Hanoi
One of the world’s oldest capital cities, Hanoi stretches along the banks of the Red River in the north of the country and offers a pleasant mixture of ancient culture and modern energy. Visibly less hectic than Ho Chi Minh City, unlike the always-hot southern megalopolis Hanoi also comes with the added bonus of four seasons, and is home to several iconic lakes.
Hanoi is a joy to explore on foot – especially once you’ve learned how to avoid getting run over by the omnipresent motorbikes. Stroll through layers of history as you explore the city’s boulevards lined with trees, French as well as Chinese colonial buildings and incense-infused pagodas, and begin to understand why this place has long been known as “the Paris of the Orient.”
Make sure you also dig into the dirt-cheap but delicious local dishes in the Old Quarter, and linger on a bit in the area and dive into Hanoi’s vibrant nightlife, which includes Vietnam’s unmissable karaoke parlours. And if such urban attractions aren’t exactly your cup of tea, why don’t you just use Hanoi as your base to discover the natural wonders in Halong Bay and Sapa?
Attractions
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This is one French landmark which stands out and a must-see in the Old Quarter.
Hoan Kiem Lake is the perfect spot for a weekend stroll, to hang out with locals and spot turtles.
This former University is where students pray to Confucius for excellent results in their studies.
A former grand school of archelogy showing 1000’s of years of history.
A correction house full of torturous stories, colonial exploitation, with a few good and bad men.
One of the longest bridges in Asia when built in 1902, now an iconic symbol of the Hanoian people's determination and perseverance.
The world's largest ceramic mosaic along the walls of the Red River dike system presenting different periods in the history of Vietnam.
An impressive collection of around 20 thousand objects and artworks on three floors, including 9 National Treasures and an extensive collection of paintings and sculptures.
UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Imperial Citadel, was the center of regional political power for almost 13 centuries, and it bears historical and cultural importance.
Hanoi’s largest freshwater lake, with plenty of historical places of interest, vast botanical gardens, lotus ponds, classy restaurants, chic cafes and night clubs.
Located on an islet within West Lake, this pagoda is a picturesque attraction and a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism since the 6th century.
One of the very few old-style homes that remains intact and is open to the public as a brilliant example of the classic Vietnamese merchant’s house from the past.
This is where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked and it’s a place where countless historical decisions were made for Vietnam.
Hanoi Opera House is a distinctive building with remarkable history and culture that combines ancient Greek architecture styles with the style of Paris Opera House.
Located on the 65th floor of the Lotte center, this observation deck offers panoramic views of the whole city of Hanoi and a skywalk with a transparent floor.
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The only remaining gate to the old city, this arched gate of the citadel of Thang Long survived to be a nostalgic remembrance of Hanoi’s lengthy history and fight against foreign aggressors.
This statue from 1980 is one of the few left of Lenin, standsing in a small triangular park in the heart of Hanoi, opposite the Vietnam Military History Museum.
A beautiful pagoda in the center of West Lake and one of the most popular worship places in Hanoi where people pray for good fortune to the Mother Goddess.
