Top 6 things to do in Hanoi
Hanoi, Vietnam is a tourist city known for its unique culture, architecture, and delicious food. As the capital, it is centrally located, has preserved traditional architecture, and offers a wide range of attractions.
Hoan Kiem Lake,
36th Street,
St. Joseph’s Cathedral of Hanoi
Self-Guided Walking Tour of Hanoi’s Hoàn Kiếm Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the most famous lakes in Hanoi. The area around the lake is popular with travelers for its walking paths and mature trees. The lake is surrounded by pylons, temples, museums, and other tourist attractions. It is a small lake with a circumference of 2 kilometers, but it is the most visited place in Hanoi.
The lake attracts locals working out in the morning, travelers during the day, and date nights. It’s a favorite wedding photo spot for brides and grooms in white ao dai. At night, the Ngoc Son shrine and bridge are bathed in colorful lights. On weekends, the streets around the lake are car-free, making it a great place to hold hands and enjoy a family outing.
North of Hoan Kiem Lake, 36 streets called the “Old Quarter” are lined up in a row. It was created in the 11th century when the Ly Dynasty gathered artisans from all over the country to create items for the royal palace. The streets were named after the stages where the artisans worked, and the products they produced at the time: salt, sugar, wood, silver, fans, and matting. Today, there are more than 50 alleys intertwined like a spider’s web.
In particular, the 1.2-kilometer stretch from Hangai Street to Dongxuan Market, where silk shops and galleries are located, hosts a night market every Friday through Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m. It’s popular with locals for its bargains on clothes, shoes, knick-knacks, and more. Grilled sausages, popcorn, whirlpool potatoes, and more make for a lively nighttime experience in Hanoi.
Just off Hoan Kiem Lake, this neo-Gothic cathedral towers at the end of a street lined with restaurants and cafes. Completed in 1886 during the French colonial period, St. Joseph’s was built after the demolition of a Buddhist temple. In 1912, two spires were added to make it even more magnificent. Its architecture resembles that of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, and while its exterior is weathered, its interior is colorful with white walls and stained glass windows.
St. Joseph’s Church is the center of the neighborhood, with shops and restaurants that are popular with travelers. In front of St. Joseph’s Church, young people sit on pews and enjoy coffee. At Cộcàhê, a café filled with vintage knickknacks, you can enjoy Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk.
Hanoi Flagtower
Between the Mausoleum and Thang Long Citadel, you’ll find a strange sight: a red flag flying from a tall tower. The tower, located inside the Military Museum, is a 33.4-meter-high flagpole that is a symbol of Hanoi. It was built in 1812 during the Nguyen Dynasty to observe Hanoi Castle and was later used as a lookout post for French troops under French rule. The three-story flagpole was built to be climbed by a spiral staircase, which is open to the second floor.
Hoa Lo Camp (nhà pha Hỏa Lò)
Hoà Lo Prison (Vietnamese: nhà pha Hỏa Lò) was a former prison and prisoner of war camp in Hanoi, Vietnam. Today, it is not used as a prison but as a museum. It was used by the French colonial government in the late 19th century to capture and torture Vietnamese who were protesting against the French. During the Vietnam War, it housed American prisoners of war, earning it the nickname Hanoi Hilton.
Near the Hoa Lo prison camp, you’ll find a book street with more than 20 small bookstores. The shops are lined up on either side of the street, each with its own theme, such as fiction, comics, or children’s books. Benches are placed in the center of the street to create an atmosphere where you can read anywhere. Many travelers take photos with the bookstores in the background as they browse.
Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts
The Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest museums dedicated to art in Vietnam. It showcases the history and culture of Vietnamese art and features a wide variety of artwork, statues, and military items used during the Vietnam War.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Private Full Day Highlights Sightseeing of Hanoi City
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is one of Vietnam’s most iconic historical sites. It was built in honor of the revolutionary and Vietnam War legends and is one of the most visited sites by Vietnamese citizens and travelers alike.
If you want to enjoy a night out in Hanoi,
head to Tạ Hiện, the beer district.
The lights emanating from the shops at dusk are spectacular. The atmosphere is bustling with young people, and there are plastic chairs in every shop, creating a unique scene of beer drinking.
The grilled pork, beef, seafood, and various vegetables in foil-wrapped pans with lots of margarine are especially famous, and the lively and free-spirited pub HAY stands out for its unique tables made of beer barrels.
It’s a popular spot for travelers, and the atmosphere is free-spirited. Every night from 6 to 10 p.m., the music station hosts small performances by bands to keep things lively. You can try a wide variety of beer cocktails.
