Visiting Hanoi in Vietnam? Looking for what to do in Hanoi? This guide to the best things to do in Hanoi includes all the best attractions you must tick off.
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Visiting Hanoi: An Introduction
Hanoi is a vibrant capital city of Vietnam. Most travelers invariably make it the first stop on their itinerary.
Hanoi is awe-inspiring, with a rich history, intriguing culture, incredible architecture, and interesting backstories woven intricately into its fabric.
Vietnam was invaded by Japan, China, France, and the USA, and each invader left a mark on the country.
You can experience the fascinating blend of varied cultures and traditions as you stroll the streets of Hanoi.
Just so you know, the name of the city Hanoi comes from two Vietnamese words, ‘Ha,’ meaning rivers, and ‘Noi,’ meaning inner or inside, as the city lies between two rivers.
Did you know? Hanoi has been the capital of Vietnam for over a thousand years. Can you imagine how many stories and tales are written in every nook and corner of the city?
Where to Stay in Hanoi: Accommodations in Hanoi
Hanoi Old Quarter is the central location with innumerable options for accommodation in Hanoi, which suits all kinds of budgets. It is a favorite among most tourists.
But the disadvantage is that it is congested and full of traffic and noise. There are some great options that are close to all major attractions but still away from the traffic snarls. Here are some of the most recommended and best hotels in Hanoi:
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
If you want to experience Vietnamese luxury, then this historic landmark hotel is the place to be. With multiple excellence awards for its kitty, you will be pampered with impeccable service.
Hilton Garden Inn Hanoi
This is a great hotel to stay in, close to the Old Quarter. It has a great staff and facilities, like a washing machine and free laundry.
Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa
This modern hotel with all the facilities is located in the Old Quarter, which has attractions, a shopping area, and restaurants all within walking distance.
Hanoi Emerald Waters Hotel & Spa
Hoan Kiem Lake is located near this comfortable hotel, which is great for families. Multiple options for eating, shopping, and attractions are all within reach.
Best Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam: Top Attractions in Hanoi
There are a plethora of things to do in Hanoi. Be it art, history, culture, architecture, food, or natural beauty, Hanoi won’t disappoint you.
Depending upon how many days you plan to stay in this charming city, you can choose the ones that interest you from our list of the best things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The attractions can be explored on their own or with a full-day or even half-day guided tour of Hanoi city.
We highly recommend taking a guided tour or two to learn more about the city and its quirks. It also helps overcome the language barrier. We ourselves took a half-day city-guided tour that was quite informative and helpful.
1. Walk Around Hanoi Old Quarter
The Old Quarter seems like the most happening place in the entire city.
The heart and soul of Hanoi is the historic Old Quarter, aka Hoan Kiem District, where you can taste a slice of local life.
In fact, I’d say Old Quarter is a perfect introduction to the culture and history of Vietnam.
The district is brimming with hotels, restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and shops. And you must not miss the famous street food delicacies from Vietnam while wandering around the quarter.
If you want to take a piece of Hanoi home, you can buy an authentic local souvenir here.
Walking the maze of chaotic streets packed with people, hawkers, and bikers is an experience in itself.
2. Check Out Hanoi’s Artisan Themed Streets
You must check out the themed streets known as 36 Streets or Guilds of Hanoi Old Quarter. It’s believed that these streets were little neighborhoods, each dedicated to a traditional craft or trade it housed in the past.
From Lantern Street, Bamboo Street, and Silk Street to Wooden Street, Silver Street, Fabric Street, and more – wandering these exclusive streets is super fascinating.
Read More: Best Things to do in Hoi An
3. Stroll Around Hoàn Kiếm Lake
The name Hoan Kiem means ‘Lake of the restored sword’ and is inspired by a legend of a Golden Turtle God who appeared to reclaim the sword from the Emperor. To commemorate this event, a tower called the ‘Turtle Tower’ was built in the lake.
Located right in the heart of the city, encircled by a blanket of trees and a walking path to enjoy the breeze and views, this freshwater lake offers a much-needed respite from Hanoi’s chaotic Old Quarter.
It’s a perfect place to enjoy a stroll and people-watch any time of the day.
The streets are closed to traffic from 7 pm to midnight on weekdays and all day on weekends, which makes it all the more enticing. Pointfully, it has become a melting pot of activities for locals and tourists.
You’ll see people relaxing, walking, or biking around the lake, playing games, enjoying exercise, and so much more.
4. Visit Ngoc Son Temple
Constructed in the 18th century, Ngoc Son Temple, also known as Temple of the Jade Mountain, is a small pagoda on an island in Hoan Kiem Lake.
The temple is connected to the mainland by a red wooden bridge called Huc Bridge.
As the sun sets, Ngoc Son Temple and Huc Bridge are illuminated, creating a beautiful ambiance.
You must stop for a cup of Vietnamese coffee at one of the lakeside cafes while strolling around the lake.
The entry ticket to the temple costs 30,000 VND per adult and 15,000 VND per child.
Related Read: Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
5. Shop at Dong Xuan Market
The largest indoor market in Hanoi, Đồng Xuân Market, is a landmark trading post.
From fresh produce, candies, accessories, handicrafts, and apparel to jewelry, electronics, household appliances, and more – you can find anything and everything under the sun, and that too at low prices.
It’s a great place to buy souvenirs. To avoid crowds, plan to go as soon as it opens.
The weekend night markets are a great place to shop, too, when tons of stalls fill the street, stretching from Hang Dao Street to Dong Xuan Market. And you must indulge in Vietnam’s famous street food while wandering the night market.
6. Visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Located in Ba Đình district, the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for it holds Vietnam’s rich and vibrant history and culture.
The historical complex was the core of ancient Hanoi and is rightfully identified as one of Vietnam’s ten special national heritage sites.
You can visit the complex any day of the week from 8 am to 5 pm by paying an entry fee of VND 30,000.
7. Check Out Hanoi Ancient House
Ma May Street is home to many (over 14) of the oldest houses in Hanoi.
Located at 87 Ma May Street, the Hanoi Ancient House is one of those houses.
it’s beautifully preserved as an authentic and typical example of an ancient Hanoian home.
The ancient house showcases ancient Vietnamese architecture and takes you through the life and times of Hanoians in the past. It got its national heritage certification in 2004.
8. Gawk at St. Joseph’s Cathedral
This 19th-century Roman catholic cathedral styled in Gothic Revival architecture closely resembles the Notre Dame de Paris.
A beautiful aide-memoire of French colonial history, it’s the oldest church in Hanoi.
The church is quite popular and gets insanely crowded during mass times, especially on weekends.
It’s better to visit out of mass times if you want to admire the majestic architecture.
The cathedral is open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free.
9. Explore Ho Chi Minh Complex
The Ho Chi Minh complex is a vast area with many points of interest. It is a great place to spend a day, and it has great emotional and political significance for the citizens of Hanoi.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
This place is like a pilgrimage to Vietnamese people who throng here to visit the mausoleum of the most iconic leader, the first president, Ho Chi Minh, whom they lovingly call ‘Uncle Ho.’
Inside the building is the embalmed body of the president for its people to pay their respect to.
Entry is free to the public.
Ho Chi Minh House
The complex also has the Presidential Palace and the house of Uncle Ho.
The Presidential Palace is not accessible for public viewing, but the House of the President is worth visiting.
Ho Chi Minh’s House is one of the major attractions in Hanoi. Amidst huge green lawns and a lake on the premises, there is a wooden stilt house where the president used to live, in spite of the grandeur of the presidential palace.
The president refused to live there as he expressed his citizens were poor and could not afford that life.
He was a simple man and truly believed in Simple living and high thinking.
The lake beside it has fish in it, and it’s believed that the fish would gather for feed with Uncle Ho’s clap. We even tried calling them with our claps and found some luck.
The entry ticket costs 40,000 VND per adult. Vietnamese students get tickets at a discounted price.
Ho Chi Minh Museum
Ho Chi Minh is the most revered leader of Vietnam.
The Ho Chi Minh Museum, dedicated to this leader, illuminates his life and events. It also displays artifacts and gifts gathered from across the world.
The museum is open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and costs 10,000 VND to enter.
One Pillar Pagoda
Located next to the mausoleum, inside the Ho Chi Minh Complex, is the One Pillar Pagoda.
The pagoda is a small Buddhist temple dating back to the 11th century.
As the name suggests, it’s constructed over a single concrete pillar standing in the middle of a pond.
It’s regarded as one of the most unique pagodas in Asia because of its one-of-a-kind architecture. It looks like a lotus flower (the national flower of Vietnam) in the heart of the pond.
We highly recommend taking a free tour from the enthusiastic students of Hanoikids.org
10. Visit the Temple of Literature
This temple of Confucius (a Chinese philosopher who lived in 551 BC) is the mecca for students who still visit it during their exams and graduation to pay their regards.
This temple boasts of being Vietnam’s first university, built in 1070, and preserves a lot of history.
The architecture of the Temple of Literature is beautiful and has special meanings associated with each symbol or structure.
As you enter, you will find a vast green courtyard with two gates: one to enter and the other to leave the temple. There is a lake between the courtyards.
We were lucky to have two enthusiastic girls as our guides. They explained the history and significance of the place and shared some interesting facts, like the turtle whose head the students rubbed for good luck.
Inside the temple complex, there are five huge courtyards, a huge bronze bell, stelae of turtles with scholars’ names engraved on them, the sanctuary that holds the altar, and a huge statue of Confucius.
It is interesting to see the books, uniforms, and other objects on display inside the sanctuary.
Entry ticket costs 30,000 VND per adult.
11. Explore the Museum of Ethnology
The Vietnamese Museum of Ethnology is a must-visit place if you are interested in Vietnamese history.
From wedding customs and costumes to utensils and dances, it’s interesting to learn how Vietnamese culture evolved over time.
Geographical locations played an essential part in customs, clothing, and food habits.
Young kids might get bored around the exhibits, but they enjoy exploring the actual models of the various types of houses.
The houses, their furniture, and their belongings were according to the social class of the people.
Plan to spend 2-3 hours in the museum, which has a café on the premises.
The museum is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and costs 100,000 VND for entry.
12. Check Out West Lake and Tran Quan Pagoda
We were pretty impressed to witness Tran Quan Pagoda in Hanoi.
The oldest pagoda in Hanoi, Tran Quan, is a deep red colored seven-story tall pagoda affiliated with Buddhism.
The red color symbolizes luck and prosperity in Vietnamese and Chinese culture.
The pagoda was built in the 6th century by the Red River, however, due to river encroachment, it was relocated to West Lake where it stands tall today.
A stunning pagoda by a serene lake, a gentle breeze wafting the scent of the incense sticks, and the soothing sound of chants – a visit here is a beautiful spiritual experience.
A Bodhi tree beside the temple is said to have grown from a cutting of the original Bodhi tree in India, under which Lord Buddha received enlightenment.
As an Indian, I could understand the importance of this sacred tree.
Related Read: Ultimate Guide to Vietnam Visa
13. Hoa Lo Prison Museum aka Hanoi Hilton
Hoa Lo Prison is an old prison that was used by the French colonists for political prisoners and later by the Vietnamese to capture and torture the US prisoners of war.
We skipped a visit to this historic prison as taking small kids to this prison might not be suitable owing to the terrifying images and videos on display.
14. Enjoy a Unique Water Puppet Show
Water puppets are a traditional Vietnamese art dating back to the 11th century and have prospered for centuries.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theater in Hanoi is a great place to witness this unique show. It is most definitely one of the best things to do in Hanoi with kids.
Most of the puppet shows depict a mythological story from Vietnam.
Carved out of wood, the beautiful puppets are brought to life in this 1-hour show, and kids love to see them talking, dancing, and jumping around in the water.
We got a double treat: a live music band played traditional instruments and sang the story as it progressed.
The puppet show and songs are all in Vietnamese, but most of them can be followed visually.
While watching the show, we were mesmerized, spectacular, and mind-blowing. Talented artists created an aura that left us spellbound.
We cherished it all the more as puppet shows are also a traditional art form in India, especially in Rajasthan. We could relate to and appreciate the puppetry artists who weave fascinating stories around these lifeless puppets.
There are different show timings (3 pm, 4:10 pm, 5:20 pm, 6:30 pm, and 8 pm), and the popular times get booked fast.
Pro Tip: Book the water puppet show ticket well in advance as it gets booked fast. We had to wait for a day to get the tickets. Booking online would help you save time by skipping the ticket line (it’s long)!
The best places to watch water puppet shows include
- Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
- Museum of Ethnology
- Vietnam National Puppetry Theater
- Lotus Water Puppet
15. Watch a Show at the Hanoi Opera House
Designed after the Paris Opera House (Palais Garnier), the Hanoi Opera House is one of the most beautiful buildings in Hanoi.
Built by the French colonial administration around the 1900s, the building stands tall in the heart of the rustic French Quarter as a reminder of French colonial times.
It regularly hosts opera and ballet performances and music concerts featuring Vietnam’s famous singers, dancers, and musicians.
16. Witness the Colorful Mosaic Wall
The ceramic mosaic mural wall, which spreads up to 6.5 km, holds the Guinness World Record for being the ‘world’s largest ceramic mosaic.’
The mural represents beautiful scenes from the history of Vietnam.
17. Wander Around the Train Street
Hanoi Train Street is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Hanoi.
This has also become one of the most Instagrammable spots in Hanoi.
It’s pretty intriguing to see a train running in the center of a narrow street lined by houses, shops, and cafes.
The train passes the track quite a few times a day; however, the locals remain nonchalant and busy with their routines.
You can stop for a coffee or a pint of beer at one of the cafes or restaurants along the stretch of the train street.
18. Indulge in Pottery at Bat Trang Ceramic Pottery Village
If you are looking for a unique experience and want to learn traditional Vietnamese art, head to Bat Trang village on the outskirts of the city.
You can take a tour of the Bat Trang Ceramic Village Tour from Hanoi.
This 7-century-old village boasts some of the finest porcelain and pottery products.
Its proximity to the Red River is advantageous for raw materials.
You will be amazed to see the designs and quality of the works of art. The details, designs, and finesse are sure to impress you.
Most of the designs include Vietnamese symbols like dragons, turtles, lotus, and tigers.
You can walk around the village, join one of the workshops, handcraft your product, and shop for some beautiful art pieces.
19. Visit One of the Colorful Incense Villages
Asian countries have a cultural and spiritual ritual of burning incense sticks while worshipping God. It’s an integral element of culture and belief in most of them, and Vietnam is no different.
There are several traditional craft villages (Yen Phu, Xa Kieu, Hong Duang, Quang Phu Cau, and many more) on the outskirts of Hanoi, known for producing incense sticks. They not only cater to Vietnam but also supply incense sticks to Asian countries like China and India.
Families in these villages have been involved in the traditional craft of incense making for more than a century now.
Ahead of the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet), the streets of incense villages are color-washed in pink, red, and orange. They transform into a photographer’s dream! Thus, January, close to the lunar new year, is the best time to visit an incense village.
It’s a perfect destination to soak in the vibrance of the culture and tradition of Vietnam.
20. And Eat Your Heart Out
Hanoi is a paradise for foodies, especially non-vegetarians and seafood lovers.
And the best part is that the streets are filled with hawkers and shops selling these delicacies at dirt-cheap prices. Here’s a list of amazing street food dishes you can enjoy in Hanoi.
If street food doesn’t entice you, then check out these best restaurants in Hanoi to indulge in scrumptious Vietnamese cuisine.
A trip to Vietnam is incomplete without trying its coffee. The country enjoys some of the best coffee cultures in the world.
Apart from regular coffee, many varieties of coffee are available, like egg coffee and coconut coffee.
Located in a small alley, Giang Café is the birthplace of Egg coffee. As I ordered the coffee and climbed the stairs to find a spot to sit, I was shocked to see the café bustling with people, mainly youngsters, who were enjoying chatting while sipping their egg coffee.
You can order it hot or cold. As the weather was hot, we tried the cold version and liked it.
If you want to try Vietnamese cuisine, a cooking class in Hanoi is a must.
If you are a vegetarian, then read our recommendations on vegetarian food in Vietnam, which you must try.
There are many tours, including the Hanoi street food tour, that let you explore the food scene like a local. So book the food tour now.
Have you ever visited Hanoi? What did you like? Did we miss your favorite attractions? Let us know in the comments section, and we’ll update the blog.
If you haven’t visited Hanoi yet and are planning a trip sometime soon, I hope this guide to beat things to do in Hanoi will help you plan what to do there.
Looking for recommendations for Vietnam? Then, head over to the Pearl Island of Phu Quoc and visit Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc.
Vietnam Travel Essentials
Here are the essential resources that I personally use and recommend while planning a trip to Vietnam.
Visa for Vietnam: iVisa works great for applying for a fast e-visa online. Also, OneWayFly is great if you need to show proof of onward travel (flight itinerary) or hotel reservation.
For travel insurance, try Heymondo. It’s the most affordable and offers maximum coverage. Use my link to get 5% off.
For Connectivity: Airalo. It’s the first-ever eSIM global website where you can buy an eSIM at affordable prices and stay connected while traveling.
For booking flights: Skyscanner and WayAway. They are the best search/comparison flight booking sites that help you find the best and cheapest flight deals. And with the WayAway membership plan, you’ll get cashback for every booking. Plus, with the special promo code “MELODIES,” a 10% discount is activated.
International money transfer & currency exchange: Wise. With competitive exchange rates, fast transfers, and a 9.1/10 rating on TrustPilot, it’s the only service you should use every time you transfer and exchange internationally.
For finding accommodations, Booking.com and Agoda are the pioneers among hotel booking websites. They give you a lot of choices with their huge selection of properties reviewed by travelers.
For rental cars, Discover Cars is the best international car rental platform for all your car rental needs.
For ground transport, 12Go is one of the most popular sites for booking bus and train tickets in Southeast Asia.
For tours and day trips, Viator, Get Your Guide, and Klook offer the best city tours and day excursions in Vietnam.
For guidance on the go, a Lonely Planet Guidebook for Vietnam comes in handy here.
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How fun are the water puppets! Honestly, I was nervous I was wasting my time, but I had so much fun! 10/10 recommend them for every traveler
Yes so true. It’s great that the age old art form is still preserved. It is amazing to see the water puppet show.
Hanoi is such a special place. Offering so much to a variety of people!
I loved reading your list of 13 attractions to visit and have added a couple to my list for my revisit one day!
I loved viewing your photos too, it looked like you had an amazing visit!