Areas

Hoan Kiem Lake

The lake is in the heart of the city providing an oasis of calm away from the traffic buzzing around it. In the centre of the lake is the Tortoise Pagoda is located, and at its northern end the Ngoc Son Pagoda can be approached by an attractive carved bridge. It's worth making an early start to see the locals taking part in tai chi, flag dances and even ballroom dancing around the lake at dawn, and it's a popular spot to walk around the shores of the lake shaded by willow trees.

Old Quarter

The Old Quarter is a maze of narrow, tree-lined streets with shops and stalls selling everything from ironwork to coffins, and fruit and vegetables to textiles and crafts. There are 36 streets in the Old Quarter representing the guilds that were established here from the 13 th century onwards, and streets such as Hang Bac were known for silverwork, Hang Bo for basket-making and Hang Vai for cloth. Each guild also had its own temple - many of which can still be seen today set back from the busy streets.

French Quarter

This Quarter was developed under French colonial rule at the turn of the 20 century and is heavily influenced by French architecture. It has wide tree-lined boulevards and many colonial mansions that wouldn't look out of place in a provincial French town. Many of these fine building are now used as embassy offices or to house Hanoi 's museum collections. Other buildings include opulent Metropole Hotel opened in 1901, and the Hanoi Opera House - built in 1911 and inspired by the Paris Opera House.

West Lake

West Lake to the north of the city is less well known by tourists and is popular with local city dwellers. The area has several small temples and a string of restaurants, cafes and karaoke bars on the Ho Tay Peninsula. If you're leaving the town early in the morning you may come across the women bringing bunches of lotus flowers on their bicycles to the nearby flower market.

Historic Buildings

Temple of Literature - Van Mieu Pho Van Mieu

This ancient site was established in the 11th century as a seat of learning dedicated to Confucianism and later became the city's first University. The site comprises a series of low buildings, five courtyards and pathways with ponds shaded by trees. The Garden of the Stelae features over 80 inscribed stones set on the back of turtles surrounding a pool of water. Traditional music and dance performances added add to the tranquil atmosphere.

87 Pho Ma May

The traditional houses in the Old Quarter are known as ‘tube' or ‘tunnel' houses. This restored example based on life in the 19 th century shows the narrow frontage, workshop, courtyard and living areas set back from the street.

Hoa Lo Prison 1 Hoa Lo Street

Only a small part of the prison built during French rule of Vietnam survives today where it is possible to see the small cells and guillotine in the courtyard. It was used to hold US prisoners of war during the Vietnam War and became known as the ‘Hanoi Hilton'.

Ambassadors' Pagoda 73 Quan Su

This is the main centre for Buddhist prayer in the city and is busy throughout the day with worshippers paying their respects and lighting incense sticks.

One Pillar Pagoda Ong Ich Kiem Street

This unusual pagoda featuring a single stone pillar with a wooden structure on top represents a lotus flower. It was constructed in the 11century and is based on the legend of an Emperor's dream about his son who was presented on a lotus flower.

Ho Chi Minh's House Ba Dinh Square
Ho Chi Minh lived in the traditional stilt house during the 1950s and 60s. It contains many of his personal effects including two old cars and gifts from fellow Communist leader Fidel Castro. The grounds of the house feature the Peace Pond shaded by attractive trees, a bomb shelter and restored colonial buildings.

Quan Thanh Temple Truc Bach Lake

This 11 th century temple on Truc Bach Lake is set in a large courtyard and houses the imposing lacquered bronze statue of Huyen Thien Vo which was cast in 1677. His giant feet have been ‘polished' by centuries of worshippers.

Tran Quoc Pagoda Pho Than Nien
Originally dating to the 6 th century this pagoda and garden on the shore of West Lake has been rebuilt in the 15 th and 19 th centuries. It is an impressive structure and one of the oldest pagodas in the country.

St Joseph 's Cathedral Nha Tho

Constructed in the 1880s St Joseph 's (Nha Tho) was built on an ancient pagoda site and its twin towers, neo-Gothic style and impressive stained glass windows are reminiscent of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris .

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Ba Dinh Square

The Mausoleum is located in an imposing Soviet-style building where the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh lies in state in a glass casket in the dimly lit crypt. Outside in the square changing of the Mausoleum guards and parades regularly take place.

Museums

Museum of Independence 48 Pho Hang Ngang

Ho Chi Minh is believed to have written the country's Declaration of Independence in this small house in the Old Quarter which has been converted into a museum.

Ho Chi Minh Museum Ba Dinh Square

The museum was opened to commemorate the 100 th birthday of Ho Chi Minh and is housed in a Soviet-style building featuring displays and installations charting his life and influence on modern Vietnam .

Museum of Ethnology D Nguyen Van Huyen

Architect-designed museum features thousands of artefacts from the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam . Exhibits and displays include artefacts, tools and textiles used in all kinds of ethnic rituals, customs and celebrations and also a reconstructed traditional Vietnamese house.

Museum of Vietnamese Revolution 216 Pho Tran Quang Khai

The history of the Communist Party in Vietnam and the country's struggle for independence is documented in this museum housed on an old colonial building.

Vietnam History Museum 1 Pho Pham Ngu Lao

Features artefacts and remains from pre-historic times, the Chinese and Kmer dynasties and the Champa Kingdom , alongside the more recent history of the country - located in a fine colonial building

Vietnam Womens Museum 36 Pho Ly Thuong

A museum dedicated to the role of Vietnamese women during war and peacetime. The museum features a status of mother and baby, and ethnic dresses from the many ethnic groups in Vietnam .

Fine Art Museum 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc

A beautiful colonial building which was once the Ministry of Information for French Indochina now houses over 10,000 artworks. These include the art of ethnic minority groups, primitive and feudalist artworks and Buddhist statues. A new gallery displays works by contemporary Vietnamese artists.

Army Museum 28A Pho Dien Bien Phu

The museum of military history including wreckage of fighter planes, photographs of life behind the Viet Minh lines, and different types of weaponry used during conflict in Vietnam . There are fabulous views of the city from the Flag Tower .

Air Force Museum Bo Tang Khong Quan
This museum is on the outskirts of the city and is popular with military enthusiasts. There are exhibits of war memorabilia, photographs and weaponry. Outside are a number of fighter planes, helicopters and anti-aircraft artillery.

Parks, Gardens, Zoo

Indira Gandhi Park

Gardens close to the Hoan Kiem Lake named after the Indian Prime Minister after her assassination.

Bach Thao Botanical Gardens Vuon Bach Thao

A large garden with two large lakes and a small temple, with trails around the park for jogging and walking amongst the trees and shrubs.

Thu Le Park and Zoo

A large grassland area with a lake, and animals including big cats, elephants and monkeys plus reptiles and birdlife. Pedal boats are popular on Ling Lang Lake .

Lenin Park ( Park of Reunification )

One of the largest parks in the city with a small amusement park and lake where boats can be hired. A spring flower festival is held during here the New Year Tet Festival.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
Hung Vuong and Le Hong Phong Streets, Ba Dinh Square

Fine Arts Museum
66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St .

Temple of Literature
Quoc Tu Giam St .

Army Museum
Dien Bien Phu St .

Air Force Museum
Truong Chinh St .

One Pillar Pagoda
Ong Ich Kiem Street , Ba Dinh Distric

Hoan Kiem Lake

Ho Tay

Hoa Lo Prison
Hai Ba Trung St.

B-52 Lake .

Downed Aircraft Memorial

Temple of Literature
The temple dates to the 11th century

Please click on the image to view Hanoi Attractions