Hanoi is a living wonder of history, culture, and cuisine. After two devastating wars of the last century, Hanoi now welcomes visitors all around the globe to come and have a taste of her vibrant culture. If you’re planning to visit this thousand-year-old city but have no clue where to start, don’t worry! Our list of top attractions in Hanoi will give you all the necessary information to have a blast while you’re in town.
Hoan Kiem Lake
There’s no better place to kick off our Top Attractions in Hanoi list than Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword). The lake is beautiful all year round and is bordered by greenery. Hoan Kiem Lake offers plenty of seats for you to sit down, relax, and watch as the day goes by.
The Turtle Tower at Hoan Kiem Lake
Of course, you’re missing out without a visit to The Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple on the Jade Island of Hoan Kiem Lake. There’re spots for amazing photography in this land of culture.
Address: Opposite the Hanoi Post Offie
Opening hours: Hoan Kiem Lake: All day; Ngoc Son Temple: 8 AM – 6 PM
Fee: Hoan Kiem Lake: Free; Ngoc Son Temple: VND 30,000
Hanoi Old Quarter
This collection of narrow streets and antique houses is another famous destination of Vietnam’s capital city. Just minutes away from Hoan Kiem Lake, you can visit the Old Quarter for a glass of Bia Hoi (Hanoian draft beer) at the corner of Ta Hien Street, or find yourself wandering to explore the real Hanoi.
On the streets of Hanoi Old Quarter
Address: at the end of Hoan Kiem Lake
Opening hours: All-day
Fee: Free
Look for hotels in the Old Quarter area below:
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Finished in 1886, St. Joseph’s Cathedral is the oldest church in Hanoi with a signature French Colonial architecture. The church has stood the test of time and now serves as a place for ceremonial events.
The outside of St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Address: 40 Nha Chung Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Mass schedule:
- Weekday: 5:30 AM and 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 6 PM
- Sunday: 5 AM, 7 AM, 8:30 AM, 10 AM (in French); 11.30 AM (in English); 4 PM (for kids); 6 PM and 8 PM (for young people)
- A special ceremony is on March 19 every year
Fee: Free
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
This is the remnant of what used to be the Imperial Citadel, where Vietnamese Kings and Royal Family resided. It was listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site on July 31, 2010.
Address: 19C Hoang Dieu Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8 AM – 5 PM (closed on Mondays)
Fee: VND 30,000
Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
Water Puppet Dance is a traditional Vietnamese folk art form, originating from the ancient civilization. They often tell myths and legends of Vietnamese heroes or saints and fairy tales. Visiting the theater is going to be a fun activity for the whole family.
Address: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Performance schedule: http://thanglongwaterpuppet.org/
Fee:
- VND 100,000/adult
- VND 60,000/child
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh is the Vietnamese Revolutionary Leader and President. His body now rests at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum for visitors to pay respect. The historic Ba Dinh Square, where he declared Vietnam’s Independence, locates near the complex.
Note: Dress properly and do expect to queue
Address: 2 Hung Vuong Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 11 AM (closed on Mondays and Fridays)
Fee: VND 40,000/entrance
Dong Xuan Market
Next on our list of top attractions in Hanoi is Dong Xuan Market. Standing 4-story tall, this is the largest marketplace in the city. You can find apparel, electronics items, foods, and a rainbow of things in between. Remember to bargain for the best price.
Address: Dong Xuan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 6 AM – 6 PM
Hanoi Opera House
Hanoi Opera House is considered to be one of the city’s architectural landmarks, modeled after the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris. Now, the opera house operates under the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet administration.
Address: 1 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours – Fee: Vary
Temple of Literature
Temple of Literature hosts the Imperial Academy, the first national university in Vietnam. Built under Emperor Ly Thanh Tong’s order in 1070, it was a temple dedicated to Confucius, sages, and scholars. Vietnamese students before important exams or at the end of the school year often flock here to take pictures and wish for good luck.
The main temple of the Temple of Literature
Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Dong Da, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM; 13:30 PM – 16:30 PM
Fee: VND 40,000/entrance
Hoa Lo Prison
Hoa Lo Prison was first built to captivate political prisoners during the First Indochina War. Later, it was taken over by Northern Vietnam and used for U.S prisoners in the Vietnam War. American POWs referred to it as the “Hanoi Hilton.” Senator John McCain was held here, and his uniform is still on display.
Prisoners’ cell in Hoa Lo Prison
Address: 1 Hoa Lo Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
Fee: VND 30,000
Museum of Ethnology
The Museum of Ethnology displays cultural values, residential buildings, and traditions of Vietnamese various ethnic groups. The museum also occasionally holds thematic exhibitions, craft performances, and forms of folk art.
Address: 1 Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 5 PM (closed on Mondays)
Fee: VND 40,000
Vietnam Military History Museum
Next on this list of top attractions in Hanoi is the Vietnam Military History Museum – one of the seven national museums. It features a wide collection of weaponry, pieces of equipment, aircraft, and tanks used throughout the country’s history.
Ancient cannons used by Vietnamese
Address: 28A Dien Bien Phu Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8 AM – 11:30 AM; 1 PM – 4:30 PM (closed on Mondays and Fridays)
Fee: VND 40,000/entrance
West Lake
Last on our list of top attractions in Hanoi is West Lake, one of the most enchanting lakes of Vietnam. West Lake offers a fresh and tranquil atmosphere, a vibrant culinary scene, and a spot for high-end accommodation. Furthermore, the lake is home to various temples and pagodas of Hanoi.
Sunset on West Lake
Address: to the west of Hanoi center, next to Thanh Nien Street
Opening hours: All-day
Fee: Free
Top Attractions in Hanoi: The Conclusion
We hope that our list of top attractions in Hanoi has helped you to navigate across this beautiful city. If you’re interested, check out our other blogs on Vietnam travel and stay tuned for more in-depth guides into everything Hanoi!
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