“In Hanoi, don’t hurry” - a slogan that projects Hanoi as a place for chilling and slowly enjoying life, which is rather different from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).
While HCMC is filled with modern and bustling scenes, Hanoi-inspired destinations have also attracted people for its nostalgic vibe of the capital city. These sites are perfect for those craving a taste of Hanoi’s unique ambiance while still staying in the southern metropolis.
Due to the tropical monsoon climate, HCMC has just 2 seasons: dry season and rainy season. The weather is relatively humid and warm all year round. Meanwhile, Hanoi is characterized by four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter, with autumn being the best time of the year.
With the love for autumn in Hanoi, the Saigonese are inspired by the capital’s lifestyle in this season, creating an interesting idea for a day living in HCMC like a Hanoian.
Breakfast
Hanoians take breakfast very seriously; therefore, breakfast in Hanoi is not only sophisticated and delicious but also an art. Xoi (sticky rice), Pho and Bun rieu (crab noodle soup) are some of the most popular dishes for breakfast in Hanoi that you should try once.
Xoi Lang Nghe (Sticky Rice Craft Village)
Xoi Lang Nghe is a perfect place for those loving Hanoi cuisine and wanting to enjoy authentic Northern-style sticky rice in HCMC. Long, the restaurant's founder, shared that he wanted to introduce the original flavor of sticky rice from his homeland to people far from home, the domestics and foreign tourists.
Therefore, he started a business that brings sticky rice originating from Phu Thuong Village, his wife’s hometown and also a place whose rice was recognized as a Cultural Heritage in 2024. In Hanoi, cooking Phu Thuong sticky rice is not only a profession but also considered a culinary art, which is present in daily dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner among Hanoians.
Address 1: 116 Ngo Tat To Street, Ward 22, Binh Thanh District
Opening hours: 06:00 AM - 01:00 PM, 4:30 - 9:00 PM
Address 2: 84 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 06:20 AM - 07:00 PM
Pho Hung
Pho Hung, recommended by Michelin Guide, is a pho restaurant that is highly rated by gourmets, becoming a familiar destination for locals and tourists. Pho Hung was founded in the early 90s in the United States by Tiem Kinh Thanh - an overseas Vietnamese.
Pho Hung mainly serves beef-related dishes such as: rare beef pho, medium-rare brisket, beef ball pho, etc. In addition, the restaurant also serves soft drinks, beer and juice for customers in need. Basil, bean sprouts, onion and lime wedges are always served on the side.
Address 1: 243 Nguyen Trai Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 06:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Address 2: 288 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Ward 4, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: 06:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Bun Rieu Co Huong Beo (Co Huong Beo Crab Noodle Soup)
Vietnamese crab noodle soup (bun rieu) stands out with its soft noodles, tasty broth, greasy crab paste, and various fresh vegetables, all coming together to create a truly unique dish.
Bun Rieu Co Huong Beo (Bun Rieu CHB) serves dishes with traditional flavors combined with the gourmet features of Hanoians to create a unique and unforgettable flavor for each dish. With its nationwide success, Bun Rieu Co Huong Beo is currently opening 35 branches in Hanoi, HCMC and Bac Ninh province.
At the eatery, you can enjoy the special dish served with top mo, or cracklings, which is considered as a call from the past. This is because cracklings were used in the subsidy period (1976 - 1986), a time of hardships and deprivation in all aspects for Vietnamese people.
Address: 19B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 06:30 AM - 09:30 PM
Drinking Coffee
Wherever you are in Vietnam, you won’t be far from a small street side coffee stall or modern air conditioned coffee shop. Hanoi is known for coffee shops that bring the nostalgic and retro style, making the old days relive and the memories rewind.
After having a full breakfast, you can find a place to enjoy coffee, especially the specialty of Hanoi - Hanoi egg coffee, which is known for its delicious, rich flavor of eggs and the bitterness of coffee.
Ngach 160 Cafe (Alley 160)
Ngach 160 Cafe offers a peaceful atmosphere that replicates a corner of old Hanoi, presenting a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the main street. Ally 160 serves varied coffee and juice options, featuring regional beverages from the North, but as it is based on Hanoian cafes the egg coffee cannot be missed on the menu. Some drinks are even served in distinctive and unique ceramic bowls, making customers feels more like being in a hidden gem of a Hanoi café.
Address: 160/29 Bui Dinh Tuy Street, Ward 12, Binh Thanh District
Opening hours: 07:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Little Hanoi Egg Coffee
Little Hanoi Egg has a bit of ancient and ambient features, bringing a bit of nostalgia for the past. The café appears as a new space contrasting with the fast pace of life outside. From the outside to the inside, Little Hanoi Egg still maintains its own unique style, with classic yellow as the main color. When you come here, remember to try egg coffee and egg cocoa coffee - the two signatures of Little Hanoi.
Address 1: 119/5 Yersin Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 07:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Address 2: 167 Ky Con Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 07:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Dabao Concept
With the traditional Vietnamese architecture and the timeless interiors, Dabao Concept intentionally creates a “HaNoi vibes” in a unique way so as to trigger a sense of nostalgic Hanoi every time you visit this place. The feeling of sitting under the cool shade of a tree, sipping some cake and a familiar cup of coffee will make your heart peaceful, easing all your worries.
Dabao offers a wide variety of smoothies, juices, and desserts, promising to make you indulge in aesthetic and savory treats.
Address 1 (Dabao Concept - Codo): 18 Tu Xuong Street, Ward 7, District 3
Opening hours: 07:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Address 2 (Dabao Concept - Dongdo): 151C Hai Ba Trung Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District
Opening hours: 07:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Hanoi Autumn On Flower Bikes
After enjoying breakfast and coffee, you can visit some famous attractions and go for a stroll to see how the locals’ activities are inspired by the autumn of Hanoi. Bikes full of flowers carrying the whole autumn of Hanoi are gradually becoming popular on many streets and tourist attractions in HCMC.
Phuong Anh (23 years old) planned to book a flight to Hanoi in September to see flower bikes roaming around on the roads amidst the beautiful autumn, but she was very surprised that flower bikes have also appeared in HCMC.
Cao Thuy Vi (20 years old), living in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, said that this was the first time experiencing this activity, and she prepared feminine clothes from the early morning to take a set of souvenir photos with the colorful flower bikes. “The surrounding scenery here is just as beautiful as Hanoi", she shared.
To hunt for flower bikes carrying Hanoi's autumn, you can to go to the following places to see this unique activity:
Ho Chi Minh City Post Office: 125 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
April 30th Park: 6 Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Gia Dinh Park: Ward 3, Go Vap District