Hanoi nightlife is a mix of hectic streets, quiet bars, cultural evenings, and markets being explored under punky, palm-peppered, streetlight skies. This complete guide lists the best things to do and to eat at night in Hanoi.
What Is Special About Hanoi Nightlife?
The Hanoi evening scene is much more than drinking and dancing. Not a single other Southeast Asian city even comes close to offering a street, a local patchwork of culture-laden experiences like you will find lining the streets here. At nighttime, the contrast of two worlds in the capital is stark: a vibrant club and rooftop bar scene, versus serene lakes and midnight flower markets.
Unlike nightouts in other business cities, the nightlife in Hanoi is very much a part of the life and soul of the native people residing in Hanoi. It’s warm Bia Hoi in squat chairs, drinking beer with strangers who become friends; it’s live traditional music in the Old Quarter; it’s hunching over bowls of pho late at night. The contrast of modernisation and old-world mystery, Hanoi by night, is something never to forget.
Top 6 Things To Do In Hanoi At Night
There are plenty of stimulating things to do in Hanoi after dark. If you are not sure what to do in Hanoi at night, the following must-dos wouldn’t disappoint to help you get the taste of Hanoi nightlife.
Wander Through Old Quarter Weekend Night Market
Experiencing the Hanoi night market is a must-do. It’s the biggest outdoor market in Hanoi and also takes place on weekend evenings, from Hang Dao Street to Dong Xuan Market. The roads turn pedestrian-only from 06:00 PM to midnight and get thronged with stalls selling clothes, mementos, handicrafts, and lip-smacking street food.
There are also street musicians playing traditional Vietnamese tunes. In the meantime, food vendors lure in crowds with the savory smell of street foods like grilled squid, fried dough sticks, and sizzling Vietnamese crepes.
Shopping At Dong Xuan Night Market
Another among the best things to do in Hanoi at night is to visit Dong Xuan Market. The atmosphere is quieter and more traditional at Dong Xuan Night Market. This is a market that’s more geared towards the local clientele, and it sells more practical items like fabric, home basics, and household accessories. It’s an ideal place to get away from the tourist crowds and see where real Hanoians shop.
Sometimes you’ll stumble upon a folk performance or a cultural show in the entrance area. A slower pace and local feel make this market a fantastic pit stop for anyone wanting to delve further into Hanoi’s real rhythm.
Admire Quang Ba Flower Market
For something completely different, visit Quang Ba Flower Market in Tay Ho district: a tucked-away hotspot, which only really kicks in after midnight and winds down at dawn. This Hanoi night market provides fresh flowers to stores across the city, and is busiest in the wee hours of the morning.
Strolling between flower stalls, the area is a cloud of neon under the night sky. You’ll find hundreds of vendors’ stalls, the sellers feverishly assembling bouquets of chrysanthemums, roses, lilies, lotuses, and more, and calling out to haggle with buyers in rapid-fire Vietnamese. The air is perfumed, and the sights are magnificent, great for photographers hunting for colorful, late-night photos.
Drink At The Legendary Beer Street – Ta Hien
If there is backpacker nightlife in Hanoi, it’s here, on Ta Hien Street. From 06:00 PM, this skinny Old Quarter street transforms into a feeding and watering hole with tiny bars spilling onto the streets. A legend of a place where locals and travelers alike come to pull up low plastic stools on the sidewalks or the streets, freshly brewed Bia Hoi runs at cheap prices, from 10,000 VND to 15,000 VND.
There’s always a good crowd of travelers, expats, and Hanoians enjoying cold beer, listening to street musicians, and chatting rambunctiously. The heightened hour is typically 08:30 to 10:30 PM, when the street is hopping and every chair is taken. For the best seats, arrive early and claim a table or a patch of pavement and sample one of the best-value, most genuine Hanoi night experiences.
Get Excited With Hanoi Night Clubs
If you are into the upbeat tempo of club music and a colorful ambiance, Hanoi’s nightlife boasts several nightclubs that are open until the wee hours of the morning.
1900 Le Théâtre
1900 Le Théâtre is on Ta Hien Street. The establishment has numerous dance floors, colorful lighting, singers, and DJs playing hits ranging from EDM to hip-hop. It usually opens at about 09:00 PM, and the party goes till 03:00 AM.
- Drink prices: Cocktails are from 150,000 – 250,000 VND, and bottled beers are around 70,000 – 100,000 VND.
- Entrance fee: Usually 100,000 – 200,000 VND, includes one drink on weekdays. Higher for special DJ events.
Shark Club
Shark Club is another Hanoi night club, which draws a hip crowd and provides high-tier bottle service options featuring top-shelf sips such as Macallan, Hennessy, and champagne. From live dancers to lively DJs and an electric vibe, it’s a favorite among Hanoi’s partying elite.
- Drink prices: Premium cocktails cost from 220,000 VND.
- Entrance fee: Free for ladies on most nights, 150,000 – 300,000 VND for men, depending on events.
Savage Club
Savage Club in the Tay Ho district is a white-walled haven all about quality over hype, boasting a serious sound system and a rotating cast of local and international techno and house DJs.
- Drink prices: Standard cocktails from 150,000 VND, beers around 90,000 VND, and shots from 100,000 VND.
- Entrance fee: Often 150,000 – 250,000 VND, sometimes it’s free before 11:00 PM.
Experience The Best Bars In Hanoi
For those who prefer a more relaxed evening with great conversation, craft cocktails, and beautiful views, Hanoi at night is also full of chill lounges, vintage taverns, and refined rooftop bars.
Lighthouse Sky Bar
Lighthouse Sky Bar is located in the Old Quarter and provides sweeping views of Hoan Kiem Lake and the city below. The vibe is cozy, the seating is in soft light, soft music is in the background, and a cocktail list of both classics and drinks inspired by what you’d find in Marienplatz.
- Drink prices: Range from 180,000 – 250,000 VND.
The Alchemist Bar
It is a bit of a mystery and a bit of a surprise, behind an unassuming facade. Inside, the light is dim, there’s midcentury decor, and jazzy music is playing in the background, creating a small, romantic environment. It is a popular choice for couples and single travelers looking to add a little style without breaking the bank.
- Drink prices: Cocktails cost between 160,000 – 220,000 VND.
Polite & Co
Polite & Co is situated within a colonial shophouse, imbuing it with a good old-world charm, yet the contemporary touch comes in the form of good, old-school sophistication, sleek mixology, with an intimate but elegant, not overly dimly lit setting of leather chairs, wooden floors, and some classic sensibilities.
Drink prices: Signature cocktails are 180,000 – 230,000 VND
Pasteur Street Brewing Co
Pasteur Street Brewing Co is among the best bars in Hanoi as it provides Vietnamese draft beer. They serve up a rotating menu of IPAs, pale ales, and seasonal brews, many of which feature locally sourced ingredients, such as lemongrass and passion fruit.
- Drink prices: Beers are 100,000 – 130,000 VND.
What To Eat In Hanoi At Night
You can’t fully experience Hanoi at night without treating your taste buds to a delightful late-night food culture. As the sun begins its descent, the streets pulse not only with music and movement but with the smells of smoky grills, simmering broth, and fried treats.
Pho (Vietnamese Noodles)
Nothing is better than eating Pho, a dish that’s synonymous with Hanoi, and many of the best bowls are dished out well into the early hours. Pho is made with flat rice noodles in a clear, slow-simmered broth flavored with beef bones, ginger, onion, cinnamon, star anise, and an array of aromatic spices. It’s usually topped with thin slices of beef (Pho Bo) or chicken (Pho Ga), and garnished with scallions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
- Recommendations: Pho Suong (36B Mai Hac De, Hoan Kiem); Pho Nho (27A Huynh Thuc Khang, Dong Da); Pho That (48 Tran Nhat Duat, Hoan Kiem).
- Price: Around 40,000 – 70,000 VND.
Bun Thang
A lighter option compared to Pho, Bun Thang is a clear noodle soup with shredded chicken, fried egg slices, Vietnamese sausage, mushrooms, and herbs.
- Recommendations: 48 Cau Go (Hoan Kiem); D2 Giang Vo (Ba Dinh) ,…
- Price: Ranges from 30,000 VND.
Trang Tien Ice Cream
For dessert or a sweet break during your walk, make your way to the Trang Tien ice cream store at 35 Trang Tien Street. This old-school ice cream parlor has been a local treasure serving scoops of nostalgia since the 1950s.
- Price: 15,000 – 30,000 VND.
Street Food
If you’re out in the Old Quarter late at night, you just can’t avoid the aroma of Hanoi’s street food. Local favorites are:
- Nom Bo Kho (Dried beef salad) in Hang Giay, Hoan Kiem district
- Banh Duc (Hot rice flour cake) at 8 Le Ngoc Han
- Banh Mi Dan To (Bread) on Tran Nhat Duat street
- Chao Trai (Clam porridge) in Thuy Khue, Tay Ho district
- Xoi (Sticky rice) in Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem district
- These dishes are quite cheap, ranging from 30,000 – 50,000 VND.
Tips To Experience Hanoi By Night
Although Hanoi nightlife is energetic, flavorful, and fun, you’ll want to bear in mind a few cultural and practical tips to avoid any issues and make the most of the city’s nightlife.
- Check the closing hours: Many bars and restaurants in Hanoi close by midnight; there are only a handful of clubs, which open later.
- Call a ride-hailing app: Using apps such as Grab or Be is safer and cheaper than flagging down taxis on the street at night.
- Hold onto your valuables: Be mindful of your phone and wallet while on crowded streets such as night markets and clubs.
- Dress to impress: Some clubs for events specify smart casual, no flip-flops or beach wear.
- Respect culture: Refrain from being overtly rowdy and keep sound levels low when near temples or in public spaces.
- Keep small change: Many of the food stalls and markets don’t accept cards, and they prefer small change.
- Drink responsibly: The local alcoholic drinks are stronger than you think they could be; pace yourself, and stay within your limits.
Final Thoughts
Hanoi nightlife is about more than drinking and dancing. From neon-lit rooftops and buzzy night markets to tranquil lakeside strolls and sizzling street food stalls, each is another thrilling side of the city to explore. Are you excited about exploring Hanoi at night? Let SeniWorld design and tailor your Hanoi itinerary to best match your dream destination and maximize your experience.
