Hanoi Capital

 
As the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is home to a large number of must-see attractions. If you're a culture vulture, Hanoi has so much to offer. With a 1,000-year history and many well-preserved buildings along with lush and verdant parks as well as a well-appointed zoo, Hanoi will quite simply keep you busy for days on end. One of the loveliest features to this French-colonial city is its many lakes and these provide many beautiful locations to rest in between venturing out in the capital's streets. If you plan a trip to Hanoi, spare at least a couple of days to explore the city.
 
Here are some attractive destinations in Hanoi that you should visit!
 

One of the reasons that Hanoi - the capital city of Vietnam, has attracted so many tourists over the years is its Old Quarter (36 old streets and guilds). It is an area well-known for the history, the architecture, the enormous amount and diversity of products and even the everyday life of its residents.

The Old Quarter marked its appearance in the 11th century, when King Ly Thai To decided to build his palace. That means By 2010, Hanoi as well as the 36 old streets turned 1000 years old. Originally a group of workshop villages surrounding the royal palace, the Old Quarter has gradually transformed into craft cooperatives, or guilds and soon gained its reputation as the business trading areas of the Red River delta.

 

Hanoi Old Quater - Photo: The Internet 

Visitors will certainly be eager to wander along the old streets to drop by stores and buy specialties. Here is an essential guide for tourists who would like to explore the Old Quarter, with some names of specialized streets: China bowls (Bat Su), roasted fish (Cha Ca), silver or jewelries (Hang Bac), women accessories (Cau Go), shoes and sandals (Hang Dau), silk (Hang Gai), mixed fruits (To Tich), combs (Hang Luoc), jars (Hang Chinh), tour services (Ma May), candies and dry apricot (Hang Duong), fried/roasted sour pork hash (Tam Thuong lane on Hang Bong Street), bamboo products (Hang Buom), etc.
 
In addition, visitors as well as city dwellers can go to the night market taking place along 4 walking old streets: Hang Dao - Hang Ngang - Hang Duong - Dong Xuan in the evening from Friday to Sunday with products on great sale. Read our article on Most Special Streets of Hanoi Old Quarter for more ideas.

 

 
Hanoi tourists and locals alike head to Hoan Kiem Lake when seeking a place to get away from the noise of the city. Peaceful and quiet, the lake surrounds Ngoc Son Temple, a pagoda sitting in the centre on a small island.
The temple attracts many visitors and was built in commemoration of the 13th century military leader Tran Hung Dao who was renowned for his bravery in the battle against the Yuan Dynasty.


 

 

Hoa Kiem Lake - Photo: news.zing.vn
 

Homage is also paid to scholar Van Xuong and Confucian master Nguyen Van Sieu. The island on which the temple is built is known as Jade Island and is accessible by the iconic Huc Bridge or Rising Sun Bridge which is a charming scarlet-painted wooden bridge of classical Vietnamese design. The pagoda is also guarded by two towering posts decorated with Chinese writing. The lake and temple are probably the most famous places in Hanoi city in which to rest and enjoy the view and are a great place to sit back and watch the locals.
 

Shopping
 
To local residents, Dong Xuan is mostly reserved for bulk sale and distribution points for many retailers in Hanoi. Main products include electronic devices, household equipments and clothing. At the back of the market is the trading place for animals (puppies, kitties, birds, fish, etc.) and plants (mostly Vietnamese bonsai). Suppliers for the market come mainly from North Vietnam with many Chinese blends.
 

 

 

Dong Xuan Market - Photo: The Internet 

Eating
 
The Northern end of the market holds mainly eating venue, serving both day and night time. It is a wise decision to stop here for local cuisines such as “Bun Cha”, “Bun Rieu” or chipping in a hot pot in a fall/winter night.
 
 

The One-pillar pagoda or Dien Huu pagoda, has one of the most special architectures in Vietnam. The pagoda is situated next to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, right in the center of Hanoi.

The pagoda started being constructed under Ly’s dynasty in 1049. The legend goes that one night in 1049, King Ly Thai Tong dreamed of the Holy Lady (Phat ba Quan Am) sitting on a lotus and leading him to a similar building.

When he woke up, he was advised by Thien Tue monk to build the pillar-based pagoda like in his dream and topping it with the lotus of the Holy lady. Every year when it came to April 8th in Lunar calendar, the King came to the pagoda for Buddha bathing ceremony and afterwards, released a bird.


 

The One Pillar Pagoda - Photo: pbase.com

In 1105, King Ly Nhan Tong extended the pagoda and added Linh Chieu bond. However, time has erased everything but the limited area like what we see now. Near the pagoda there’s a bodhi tree. This is the gift from Rajendra Prasad- Indian presidents to Ho Chi Minh President. The pagoda now became one of the most meaningful symbols of Hanoi.

 

 
The square adjacent to the Ho Chi Minh complex is called Ba Dinh square, where many important national historical events in modern history took place. The square was originally developed by French colony and known as Round Point Pugininer. On September 2nd, 1945 – now Vietnam National Day- Ho Chi Minh has read the Vietnam Independence Declaration. In the Declaration, he quoted French and the United States’s Independence Declaration that “All men are created equal and that everyone has the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness”.
 

Nowadays, Ba Dinh square is one of the few green and unoccupied areas of urban Hanoi. Many important events such as parades and commemoration of veterans take place at the square. Interestingly, despite its solemnity during the day, during the night time, the square is a popular gathering place for the local: families who want a walk, elderly who want to exercise and friends who want to hang out. A visit to Ba Dinh Square can be combined as a day or half-day trip to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum and One-pillar Pagoda.
 
 

 
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is an important historical attraction of Hanoi, known for honoring the national hero: President Ho Chi Minh. The building is where visitors can express their admiration and gratitude towards the common father/uncle of Vietnamese who has led the country to independence and reunification. It is popularly known among Vietnamese as Uncles’ Mausoleum, for the intimate and familiar atmosphere Ho Chi Minh always created when he was alive. Built over 2 years from 1973 to 1975, the Mausoleum is also a lively illustrator of national unity.


 

 Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - Photo: tiin.vn

One of the most resourceful museums in Hanoi and undoubtedly in the country, Ho Chi Minh museum is conveniently located in the Ho Chi Minh complex. It can be combined in your day trip to visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, One-pillar Pagoda, Ba Dinh square and the War Memorial. The whole museum is a elaborate description of Ho Chi Minh’s life, with 8 chronological topics.
 

 

 

Photo: baotanghochiminh.vn

 
The museum is a collection of artifacts, miniatures and various gifts gathered nationally and internationally. There is also description written in English and France, as well as guided tours on request.
 

The Temple of Literature is about 10 minutes away from Hoan Kiem lake. It was constructed in 1070 under Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty, first to honor Confucius and nowadays to celebrate the doctorates and high rank scholars of Vietnam. In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong continued the work and built Quoc Tu Giam as the first university of Vietnam.
 

Photo:  vietnamesefood.com.vn

If you are keen on architecture, Temple of literature has one of the most typical architecture style for centuries in Vietnam, composed of wood and tiles. Along the pass way is hundred-year-old trees that have witnessed ups and downs of history.

 
Hanoi Flag Tower at the age of nearly 200 years is renowned as one of the symbols of Hanoi. The construction began in 1805 and completed in 1812, the 11th year of Gia Long time, Nguyen dynasty, five years after construction time of Flag Tower in Hue.


 

 

Photo: mytour.vn

Located on Dien Bien Phu street, at the center of the city, Hanoi Flag Tower is a historic attraction that tourists who arrive in Hanoi should visit once.
 
 

While most of Hanoi's ancient Thang Long citadel was destroyed by the French colonialists, the remnants provide fascinating insight into Vietnam's history. With attractive, shady gardens, imposing buildings, underground bunkers and numerous historic artifacts, it’s got something for everyone.


 

 

Photo: unesco.org
 

On July 31st, 2010, the World Heritage Committee recognized the Thang Long Royal Citadel as a World Cultural Heritage Site. This site is a source of great pride to the people of Hanoi and Vietnamese people in general.

 

Located on a small penisula on the East side of West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with its history line of more than 1,500 years. The architecture of this Buddhist center is a subtle combination between the solemn and beautiful landscape on the peaceful and quiet ambiance of West Lake’s surface. Thanks to these historical and architectural values, Tran Quoc Pagoda attracts many tourists to pay a visit, both inside and outside of Vietnam.


 

 

 Photo: news.zing.vn
 

 

Thong Nhat Park has been a green lung of Hanoi for more than 50 years which was erected in 1958. Besides its main function to satisfy Hanoi people’s demand for entertainment, the park covers a will to unify Vietnam at that time, as its name means “reunification”. Thong Nhat Park is also well-known as another name: Lenin Park as a good will of Vietnam to commemorate Lenin on his 110th birthday.

 

 
Inside Thong Nhat Park lying a seven hectares lake called “Bay Mau Lake” where people enhancing their heath by sailing swan boats and taking in cooling breeze. Couples may find their most peaceful and romantic together on the lake’s stream as well.
 

This is the most recent yet probably the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting Museums in Hanoi and Vietnam. The Museum comes out of the recognition that Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country and that more attention should be paid to promote socio-cultural diversity. Despite being out of the way compared with other museums in Hanoi, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is worth a thorough visit, for those who are keen to learn about the multiculturality of Vietnam and for those who would appreciate some green space. ou will be blown away by the elaboration of these architectures, at the same time being thoroughly engaged in traditional games and activities such as water puppet show, calligraphy, stone game (O An Quan). The museum is especially a great choice for those who cannot find time to visit all remote areas where live the majority of Vietnam ethnic minorities.

 

 

Photo: thethaovanhoa.vn

 

 
Vietnam History Museum lies silently on the back of the renowned Hanoi Opera House, at No.1 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Hoan Kiem District. This museum was built in 1926 under the name Louis Finot Museum by the Ecole Française d’Extreme-Orient and finish in 1932. After being taken over by Vietnamese Government, the museum changed its official name to Museum of Vietnam History and opened to the public on 3 September 1958.


 

Photo: vietnamnet.vn
 

Visitors may have to make full use of imagination as well as sensitivity to understand artifacts and relics exhibited in the museum. This is good chance for you to test your ability to perceive art because the descriptions of the objects are quite sparse that most of them are in Vietnamese and only indentify what the object is rather than what is its meaning.

 

 
Located at 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang street, nearby Hoan Kiem Lake, Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is a familiar address for both domestic tourists and foreign ones, who want to enjoy water puppet shows and discovery the beauty of this unique Vietnam traditional art.


 

 

Photo: mytourvn.blogspot.com
 

In 1969, the theater was established and since 1990; many water puppet shows have been performed by Thang Long theater artists.Every year, about 500 shows are offered to approximately 150,000 audiences. Moreover, the theater has brought water puppetry art to more then 40 foreign countries like Japan, France, America, Australia, Spain… through performance tours, or international cultural exchange program or puppetry festivals.

Certainly, it will be much great if tourists can directly watch these shows in Thang Long Water Puppets Theater after enjoying a cup of coffee in the coffee lounge which is right in front of the theater, and giving a nice view to Hoan Kiem Lake.

Saint Joseph Cathedral, located at 40 Nha Chung street, Hanoi, is a Roman Catholic cathedral with neo- gothic style, which was built about 120 years ago.


 

 

Photo: diendan.dulichhue.com.vn

Today, taking advantage of beautiful architecture and good venue at the center of the city, the area surrounding the cathedral is always packed with hundreds of local people and tourists hanging out with friends for drinking, talking, and watching the street.

Located at 50 Ly Quoc Su Street in the Old Quarter, only 50m from St Joseph's Cathedral, Ly Quoc Su Pagoda is one of the oldest ones of its kind in Hanoi. Built in 1131, Ly Quoc Su Pagoda has been renovated several times, especially in 1954 when it was destroyed during the French colonial period. Nonetheless, this nearly-900-year-old Vietnamese-styled temple has preserved many precious antiques like Buddha statue or the precious bell of Tu Chung, as well as the meticulous architecture of unique carving patterns.


 

 
Photo: asobi.vn
 

 

Located in an area rich in clay, the village has advantage of ingredients to create fine ceramics. Moreover, lying besides the Red river, between Thang Long and Pho Hien, two ancient trade centers in the north of Vietnam during 15th-17th century, Bat Trang’s ceramics were favorite products not only in domestic market, but also foreign ones thanks to Japan, Chinese and Western trading boats that passed by.


 

 

Photo: thebeautyofvietnam.com

 

Visiting Bat Trang, tourists can take a walk or join a buffalo tour for sightseeing and shopping. Besides many ceramic stores along the road in the village, tourists should visit Bat Trang Porcelain and Pottery Market where they can directly make pottery products by themselves. Many youngsters and foreign tourists are interested in in this pottery- making experience, and spend a whole day in the market to make a gift for family or friends.

 

Situated on the bank of Nhue River, about 10km southwest of Hanoi Old Quarter, Van Phuc silk village is renowned for its traditional weaving and premium quality silk products. At the age of more than 1,200 years, Van Phuc is proud to be the most ancient silk village which provides the best silk in Vietnam.

 

 

Situated in an enormous are of 29 hectares, Thu Le Zoo is an ideal place for walking tour since it is encompassed by lush green grasses and an exquisite collection of tree, small plants and flowers. Thanks to this, the park provides visitors relaxing glimpse as well as fresh air and beautiful landscape. The site is also chosen by many photographers as their source of innovation.


 

 

Photo: mytour.vn

Besides sightseeing its scenery and animals, visitors might also attend more energetic outdoor activities in the park. The most interesting one should be swan boat driving along its 6 hectares lakes which you may have the most romantic time with your partners.
All children would yell out loud enthusiastically when their parents offer a visit to Thu Le Park because in here can be found a wide array of entertaining games like high speed train, bubble houses or rollerblading.

 

 
If you are touring along Tran Quang Khai road or Tong Dan street, chances are that you will be stopped out of curiosity and admiration by the unique French style architecture of Vietnam Museum of Revolution. Built in 1917 by the French colony, the place is now dedicated to displaying artifacts, documentaries and sporadic exhibitions about Vietnamese’s struggle in modern history. The content is divided into three parts, 1858-1945; 1945- 1975 and 1975-now, which correspond with the French colonialism period, the Vietnam War period and the Post-war period. As impressive as the range of topics covered is the interior and exterior design of the building, which can be found only in other historic places put up during the early 20th century in Hanoi.

 

 

Photo: travelovietnam.com

 
Located within Hanoi Old Quarter, the ancient house at 87 Ma May street which was built at the late of the 20th century, is quite intact with typical architecture of ancient houses.


 

 

Photo: hanoitrip.net

 

The house consists of two main blocks linked together by a square yard in the middle on the ground floor, and a small balcony on the 1st floor. The yard is included at the centre of the building to moderate the air, provide the house with sunlight and cool winds. The balcony above is an ideal place to put small plants, flower pots for the owner’s interest and relaxation.
 
Today, the ancient house is open for tourists to come here and see how ancient Hanoian lived, enjoy as well as buy some Vietnamese traditional decoration items, souvenir.

 

 
 Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is located in 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street of Hanoi. The Museum is attracting a great number of domestic and foreign visitors thanks to not only the exhibition content but also the artistic architecture of the building. It was an old structure, built in the 1930s by the French, reserved for the French colonial rulers’ daughters throughout the Indochina who came to Hanoi to study.

 

 

 

Photo: asobi.vn

Vietnam Fine Arts Museum has deserved the centre for fine arts and culture study, has contributed to the preservation and promotion cause of the nation’s cultural heritage.

 

Ba Vi National Park is centred on Mount Ba Vi, a mountain isolate situated about 50 km west of Hanoi.  At Ba Vi National Park, natural forest is mainly distributed at elevations above 600 m. The natural forest types at Ba Vi are lowland evergreen forest, lower montane evergreen forest and lower montane mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest. In 1998, the national park supported 4,701 ha of forest, comprising 1,710 ha of natural forest and 2,991 ha of plantation forest. The plantation forest is still, however, in the early stages of development, with only small trees present.

 

Photo: baogiaothong.vn
 

Ba Vi supports 812 species of vascular plant, of which several species were described for the first time from the site, for example Ixora balansae, Litsea baviensis and Lasianthus langkokensis. Also according to the investment plan, Ba Vi supports 44 mammal species, 114 bird species, 15 reptile species and nine amphibian species.
 

Long Bien bridge, originally named after Paul Doumer, the Governor-General of Indochina, the bridge was renamed Long Bien after Vietnamese independence in 1945. At that time, northern Vietnam was in the grips of a historic famine, caused by the stockpiling of rice for the Japanese-Vichy war machine. The famine killed up to two million people, and served as a rallying point for Ho Chi Minh's independence movement. Tens of thousands of starving refugees staggered across the bridge into the city, in search of food. Doug told me that the now-bricked-up niches beneath the Long Bien Railway Station (Ga Long Bien), served as make-shift morgues; bodies were piled one atop the other. Later, during the American War, these same niches served as bomb-resistant maternity wards.

 

 

Photo: news.zing.vn

Today, the Long Bien Bridge continues to play a dual role. On its surface, a steady stream of rail, motorbike, and foot traffic pumps economic blood to and from the city. Underneath, the bridge provides shelter for Hanoi's downtrodden, a collection of semi-visible constituencies who, in Vietnam's economic euphoria, have been pushed to the edge of the city, in some cases all the way into the river. Behind the fruit market - the main entrepôt for fruit entering the capital city - lies a shantytown of makeshift structures and tin roofs beside a polluted canal. In this neighborhood, site of Hanoi's earliest European encampments, the drug use, criminal activity, and police shakedowns rival any third-world ghetto.
 
The bridge's role in providing a "powerful meridian for people's minds" (Jardine) is evidenced by the sociological divisions among the "boat people" who live on the Red River. North of the bridge are people who, for one reason or another, have been pushed onto these tin-roofed crafts. These are the poorest of Hanoi's poor, people who eke out an existence by collecting plastic bags, and other desperate measures. South of the bridge are people who have traditionally led an aquatic existence, subsisting by fishing, and towing light loads up and down the river. Despite their commonalities, these are culturally distinct communities. For all these boat dwellers, the bridge provides a clear physical and sociological divide.
 
 

 
Built by the French in 1911, and renovated in the late 1990s, this is an incredible building. Hanoi Opera House is an old theatre with French architecture and typical Gothic and Mosaic characters reflected on the door domes and the glassed room respectively. The facade is colonial French with pillars and balconies overlooking the city center. The 900-seat opera house plays host to visiting foreign performances as well as Vietnamese symphonies. The exterior is a delightful mix of French neo-classical design with shuttered windows, wrought iron balconies and tiles friezes. For a long time, Hanoi Opera House has been a rendezvous for those who love theatrical performance and traditional songs and music, symphonies, opera and classical opera. It is also a tourist attraction for local and foreign visitors.
 

 

 Photo: daotao.vtv.vn

Hanoi Opera House is a worthy artistic centre, a cultural and architectural relic of the capital Hanoi. This is truly a beautiful building in Hanoi and the best place to see the Opera House is from the 6th floor of the Hanoi Hilton.

Despite being a patriarchal society, Viet Nam still reserves a special, if not sacred, place to honour Vietnamese women. Not only is October 20th is made Vietnam’s Women day but there also exists a museum dedicated to women.
 

 
The museum displays rather recent history of women, such as women and ethnicity; women and the national struggle; Vietnam women association and the feminism; women and traditional costumes; and women’s cultural traits expressed through handicrafts. There are also frequent exhibitions on contemporary women, such as women working as street vendors or women’s place in the family. The Vietnam Women’s Museum is definitely worth a few hour visit, especially for those keen on learning about culture and gender.
 

West Lake is a natural lake located northwest of Hanoi. It covers an area of ​​500 hectares and is encircled by a 20 km road. Historical records show that the lake was once part of the Red River.
 

 

Photo: xomnhiepanh.com

West Lake is majestic in all seasons, especially in summer when its waters reflect purple and red flamboyant trees. Every day, from dawn to dusk, Hanoians walk along its banks to breathe some fresh air and may be do some calisthenics before returning home. In the evening, West Lake is a place for friends and lovers to meet. Some relax in a small café by the lake, enjoying the breeze over a cup of coffee. Some go to a restaurant to eat West Lake’s famous crepes with shrimp. Others board a luxury boat and sail around the lake. More than just a pleasant destination, West Lake is an important part of Hanoians’ life.
 

 
Bach Thao Park or Hanoi Botanical Garden that is located behind Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum has been known as the green lung of the capital for more than 100 years.
 
Bach Thao is home to numerous kinds of trees that are typical for tropical rainforest like: coconut, palm, orchid, or banyan tree… Two thirds are indigenous plants, and the left are imported from other tropical regions of Africa, America and Oceania. There are old big trees that take two or three people to hug around. Here is good place for any one who is interested in botany, or looking for some nature in the city.

 

 

Photo: bookin.vn

As a complex of garden, hill and lake, the botanical garden is where people come to rest under the trees, take a walk around the lake, or watch pigeons on the islet. There is a small bridge connecting the land and the islet in the lake where pigeons are raised. The bridge and the hill are popular among the locals as nice places for taking wedding photos. Visiting Bach Thao Park in autumn, the wedding season, tourists easily catch the sight of bride and groom posing in front of camera. Sometimes, there are up to four or five couples taking photos at the same time in the park and attracting attention of many people around. In normal day, there are a lot of local people come here for morning or late afternoon exercise, playing chess in leisure time or just relaxing after a hard workday. Tourists can visit the park to know more about the locals’ lifestyle and enjoin the peace with them.
 

Photo: tripadvisor.com