7 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Hanoi

Visiting this junction in the centre of the Old Quarter is the absolute classic nighttime activity in Hanoi. You really haven’t seen the city until you have spent a few hours soaking up the atmosphere and maybe sinking a few beers at the most famous Beer Hoi (Fresh Beer) spot in Vietnam. Several shophouses have plastic stools spilling out onto the streets, with beers being served extremely cheaply and street vendors serving steamed peanuts, beef jerky and other exotic snacks. The beer is quite weak compared to European standards, but as an experience, it's quite something.

The Water Puppet Theatre is a must-visit if you're travelling in Hanoi for the first time, featuring live music and sketches of the local lifestyle. There are a few theatres showcasing the ancient art form of water puppetry, but the original – and widely regarded as the best – is the Thang Long Puppet Theatre in the Hoan Kiem District.

Puppets dance and slide gracefully over the water, depicting stories of ancient myths and folklore that are easy to grasp for foreign guests. Held nightly from 3 pm onwards, booking your tickets in advance is highly recommended, especially on weekends.

Minh’s Jazz Club is unparalleled as a place to witness the finest musicians in Hanoi. Live music fans will love the dark interior, which leaves all of the attention squarely on the talented performers on stage. Minh himself – widely regarded as the best Vietnamese jazz performer in history – is sometimes here in person, jamming with his immensely talented band, as well as international performers. Drinks are not cheap, but when you factor in the quality of the live entertainment, prices are more than fair.

The Toilet Club is currently the biggest nightclub in Hanoi, boasting 3 venues that play different upbeat tunes until late. The nightclub was formerly known as The Bank Hanoi and is set on the 6th floor of Hanoi’s Capital Building, where you can enjoy a great view of Hoan Kiem Lake and downtown Hanoi. Despite the name, it attracts a well-dressed crowd of locals, expats and tourists. Its music policy comprises hip-hop, top 40 hits, lounge, deep house, and house tunes while drinks here are relatively inexpensive compared to most nightclubs in Hanoi.

The stunning Hanoi Opera House is one of the most spectacular examples of colonial architecture in Vietnam, and spending a night of culture at a live opera or musical performance lives long in the memory. Shows aren’t on constantly, but be sure to check with the concierge at your hotel to see if any performances are scheduled during your stay. Advanced booking is imperative. Located in the centre of the French Quarter of Hanoi, it is worth going to appreciate the Hanoi Opera House at night, even if there is no performance scheduled.

Legend Beer is a 3rd-storey bar with a sweeping terrace overlooking downtown Hanoi and Hoan Kiem Lake. There is no where better in Hanoi to enjoy an ice cold beer and watch the night-time escapades of Hanoi’s inhabitants. Due to the low level of the terrace, the fervent action of the streets below is almost at touching distance, so you can feel part of the city yet relaxed at the same time.

Legend Beer brews its own drinks, with wheat beer, lager and a dark stout all available in several sizes. They also have a decent menu of German-style dishes such as pork knuckle and sausages.

Sunset Bar at InterContinental Hanoi West Lakes offers affluent travellers a superb designer spot to enjoy a cool evening cocktail far away from Hanoi’s crowds. Set between 3 pavilions overlooking West Lake, the bar is easily accessible via a torch-lit bridge from the 5-star hotel. Guests can relax on the comfortable daybeds and couches on a chilled-out wooden deck while enjoying Sunset Bar's signature cocktails and premium wines.