- Book the Ha Long tour the day before and check whether the fee and lunch are included.
- Bring a windbreaker: it is breezy on the water.
- Pagodas and temples want shoulders and knees covered; shoes come off at the door of the halls.
- Vietnam uses the dong (VND). Markets, pagodas and small cafés want cash; Grab is the easiest way to get a car or motorbike taxi.
- Watch the forecast in typhoon season — cruises get cancelled.

## Questions

### What to do with 2 days in Hanoi?

Day one: Tran Quoc, the Temple of Literature, the citadel, the cathedral, Hoan Kiem and the water puppets. Day two: Ha Long Bay.

### How far is Ha Long Bay from Hanoi?

2.5–3 hours each way.

### How much is a Ha Long trip?

The fee is 250,000 VND; a day tour is unofficially 35–120 dollars.

### Can I go to Ha Long independently?

Yes, by bus or car to the pier and a boat, but a tour is easier.

### How long is the cruise?

4–6 hours on the water.

### Is 2 days enough?

For Hanoi and Ha Long, yes. Ninh Binh needs another day.

### How much does it cost?

About 300,000–400,000 VND in tickets on day one, plus the tour on day two.

### Is it good with kids?

Yes; boats provide life jackets.

### When is the best time?

October to April.

### What currency is used in Vietnam?

Vietnam uses the dong (VND). Markets, pagodas and small cafés want cash; Grab is the easiest way to get a car or motorbike taxi.

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