Top Things to Do in the Hanoi | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Hanoi

Places To Visit In Hanoi

Cau The Huc

Cau The Huc, or the Red Bridge, is a beautiful wooden bridge connecting the Hoan Kiem Lake bank to the Ngoc Son Temple in the middle of the lake. The gorgeous red colour of the bridge is a stunning contrast to the green water of the lake. You'll find many tourists taking photographs, especially in the evenings when the bridge is lit up. Constructed in the traditional Vietnamese style, the architecture of the Cau The Huc is bound to leave the visitors completely awestruck, serving as an icon of Hanoi. Tourists can also access the Dac Nguyet Lau, translated literally as 'Moonlight Tower', via the beautiful bridge as well.Cau The Huc is a Bright Red Bridge in Hoan Kiem Lake, Built in Traditional Vietnamese Architecture (Source)The Red Bridge was created way back in time with the help of roughly hewn wood that was painted a rich and vibrant red color. It was initially constructed to celebrate the first rays of the sun, serving as the place to enjoy the warm sunshine. According to the local legend and folklore, the bridge had been broken sometime during the 19th century. It was quickly restored, however, with the aid of reinforced concrete. The wooden railings remained in place though as well as its distinctive red color. The Cau The Huc has taken a curved shape at present that resembles a shrimp.Cau The Huc is a Major Tourist Attraction of Hanoi, And is Always Crowded with Tourists and Locals (Source)It is a common sight to catch sight of people standing on Cau The Huc early in the morning in order to catch a glimpse of the spectacular scenery reflected on the waters of the Hoan Kiem Lake. It also happens to be a photographer's delight, with the clicking of cameras being a common occurrence here. The afternoon sun does not deter the visitors though, as it happens to be an apt time for visiting the temple and relaxing on the bridge, catching the magnificent scenery all around. Late evening is the time when one finds romantic couples engrossed with each other on the Red Bridge. Tourists are often seen strolling on the bridge in search of fresh air when the climate of Hanoi is hot and sultry.How to Reach Cau The HucCau The Huc Links Ngoc Son Temple and the Hoan Kiem Lake Shore in Hanoi, Vietnam (Source)Cau The Huc is situated in Hoan Kiem Lake, connecting the Ngoc Son Temple to the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake. It is located within the heart of Hanoi and can be easily accessed on foot. However, there are public buses plying from each part of the city as well. Bus No. 31 carries passengers from the predominantly expat neighborhood of Tay Ho to the Hoan Kiem Lake in about 39 minutes while cyclos are available within the Old Quarter for visitors looking to ride a short distance to the bridge. Single individuals often use the motorcycle taxi or Xe Om to visit the city center and the Cau The Huc by spending VND 15,000 - VND 20,000 for a distance of 2 KM. However, groups prefer to travel by metered taxis that are more cost effective. Cau The Huc in Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam (Source)In spite of being a simple wooden structure, the Cau The Huc, or Red Bridge of the rising sun as it is referred to, remains an important part of the historical heritage of Hanoi to date. Read More

DIY Box in Hanoi is a quaint 'Do It Yourself' workspace where you can spend some time creating leather goods while sipping coffee. It also has handcrafted leather and coffee workshop. The friendly staff here will guide you through the process, you can then easily spend two to three hours in the workshop and take your own DIY leather souvenir back home. As the name suggests, you can design wallets, bags, passport holders and bracelets using leather here. It is a good place to learn about the world of leather and leather-crafting and then practise use of tools like hammers and needles in order to create your final product. This place is a must-visit if you want to relax and indulge in a fun and delightful activity. DIY Box is a fun-filled place which will let you experience and try something completely different. You will definitely have a good time here igniting your creativity and creating beautiful leather products. Read More

Dong Xuan Market is Hanoi's oldest market located in the old quarter and stands tall over three storeys. A typical South-east Asian market, the ground floor is reserved for selling fresh seafood, vegetables and flowers. The upper floors contain all the other items like clothes, handicrafts, handbags, souvenirs, accessories and electronics - all sold at wholesale prices. Dong Xuan Market is situated at a place where the Hoan Kiem Lake lies to the south of the market while the Hang Khoai and Cau Dong street surround it. It was built by the French in the 19th century and has survived several renovations including the one after the 1994 fire. Although mostly thronged by locals, it's an interesting place for tourists to explore the colourful life of Hanoi. In the daytime, the market sells a wide variety of products like household goods, clothes, food electronics and others while in the night time, the streets are alive with flea markets, music and young backpackers sipping on Bia Hoi.If you have a few spare days to spend in Vietnam and want to immerse yourself in the Vietnamese culture, a visit to Dong Xuan market is ideal. Not only will it open you to a slice of the local life and help you meet some interesting people, but also you may get a few good gifts to bring back home as souvenirs for very less bucks. Read More

Duong Lam Ancient Village takes you on a unique journey through ancient culture and traditions of Vietnam. Tourists can admire the mossy houses with brilliant architecture dating back 400 years, and even engage in some conversation with the locals. The village is like a living museum situated in a mountainous area where tourists can get an authentic experience of Vietnamese culture. Duong Lam Ancient Village is a getaway into the quintessential Vietnamese past. An amazing hideaway spot for people who love exploring and experiencing Vietnam and its culture, the village has garnered attention due to its preservation and celebration of the traditional lifestyle and archetypal architecture. It is a treasure-house of traditional residences, temples, pagodas, lotus ponds, wooden gates, rice fields, communal halls and hidden alleyways. It's easy to get lost in the magical aura of Duong Lam, only to be rediscovered as one makes their way to the Mia Pagoda. The beautiful pagoda, with 287 statues, has the largest collection of Buddha statues in Vietnam. Certainly, Duong Lam fits the bill for any avid explorer!Duong Lam Ancient Village HistoryDuong Lam Ancient Village is a CLuster of Villages that Dates Back More Than a 1000 Years (Source) Duong Lam, a Vietnamese National Monument, is located on the northern side of the Red River delta. It is made up of 9 constituent hamlets. The village settlements are about 1200 years old, and 21 important sites have been recognized here, 10 of these which have been recognised by national and regional authorities. Duong Lam was the birthplace of Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen (of the Ngo dynasty). Both rulers led wars against Chinese kings and won national freedom.Duong Lam Ancient Village ToursThere are Half-day and Full-day Tours Available at Duong Lam Ancient Village (Source)One can take private full day tours from Hanoi to visit Duong Lam. Most itineraries include a visit to the prominent sites of the village and lunch with a local host. Instead of the latter, visitors may book lunches elsewhere in the village. This meal would approximately cost 5,000 - 20,000 Vietnamese dong. Other options include arriving at the village on your own and partaking in either a walking or cycling tour. Types of Tours:1. Half-Day Tour To Duong Lam Ancient Village2. Full Day Sustainable Tour To Culture Village Of 54 Vietnamese Ethnic Minority Groups3. Homestay EcoTour To Duong Lam Village And Ba Vi National Park (2 Days)4. Full Day Sustainable Tour To Duong Lam Ancient Village5. Food Tour At Duong Lam Ancient Village6. Harvesting Day Tour At Duong Lam Ancient Village In The North Of VietnamThings to See at Duong Lam Ancient VillageThere are 21 Important Relics at Duong Lam Ancient Village (Source)Attractions at Duong Lam include Mong Phu and Dong Sang Village Gates, Mong Phu and Dong Sang Villages, Giang Van Minh Church, Duong Lam Ancient Well, Phung Hung temple, Temple and Ngo Quyen tomb, Mia Pagoda, 5 restored communal houses, houses of Mr. Huyen, Mr. Hung and Ms. Lan (wife of the mandarin and teacher). The village gates follow the traditional architecture. Houses have courtyards and are constructed of laterite bricks. However, the most peculiar characteristic of the village is the fish bone structure of the roads. Certainly, hard to find elsewhere!How to Reach Duong Lam Ancient VillageDuong Lam Ancient Village is Located in Son Tay, Northeast of Hanoi in Vietnam (Source)Duong Lam Ancient Village is located in the Son Tay Commune, 40 kms from Hanoi city centre. It takes 2 hours by bus from the Old Quarter. Bus lines operating are 71 (from My Dinh Station), 70 (from Kim Ma station) and 77 (from Ha Dong Station). For those driving or hiring a private service, the journey lasts about an hour and a half, via Highway QL 32.Tips for Visiting Duong Lam Ancient VillageTry the Traditional Delicacis of North Vietnam at Duong Lam Ancient Village (Source)When at Duong Lam, one must try the traditional rice wine and soybean sauce! Also relish the traditional delicacies such as 'che lam' and 'banh khao'. Don't forget to carry water during your visit. The best time to visit Duong Lam Ancient Village is February, during the festival of Tet. If travelling during the summers, carry umbrellas and plan your itinerary in the early morning or late afternoon. If you're trying to avoid crowds and traffic, plan your trip during the weekdays. Be decked in appropriate clothes and footwear for your walk around the village and don't forget your sunglasses, hat and sunscreen!Duong Lam Ancient Village in Hanoi, Vietnam (Source)Duong Lam Ancient Village was awarded UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2014. Significant recognitions on national and international platforms has led to the restoration and preservation of this age-old village! Perfect for families and individuals alike, Duong Lam awaits your exploration! Read More

The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, located just across the Temple of Literature, houses a small collection of indigenous artwork of 20th and 21st centuries. It houses the country's finest collections of paintings, sculptures, lacquer, prints, and ceramics. The themes of patriotism and martyrdom abound in the artworks, while some of the effigies, lacquers, and paintings provide a glimpse of Vietnamese heritage and folktales. Colloquially known as Vien Bao Tang My Thuat Viet Nam, the museum was established in 1966. Previously a French girl's boarding school, the architecture of the building is a combination of French and Vietnamese communal houses. Its collection ranges from pre-history to modern times, with many paintings depicting the Vietnamese resistance against the French and the Americans. Most paintings are replicates, destroyed during the Vietnam war, and display features of abstract impressionism. Read More

Part of the Vietnam Military History Museum, Flag tower is one of the iconic architecture works of Vietnam built in the shape of cylinder blocks stacked with each other becoming smaller towards the top, with elegant vertical contours. The simple yet unique patterns of the tower attract tourists from all over. The top of the 33m tower offers breathtaking views. Flag Tower is one of the most iconic monuments in Hanoi. Built in 1812, this 33.4 meters high tower acted as an observation post to the Hanoi Citadel during the rule of Nguyen Dynasty. The architecture of this tower is splendid, consisting of three platforms and a pyramid-shaped tower. At the top is an eight-sided room, with eight windows in all eight directions, providing picturesque views of the whole city. There are inscriptions bearing beautiful words like, "Welcome dawn's sunlight", "Reflecting the light", and "Direct to the light" on the eastern, western and southern door of the tower respectively. Two staircases are located at the northern door, one at each side.The Top of the Flag Tower of Hanoi has an Eight-Sided Room, Providing Amazong Panoramic Views of the City (Source)The flag tower of Hanoi has witnessed a number of historical events including Vietnam's struggle for independence. It was, in 1945, that the Vietnamese National flag was first flown on the top of this famous tower. Since 1986, the Vietnamese national flag can always be seen flying on top of the flag tower. It will definitely invoke deep feelings towards Vietnam's independence, and the beautiful architecture makes it a must visit. How to Reach Flag TowerThe Flag Tower of Hanoi is Located Inside the Vietnam Military History Museum on Dien Bien Phu Street in Hanoi (Source)Flag Tower is located inside the Vietnam Military History Museum Dien Bien Phu street in the centre of Hanoi. This monument is easily accessible from any part of the city. One can hire a taxi and reach here to witness the grandeur of this place. The Flag Tower in Hanoi, Vietnam (Source)Hanoi Flag Tower should definitely be visited on your trip to Hanoi as it is an example of magnificent architecture. The beautiful edifice juxtaposed with the bright Vietnamese flag flying in the air looks absolutely mesmerizing and depicts the patriotism of the people of Hanoi. Read More

Located close to Hoan Kiem Lake, Hai Ba Trung is a 12th century temple with ornate carvings and statues of the Trung sisters. These sisters are national heroines who fought against Chinese domination in Vietnam in 1st century AD. The annual festival in January enlivens the temple with processions and cultural activities. Hai Ba Trung is a pristine temple dedicated to the two Trung Sisters, Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, in Vietnam. The Trung Sisters were military leaders who rebelled against Chinese domination. Instead of surrendering and accepting their defeat at the hands of Chinese, they decided to drown themselves and have been revered since then for their courage and strength. The Hai Ba Trung Temple is believed to be founded in 1160 by Ly Anh Tong whom the Trung Sisters visited as rain spirits. The idols in the temple are beautifully sculpted and depicts the violent death of the sisters instead of their suicide. The two sisters can be seen kneeling with their arms raised in the air. It is one of the famous temples in Vietnam, is visited by a lot of people, both locals and tourists.Hai Ba Trung FestivalHai Ba Trung Festival is Held Every January to Honour the Hai Ba Trung Temple (Source)Every year, a festival is held during the month of January to pay respect and show gratitude to the heroism of these wonderful sisters. A procession is carried out in Me Linh Commune, the birthplace of Trung Sisters. The procession includes elephants, colourful flags and people dressed in beautiful attires walking with the beat of the drums in zest. Cultural activities such as traditional dances, wrestling and flok games are also organized as a part of the festival. A large number of people participate in this festival and it is quite a sight to see. If possible, try to attend this festival and plan your trip accordingly. How to Reach Hai Ba Trung TempleHai Ba Trung Temple is Located Near Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi (Source)Hai Ba Trung Temple is located near Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi and can be reached easily by hiring a taxi from any part of the city. Hai Ba Trung Temple in Hanoi is a pious temple dedicated to two fierce sisters that fought for independence rather than becoming oppressed. This temple should be visited to pray and seek blessings from the valorous sisters and be awed by their beauty. Read More

If you love silk products, Hang Gai Street in Hanoi is the place you would want to be. Popularly called the Silk Street, you will find all kinds of silk products here, from clothes to furniture. The 300-meter long street is lined with fashion boutiques, stores, and tailor shops selling high quality and fashionable silk material and traditional Vietnamese apparel. The quality and craftsmanship of the silk is breathtaking and the prices are reasonable to attract all shopping buffs. Hang Gai Street ShoppingTan My Design is One of the Popular Shops on Hang Gai Street in Hanoi (Source)If you want to buy ready-made clothes in Hang Gai Street, make sure to visit Khai Silk and Tan My Design as they will provide you with the best quality clothes. Bargaining at Hang Gai Street is highly encouraged, so make sure that you bargain and pay not more than 50% of the original cost while shopping to save every penny. The best thing about the street is that you can buy a cloth, give it to the tailors for making suits or dresses, and they will present you with the best possible outfit in less than 24 hours. At Hang Gai Street, do not forget to purchase tons of colourful Vietnamese souvenirs for your loved ones. For getting dresses tailored, one can bring in designs from outside and give it to the tailors. The attitude of shopkeepers towards customers here is very customer-friendly. They deliver the stitched clothes latest by 48 hours. One gets a variety of options to choose from: patterned silk, drawn silk or printed silk etc.Non-Silk ProductsThere are other items available here as well, the most popular article being furniture, especially the ones with the mother of pearl inlay. It also has other objects like paintings - both oil and water colored ones. There are a number of Art Galleries that line the street which are worthy of a visit. Few of them are Green Palm Gallery and the Long Art Gallery. In addition to that there are a number of souvenir shops as well, selling objects as basic as notebooks, handmade bags, postcards and prints to things of antique and traditional values like lamp, ceramic statues, sandalwood sculptures and lacquered homewares, all of which are exquisite and ornamental.How to Reach Hang Gai StreetHang Gai Street in Old Quarter of Hanoi, Vietnam (Source)Hang Gai Street is located on the edge of Old Quarter near the north-west edge of Hoan Kiem Lake. It is close to other famous streets of Old Quarter like Hang Hom, Hang Quat and Hang Dao, site of the popular Hanoi Night Market. You can easily reach Hang Gai Street by hiring a taxi from any part of Hanoi. The closest bus stop is the BDX Bo Ho, accessible by bus lines 9 and 14. Hang Gai Street HistoryHang Gai Street, Like the Rest of Hanoi's Old Quarter, Displays Buildingsof French Colonial Architecture (Source) With a backdrop of traditional and modern Vietnamese architecture, Hang Gai Street has a deep history. Part of the 36 streets of Old Quarter, many buildings had been destroyed in the 19th century itself, but this place still features a few old and yellow buildings, which are now on the verge of fading away. A number of Vietnamese ethnicities and cultures can be seen here, engaging in the form of their unique handicrafts, designs and weaving.Hang Gai Street in Hanoi, Vietnam (Source)Hang Gai Street is a shoppers paradise where you can purchase some of the most beautiful and colourful souvenirs and silk outfits. This street is perfect to indulge in a retail theory and shop your heart out. Read More

Hanoi Botanical Gardens, locally known as the Bach Thao Park, is a green space located in the Ba Dinh district. It was built when the French ruled over the country. The garden is home to many different varieties of trees like coconut, palm, orchid, banyan, along with various species of animals such as squirrels and long-tailed macaques. The Botanical Garden is spread over an area of 10 hectares and includes trails, fields, gardens, lakes and an island. Scientists and botanists have also planted a number of endemic and diverse tree species from Vietnam as well from other parts of the world such as Africa, Americas, and Oceania. The garden also has some bird cages and animal enclosures strewn along the way. Read More

The Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural is the world's largest mosaic mural wall, built from ceramic that extends for 6.5 km. Conceptualized by Vietnamese journalist and artist Nguyen Thu Thuy, the decorative patterns on the wall are a visual narration of the country's history from different periods, along with modern artwork and children's drawings. Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic mural is a 6.5 km stretch of wall adorned with vivid and artistic murals that add a dash of colour to the otherwise dull and monotonous street of Hanoi. Holding the record for the world's largest ceramic mosaic in the Guinness Book of World Records, the murals depict the history of Vietnam and modern art works showcasing structures of boats, dragons, lac birds, fish, pelicans and some drawings made by children. Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic mural was built to mark the 1000th anniversary of the founding of the capital Thang Long. The design and construction started in 2007, giving this drab road, a colorful vibe. It was the genius mind of Nguyen Thu Thuy, a journalist, that came up with this wonderful idea to revamp the walls into colourful art pieces.The Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural was Made By Artists From All Over the World (Source)The vibrant Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural was made not just by local artists, but a large number of artists from all over the world, coming together to create these beautiful murals. The eye-catching murals are made using Terracotta and ceramic tesserae, beautifying the city and giving it colour and radiance. How to Reach Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic MuralThe Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural is Located on 6.5 km stretch in Truc Bach District of Hanoi (Source)Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural is located in the Truc Bach District in Hanoi, close to West Lake, Truc Bach Lake and the Long Bien Bridge, painted on the walls of the Red River Dike system. This place can be easily reached by hiring a taxi from any part of the city. Hanoi Ceramin Mosaic Mural in Hanoi, Vietnam (Source)Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic mural is an artistic and colourful large mosaic paintings painted on walls that should be visited to know about the city through paintings and murals. This place is a must visit to appreciate the art and click plenty of pictures with beautiful backdrops. Read More