Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a vibrant and bustling city both day and night. Night tours in Hanoi are a great way to explore the city from a different perspective. Let’s take a look at 15 night tours in Hanoi that you can choose to experience!
1 “Essence of the North” live performance, Quoc Oai district
The “Essence of the North” live performance is one of the largest and most unique live performances in Vietnam. The show takes place at the Chua Thay tourist area, Quoc Oai district, Hanoi.
The show lasts about 90 minutes, vividly recreating 6 aspects of the cultural essence of the North, including Buddhism, poetry, history, folk music, performing arts, and cultural activities.
The show is meticulously staged, combining music, lighting, stage design, dance, and water puppetry to create a vibrant and impressive artistic space. The actors in the show are talented artists from well-known art troupes in Vietnam.
“Essence of the North” live performance, Quoc Oai district
2 Night tour of Hoa Lo Prison with 3 different themes
The night tour of Hoa Lo Prison is a fascinating historical and cultural experience for both domestic and international tourists. It is a symbol of the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people in the struggle for independence and freedom.
Here are the 3 themes of the Hoa Lo Prison tour at night:
Theme 1: Sacred Night
This theme recreates the struggle of revolutionary soldiers in Hoa Lo Prison. Visitors will visit the prison areas where the soldiers had to endure brutal torture by the French colonialists. Visitors will also see reenactments of the soldiers’ struggles, such as the hunger strike in 1933, the last meeting of comrade Nguyen Duc Canh and his mother, and the activities to turn the prison into a revolutionary school.
Theme 2: Eternal Flame
This theme pays tribute to the brave female revolutionary soldiers who fought for the independence and freedom of the nation. Visitors will hear touching stories of female soldiers, such as the martyr Nguyen Thi Quang Thai, who sacrificed herself at the age of 29, and the martyr Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, who was sentenced to death by the French colonialists at the age of 27.
Theme 3: Echo of Hoa Lo
This theme provides visitors with a comprehensive view of the history of Hoa Lo Prison. Visitors will visit the areas where political prisoners were held during the French colonial period and the resistance against the United States. Visitors will also hear a narration of the history of Hoa Lo Prison, from its construction to its liberation.
Night tour of Hoa Lo Prison with 3 different themes
3 Walking Space
This evening walking space includes:
Walking space in Hanoi’s Old Quarter; Walking space in the Hoan Kiem Lake area and its vicinity; Cultural space of Trinh Cong Son Pedestrian Street, Tay Ho district; Son Tay Ancient Citadel Cultural Space, Son Tay town; Food street combined with walking space on Ngoc – Ngu Xa Island, Ba Dinh district; Walking space of Tran Nhan Tong Street and its vicinity, Hai Ba Trung district.
Walking Space
4 Water Puppetry at Thang Long, Hang Trong
The Thang Long Water Puppetry show is a fascinating and memorable experience for visitors to Hanoi. The tour not only gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy a unique traditional art form of Vietnam, but also helps them learn more about the culture and history of the country.
The tour starts with a visit to a water puppetry workshop, where visitors can learn about the history and art of Vietnamese water puppetry. Afterwards, visitors will enjoy a magnificent water puppetry performance featuring traditional folk stories portrayed in a lively and captivating way.
The water puppetry show is held at the outdoor stage of the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, located in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The stage is beautifully decorated with lights and music, creating a magical and enchanting atmosphere.
Thang Long Water Puppetry, Hang Trong
5 “Unlocking the Royal Citadel” night tour at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
The “Unlocking the Royal Citadel” night tour lasts about 1.5 hours and follows the route:
- Doan Mon Gate: Visitors will experience the ancient Royal Citadel and enjoy a royal dance performance right on the unique archaeological traces.
- Exhibition “Thang Long Hanoi – A Thousand-Year History from the Heart of the Earth”: Visitors will admire valuable artifacts discovered at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.
- Kinh Thien Palace: Visitors will pay homage to the immortal merits of the emperors at Kinh Thien Palace, considered the center of power of Dai Viet.
Throughout the tour, visitors will listen to the tour guide’s narration about the history and culture of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.
“Unlocking the Royal Citadel” night tour at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
6 “The Heart and Talent” night tour at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum
The “The Heart and Talent” night tour at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum is a unique and interesting cultural experience for literature lovers. The tour takes place on Saturday and Sunday evenings, lasting 90 minutes.
The tour begins with the activity of “carrying words”. Each visitor will carry lanterns with the words “Heart” and “Talent”. This is a unique way for visitors to experience the spirit of the tour, which combines “Heart” – the love and ethics of the artists, and “Talent” – their talent and creativity.
After that, visitors will explore the literary spaces of the museum. At each space, visitors will listen to narration about the lives, careers, and works of famous writers and poets. Particularly, visitors will experience reenactments of famous literary works, such as “Chi Pheo,” “Lao Hac,” “Tat Den,”…
At the end of the tour, visitors will participate in some experiential activities, such as crossword puzzles, calligraphy, and tea art. These activities allow visitors to relax and preserve beautiful memories after the tour.
“The Heart and Talent” night tour at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum
7 Tống Duy Tân – Tạ Hiện – Đồng Xuân Night Food Tour
The Tống Duy Tân – Tạ Hiện – Đồng Xuân night food tour is one of the most exciting night tours in Hanoi. The tour lasts about 3-4 hours, taking visitors on a culinary journey to explore the best dishes of Hanoi, from traditional to modern cuisine.
The Tống Duy Tân – Tạ Hiện – Đồng Xuân night food tour ends at approximately midnight. Visitors will be taken back to their hotels or the original meeting point.
Tống Duy Tân – Tạ Hiện – Đồng Xuân Night Food Tour
8 City Tour Double-decker Bus at Night
The City Tour double-decker bus at night is a fantastic experience to admire the city from a different perspective. When night falls, Hanoi is adorned with a vibrant and enchanting beauty. The city lights, the lights of high-rise buildings, and the lights of shopping centers create a vivid picture.
The night City Tour double-decker bus departs from the Hanoi Opera House at 7pm and 8pm daily. The bus will pass by famous landmarks in Hanoi such as Hoan Kiem Lake, the Great Theatre, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Dong Xuan Market, etc.
During the journey, visitors will listen to narrations in Vietnamese and English about the history and culture of these landmarks. In addition, visitors can freely admire the city and take memorable photos.
City Tour Double-decker Bus at Night
9 Dong Xuan Electric Bus Route
The Dong Xuan electric bus route operated by Dong Xuan Joint Stock Company starts from the dual tracks of Dinh Tien Hoang Street, near Hoan Kiem Lake, and passes through famous streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter such as Hang Gai, Hang Bong, Cua Nam, Le Duẩn, Tran Hung Dao, Quan Thanh, etc.
The Dong Xuan electric bus route has a total length of 11 km and takes about 45 minutes to travel. The bus is designed in a classic style, with a capacity of 25-30 passengers per trip. The bus has a Vietnamese and English narration system, which helps visitors learn about the history, culture, and architecture of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Dong Xuan Electric Bus Route
10 Cyclo (Hoan Kiem District)
Cyclos are a popular means of transportation in Hanoi, especially in the Old Quarter. At night, when the streets are lit up, cyclos become even more enchanting and mysterious.
It’s also an interesting way to learn about the culture and history of Hanoi. The cyclo drivers are usually locals who can tell you stories and legends about the Old Quarter.
Cyclo (Hoan Kiem District)
11 Flag Lowering Ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The flag lowering ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is an important ceremony of Vietnam, held daily at 9pm at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi. This ceremony is an opportunity for the people and tourists to remember and express gratitude for the contributions of President Ho Chi Minh to the country.
The flag lowering ceremony begins with a parade by a battalion of 104 soldiers, including 64 soldiers, 36 young volunteers, and 4 veteran soldiers. The parade will march through Ba Dinh Square, in front of the mausoleum.
Flag Lowering Ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
12 Hanoi Book Street
Hanoi Book Street at night has a fascinating and enchanting beauty. The warm yellow lights from bookstores, cafes, and restaurants blend together to create a vibrant and colorful picture.
Under the night lights, the books displayed in the stores become more prominent than ever. Book covers with various colors and designs attract everyone’s attention. Moreover, Hanoi Book Street is also a place for various cultural and artistic activities such as exchange events, discussions, exhibitions, etc. This is an opportunity for people to interact, learn, and enhance their knowledge.
Hanoi Book Street
13 Legendary Youth – A Worthy Life Art Program at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum
The Legendary Youth – A Worthy Life art program is a special experiential program organized by the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Dong Loc Victory and commemorate the 10 young female soldiers who volunteered to fight (1968 – 2023) on the occasion of Vietnamese Women’s Day.
The program is directed by Le Quy Duong, with the participation of talented young actors. The program reenacts the historical story of the 10 young female soldiers of the 4-15 squad, Detachment 552, Voluntary Youth Brigade, who bravely sacrificed themselves in the American bombardment at Dong Loc Crossroads on June 24, 1968.
The program is carefully crafted in terms of content, form, and technology. The stage is elaborately constructed, recreating the battlefield scenery of Dong Loc Crossroads in the past. The sound and lighting effects are used in a reasonable way, creating a realistic and heroic atmosphere for the program.
Legendary Youth – A Worthy Life Art Program at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum
14 Bicycle Tour: Thang Long – Hanoi at Night
The Thang Long – Hanoi at Night bicycle tour is an exciting and unique experience that allows visitors to discover the beauty of the city at night. The tour starts at the National History Museum, where many traces of the Thang Long – Hanoi Imperial Citadel are preserved. From here, visitors will learn about the overview of Hanoi’s history and culture through different periods.
Next, visitors will bike through famous landmarks in Hanoi such as the Opera House, Government Guesthouse, Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, etc. At each landmark, visitors will listen to narrations about the history, architecture, and culture of that place.
The Thang Long – Hanoi at Night bicycle tour ends in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where visitors can immerse themselves in the bustling and vibrant atmosphere of the ancient streets at night.
Bicycle Tour: Thang Long – Hanoi at Night
15 “Essence of Confucianism” night tour at the Temple of Literature
The “Essence of Confucianism” night tour at the Temple of Literature offers visitors unique and different experiences compared to daytime tours.
Firstly, visitors will discover the ancient relics in the mysterious night with a multi-colored lighting system.
Next, visitors will enjoy a 3D Mapping technology performance that vividly showcases the traditional values of respect for teachers and cherishing talent in Vietnamese culture, as well as the history and development of the Temple of Literature.
In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to experience virtual reality technology products and enjoy traditional art performances.
The night tour is divided into different areas, each with its own highlights to increase attractiveness and create lasting memories for visitors.
“Essence of Confucianism” night tour at the Temple of Literature
Above are 15 night tours in Hanoi that you should experience when visiting the capital city. Try joining these tours to see a different side of Hanoi at night!
