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

Plan Your Travel To Hanoi

Places To Visit In Hanoi

Statue of Lenin

The Statue of Lenin located on Nguyen Thai Hoc avenue in Hanoi is the legacy of the communist leader's influence on the culture and politics of Vietnam. The legacy of Vladimir Lenin may have fallen in Russia, but his statue stands tall in communist Vietnam. Constructed in 1980, the stone sculpture is a sign of the Bolshevik history. It is one of the very few Lenin statues left in the world as a reminder of the impact USSR had on Vietnamese and world political movements. Located in a small park, Statue of Lenin symbolizes the close relationship that Vietnam shared with Soviet Union and the influence of Lenin's ideologies in Vietnam. You can witness the grandeur of the statue and also spend some time relaxing in the verdant park. Statue of Lenin is an integral part of Vietnam's history signifying close ties with the Soviet Union and communism. This statue should be visited to take a close look at Lenin. Read More

Popularly known as the 'International Intersection', Ta Hien Street in Hanoi is where the western culture meets the eastern. A beer and food heaven, this crowded street is full of small alleyways with luxury restaurants, sidewalk shops, and local vendors selling affordable beer and delicious Vietnamese dishes. It is called the Beer Street of Hanoi for its super famous beer. Ta Hien Street is undoubtedly a must-visit place in the city, so locals and tourists hang out on this narrow and crowded street, especially during weekends. It is called the Beer Street of Hanoi for its super famous beer. There is no better place Ta Hien Street to explore the dynamic nightlife of Hanoi. Read More

The Temple of Literature, also known as Van Mieu, is an 11th-century Vietnamese temple dedicated to Confucius. Built in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, it was one of Vitenam's first universities, teaching principles of Confucianism. Today, the temple honors Vietnam's greatest scholars. It features picturesque pavilions, halls, and statues surrounded by scenic ponds and gardens. The walls are carved with names of exceptional scholars, and the altars are often used by students praying for a good result. The Temple of Literature is also famous for being home to the Imperial Academy, the first National University in Vietnam. This was the first national central institution of higher learning for the Chinese dynasties and the nobles of the community. It is one of the most peculiar temples in Vietnam as it is dedicated to Confucius, historically serving as a place where scholars and philosophers follow Confucianism, that associates with a more humanistic religion. The historic temple is still a well-preserved edifice encircled by picturesque landscapes. The temple of literature in Hanoi is a timeless beauty imprinted on the back of 100,000 Vietnam Dong banknotes. Considered one of the significant cultural places in Vietnam, this ancient temple brims with mythical and historical tales. Read More

Ca Tru is an ancient genre of Vietnamese chamber music featuring female vocalists. These hour long performances combine poetry, music and a variety of traditional melodic forms, initially used to entertain the royal and wealthy people, but now also performed at weddings and banquets. Thang Long Ca Tru Theatre is worth a visit if you love history and art. Thang Long Ca Tru Theatre is a concert hall located in the heart of the Old Quarter area of Hanoi. It specializes in hosting Ca tru musicals that showcase the traditional art form, indigenous to Northern Vietnam. The art lovers of Vietnam particularly cherish the classic performances that depict the ancient culture of the nation. The audience is spellbound by the unique musical form comprising of 100 odd melodies packed into a concert that usually takes about 45 minutes of rendition. This form of music has received recognition by the UNESCO that depicted it as an 'intangible asset' of the country’s rich heritage. The theater is a restored home where time seems to stop courtesy, the lilting music and melodious beats of Ca tru. The performers make use of wooden castanets or pieces of woods that produce musical sounds when clicked together.Ca Tru is a Traditional Vietnamese Musical Performance Only Performed by Females (Source)The concert can be likened to a type of chamber music with Ca tru often being referred to as hat a dao or hat noi. Strangely, it features only female singers based in North Vietnam. Traditionally the musical performances were meant to entertain the rich and mighty of the land along with the royalty. It has also been called as a geisha type of entertainment with shows being enacted in the royal courts and religious places. Having originated in the 11th century, Ca tru was later performed in parlors with the vocalists enthralling the audiences there. Having gained recognition by UNESCO in 2009, this form of art has found many takers with the Thang Long Ca Tru Theatre being the only hall holding shows regularly for the masses.How to Reach Thang Long Ca Tru TheatreThe Thang Long Ca Tru Theatre is located at 28 Hang Buom Street, Hanoi. It is situated right in the middle of the Old Quarter and can be accessed on foot from the food triangle in the same area. Visitors taking up accommodation in the posh hotels might find the metered taxis most appropriate for reaching the theater.Ca Tru Thang Long Theatre in Hanoi, Vietnam (Source)Thang Long Ca Tru Theatre is the place to go to when one wants to enjoy the traditional musical performances of Vietnam. Ca tru is a dying art form with the UNESCO recognizing it as an 'intangible heritage' worth preserving. Read More

The water puppet show is an ancient art form in Hanoi dating back to the 11th century when the rice fields flooded, and the villagers entertained each other by standing in water with puppets. Thang Long Water Puppet Theater offers the most authentic experience: a Vietnamese orchestra playing traditional songs about agricultural harvests and mythical legends acted out by puppets in a pool of water. Water puppetry is a famous ancient Vietnamese tradition that has been practiced for thousands of years. And when in Vietnam, there is no better place to experience it than at The Thang Long Water Theater in Hanoi. A popular tourist spot, it stays open all days of the week. In a unique performance like no other, historical stories are told through puppets on water. Read More

Thanh Chuong Viet Palace is home to thousands of cultural and historical artefacts, a bunch of ancient houses, statues, lotus ponds and many images depicting Vietnamese culture. It takes the tourist on a journey through varied regions and traditions that the Vietnamese have lived in. The striking architecture and elegant patterns of the palace are a delight to the eye. Thanh Chuong Viet Palace is a historically and culturally rich place reflecting traditional Vietnamese architecture and art. The palace comprises of 13 ancient houses surrounded by verdant banyan tree, towers, theatres for events, chess boards and serene lotus ponds. It exhibits elements of 20th-century Vietnamese architecture. The old traditional houses of the Muong ethnic group and the 300-year-old Hue imperial house are the highlights here, exhibiting ancient Vietnamese architecture. The five-tier waterfall, bubbling with water and emitting white smoke, enhances the beauty of the palace. This enchanting palace also houses a plethora of paintings and over 2000 Vietnamese antiques including ceramics and statues. Thanh Chuong Viet Palace Combines the Natural Beauty, Traditional Architecture and Culture of Vietnam (Source)Situated in the forest of the Soc Son Mountain, the Thanh Chuong Viet Palace is a place of natural beauty. You can sit by the lotus ponds to relax, have a cup of tea at the wooden tables, or nap by laying down on the bamboo raffles amidst cool breeze and chirpings of birds. The restaurant here offers a traditional Vietnamese meal to visitors, and the Long Dinh Theatre here hosts regular water puppet shows. Many dance and music performances are frequently held at the palace, depicting Vietnam's culture and past. Do not forget to buy colourful handcrafted souvenirs as gifts for your loved ones from Thanh Chuong Viet Palace.Thanh Chuong Viet Palace HistoryThanh Chuong Viet Palace was Founded by Thanh Chuong, a Contemporary Vietnamese Artist (Source)Thanh Chuong Viet Palace was founded by Thanh Choung, a contemporary artist and art collector in 2001. The palace is home to Chuong's artworks and ancient Vietnamese antiques that he had collected over years. It was only in 2009 that the palace opened its gates to visitors after the visit of Queen Silvia of Sweden. How to Reach Thanh Chuong Viet PalaceThanh Chuong Viet Palace is Located at the Soc Son Mountain on the Outskirts of Hanoi, Vietnam (Source)Thanh Chuong Viet Palace is located on Soc Son mountain and is at a distance of around 30 km from Hanoi. You can reach this palace by either hiring a taxi or traveling by bus number 64 to Xom Nui, from where you can walk to Thanh Chuong Viet PalaceThanh Chuong Viet Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam (Source)Thanh Chuong Viet palace is a perfect mélange of the historic and contemporary. The palace is a must visit to get a glimpse of how Vietnam's glorious past and contemporary culture have been fused together beautifully. Read More

Thap Rua Tower, also known as the Turtle Tower, one of Hanoi's most iconic attraction was built to commemorate Le Loi who gave Vietnam freedom from the Chinese in 1425. Constructed on a small piece of land in the Hoan Kiem Lake, this tower is inaccesible to the public, however, you can admire its glory from the edge of the lake. The Thap Rua Tower was built in the 19th century and displays distinct qualities of both French and Vietnamese architecture. It can be viewed from nearly every point at the lake, standing proudly at its centre. The little island it stands on, lovingly called "Turtle Islet", has a small population of turtles that can be spotted swimming in the lake's waters. Unfortunately, this attraction is not accessible to the public. You'll have to settle for enjoying it from a distance, walking around the lake which lights up at night time. In fact, this entire area comes alive post-sunset when the restaurants and rooftop bars are full of life. Read More

Covering an area of 50 hectares, Lenin Park is spacious with a large lake, plenty of pathways for jogging or walking, benches to read, badminton courts and a few rides for children. The park is also called the Reunification park as it was established in 1960 with the hope of reunification at which time the country was divided. Also known as Lenin Park, Thong Nhat Park is a huge green space with plenty of verdant trees that act as lungs in the industrial city of Hanoi. The aura of peace and tranquility that surrounds this park makes it a perfect place to spend a quiet evening with your loved ones. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Thong Nhat Park is also ideal to indulge in sports activities and exercise or to just catch a breath of fresh air, surrounded by the picturesque beauty of the lush green trees swaying with the wind and colourful flowers blooming all around.A number of locals can also be spotted taking a stroll, chatting with friends or having a romantic moment, with small children running freely in the park. A pristine lake, Bay Mau Lake, is also located here that enhances its beauty tenfold. Spread over an area of 7 hectares, this lake provides people with an opportunity to indulge in boating. This lovely park, with its cheerful and positive aura, is the perfect place to unwind in Hanoi, spending some moments in the lap of nature. Thong Nhat Park History Thong Nhat Park, or Reunification Park, was Built as a Symbol of North Vietnam's Desire for the Country's Unity (Source) Thong Nhat Park was designed and planned by French Urban planners during the colonial rule. However, it was built and completed by Hanoi People's Committee in 1961. This beautiful park stands as a symbol of North Vietnam's strong desire to reunite with South Vietnam and hence the name. In 1980, this park was also named Lenin Park to mark the 110th birthday of Lenin, a communist revolutionary, and show allegiance to Leninism. How to Reach Thong Nhat Park Thong Nhat Park is Located Near the Hanoi Circus (Source) Thong Nhat Park is situated next to Hanoi Circus and can be easily reached from Old Quarter in 15 minutes by hiring a taxi. You can also reach this park from Hoan Kiem Lake by taking a journey of 10 minutes in a taxi The park can be accessed through three gates from Tran Quoc Toan Street, Le Duan Street and Dai Co Viet Street. Thong Nhat Park is like a green oasis in the city of Hanoi. This park, with all its scenic beauty and abundant flora, is a perfect place to get away from the hustle bustle of the city and spend some peaceful moments with your loved ones. Read More

Hanoi Zoo, popularly known as the Thu Le Zoo as it is located within the Thu Le Park, is a lush green mass of land with a beautiful range of trees and flowers. The zoo consists of more than 600 animals of 100 different species like lions, tigers, leapords, elephantsa and hippos. There are many other activities in the park like boating in the lake, high speed train for kids, bubble houses and rollerblading. Established in 1977, Hanoi Zoo in Thu Le Park, initially known as the Bach Thao Gardens, provides tourists a pleasant and amusing relief from the fast paced city life of Hanoi. Spread over a stretch of 29 hectares of sprawling land, it is an urban zoo with around 800 animals, a small lake with swan-shaped pedal boats, beautiful gardens for recreation and a fun park to entertain children. There is a Lake at Thu Le Zoo Where You Can Go Boating (Source) The Hanoi Zoo consists of over 100 species of animals from across the world. It consists of more than 40 animal houses divided under five exhibition sections. There are animals of various sorts- the big cats, monkeys and reptiles. One will also find few rare species of animals preserved here, like the Indo-Chinese tigers, lions, hippos etc. The star attractions of the zoo are the native Vietnamese species like the Vietnam Pheasants, the Gibbons swinging and hanging from the dangling ropes and tyres, and Lam Nhi (the baby of the forest) ? a tiger rescued from being poached in the jungle. Exotic Animals are Kept in Cages at the Hanoi Zoo (Source) One might notice here that the size of the cages is smaller than the ones we usually find in a zoo. That is because here the primary concern was to gather knowledge about the animals rather than caring for them. However, the conservation and breeding program that has been implemented aims at improving the conditions of the animals and has received positive results. Ticket Prices at Hanoi Zoo Adults: VND 10,000,Children (Above 3 Feet): VND 5,000,Chidlren (Below 3 Feet): No Entry Fee How to Reach Hanoi Zoo The Hanoi Zoo is Located in the Ba Dinh District of Hanoi in Vietnam (Source) Thu Le Zoo is located in the Ba Dinh district of Hanoi, off the Buoi Road, close to the Voi Phuc Temple. One can take a short taxi trip or take bus numbers 55A and 55B to the Thu Le Park bus stop in order to reach the Hanoi Zoo. Tips for Visiting Hanoi Zoo Summer afternoons are the best time to visit the zoo. That is the time when most of the animals come out for sunbathing. It is a treat to watch them up close, enjoying the sun, without having to face the scorching sun ourselves. The setting sun also provides a beautiful backdrop for boating and the children can enjoy their rides in the park without having to beat the heat. One also has souvenir shops around the place for shopping and taking back mementos from the place. Thu Le Zoo in Hanoi, Vietnam (Source) The Hanoi Zoo provides one with a wholesome experience of amusement, knowledge and fun coupled with tranquility and peace. It is an absolute delight for children who have various rides like the bubble house and rollerblade. For people who love photography, this place is a delight. The zoo is thus an absolute must for tourists looking for fun beyond the city life of Hanoi Read More

The oldest in Hanoi, the Tran Quoc Pagoda was built in the 6th century during the reign of Ly Nam De Dynasty. With a height of 15 meters, the main pagoda is surrounded by an incense burning house, a museum, carved statues built in 1639 and lush greenery. Devotees pack the place during Tet festival and Buddha's birthday. One of the most popular places to visit in Hanoi, the Tran Quoc Pagoda is located on a little islet on the West Lake. This beautiful pagoda is loved for its architecture and cultural history as well as for the tranquil beauty of its location with lush gardens and a beautiful view. The grounds also contain a Bodhi Tree, which is a sapling of the original Bodhi Tree under which Prince Siddharta gained enlightenment.The Tran Quoc Pagoda continues to remain special to Vietnam and is seen as a beautiful symbol of Buddhist philosophy. People continue to throng it in large numbers, to admire its architecture, history and culture, and to celebrate important festivals. Read More