Channel News Asia releases quick guide to Hanoi Old Quarter food, luxury stay

Channel News Asia’s travel writers have published a quick guide to Hanoi’s Old Quarter, spotlighting pho, egg coffee and a new luxury hotel.

The guide gives first‑time visitors a concise roadmap to the district’s culinary staples, historic streets and upscale lodging, helping tourists maximize a short stay while supporting local businesses.

Northern‑style beef pho dominates breakfast tables, with a clear broth, rice‑noodle ribbons, and thinly sliced brisket. The broth of northern‑style beef pho is simmered for hours, delivering a deep, aromatic flavor.

A signature drink, egg coffee, combines robust espresso with a sweet, frothy egg‑yolk topping. Egg coffee, a frothy blend of egg yolk and condensed milk, offers a sweet counterpoint to Hanoi’s bustling streets.

Sticky rice topped with mung‑bean paste, known locally as xôi xéo, provides a hearty, slightly sweet start, while the surrounding street stalls serve fresh fruit and bánh mì for later meals.

The Old Quarter’s maze of narrow lanes dates back centuries, and French colonial facades sit beside centuries‑old shophouses, offering a visual timeline of the city’s evolution.

The newly opened luxury hotel blends modern design with traditional Vietnamese motifs, raising the district’s accommodation standards, and giving travelers a high‑end base from which to explore.

The article said the writer’s initial exploration of Hanoi spanned two days ^[1], allowing enough time to sample iconic dishes and map key attractions.

With Vietnam’s tourism sector projected to grow this year, concise guides like this can steer visitors toward lesser‑known eateries and heritage sites, distributing tourist traffic more evenly across the city.

Conveniently located near Hoan Kiem Lake, the luxury hotel is within a short walk of the night market, where lantern‑lit stalls sell everything from grilled squid to hand‑woven scarves.

The Old Quarter is well served by public transit; several bus routes stop along Hang Bac Street, and the newly inaugurated Hoan Kiem Lake metro station provides rapid access from the airport and downtown business districts, cutting travel time significantly for most visitors.

Beyond food, the area hosts daily street performances, from traditional water‑puppet shows to live acoustic sets, and houses the Hanoi Opera House, a French‑era landmark that stages classical concerts and contemporary theater, offering travelers a taste of Vietnam’s vibrant arts scene.

Accommodation ranges from budget hostels to boutique hotels, with the new luxury property positioning itself at the top end of the market. All options are within a short walk of the historic Dong Xuan Market, allowing guests to shop for souvenirs and sample street snacks at any hour.

Travelers are advised to carry small denominations for street vendors, keep belongings secure in crowded areas, and use reputable ride‑hailing apps after dark. The local police maintain a visible presence, contributing to the district’s reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s safest urban tourism hubs.