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Writing for CNN, author Chris Anderson expressed: "Hanoi comes alive at night with glittering streets and brightly lit, bustling markets. You can try a walking tour of Hanoi's neighborhoods, sample a variety of delicious dishes, visit music clubs..."
According to author Connla Stokes, evening strolls and late-night performances at a jazz club are the best ways to enjoy Hanoi's nightlife while traveling.
Let's take a look at 6 nighttime experiences suggested by Chris and Connla for tourists visiting Hanoi!
Watch the performance at the Grand Theatre.
Every evening, the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake are usually crowded with people walking, jogging, doing aerobics, or participating in street performances on weekends. After strolling along the lake and enjoying the scenery, Connla Stokes suggests that tourists can head to the Hanoi Opera House – a venue that regularly hosts performances by the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, the Vietnamese circus show "My Village," and more.
Dubbed one of Vietnam's "artistic sanctuaries," the Hanoi Opera House consistently presents exceptional, high-quality artistic programs to serve the people of the capital and tourists.
Visiting Thang Long Puppet Theatre
Just a few dozen minutes' walk from the Hanoi Opera House, visitors can reach the Thang Long Puppet Theatre located on Dinh Tien Hoang Street, right next to Hoan Kiem Lake. Vietnamese puppetry has a history dating back nearly 1,000 years, preserved and improved by artists over the years. With nearly 300 seats, the Thang Long Puppet Theatre is always brightly lit every evening with performances of both traditional and modern plays.
The unique performances here have participated in numerous international puppet art competitions and are loved by audiences both domestically and internationally. Performances are held every day of the week with five shows: 3 PM, 4:10 PM, 5:20 PM, 6:30 PM, and 8 PM.
Street food
Like many other foreign tourists, Chris Anderson and Connla Stokes were captivated and impressed by Hanoi's street food. Dried beef salad, beef pho, hot pot, grilled dishes... are indispensable items on the nighttime menu.
"Those who want to delve deeper into local culture should definitely try visiting a barbecue stall, eating banh mi, and drinking coffee in Hanoi," wrote reporter Chris Anderson.
Chris also wrote about dried beef salad with chewy and crispy green papaya strips, served with dried beef and sweet and sour dipping sauce, a suitable light snack before a main meal. He also mentioned bun cha, a dish that former US President Barack Obama tried during his visit to Vietnam. The dish consists of minced pork patties marinated in rich spices, grilled pork slices with crispy edges, served with sweet and sour dipping sauce, fresh rice noodles, and fresh vegetables.
Sidewalk draft beer
If you visit Hanoi during the hot summer days, tourists should definitely try draft beer – a popular street-side refreshing drink in Hanoi.
"It's so convenient, draft beer is often sold right on the street. Drinkers sit on small plastic chairs, and it only costs a few tens of thousands of dong to buy one or two glasses of beer. In the evening, young tourists come to Beer Corners like Ta Hien Street to chat and eat delicious snacks to accompany their beer," Connla Stokes wrote.
With affordable prices for both beer and snacks, and a youthful street atmosphere, Ta Hien Beer Street is becoming a must-visit destination for foreign tourists when coming to Hanoi.
Shopping for handicrafts
During his time in Hanoi, Chris Anderson spent an evening shopping for handicrafts. Walking along the old streets near Hoan Kiem Lake, Chris could find craft shops or non-profit businesses.
Here you can find high-quality bags, jewelry, and handcrafted textiles in contemporary styles but with distinctive traditional techniques. Tourists can also visit shops selling paintings, home decor items made from lacquerware, brocade, silk, etc., to find gifts that reflect Vietnamese culture.
Local cafes and bars.
Connla Stokes was impressed with the medium-sized and small-scale cafes, bars, and pubs with live music in Hanoi. She was particularly drawn to those that regularly host exhibitions and art performances for individual artists and small art groups.
Connla mentioned Hanoi Rock City, Tadioto, Savage... with their jazz and classical music nights, vintage black-and-white films, and even the vibrant nights of Hanoi's youth.
