Best Hanoi Night Tour: What to Expect and Where to Go

Hanoi by day is a captivating blend of history and energy. But the city truly comes alive when the sun dips below the horizon. A symphony of lights illuminates the city skyline, casting a magical glow over its iconic landmarks and hidden gems. From the bustling Old Quarter to the serene Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi’s nocturnal allure is undeniable. 

Join us as we delve into the heart of this enchanting city and uncover the best Hanoi night tour to experience its vibrant nightlife.

Hoa Lo Prison’s Night Tours – 3 Different Themes

• Open hours: 19:00. However, ticket checking and stamping will commence for night tour participants at 18:30.

• Ticket price: 1.96 – 19.98 USD (199,000 VND – 499,000) VND) per person

Hoa Lo Prison is on Hoa Lo Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Built in 1896, it was created by the French colonialists just four years after Con Dao Prison. The prison was a central detention facility for both North and South Vietnam. From 1896 to 1954, it held political prisoners and patriots who opposed French colonial rule. 

To help Vietnamese people and tourists understand the losses and brutality of the wars in Vietnam, Hoa Lo Prison organizes 3 Hanoi night tours: 

• Sacred Night 1 – Shining Vietnamese Spirit
• Sacred Night 2 – Living Like Flowers
• Sacred Night 3: Flame Of Youth

The tours include narration, sound, light, and talented acting by actors. In addition to visual and auditory experiences, the staff at Hoa Lo Prison also prepare souvenirs for visitors. These include cakes, tea, and almond jelly, made from the last remaining almond tree in the prison area.

Thang Long Water Puppet Art – Traditional Performance

• Open Hours: 15:30 – 17:00, 18:30 – 20:00, 21:15 daily and 9:30 on Sunday. Each show lasts approximately 50 minutes.

• Ticket price: 4 – 8 USD (100,000 VND – 200,000 VND) per person

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theater sits in the heart of Hanoi, near the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. Here, you can experience the unique art of water puppetry—a traditional form found only in Vietnam, despite puppetry being common in many cultures worldwide.

Water puppetry dates back to the 11th century when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam. The puppets are crafted from wood and lacquered for durability. Shows are performed in a waist-deep pool, with puppeteers hidden behind a screen. Bamboo rods control the puppets, allowing them to glide across the water.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater’s performances are selected from over 400 traditional folk water puppet shows. A traditional Vietnamese orchestra plays live music to accompany the show. Some standout performances that truly honor Vietnamese water puppetry are Tễu (a jester who humorously comments on political and social issues), Dragon Dance, Phoenix Dance, Buffalo Riding and Playing the Flute, Chasing the Fox, etc. 

> You”ll love this tour: Vietnam in Depth

The Double-decker Bus: Hanoi City Tour At Night

• Open Hours: Hanoi night tour buses depart daily at 19:00 and 20:00.
• Ticket prices vary based on duration:
  • 1-hour ticket: 7.85 USD (196,000 VND)
  • 4-hour ticket: 12.01 USD (300,000 VND)
  • 24-hour ticket: 18.02 USD (450,000 VND)
  • 48-hour ticket: 26.02 USD (650,000 VND)

The Hanoi City Tour Hop-on Hop-off bus started on May 30th, 2018. This double-decker bus, the first in Hanoi, is designed for local and international tourists. It’s a great way to explore the capital’s streets and famous attractions with modern, high-quality, and affordable services.

The bus features an automated narration system in 10 popular languages, allowing tourists to discover Hanoi’s rich history and culture. The tour includes 13 stops and passes by more than 20 well-known sites.

As you travel, you’ll see spots like Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hanoi Flagpole, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Quan Thanh Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hoa Lo Prison, and the Women’s Museum. You can hop off at any stop to explore and then hop back on when ready to continue the journey.

Night in Thang Long: Active Bicycle Tour

• Open Hours: Daily from 19:30. The tour might last from 90 to 120 minutes.
• Ticket price: 12.01 (300,000 VND) per person, including an audio guide, tour guide, entrance ticket to Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a light snack, bicycle fee, and travel insurance.

The “Night in Thang Long – Hanoi” bike tour is a new, eco-friendly way to explore the capital at night. This leisurely ride lets you enjoy the peaceful streets of Hanoi while taking in the rich heritage of Thang Long – Hanoi through different historical periods. Bicycle tours are environmentally friendly and more budget-friendly than other transport forms.

On the “Night in Thang Long – Hanoi” tour, you’ll discover the city’s culture and history by visiting famous landmarks like the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi Flagpole, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and many more. These stops help you appreciate the deep history of Thang Long – Hanoi. The tour wraps up at Ngu Xa Food Street, where you can savor delicious dishes in the cool night air. This is a memorable way to explore the capital after dark.

Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel: History Journey

• Open Hours: 19:00 every Friday and Saturday
• Ticket price: 12.01 USD (300,000 VND) per person

The “Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel” night tour lasts about 1.5 hours. It begins at Doan Mon, the gate leading to the Forbidden City, where ancient kings once lived and worked. Visitors can soak in the ancient atmosphere and enjoy a royal court dance on unique archaeological relics. 

The tour then takes you to an exhibition hall, “Thang Long Hanoi – A Thousand Years of History,” where you can admire valuable artifacts and antiques uncovered at the Citadel. Every traveler will have the chance to pay respects to the ancestral kings at Kinh Thien Palace. The final stop is the Archaeological Site at 18 Hoang Dieu, where archaeologists have uncovered millions of artifacts representing more than 1,300 years of history.

This Hanoi night tour wraps up with a game called “Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel,” open to all visitors. This game features laser projections of key artifacts onto the foundations of archaeological relics or the ancient watercourse, helping visitors learn and decipher clues revealed throughout the tour.

Heart and Talent: Night Tour at The Museum of Vietnamese Literature

• Open Hours: Every Saturday and Sunday nights
• Ticket price: 6.01 USD (150,000 VND) per person

The cultural tour “Chu Tam chu Tai” at The Museum of Vietnamese Literature takes you on a unique journey. You’ll visit a garden dedicated to 20 literary figures, explore the evolution of Vietnamese literature from ancient to medieval periods, and learn about the history of written characters. 

Highlights include discovering the first and second declarations of independence, “Nam Quoc Son Ha” and “Binh Ngo Dai Cao,” diving into the world of the great poet Nguyen Du and his famous Tale of Kieu, and uncovering the touching love story of poets Luu Quang Vu and Xuan Quynh.

As you wander through this captivating space, surrounded by stunning scenery and artistic displays, you’ll be drawn into a world of literature rich in emotion and depth. For 90 minutes each Saturday and Sunday, this literary night tour in Hanoi brings visitors closer to authors, stories, and characters through immersive experiences in a space dedicated to Vietnam’s literary heritage.

> See Tour: Colors of Vietnam

Quintessence of Tonkin: The Live Cultural Performance

• Open Hours: From 18:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays
• Ticket price: 16.02 – 40.04 USD (400,000 – 1.000,000 VND) per person

“The Quintessence of Tonkin” is a live performance set on a 4,300-square-meter lake at Thay Pagoda in Sai Son commune, Quoc Oai district, Hanoi. The show is inspired by the story of Zen Master Tu Dao Hanh, also known as Thanh Lang, one of the Four Immortals in Vietnamese beliefs. Directed by Hoang Nhat Nam, this Hanoi night tour takes visitors on a journey through the lives of Northern farmers, featuring over 200 performers and stunning sound and light effects.

The performance is divided into six parts: Poetry, Buddha’s World, Nostalgia, Art and Music, Joy, and Festival Day. Each segment reflects the Vietnamese people’s culture, beliefs, and spirit, highlighting aspects of labor, education, knowledge, festivals, and the arts.

“The Quintessence of Tonkin” is a unique, real-life show that transports visitors to the charming memories of Vietnamese childhood. Set in a simple, rustic northern village, it beautifully recreates the region’s traditional culture, showcasing everything from sweet folk songs and lively folk games to long-standing customs.

Legends of Youth Art Show: At Vietnamese Women’s Museum

• Open Hours: From 20:00 on Saturday and Sunday
• Ticket price: 18.02 – 22.02 USD (450,000 – 550,000 USD) per person

The “Legend of Youth” program is a unique collaboration between the Vietnamese Women’s Museum and scriptwriter-director Le Quy Duong. It brings to life the stories of ten young female volunteers who fought bravely at Dong Loc Junction during the Vietnam War. These young women, only eighteen to twenty years old, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1968 to protect a crucial traffic route.

This immersive experience allows visitors to travel back to the war years through modern technology and interactive activities. The program features a re-creation of the Vietnamese Women’s Museum’s historical events, showcasing memorabilia about Vietnamese women. To enhance authenticity, 5 tons of soil from Dong Loc Junction were transported to Hanoi for this program. This addition creates a more emotional and interactive experience for the audience.

The battlefield is brought to life with image technology, lighting, and 3D effects, allowing visitors to engage in the battle at Dong Loc Junction. Audience members can interact with the actors while seated on artillery boxes, making the experience even more engaging.

> Must-see experience: Ultimate Guide to Hanoi Tours by Locals for First-Time Visitors

Quintessence of Education: Night Tour at the Temple of Literature

• Open Hours: From  19:00 to 22.00 on every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday
• Ticket price: 7.97 USD (199,000 VND) per person

The Temple of Literature night tour offers a unique experience with 3D Mapping technology, professional lighting, and sound. This combination maintains the site’s solemnity and elegance while providing unforgettable moments.

Visitors entering the Doctoral Steles Garden will see the Thien Quang Well illuminated by LED lights. The garden, which displays 82 steles honoring 1,304 Vietnamese scholars from 1442 to 1779, is bathed in soft, enchanting LED colors.

In the Achievements Area, guests can interact with books about the heritage site using Leap Motion technology (3D motion control). They can also enjoy a VR experience, creating calligraphy or artwork against a sparkling starry sky.

The tour concludes with a stunning 3D projection show titled “Tinh hoa dao hoc” or “Essence of Education”. The Main Hall’s facade on the Thai Hoc courtyard becomes a giant screen, showcasing the core values of Vietnamese Education and Confucianism.

Final Thoughts

Hanoi by night offers an enchanting experience that unveils the city’s soul. Immerse yourself in the vibrant street food scene, explore ancient temples bathed in moonlight, and witness the city’s transformation as the sun sets. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or simply seeking a memorable adventure, Hanoi night tour will captivate you.

Don’t miss out on this unique experience. Let Asia Trip Deals craft a personalized tour just for you. Share your interests, and we’ll handle the rest, ensuring a memorable adventure.