Last Day in Hanoi: 7 Things to Do Before Your Flight

It’s your last day in Hanoi and your flight leaves tonight — what do you do with those final hours? This is the question every traveler faces, and the answer matters more than you think. Your last day shapes how you remember the entire trip. Do it right, and you leave with a sense of completion. Rush to the airport too early, and you waste half a day sitting in departures, scrolling your phone, wishing you’d done one more thing. This last day Hanoi guide covers everything you need to know.

Here are 7 things to do before your flight from Hanoi — from creating a custom perfume at NOTE – The Scent Lab (Lotte Mall Tây Hồ, ★4.9) to one last bowl of pho, timed so you arrive at Noi Bai Airport relaxed and on schedule.

Quick Planning Note: Noi Bai Airport Is on the West Lake Side

Before we dive in, here’s a logistics detail that changes everything: Noi Bai International Airport is north of Hanoi, on the same side of the city as Tay Ho (West Lake). The drive from the Tay Ho area to the airport takes roughly 30 minutes — far shorter than from the Old Quarter (45-60 minutes depending on traffic).

This means activities around West Lake and Lotte Mall Tay Ho are perfectly positioned for your last day. You can do something meaningful, grab lunch, and head to the airport without backtracking across the city.

General rule: For an evening flight, plan activities until 3-4 PM. For a morning flight, you’ll have time for a quick breakfast run. For an afternoon flight, you have the whole morning — which is enough for everything on this list.

1. Create a Perfume That Bottles Your Hanoi Memories

This is the last-day activity that travelers keep recommending to each other — and the logic is simple. After days of exploring Hanoi, you’ve accumulated memories, emotions, and sensory impressions. A 90-minute perfume workshop at NOTE – The Scent Lab lets you translate all of that into a custom fragrance you carry home.

The Lotte Mall studio is different from our Saigon space — sleek white counters instead of exposed brick, the hum of the mall outside instead of motorbikes. But the bottles are the same, and so is the quiet that falls when someone starts blending.

You choose from 30+ ingredients — Vietnamese lotus, cinnamon from the northern provinces, smoky vetiver, bright citrus — blending them into a perfume that captures your version of Vietnam. You name it. You label it by hand. And every time you spray it back home, the memories replay.

Why it works as a last-day activity:

• Location: Inside Lotte Mall Tay Ho (272 Vo Chi Cong) — 30 minutes from Noi Bai Airport. You’re already heading north.
• Duration: Exactly 90 minutes. Predictable, no delays, easy to schedule around your flight.
• No experience needed. Your workshop instructor guides every step.
• You leave with a finished product — bottled, sealed, carry-on friendly.
• Formula saved permanently. If you run out, you can reorder next time you visit Vietnam.

“I left with not only my handmade creations but also a wealth of new knowledge. Highly recommend.”

“Now have a great keepsake from our Hanoi trip!”

Book Your Last-Day Workshop

Details: Store 410, 2nd Floor, Lotte Mall Tay Ho, 272 Vo Chi Cong, Tay Ho, Hanoi. 4.9 stars from 500+ reviews. @note.workshop on Instagram.

2. Eat One Last Bowl of Pho

You cannot leave Hanoi without a final bowl. Hanoi pho is different from what you’ll find anywhere else in the world — the broth is clearer, more delicate, and simmered with a restraint that Southern Vietnam and international versions don’t attempt. This is where pho was born, and it tastes different at the source.

Last-day favorites near common tourist areas:

• Pho Thin (13 Lo Duc) — the original location of Hanoi’s most famous pho bo. Expect to wait, but it’s worth it. Cash only.
• Pho 10 (10 Ly Quoc Su) — reliable, fast, near the Old Quarter. Good if you’re short on time.
• Pho Gia Truyen (49 Bat Dan) — legendary, queue-worthy, no-frills. Opens early, closes when the pot is empty.

Go for breakfast. Hanoi pho is a morning food — the best shops open at 6 AM and many run out by mid-morning. A perfect last-day start.

3. Drink an Egg Coffee for the Road

Ca phe trung (egg coffee) is Hanoi’s signature drink — a rich, custard-like layer of whipped egg yolk floating on strong Vietnamese coffee. It was invented in the 1940s when milk was scarce, and it has become one of the city’s most iconic flavors.

If you haven’t tried it yet, your last day is the moment. If you’ve had it before, have it one more time — it doesn’t exist outside Vietnam in any recognizable form.

Where to go:

• Cafe Giang (39 Nguyen Huu Huan) — the original, where egg coffee was invented. Tiny, atmospheric, historic.
• Cafe Dinh (13 Dinh Tien Hoang) — overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. Climb the narrow stairs to the second floor for the view.
• Note: Both are in the Old Quarter — plan this before heading north toward Tay Ho and the airport.

4. Pick Up Last-Minute Souvenirs

Your last day is souvenir crunch time. Here’s where to go depending on what you want:

For Vietnamese Coffee and Spices

Head to any Lotte Mart or convenience store. Vietnamese coffee (Trung Nguyen, Highlands), dried pho spice packets, coconut candy from Ben Tre, and cashew nuts make excellent, lightweight, suitcase-friendly gifts.

For Handicrafts and Textiles

The Old Quarter along Hang Gai Street (Silk Street) and Hang Bac Street (Silver Street) has shops selling silk scarves, lacquerware, and hand-embroidered goods. Bargain respectfully — start at 50-60% of the first price offered.

For Something Truly Personal

A custom perfume from NOTE – The Scent Lab is the only souvenir that captures your specific memories of Vietnam. Unlike mass-produced gifts, nobody else in the world has the same one. And unlike a t-shirt or magnet, you’ll actually use it daily.

For Vietnamese Art

Nha San Collective and galleries around Trang Tien Street sell contemporary Vietnamese art. Prices range from affordable prints to significant canvases.

5. Walk Around Hoan Kiem Lake One Last Time

There’s something about a final loop around Hoan Kiem Lake that feels like a proper goodbye. The lake is where Hanoi breathes — joggers in the early morning, tai chi practitioners, families with ice cream, couples on benches.

The full loop is about 1.8 km and takes 20-30 minutes at a strolling pace. Cross the red Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple on the island if you haven’t already. On weekends, the surrounding streets are car-free, which makes the walk even more peaceful.

This is also your chance to take those final photos — the Turtle Tower reflected in still water, the contrast of ancient trees and motorbike chaos, the light that Hanoi gets in the hour after sunrise that photographers travel thousands of miles for.

6. Get a Vietnamese Massage or Spa Treatment

After days of walking, your body deserves it. A 60-90 minute massage on your last day is a practical luxury — it loosens muscles, reduces the physical stress of travel, and leaves you relaxed for the flight ahead.

Look for spas with good reviews near your hotel or near the airport route. Many spas in the Tay Ho area offer quality treatments at reasonable prices. A foot massage is a good shorter option (30-45 minutes) if you’re tight on time.

Tip: Avoid heavy oil massages right before a flight — you don’t want to board the plane feeling greasy. Opt for a dry Thai-style massage or a reflexology session instead.

7. Time Your Airport Transfer Right

The single most stressful thing about a last day is the airport run. Here’s how to remove the stress entirely:

From Tay Ho / West Lake Area

• Distance to Noi Bai Airport: ~15 km
• Drive time: 25-35 minutes (normal traffic)
• Rush hour warning: 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM add 15-20 minutes

From the Old Quarter / Hoan Kiem

• Distance to Noi Bai Airport: ~25 km
• Drive time: 45-60 minutes (can be longer in rush hour)

Transport Options

• Grab car: Most convenient. Book 30 minutes before you need to leave. Costs approximately 200,000-350,000 VND (~$8-14 USD) depending on pickup location and traffic.
• Airport bus (Route 86): 45,000 VND (~$2), runs every 25 minutes from Hanoi Station to Noi Bai. Takes about 50 minutes. Reliable but slower.
• Hotel transfer: Many hotels arrange airport transfers — often at a slight premium but with the convenience of being scheduled in advance.

Airport Arrival Timing

• International flights: Arrive 2.5-3 hours before departure
• Domestic flights: Arrive 1.5-2 hours before departure
• Noi Bai Terminal 2 (international) has food options, a small duty-free area, and lounges — but nothing worth arriving extra early for

Sample Last-Day Itinerary (Evening Flight)

Here’s how to fill your last day in Hanoi before an 8 PM flight:

Notice how the perfume workshop sits perfectly in the middle — you’ve done your Old Quarter activities, then you move north toward the airport side of the city, do the workshop and lunch at Lotte Mall, and you’re already positioned for a short airport run.

What NOT to Do on Your Last Day

• Don’t plan a day trip. Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa are full-day commitments. Save them for your next visit rather than rushing back for a flight.
• Don’t leave packing until the last hour. Pack the night before so your last day is stress-free.
• Don’t exchange money at the airport. Airport rates are significantly worse. Exchange any remaining VND at a gold shop or bank in the city.
• Don’t skip breakfast. A final bowl of pho or banh mi costs next to nothing and gives you one more Hanoi memory.
• Don’t sit at the airport for 5 hours. Noi Bai is functional but not exciting. Use your time in the city instead.

The Case for a Meaningful Last Day

Here’s something experienced travelers know: your last day disproportionately affects how you remember the entire trip. Psychologists call this the recency effect — the final experience colors your overall impression. A rushed, stressful last day can make a great trip feel incomplete. A thoughtful, intentional last day makes everything before it feel richer.

That’s why we suggest activities that create — not just consume. Making a perfume. Having one last mindful bowl of pho. Walking a lake slowly instead of speed-walking between attractions. Your last day isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about closing the story well.

“The workshop was such a fun and unique experience! The instructor explained everything.”

“The workshop is very fun and enjoyable. We got to take home a little souvenir that reminds us Vietnam!”

Want to explore NOTE’s ready-made fragrances? Browse the perfume collection at thescentnote.biz — crafted from the same Vietnamese ingredients used in the workshop.

Follow NOTE – The Scent Lab: @note.workshop on Instagram · TripAdvisor

Related Articles

• Family Activities in Hanoi: Fun Things to Do With Kids
• What Is a Perfume Making Workshop? Everything to Know
• Why a Custom Perfume Is the Best Vietnam Souvenir
• Solo Traveler’s Last Day in Vietnam
• What to Do on Your Last Day in HCMC
• 3-Day HCMC Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do on my last day in Hanoi?

Focus on a few meaningful activities rather than rushing through a checklist. A final bowl of pho, an egg coffee at a historic cafe, a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, and a hands-on experience like a perfume workshop at NOTE – The Scent Lab make an ideal last day. Plan activities that move you toward the airport side of the city (Tay Ho / West Lake area) as the day progresses.

How far is Noi Bai Airport from Tay Ho (West Lake)?

About 15 km, or 25-35 minutes by car in normal traffic. The Tay Ho area, including Lotte Mall, is on the same side of the city as the airport — making it an ideal last-stop area before your flight.

Is the perfume workshop carry-on friendly?

Yes. The perfume bottles from NOTE – The Scent Lab are under 100ml and comply with carry-on liquid regulations. Your creation is sealed and ready to travel.

How early should I arrive at Noi Bai Airport?

For international flights, arrive 2.5-3 hours before departure. For domestic flights, 1.5-2 hours is sufficient. Noi Bai Terminal 2 (international) is modern and efficient, but immigration queues can be long during peak hours.

Can I do the perfume workshop on short notice?

Walk-ins are welcome if spots are available, but booking online at workshop.thescentnote.com/book guarantees your preferred time slot — important when planning around a flight.

What is the best souvenir from Hanoi?

Vietnamese coffee, silk products, and lacquerware are popular choices. For something truly personal, a custom perfume from NOTE – The Scent Lab captures your specific memories of Vietnam — each one is unique, and the formula is saved so you can reorder on future visits.

What time does Pho Gia Truyen open?

Pho Gia Truyen (49 Bat Dan Street) typically opens around 6:00 AM and closes when the pot runs out — often by mid-morning. Go early for the best experience. Cash only.