Planning a Hanoi itinerary from Singapore?
After spending 5D4N exploring Hanoi Old Quarter, surviving Hanoi traffic, eating some of the best pho we’ve ever had, and cruising through the stunning limestone islands of Lan Ha Bay, we can confidently say this became one of our most memorable short getaways in years.
This guide covers our full 5D4N Hanoi & Halong Bay itinerary including where we stayed, what we ate, what we spent, the best massages we tried, and the things we genuinely wish we knew before visiting Hanoi for the first time.
If you’re planning a free-and-easy Hanoi trip from Singapore, hopefully this honest guide helps you avoid some of our mistakes while discovering the best parts of the city for yourself.
Trip at a Glance
- Duration: 5 Days, 4 Nights (Best for a short getaway from Singapore).
- Flights: Singapore Airlines (SQ192/SQ193) – approx. 3.5 hours.
- Best Time to Visit: Oct–Nov or Mar–Apr (though we went in Jan for our anniversary!).
- Must-Do: 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise (Quieter than Halong Bay).
- Budget Level: Affordable Luxury/Boutique.
- Best Area to Stay: Hanoi Old Quarter
Why We Chose Hanoi
We used to have a yearly tradition of going on romantic overseas trips to celebrate our wedding anniversary – just the two of us.
The only years we didn’t manage to do so were during the years I was pregnant with Gerald, after Mandy was born, and during COVID. When we couldn’t travel overseas, we did local staycations instead.
Our last proper couple trip was to Danang back in 2023, where we visited Hoi An and Hue too. (We never had the chance to post about that trip. Maybe next time!)
For the past two years, our anniversary date coincided with Chinese New Year, so we stayed put. But this year, we decided to resume the tradition.
Honestly, deciding where to go was the hardest part.
We bounced around so many ideas – Bali, Phu Quoc, Cambodia, Semporna… but one thing for sure: no tour package this time. So the plan was either somewhere with a beach to nua, or somewhere nearby where we could just take things slow and free-and-easy.
Hanoi it is.
It was somewhere we hadn’t been before and I had always wanted to do a Halong Bay cruise, which felt perfect for this trip.
Hubby booked the flights, and I got to work on the research. Where to stay, which Halong Bay cruise to choose, places to visit, and of course… where to eat. I haven’t done this in a while, but I guess I still have the planning gene in me (with a little help from ChatGPT!).
Why Hanoi Is Perfect for a Short Getaway
Hanoi is honestly one of the easiest and most rewarding short trips you can take from Singapore.
Great food, affordable massages, strong café culture, rich history, chaotic traffic, tiny plastic stools everywhere, and of course the famous Halong Bay cruise experience.
Five days honestly felt like the sweet spot.
Enough time to explore Hanoi comfortably, squeeze in a 2D1N Lan Ha Bay cruise, café hop slowly, eat too much, and still have some downtime without feeling exhausted.
Hanoi Budget Breakdown (Per Person)
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Flights from Singapore | SGD 250–400 |
| Hotels | SGD 180–300 |
| Halong Bay Cruise | SGD 250–450 |
| Food & Coffee | SGD 80–150 |
| Grab Transport | SGD 20–40 |
| Massage & Spa | SGD 30–80 |
| Shopping | Depends on self-control |
| Total Estimated Budget | SGD 800–1,400 |
Our 5D4N Hanoi & Halong Bay Itinerary
[View My Full Hanoi 5D4N Itinerary + Halong Bay Map Here]
Tip: Save this map to your Google Maps before you land so all our favorite pins are ready to go!
Day 1 – Hanoi Arrival, Old Quarter & Weekend Night Market
We landed in Hanoi via Singapore Airlines and headed straight to Hanoi Old Quarter.
For our first stay, we booked Hanoi Fiesta Grand Hotel & Spa. The location turned out to be excellent — central, walkable, and surrounded by food options.
After checking in, we spent the evening wandering around Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, Turtle Tower and the Hanoi Weekend Night Market. Note: The Hanoi Weekend Night Market is only open Fri–Sun. It turns the Old Quarter into a massive pedestrian party. Perfect for souvenirs, people-watching, and soaking in the nightlife.
Food-wise, we started strong with bún chả at Sen Trang An, egg coffee at The Note Coffee and pho at Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su.
Egg coffee sounds weird until you try it. Then suddenly it somehow makes complete sense.
Read the full post here: Day 1: Hanoi Arrival, Old Quarter & Weekend Night Market
Day 2 – 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise Experience
This was the experience I had been looking forward to most and the highlight of our anniversary trip!
We booked La Regina Legend Cruise and intentionally chose the quieter Lan Ha Bay route instead of the main Halong Bay route.
And honestly? One of the best decisions of the trip.
The transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter took around 2.5–3 hours before we finally boarded the cruise.
Once we reached the bay though, everything immediately slowed down.
The limestone cliffs, the calm water, the misty atmosphere… it really did feel surreal in person.
The cruise included kayaking, seafood meals, a cooking class, sunset views and a bamboo boat ride through Light & Dark Cave. But honestly, some of my favourite moments were just sitting quietly on the balcony watching the scenery drift by.
If your budget allows, I would highly recommend doing an overnight cruise instead of a rushed day trip. The slower pace makes a huge difference.
We even had a rare sighting of the Cat Ba Langur, which apparently is quite uncommon.
Read the full post here: Day 2: 2D1N Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay Cruise Experience
Day 3 – Food, Shopping & Massage Day
After returning from the cruise, we checked into MK Premier Boutique Hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter.
The location was excellent, but fair warning – Old Quarter gets VERY noisy at night.
I am quite a light sleeper and honestly… it was almost impossible to get proper sleep at times. If you are sensitive to noise, definitely request higher floors or rooms away from the main street.
The rest of the day became one of our favourite slower days of the trip. No major attractions. No rushing around. Just eating, walking, shopping and relaxing.
Lunch was a warm, crispy, perfectly toasted Bánh mì at Bánh mì Phương Hội An (Hanoi branch), football jerseys shopping at M@i Sports, a full body massage at Minh Nguyệt Beauty Spa followed by a pho dinner by the roadside at Quan Hen (approx location), tried vietnamese donuts before ending the night with a craft beer and people watching at TK Local Craft Beer.
One of our most memorable meals was having pho by the roadside. Sitting on tiny plastic stools next to the roadside with a constant stream of motorbikes zooming past. Steaming hot broth. Only less than SGD 2.
Read the full post here: Day 3: Food, Shopping & Massage Guide
Day 4 – Hanoi Attractions, Train Street & Food
This became our more touristy exploration day.
We visited the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, wandered around Dong Xuan Market, explored Hanoi Train Street, and basically spent most of the day eating in between.
The Imperial Citadel genuinely surprised me. It almost felt like a mini Forbidden City hidden within Hanoi.
Dong Xuan Market on the other hand was a sensory overload! Crowded. Noisy. Slightly overwhelming. It’s a wholesale maze. I went on a mission to buy specialty nuts and lily bulbs for my mum. It’s chaotic, but I guess that’s the “real” Hanoi.
Later in the evening, we headed to the quieter southern section of Hanoi Train Street instead of the more crowded northern side. It’s much more laid-back. Sitting on a stool at Drink Haven with a cold beer as the train brushes past is an experience I won’t forget.
For dinner, we had roadside seafood at Hải Sản Bình Dân. The clams with citronella were so fragrant I joked I became a human mosquito repellent afterwards. Ended the night with dessert at Little Bowl.
Read the full post here: Day 4: Hanoi Attractions & Train Street
Day 5 – Final Massage & Goodbye Hanoi
Our final day in Hanoi was intentionally slow.
Just breakfast at the hotel rooftop, best hot stone massage at Ha Noi Classic Spa, having our banana cake street snack and one last walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, before heading to the airport.
Unexpectedly, the last massage ended up being the best massage of the entire trip.
Read the full post here Day 5: Final Day & Best Massage Guide
Where We Stay in Hanoi (Old Quarter)
If it’s your first time in Hanoi, I highly recommend you stay in the Old Quarter. Everything is within walking distance.
We split our stay across two hotels.
- Hanoi Fiesta Grand Hotel & Spa: It’s newer, the location is unbeatable, and their service recovery is excellent.
- MK Premier Boutique Hotel: Great rooftop views and very central, but it can get noisy. (light sleepers beware).
Personal Tip: If you are a light sleeper like me, do check out the hotel reviews on soundproofing and request:
- Higher floors
- Rooms away from main street
- Or bring earbuds (lifesaver for me)
Hanoi Food Guide: What We Ate
Hanoi is a food paradise where the best meals often happen on tiny plastic stools by the roadside. But if you have a weak stomach, please take extra precautions.
| Food | Recommended spots |
|---|---|
| Bún chả (Grilled Pork & Noodles) | You haven’t been to Hanoi until you’ve tried this. Sen Trang An was a hidden gem right by our hotel, and Thạch Hoan Quán had the most tender meat we tasted all trip. |
| Phở Gà (Chicken Pho) | Skip the tourist traps and ask a local. We found Quan Hen (near the spa) where a steaming bowl was less than $2 SGD. Eating on tiny plastic stools by the roadside is the only way to do it. |
| Bánh mì (Vietnamese Baguette) | Rick was a skeptic at first, but Bánh mì Phương Hội An changed his mind. The bread was warm, crispy, and perfectly toasted. |
| Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng) | You can’t leave Hanoi without trying this liquid dessert. Made with whipped egg yolk and condensed milk, it’s rich, creamy, and surprisingly delicious. We tried ours at The Note Coffee – a whimsical, multi-story cafe covered in thousands of colorful post-it notes. |
| Bánh Chuối (Fried Banana Cake) | I went on a literal hunt for this! We tracked down a pushcart near Hoan Kiem Lake. If you see it, wait for a fresh, hot batch – it’s the ultimate comfort snack to enjoy by the water. |
| Bánh Rán (Vietnamese Donuts) | We tried both the sugar and honey versions from a street stall. They’re a bit chewy, especially if they’ve cooled down, but worth a try if you’re a dessert lover like me. |
| Traditional Chè (Sweet Soup) | Little Bowl is a must-go for dessert lovers. Even after a full dinner, I managed to finish two bowls! |
| Seafood | Hải Sản Bình Dân: For our final dinner, we treated ourselves to roadside seafood. The Clams with Citronella were so fragrant I joked I’d become a human mosquito repellent! I’d recommend the steamed lobster over the butter sauce version to really taste the freshness. |
Best Massage & Spa in Hanoi (Tried & Tested)
Massages in Hanoi are honestly amazing value compared to Singapore.
Most massages ranged around 450k–700k VND depending on the spa and type of massage.
- Ha Noi Classic Spa: You have to try the Hot Stone Massage here. It was the best of the trip, Totally worth every cent.
- Minh Nguyệt Beauty Spa: A solid, clean, and affordable choice for a traditional body massage.
Tip: Expect to tip your masseuse between 50k and 100k VND depending on the service level.
Practical Tips (From My Experience)
- Choosing your Halong Bay cruise: honestly, no need to overcompare too much. Most people end up overwhelming themselves during research (speaking from experience). See my tips.
- Airport transport: Use Grab from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi Old Quarter. Approximate cost was around 280k VND.
- Bring cash: While hotels and cruises usually accept cards, many smaller food stalls and shops are still cash-only.
- Crossing the road in Hanoi: It looks terrifying at first, but just walk slowly and steadily. Somehow the motorbikes will flow around you. Trust me, despite the chaos, we never once saw an accident the entire trip.
- Weekend Night Market: Only operates from Friday to Sunday, so plan your itinerary accordingly.
- Google reviews in Hanoi: Surprisingly accurate. If a place has a 4.8+ rating with thousands of reviews, it is usually genuinely good.
Final Thoughts
Hanoi exceeded my expectations.
It’s chaotic, noisy, a little overwhelming at times but also incredibly charming, full of character, and packed with good food.
Would I come back again? Yes – Absolutely.
But next time… I want to explore Ninh Binh or Sapa, and definitely with more hot stone massages. Hah.
Planning your own Hanoi trip from Singapore?
Start with:
- Day 1: Hanoi Arrival, Old Quarter & Weekend Night Market
- Day 2: 2D1N Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay Cruise Experience
- Day 3: Food, Shopping & Massage Guide
- Day 4: Hanoi Attractions & Train Street
- Day 5: Final Day & Best Massage Guide
