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Red Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple over Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn
Hanoi · Itinerary

Hanoi 3 Day Itinerary: How to Spend the Perfect 72 Hours

A practical 72-hour plan for sights, food, walks, and an optional day trip.

Red Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple over Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn
Hanoi · Itinerary📅 Updated 2026-06-16 · last reviewed by Phuong Nguyen📖 11 min readPNPhuong Nguyen15-yr Hanoi history guide
Last reviewed by Phuong Nguyen: 2026-06-16 · Quarterly review

Quick answer

Make the most of 72 hours in Hanoi: base near Hoan Kiem Lake, follow easy walking routes through the Old Quarter, hit key temples and museums, graze on street food, and build in lake time. Includes kid-friendly picks, rainy-day swaps, and a day trip to Ninh Binh or Ha Long Bay.

Hoan Kiem baseOld Quarter walksNinh Binh or Ha Long day trip

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About this guide

Hanoi rewards those who linger. At the heart of the capital sits Hoan Kiem District, a living museum that preserves 190 historical and cultural relics within walking distance of one another. The shimmering Hoan Kiem Lake — whose name translates to 'Lake of the Returned Sword,' honouring a 15th-century legend of Emperor Le Loi returning a magical blade to a divine turtle — anchors an neighbourhood of layered stories. The 36 Streets of the Old Quarter fan out from its northern shore, each lane historically specialised in a single trade or craft, while the iconic red Huc Bridge leads out across the water to Ngoc Son Temple, built in 1841 on its own quiet islet. On weekends the lake perimeter closes to traffic entirely, transforming into a pedestrian zone where Hanoians stroll, practise tai chi, and breathe in the cooler air rolling off the water.

A short ride west opens Hanoi's second great chapter: a culture loop stretching from Ba Dinh Square to the shores of West Lake. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, inaugurated in 1975, draws visitors into a continuous, silent procession past the preserved body of Vietnam's founding leader — a structure conceived by Vietnamese and international architects who drew inspiration from Lenin's Mausoleum while deliberately shaping it to reflect Vietnamese identity. The surrounding complex unfolds into one of the city's most instructive afternoons: the One Pillar Pagoda, first constructed in 1049; Ho Chi Minh's modest wooden stilt house, which he chose over the grander Presidential Palace nearby; and the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as Vietnam's political and cultural centre for over a thousand years. At West Lake — Hanoi's largest freshwater lake at roughly 500 hectares with a 17 km shoreline — the mood softens into contemplation, particularly at Tran Quoc Pagoda, the city's oldest Buddhist temple with more than 1,500 years of continuous history.

The third day presents a genuine fork in the road. Travellers drawn to open landscapes can make for Ninh Binh, approximately 90–95 km south of Hanoi and reachable in under two hours by car or limousine bus. Often called 'Ha Long Bay on land' for its dramatic limestone karst scenery, a well-paced day there combines a boat ride through the UNESCO-listed Trang An Landscape Complex with an afternoon visit to Hang Mua or the Hoa Lu ancient capital. Those who prefer to stay in the capital can deepen their immersion instead: an evening water puppet performance brings rural folklore to vivid, splashing life; a cup of egg coffee — cà phê trứng, whipped egg yolk poured over strong Vietnamese coffee, a Hanoi original — demands to be tried at least once; and a half-day tour to Quang Phu Cau Incense Village offers a glimpse of craft traditions that have survived the city's rapid modernisation. Ha Long Bay, roughly 174 km from Hanoi, is best saved for a dedicated 2-day, 1-night cruise rather than squeezed into 72 hours.

Pick your route · 3 alternatives

Route A · Recommended

Old Quarter Deep Dive + Culture Loop + Ninh Binh Day Trip

Spend Day 1 orienting yourself around Hoan Kiem Lake, weaving through the 36 streets of the Old Quarter, grazing on street food and finishing at the weekend night market. Day 2 traces a cultural arc from the solemn Ho Chi Minh Complex and Temple of Literature through the harrowing Hoa Lo Prison, a stroll along Train Street and an evening water-puppet show. Day 3 escapes the city on a day trip to Ninh Binh, trading Hanoi's urban energy for limestone karsts, ancient temples and river valley scenery.

Best for: First-time visitors who want an equal balance of Hanoi city culture and one iconic countryside excursion without overnight packing.

Route B · Alternative

Old Quarter Deep Dive + Culture Loop + Ha Long Bay Day Cruise

Days 1 and 2 follow the same Old Quarter orientation, lakeside walk, street-food grazing, Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, Train Street and water-puppet show as Route A. On Day 3 swap the land escape for a day cruise on Ha Long Bay, taking in emerald waters, towering karst islands and cave exploration before returning to Hanoi by evening.

Best for: Travellers who prioritise a seascape experience and want to tick Ha Long Bay off their list without committing to an overnight cruise.

Route C · Alternative

Old Quarter Deep Dive + Culture Loop + Hanoi Slow Day (Bat Trang, Long Bien & West Lake Sunset)

Days 1 and 2 mirror the essential Old Quarter and culture-loop itinerary of Routes A and B. Rather than leaving the city on Day 3, this option stays local — visiting the centuries-old Bat Trang pottery village, crossing the storied Long Bien Bridge and wrapping up with a leisurely West Lake sunset stroll for a quieter, unhurried final day.

Best for: Slow travellers, craft enthusiasts and those who prefer to avoid long day-trip drives and instead savour Hanoi's quieter neighbourhoods and artisan heritage.

The honest pacing

We'll be honest with you: three days in Hanoi is enough time to fall genuinely in love with the city, but not quite enough to feel you have understood it. That tension — the sense that another lane, another temple, another bowl of pho is always waiting just around the corner — is precisely what makes a 72-hour itinerary here so compelling. What we've done is make deliberate choices, grouping the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake on the first day, the Ba Dinh–West Lake culture loop on the second, and leaving the third open for a day trip to Ninh Binh or a slower, deeper dive into Hanoi's quieter pleasures.

We've kept the pace honest rather than heroic. Hanoi's heat, its traffic, and the sheer density of things worth pausing for all argue against the kind of itinerary that has you sprinting between fifteen sights before lunch. Instead, we've built in time for a roadside bia hoi at the famous Tạ Hiện Street junction, a long sit beside Hoan Kiem Lake watching the city move, and an unhurried morning at the Ho Chi Minh complex where rushing would miss the point entirely. Follow this framework loosely, adapt it to your energy, and Hanoi will do the rest.

Route A · day-by-day

The version we book most often. 3 days, ten meal slots, one big nature day, one cultural day, two flexibility buffers built into Day 1 and Day 3.

Day 1

Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem essentials

Dive headfirst into Hanoi's layered soul — a lake wrapped in legend, 36 streets that once hummed with a single trade each, and an evening corner where cold beer and tiny plastic stools are the only entry requirements.
08:30
Begin at Hoan Kiem Lake in the cool of the morning. Circumnavigate the perimeter on foot and let the city slowly wake around you — tai chi practitioners, lotus sellers, schoolchildren cutting through. Pause at the southern tip to read the story of Emperor Le Loi, whose 15th-century legend gave the lake its haunting name: the Lake of the Returned Sword.
09:15
Cross the scarlet Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple, perched on its islet since 1841. The temple is intimate and genuinely atmospheric at this hour before tour groups arrive — incense smoke drifts over lacquered altars and the dark water below.
10:00
Head north into the Old Quarter — the historic 36 Streets, where each lane once specialised in a single craft or trade. Wander Hang Bac (silver), Hang Ma (paper offerings), and Hang Gai (silk), reading the street names as a living index of the city's merchant past. The Hoan Kiem District preserves 190 historical and cultural relics in this tight urban grid, so keep your eyes above shop-front level.
11:00
Seek out O Quan Chuong Gate — the last surviving city gate of old Hanoi. It stands with quiet stubbornness in the middle of the traffic, a brick portal to a city that no longer looks the same on either side of it.
12:00
Lunch on bun cha — the quintessential Hanoi midday meal of grilled pork patties in sweet-savoury broth with rice noodles — at one of the street-level spots near the Old Quarter. This is the neighbourhood's signature dish and midday is exactly when locals eat it.
13:30
Return to the hotel for a siesta or a slow café hour. Hanoi's afternoons in the Old Quarter can be humid and loud; smart travellers use this window to rest before the evening pace picks up.
15:30
If it is a weekend, time your return to Hoan Kiem Lake perfectly: the perimeter road closes to vehicles and transforms into a sprawling pedestrian zone. Walk it freely, watch street performers, and feel how completely the city reclaims its own centre when cars are removed.
17:30
Stroll the Old Quarter as the light turns gold. Street vendors set up, the pace shifts, and the neighbourhood takes on an entirely different character from the morning version you walked through.
19:00
Plant yourself at Bia Hoi Junction on Ta Hien Street — the Old Quarter's most famous beer corner. Pull up a tiny plastic stool, order fresh draught bia hoi alongside street food such as pho or bun cha from the surrounding stalls, and watch the intersection fill with a democratic mix of locals and travellers doing exactly the same thing.
20:30
Browse the Old Quarter Night Market, which fans out through the pedestrian streets near Hoan Kiem. Lanterns, embroidered goods, street snacks, and the full sensory volume of Hanoi after dark — a fitting close to your first 72 hours in the capital.
Weekend vs Weekday: Plan Around the Pedestrian Zone: The pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake only activates on weekends, transforming the lakeside from a traffic-choked ring road into one of Hanoi's most enjoyable public spaces. If your Day 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, structure your evening around it — it changes the atmosphere dramatically. On weekdays, the lake is still beautiful but you will be sharing the pavement with motorbikes, so stay alert and stick to the designated walking paths.
Day 2

Culture loop: Ho Chi Minh to West Lake

From a hushed mausoleum on Ba Dinh Square to the lotus-fringed shores of West Lake, Day 2 pulls you through a thousand years of Vietnamese history — emperors, revolutionaries, ancient pagodas, and a night of water puppets and fresh draught beer.
08:00
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum — Arrive early on Ba Dinh Square to join the silent, continuous procession past Ho Chi Minh's preserved body inside the mausoleum inaugurated in 1975. The building was designed by Vietnamese and international architects to reflect Vietnamese identity while drawing inspiration from Lenin's Mausoleum.
09:00
Ho Chi Minh Complex — Explore the wider grounds: step inside the One Pillar Pagoda, originally constructed in 1049, then walk through the shaded garden to Ho Chi Minh's modest wooden stilt house — the simple residence he chose over the grand Presidential Palace standing nearby. Allow 45–60 minutes to absorb both.
10:15
Thang Long Imperial Citadel — A short walk from the mausoleum complex brings you to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which served as Vietnam's political and cultural centre for over a thousand years. Wander the excavated foundations and royal gates before the midday heat builds.
12:00
Lunch break — Head south toward the Old Quarter for a bowl of bun cha or pho at one of the street-side spots along the historic 36 Streets, where each lane once specialised in a single trade or craft. Rest your feet; the afternoon is a full loop.
13:30
Temple of Literature — Hanoi's best-preserved example of traditional Vietnamese architecture, and Vietnam's first national university. Spend an hour moving through the five courtyards, pausing at the stone doctoral steles that rest on the backs of stone tortoises.
15:00
Hoa Lo Prison — A sobering but essential stop. The French-built colonial prison later held American POWs who nicknamed it the 'Hanoi Hilton.' The exhibits present both chapters of its history with original artefacts and photographs; budget 45–60 minutes.
16:15
Train Street — Walk to the narrow residential alley where a live railway line runs just centimetres from the front doors of houses. Arrive in the late afternoon when the light is warm and activity is highest — locals cook, children play, and the track doubles as a footpath between trains.
17:30
West Lake (Hồ Tây) — Hanoi's largest freshwater lake at roughly 500 hectares with a 17 km shoreline. Take a slow stroll along the eastern shore to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the city's oldest Buddhist temple with over 1,500 years of history, glowing amber in the late sun against the water.
19:30
Water Puppet Theatre — Return to the Old Quarter for an evening show of water puppetry, a traditional Vietnamese art form performed on a water stage, depicting scenes of rural life, folklore, and legend. Shows typically run under an hour — book tickets earlier in the day to secure seats.
21:00
Bia Hoi Junction, Tạ Hiện Street — End the day the Hanoi way: a plastic stool, a glass of fresh draught beer, and the organised chaos of the Old Quarter's most famous corner humming around you.
Mausoleum closures will derail your morning — check before you…: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum keeps strict opening hours and closes entirely for several weeks each year while Ho Chi Minh's remains are sent to Russia for preservation maintenance. It also closes on Mondays and Fridays. Check the current schedule before building your Day 2 around an early visit — if it's closed, swap the mausoleum for Thang Long Imperial Citadel first and rearrange the morning loop accordingly.
Day 3

Choose a day trip or deeper Hanoi

Your final 24 hours in Hanoi splits into two roads: escape the city for limestone karsts and ancient capitals, or linger longer in the neighbourhoods you've only just begun to understand — either way, Hanoi saves its best surprises for last.
07:30
OPTION A – DAY TRIP TO NINH BINH: Depart Hanoi early by car or limousine bus for the approximately 90–95 km journey south — under two hours on a good run. Settle in and watch the Red River Delta rice paddies blur past the window as the city dissolves behind you.
09:30
OPTION A: Arrive at the UNESCO-listed Trang An Landscape Complex and board a low wooden rowing boat. Your oarsman — often working the oars with their feet — navigates a slow, dreamy circuit through cave tunnels and between the limestone karsts that have earned Ninh Binh its nickname: 'Ha Long Bay on land.'
12:00
OPTION A: Lunch at a local restaurant near Trang An — look for goat meat dishes and com chay (scorched rice), both Ninh Binh specialities. Rest your legs before the afternoon push.
13:30
OPTION A: Choose your afternoon — climb the stone steps of Hang Mua for panoramic karst views across the valley, or visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam's ancient capital before Hanoi, where 10th-century temple complexes honour the Dinh and Le dynasty kings.
16:00
OPTION A: Begin the return journey to Hanoi, arriving back in the city by early evening with time for a farewell bowl of pho or a cold bia hoi at Tạ Hiện Street.
07:30
OPTION B – DEEPER HANOI: Start the morning at Bat Trang Ceramic Village, a craft community on the Red River that has been producing pottery for centuries. Browse workshops, watch artisans throw clay on the wheel, and pick up a handmade piece as a far more meaningful souvenir than anything sold on Hang Gai Street.
10:30
OPTION B: Cross to Long Bien Bridge — Hanoi's old French-era iron railway bridge spanning the Red River. Walk or cycle a section of it for views over the river, the vegetable gardens growing on the riverbanks below, and the city skyline behind you. Trains still use the bridge, so stay alert.
12:30
OPTION B: Head to the West Lake neighbourhood for lunch at one of the lakeside cafés along the 17 km shoreline of Hanoi's largest freshwater lake. Try bun oc (snail noodle soup), a local West Lake favourite.
14:30
OPTION B: Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda on the eastern shore of West Lake — Hanoi's oldest Buddhist temple, with over 1,500 years of history. The pagoda sits on a small peninsula jutting into the lake and is best appreciated on a quiet weekday afternoon.
16:30
OPTION B: Stake out a lakeside spot and wait for the West Lake sunset — the light turns the water copper and silhouettes the pagoda rooflines in a way that no photograph quite captures. Order egg coffee (cà phê trứng — whipped egg yolk over strong Vietnamese coffee, a genuine Hanoi original) and hold the moment.
19:00
BOTH OPTIONS: Return to the Old Quarter for a final evening. If you haven't yet seen a water puppet theatre performance — a traditional art form depicting rural life and folklore — tonight is your last chance. Afterwards, one more lap of the Hoan Kiem Lake perimeter if it's a weekend pedestrian night, then pack.
Ha Long Bay needs more than a day — don't shortchange it: Ha Long Bay sits roughly 174 km from Hanoi, and the journey time alone makes a single-day return trip exhausting and rushed. The UNESCO-listed seascape of limestone islands rising from emerald water genuinely deserves to be seen at dawn and dusk from the deck of a boat — not glimpsed through a coach window. A minimum 2-day, 1-night cruise is the honest recommendation. If your schedule only allows one day away from Hanoi, Ninh Binh is the smarter call: it's roughly 90–95 km south, reachable in under two hours, and delivers extraordinary karst scenery without the travel fatigue.

Route B · Alternative

Show 3-day breakdown · for Halong-skippers

A compelling alternative way to experience Hanoi across 72 hours, this route offers a different perspective on the city's culture, history, and neighbourhoods for travellers who want to venture a little off the beaten path.

  • Explore a different side of Hanoi's historic quarters and local life, settling into the rhythm of the city at your own pace.
  • Venture further into Hanoi's cultural landmarks, museums, and green spaces, discovering stories that sit beyond the standard tourist trail.
  • Spend your final day soaking up local markets, street food, and hidden corners before departing with lasting memories of the capital.

Sample Route B activities: Local market visits, cultural museum exploration, street food discovery, neighbourhood walks, and green lake-side strolls.

Route C · Alternative

Show 3-day breakdown · for returning visitors / south-bound flights

Route C is designed for travellers who prefer a more flexible, relaxed approach to Hanoi, blending iconic highlights with quieter, less-visited experiences across three rewarding days.

  • Ease into Hanoi with a curated introduction to the city's most welcoming neighbourhoods, cafés, and landmark sites at a comfortable pace.
  • Dive deeper into Hanoi's layered history and vibrant street culture, making space for spontaneous discoveries along the way.
  • Round out your 72 hours with a leisurely final day that balances sightseeing, local dining, and a chance to pick up souvenirs before heading onward.

Sample Route C activities: Café hopping, landmark sightseeing, street food tastings, souvenir shopping, and leisurely walks through quieter city pockets.

Want this tailored to your dates?

We run these routes ourselves. Send your dates, group size and pace and our Hanoi team will build a custom version — with real prices, not estimates.

What to skip on 3 days

These are the 4 mistakes 80% of first-time Vietnam travellers make when researching online.Phuong Nguyen has personally seen each one destroy trips that could have been excellent.

✗
Rushing Hoan Kiem Lake in 20 minutes and moving on
The Hoan Kiem District alone preserves 190 historical and cultural relics. Treating the lake as a quick photo stop means missing Ngoc Son Temple on its islet, the story of Emperor Le Loi and the returned sword, and the living street culture of the 36 Streets — each historically dedicated to a single craft or trade. Budget at least a half-day here.
✗
Attempting Ha Long Bay as a day trip from Hanoi
Ha Long Bay sits roughly 174 km from Hanoi. The recommended minimum is a 2-day, 1-night cruise to experience the limestone islands and emerald waters properly. A day trip leaves almost no time on the water and turns the journey into mostly road travel.
✗
Skipping Ninh Binh in favour of a second loop around the Old Quarter
At approximately 90–95 km south of Hanoi and reachable in under two hours, Ninh Binh offers UNESCO-listed karst scenery at Trang An, the Hoa Lu ancient capital, and the Hang Mua climb — a genuinely different landscape from the city. Staying urban for all three days means missing one of the most practical and rewarding day trips from Hanoi.
✗
Visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum without checking opening times or dress code
The mausoleum complex — which includes the One Pillar Pagoda originally built in 1049 and Ho Chi Minh's modest wooden stilt house — operates on restricted hours and requires respectful attire for the silent procession past the preserved body. Arriving unprepared often results in being turned away entirely, wasting a significant block of the culture-loop day.

3-day Vietnam itinerary FAQ

When is the best time to do this 3-day Hanoi itinerary, and are there any closures I should plan around?
October–November and March–April bring comfortable temperatures, clearer skies, and ideal walking weather. May–August is hot and humid with short downpours; December–January can be cool and grey. Around Tet (Lunar New Year, late Jan/Feb) some museums and shops close for several days. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum typically opens mornings only and closes on certain days and for annual maintenance (often Sep–Nov), so check hours just before you go.
Where should I stay to follow the itinerary smoothly?
The Old Quarter or edges of Hoan Kiem Lake put you steps from Day 1 sights, street food, and the water puppet theater, but it can be lively and noisy. The French Quarter is calmer with grand hotels and museums a short walk away. Tay Ho/West Lake has sunset views and cafes, about 15–25 minutes by car to the Old Quarter; it’s great if you prefer space and a neighborhood feel.
How do I get around Hanoi during these three days?
Walk for most of Day 1; for longer hops use Grab (car or motorbike) or reputable metered taxis like Mai Linh and G7. Agree on a price before a cyclo ride, and consider the electric carts that loop Hoan Kiem. From the airport to the Old Quarter takes 40–60 minutes by car; Bus 86 is a cheap, direct option.
Which Day 3 option should I choose: Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh (or stay in Hanoi)?
Ha Long Bay day cruises deliver iconic karst seascapes with a long travel time (about 2.5–3.5 hours each way), best if you’ve never seen it and don’t mind a full-day outing. Ninh Binh (1.5–2 hours each way) mixes boat rides through limestone valleys with pagodas and cycling, making for a varied, less rushed day. If you’d rather stay local, consider a cooking class, Bat Trang ceramics village, or an arts/coffee tour to dive deeper into Hanoi culture.
Do I need to book ahead, and what are typical cancellation policies?
Reserve popular items like the Thang Long Water Puppet show, day trips, and evening food tours at least 1–3 days in advance (longer on weekends and in peak months). The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum doesn’t require tickets but expect security checks and queues; arrive early. Many operators offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before; overnight cruises and premium tours often require 48–72 hours—always check the provider’s terms before paying.
What’s a realistic budget for 72 hours in Hanoi?
Backpackers spend about 900,000–1,400,000 VND ($35–60) per day; mid-range travelers 1,800,000–3,200,000 VND ($70–130); higher-end from 4,500,000 VND ($180+) including nicer meals and spas. Group day trips run roughly 900,000–1,800,000 VND ($35–70) per person, while private tours cost more. Cards are widely accepted at hotels and many restaurants, but small vendors prefer cash; ATMs are common.
Can I customize this itinerary or book private experiences?
Absolutely—swap the order of days to match opening hours, add a coffee workshop or street-food tour, or replace the day trip with a craft-village visit. Private guides typically cost about $30–60 for a half day (guide-only), with car/driver extra; hotels and platforms like Klook, GetYourGuide, and Viator make booking simple. Tell providers your pace, interests, and dietary needs for a tailored plan.
Is Hanoi safe for first-timers, and are there etiquette or dress tips for temples and the Mausoleum?
Hanoi is generally safe; watch for pickpockets in crowds, use Grab or reputable taxis, and cross roads slowly and steadily so traffic flows around you. Dress modestly for temples and the Mausoleum (shoulders and knees covered), remove hats, and be quiet and respectful; some pagodas ask you to remove shoes. Photography is forbidden inside the Mausoleum, and bags may need to be checked at security.

Verified sources

  1. ATL DMC booking log · 12,000+ trips since 2011
  2. Vietnam National Administration of Tourism — Explore the Old Quarter Your Way · https://vietnam.travel/things-to-do/explore-old-quarter-your-way
  3. VinWonders — Hoan Kiem District Full Guide · https://vinwonders.com/en/wonderpedia/news/hoan-kiem-district-hanoi/
  4. VinWonders — Hanoi Old Quarter Map · https://vinwonders.com/en/wonderpedia/news/hanoi-old-quarter-map-a-comprehensive-travelers-guide/
  5. Wikipedia — West Lake (Hanoi) · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Lake_(Hanoi)
  6. Jacky Travel — Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum How to Visit · https://jackytravel.com/ho-chi-minh-mausoleum-how-to-visit/
  7. Bhaya Cruises — Hanoi to Ninh Binh Guide 2026 · https://bhayacruises.com/blog/hanoi-to-ninh-binh/
  8. Bhaya Cruises — Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh 2026 · https://bhayacruises.com/blog/halong-bay-or-ninh-binh/

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Phuong Nguyen

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Phuong Nguyen · primary author

15-yr Hanoi history guide

Specialty: Hanoi · Halong Bay · Vietnam itineraries.

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