It is quite different from day time if you wake up early and explore Hanoi in early morning. You can do it with your tour guide and use rickshaw or bicycle. Hanoi is seen with another emotion.
After you go through local market in early morning to see how they sell and by flowers, fruits, then drive pass some lakes and parks to witness morning sport activities from locals. Then witness the raising flag ceremony at Ba Dinh square - the heart of Hanoi capital.
After that you will taste street food like Pho or Bun, and Vietnamese coffee in Old Quarter Hanoi.
Raising flag ceremony in the morning at Ba Dinh square, in the front of Ho Chi Minh mausoleum.
At 6:00 AM in summer, 6:30 AM in winter, everyday, the ceremony is held solemnly. It lasts about 30 minutes.