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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St. Joseph's Cathedral

This is one French landmark which stands out and a must-see in the Old Quarter.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is the perfect spot for a weekend stroll, to hang out with locals and spot turtles.

Temple of Literature

This former University is where students pray to Confucius for excellent results in their studies.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

A sombre place to pay respect to Ho Chi Minh himself.

One Pillar Pagoda

A unique Pagoda in a beautiful surrounding with a touching story.

Hai Ba Trung Temple

Pay homage to the legendary and brave Trung Sisters.

Ngoc Son Temple

A Temple with a beautiful bridge dedicated to men of honour.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Come and learn about the revolutionary, comrade and legend of Vietnam.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

See ways of life from ethnic groups around Vietnam.

National Museum of Vietnamese History

A former grand school of archelogy showing 1000’s of years of history.

Vietnamese Women’s Museum

Learn about women who changed Vietnamese society for the better.

Hoa Lo Prison Museum

A correction house full of torturous stories, colonial exploitation, with a few good and bad men.

Bach Ma Temple

One of the four Temples that helped to fortify the ancient Citadel of Thang Long.

Long Bien Bridge

One of the longest bridges in Asia when built in 1902, now an iconic symbol of the Hanoian people's determination and perseverance.

Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural

The world's largest ceramic mosaic along the walls of the Red River dike system presenting different periods in the history of Vietnam.

Fine Arts Museum 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.

Imperial Citadel

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.

West Lake

Hanoi’s largest freshwater lake, with plenty of historical places of interest, vast botanical gardens, lotus ponds, classy restaurants, chic cafes and night clubs.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

Located on an islet within West Lake, this pagoda is a picturesque attraction and a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism since the 6th century.

Heritage House

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.

Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House

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

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.

Lotte Observation Deck

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.

Old East Gate

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.

Statue of Lenin

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.

Tay Ho Pagoda

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.