Three days is enough to see central Hanoi plus one day trip.
- Day 1: Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple; street food and the night market in the evening (Friday–Sunday).
- Day 2: the Mausoleum (morning), One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature; afternoon coffee at West Lake and sunset over the lake.
- Day 3: a day trip to Ninh Binh (Trang An, Hang Mua) or Ha Long Bay.
Note: the Mausoleum opens only in the morning and closes on some days; check the schedule first.