Hanoi Walking Streets open on the night of weekends, which becomes a popular destination for both the locals and tourists. There are a lot of activities to do and local food to taste when you come here.
Let’s explore Hanoi Walking Streets now!
Hanoi Walking Streets
The walkings streets in Hanoi cover a lot of roads in the old quarter and the areas around Hoan Kiem Lake. These sites have become entertainment spaces, organizing events, sports, and cultural activities to serve the needs of the local people and tourists.
The pedestrian streets include:
- Dinh Le Street, Nguyen Xi Street, Trang Tien Street (from Ngo Quyen to Hang Bai),
- Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hang Khay, Le Thai To (1/2 Le Thai To Street on the side of Hoan Kiem Lake, from Hang Trong to Hang Khay),
- Hang Bai Street (from Hai Ba Trung to Hang Khay),
- Le Thach Street, Tran Nguyen Han Street (the section from Dinh Tien Hoang to Ly Thai To),
- Le Lai Street (from Dinh Tien Hoang to Ly Thai To),
- Ho Hoan Kiem Street, Luong Van Can (from Hang Hanh to Le Thai To),
- Lo Su Street (Dinh Tien Hoang to Nguyen Huu Huan),
- Hang Dau Street (Dinh Tien Hoang to Go Bridge),
- Bao Khanh (section from Ngo Bao Khanh to Le Thai To).
1. Fun activities in Hanoi pedestrian street
1.1. Joining folk games
The walking streets in Hanoi attract travellers with many traditional games. Walking around Hoan Kiem Lake, there are various games every one minute that gather a large number of participants, including foreign tourists.
At this point, you will come back to childhood memories with these games in the countryside. Those folk games seem to fall into oblivion, but you can see them here, such as O An Quan(stones in squares), đi cà kheo walking on stilts, kicking shuttlecocks, tug of war, and making whistle toys.
You can also find many community activities taking place here that have attracted many young people to join. Although they are unfamiliar and do not know each other, everyone becomes closer when participating in the games.
These folk games not only bring you an exciting experience, but these activities also give you relaxing moments. You may forget the worries of the bustling life.
1. 2. Enjoying street-art repertoire
Besides folk games, going down the Hanoi walking streets, you can easily see different groups of performers with various styles of music. These activities are held intermittently in various locations.
Sometimes, you can find the excitement of Latin American music, relax at the melodious music, see the beauty of traditional art forms, and get fun of circus performances. All will take you through various levels of emotion.
If you like the nostalgic tunes that are from the folk tales, then walk to the Ma May and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets to enjoy the performances. If you want to find active modern music, walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake to listen to the low melodies of guitar, organ, and drum.
Both Vietnamese and foreign street artists also perform in the area of the walking streets. Although these performances are not the best, you can get fun and exciting time when seeing them on the streets.
1.3. Experiencing traditional cultural activities
There is a unique cultural space on Hanoi pedestrian streets that is the area for writing letters (Ông Đồ), painting portraits, and dressing up as famous characters in the film or story.
Walking around the lake, opposite the Turtle Tower, you can see the image of a man in a black ao dai, with a scarf head, both ink, and writing. Around him, the word of Tam (Heart), Phuc (Happiness), and Nhan (Patience) stand out on the red background paper.
Nearby is the portrait painting activity of street artists. You just need to sit quietly in the middle of the flow of people so that the talented artist uses graphite to paint a portrait, and you can get black and white painting with classical art. More interestingly, you can transform into art statues or images that seem to only appear in movies.
- Price for asking for words from Ông Đồ: 200,000 VND / writing
- Portrait painting: 100,000 VND / portrait
1.4. Doing other fun activities
In addition to folk art and cultural activities, you can find different activities, such as:
- Enjoy relaxing moments in the natural scenery. You can choose a small street corner or a lakeside bench, and comfortably watch the up-and-down people or chat with friends.
- Choose a beautiful frame to take pictures of the warmest moments.
- Stop at painting statue area where is good for your children if you have babies.
- Let your kids play on car toys, a toy car rental: 50,000 VND / 30 minutes.
2. Tasting food at Hanoi walking street
It is so exciting when you take a food tour around the walking streets of Hanoi. Here is the famous food that you can taste:
2.1. Trang Tien ice cream
Trang Tien ice cream is the well-know ice cream in Hanoi. The small shop always is crowded with buyers. Therefore, you have to make a queue to wait to enjoy the popsicles with coconut cream, green beans, and ice cream nuggets.
- Address: 35 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Price ranges: 7,000 – 15,000 VND
2.2. Thuy Ta Ice Cream
Located right on Ly Thai To Street next to Hoan Kiem Lake, Thuy Ta ice cream is as popular as Trang Tien ice cream. Thuy Ta also has different kinds of ice creams for you to taste.
- Address: Ly Thai To street next to Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi
- Price: 8,000 – 10,000 VND
2.3. Salted-sweet doughnuts
Stroll around the Luong Ngoc Quyen Street, a paradise of salted-sweet doughnuts, you will see a lot of pretty yellow doughnuts attracting you at first sight.
- Address: Luong Ngoc Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Price: 4,000 VND / unit
2.4. Fried spring rolls
Fried spring rolls are the famous Hanoi snack. You can stop at the Tam Thuong alley at 38Hang Bong street to try the great flavour of fried spring rolls.
- Address: Tam Thuong alley at 38 Hang Bong Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Price: 5,000 VND / unit
2.5. Fried flour
Another specialty of Hanoi that you should not miss when walking along the pedestrian streets is hot fried flour. This typical fried food looks very eye-catching with a yellow colour. When tasting it, you dip it into sweet-sour sauce combined with the crispy fried flour.
- Address: 73 Hang Bong Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Price: 2,000 – 4,000 VND / item
3. Frequently asked questions about Hanoi Walking Streets
What time do Hanoi Walking Streets open?
Hanoi walking street opens on every night weekends.
Hang Dao street – Hang Giay – Dong Xuan market and 6 extended pedestrian streets of Hanoi Old Quarter operate on 3 nights at weekends from 7:00 pm – 24:00 (Fri, Sat, and Sun).
Walking streets in Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding areas open from 19:00 Friday to 24:00 Sunday.
Is there an entrance fee to enter Hanoi Walking Streets?
No, there is not. It is free to enjoy your time at Hanoi Walking Streets. You just need to carry some Vietnamese dong to spend on drinks, street food, and gifts.
Is it safe on Hanoi Walking Streets?
Yes, it is. Most of the areas in the Hanoi Old Quarter, including Walking Streets, are alright to walk around at night. But, you need to avoid going in quiet, dark lanes. And, do not alone after 10:00 pm is better. Also, be careful about your wallet, and other belongings are always a good choice.