Fun and entertainment Hanoi

Nice nocturnal atmosphere for this bar, located near the Opera, and frequented by all the people who matter in the city: artists, creators, idlers and expatriates... The establishment and its owner have even been honoured by the New York Times. The setting is very seductive in the evening, all in chiaroscuro with an original and warm decoration, which favours intimacy. The menu is not very extensive (preferably after dinner). On the other hand, there is a wide choice of drinks, with or without alcohol. Ideal for a drink in the evening.

Very nice café that offers a large dining room and comfortable chairs in the back. Many come to enjoy wifi, accompanied by their computers... The cuisine is western. Breakfasts with a wide choice of coffees and pastries. Sandwiches, lasagna, quiches and salads at any time of the day. The establishment belongs to a chain whose roots are in Laos and which now extends to Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). It promotes fresh and healthy food and fair trade

Very pleasant café-lounge which offers an artistic and muffled atmosphere. The colonial villa serves as an exhibition space for Vietnamese artists, photographers, sculptors, painters... Manzi aims to promote contemporary arts, inspire critical thinking and nurture a culture of debate through the collaboration of local artists and intellectuals. At any time of the day, a place to come and relax, work on your computer, meet people. The art space is financed by an art store and a café.

The Four Palaces(Tu Phu in Vietnamese) is a magnificent show inspired by the mediumistic rituals of traditional Vietnam and the veneration of the four Mother-Goddesses representing different elements (Mother-Goddess of the sky, the forest, the water and the earth). Bewitching music and songs, splendid colored costumes, lights highlighting the stage and the actors... The Four Palaces is a show that allows you to apprehend a part of the folk culture of the country and that transports you into another universe...

Nice café of the Công chain (see also the one in front of the cathedral). Characteristic of the chain is the importance given to the retro decor inspired by the recent history of the country. The address has the peculiarity of having welcomed President F. Holland during his official visit to Vietnam in September 2016. He took a short break during which he met with former Vietnamese students in France, including the mathematician Ngô Bao Châu, who was awarded the prestigious Fields Medal in 2010.

On the shores of the West Lake, near the Sheraton Hotel, a villa whose decor highlights the talent of Vietnamese craftsmen. Healthy food is the motto of the house run by holistic health specialist Pete Wilkes. The products, always fresh, come in particular from the farm. Perfect for breakfast (from 7am to 5pm), copious, original and delicious, or a sandwich, salad or burger break, accompanied by a fresh fruit juice (detox cure enthusiasts will be over the moon) or an espresso.

Magnificent show organized on the site of the Master's pagoda and inspired by the history of the place. More than a hundred artists sublimate a puppet theatre performance on the water. A lively outdoor show, with sound and light, to discover the cultural heritage of this region of northern Vietnam. Calendar of performances and bookings on the website, by phone, at the Hanoi office, which can arrange the transfer from/to Hanoi.

An institution. Founded in 1952, one of the most famous cafés in the capital. Nothing flashy, an atmosphere in chiaroscuro. You can enjoy your Vietnamese coffee sitting on a small stool. Each table is the place of a conciliation between regulars or customers coming from a distant country... The walls are decorated with paintings, drawings and collages of famous painters such as Bui Xuân Phai (1920-1988), Tô Ngoc Vân (1906-1954), Nguyên Sang (1923-1988)... In the past, during the lean times, they paid the owner with their works. Several addresses in town.

Opened at the end of 2023, or rather reopened after a complete renovation, this café offers a seductive vintage setting: mosaic tiles, ship's wood for the pillars, brick walls, photos of Hanoi of yesteryear... The coffee served is of the highest quality, sourced in Vietnam and roasted on site. Egg coffee, of course, but also the famous salted coffee, espresso, teas, etc. A wide choice of breakfasts and pastries. Craft beers and cocktails are on the menu for the late afternoon. A charming place to stroll.

In the heart of the Old Quarter, this little artery nicknamed the "beer street" is the liveliest spot in the district in the evening. One bar-restaurant follows another, and the terraces are packed with locals and young tourists alike. Street vendors, mobile karaoke - there's plenty to keep you entertained. The prices are quite high, but you'll find much cheaper beers in the establishments in the surrounding streets. During the day, it's all quiet and you can take photos of the old buildings.

Close to the Old Quarter, on the street leading from the old gate of the Thang Long citadel, this bar is a place to discover. With its hushed ambience, subdued lighting and chic, modern decor, you can sit in the dining room or at the bar to enjoy classic and original cocktails. The emphasis is on local produce, with which they create unique elixirs. The wine list is limited but of high quality. Drinks can be accompanied by cheese and charcuterie boards. Bands perform regularly. Recommended.

Located south of Lake Hoàn Kiêm, you'll need a bit of cunning to flush out this bar in the speakeasy tradition. To get there, take a brick tunnel leading to a blue door... Inside, you'll discover a charming venue, attentive staff and, above all, a comprehensive cocktail menu. Old Fashioned, Negroni or the signature cocktail, the choice is vast. Live music on Sundays. Chic but affordable.

A confidential address, discreet but very well placed, opposite St. Joseph's Cathedral. Housed in a typical old Hanoi house, upstairs and under the roofs, accessible via a concealed entrance, you can feel the patina of time enhanced by a warm, intimate decor. The French-style bar invites you to enjoy an aperitif or one of the excellent cocktails on offer... The unusual, old-fashioned setting alone is worth a visit.

Here's an original establishment to discover. You can enter through a narrow alleyway, but more recently the café has opened a more accessible door onto Tran Quang Khai Street. The place is spread over several floors, each with a successful urban decor featuring mechanical elements (sidecar, motorcycle, tires) but also superb murals. You can come and enjoy this peaceful place for a coffee, a snack or in the early evening for a beer or an aperitif. Light meals available for lunch. Friendly welcome.

In the heart of the Old Quarter, finding this establishment is no easy task, situated in a maze of alleys in the purest Hanoi tradition. However, a notice board placed outside the bar makes it easy to find. When you enter the bar, the world changes and you're transported back to the days of Prohibition. Excellent cocktails, cigar cellar, hushed atmosphere, discreet music, attentive staff... A pleasant place to have a drink after dinner. Superb.

This is an iconic spot in Hanoi. A popular spot for tourists, photographers and Instagramers, it lets you enjoy coffee, cold drinks and lunch while immortalizing your stay in Hanoi thanks to one of the city's icons, the Long Biên Bridge. The Serein Café & Lounge boasts one of the finest views of the bridge. The various terraces allow you to appreciate the bustle of life around the bridge. On Saturday evenings, live bands provide even more entertainment. High prices.

French address. Very friendly establishment, with a warm décor dominated by wood and brick. In the garden, covered terrace. Bistro cuisine with a French touch: burgers, roast chicken, mussels / chips (on Thursdays), quiches, wood-fired pizzas. Mainly western clientele in this area of the Lac de l'Ouest where many expatriates live. Good to finish the evening over a drink and enjoy the pool table.

This chain of cafes, well established in Hanoi, has about ten establishments, all located in tourist areas such as the Ethnography Museum or the Water Puppet Theater on the shores of Hoen Kiêm Lake. They serve nau da (iced coffee), fruit juices, pastries, ice cream, but also pho, pizzas and salads for lunch. Convenient and really cheap... Note, the application downloadable on Google Play or App Store that allows you to order and avoid the queues.

Welcome to Café de la Joie, an oasis of serenity. Nestled on the banks of the Red River, this unpretentious café is much more than just a meeting place: it's a paradise for plant lovers. Manh, the owner, grows hundreds of kumquat plants. His reputation has earned him numerous awards and distinctions. The month of January is particularly frenetic, as it precedes the Tet holiday, whose emblematic gift is the kumquat.

A picturesque place in this passage near the Temple of Literature. Traditional architecture and the cult of tea. Also sale of Vietnamese teas selected for their respective virtues.