Vietnamese$old-quarterDaily 05:00-01:00Until 01:00Cash only
Xoi Yen in Hanoi runs from 05:00 to 01:00 on Nguyen Huu Huan, plating sticky rice with caramel pork or pate to dawn risers and post-bar wanderers alike.
Try: Xoi xeo sticky rice
Order: Xoi xeo turmeric sticky rice with caramel pork; quickest fuel after midnight.
Tip: Upstairs to sit; takeaway parcels wrapped in banana leaves. Cash only, 20,000-50,000 VND.
Vietnamese$old-quarterDaily 16:00-23:00Until 23:00Cash only
The Bia Hoi Corner on Ta Hien is Hanoi's loudest post-dark pavement bar, with fresh draft at 10,000 VND a glass and grilled snacks until 23:00.
Try: Fresh draft bia hoi with grilled snacks
Order: A bia hoi at the cheapest corner stall plus dried squid with chilli salt from passing vendors.
Tip: The cops clear the pavement at 23:00 sharp; the crowd then walks to bun dau or pho counters that stay open later.
Vietnamese$old-quarterDaily 10:00-22:00Until 22:00Cash only
Bun Dau Mam Tom Co Tuyen in Hanoi is the post-bar bun dau counter on Hang Khay, plating fried tofu, rice noodles and shrimp paste to the late Hoan Kiem crowd.
Try: Bun dau mam tom fried tofu with shrimp paste
Order: Bun dau mam tom with fried tofu, rice noodles, boiled pork, fried pork roll and the canonical mam tom dip.
Tip: The pink shrimp paste is assertive; ask staff to balance with lime and sugar. Cash only.
Cocktail bar$$$old-quarterDaily 18:00-00:00Until 00:00
Nê in Hanoi keeps the city's award-winning cocktail bar open until midnight on Tong Duy Tan, with the flaming Pho cocktail leading the drinks list.
Try: Pho cocktail and Lockdown!
Order: The Pho cocktail; the Lockdown! tequila-coffee blend is the closer.
Tip: Live music several nights a week; check the Instagram for schedule.
Cocktail bar$$old-quarterDaily 17:00-01:00Until 01:00
Polite & Co in Hanoi runs the city's oldest cocktail bar until 01:00 on Bao Khanh, with happy-hour discounts before 20:00 and a rotating 25-cocktail list.
Try: Hanoi-inspired cocktails with jazz soundtrack
Order: Hanoi-inspired house cocktails on the seasonal menu; happy-hour 17:00-20:00 is 50% off.
Tip: Open since 1995; speakeasy-style decor with jazz on the speakers and 25 rotating cocktails.
Vietnamese$$$old-quarterDaily 10:00-22:00Until 22:00
Cau Go in Hanoi serves Vietnamese set courses with a Hoan Kiem Lake view until 22:00, the latest sit-down dinner in the Old Quarter with a real terrace.
Try: Vietnamese set menu with Hoan Kiem Lake view
Order: The Central Vietnamese set with a window seat for the lake view.
Tip: Last orders 21:30. The seventh-floor terrace is the best Hanoi view for night photographs.