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

Plan Your Travel To Hanoi

Places To Visit In Hanoi

West Lake

West Lake, in the Tay Ho district, is quite simply the prettiest and largest manmade lake in Hanoi. It stretches across 17km and provides a scenic getaway. One can have lunch on the floating restaurants or hire a boat simply for gliding through the calm waters. Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple are some of the cultural attractions located closeby. West Lake is located in the northwest part of Hanoi. There's a pathway circling the lake which is a popular cycling track for the locals and tourists alike. A part of this massive lake is divided by Thanh Nien road to form Truc Bach Lake. The pristine lake is lined by luxury hotels and villas, boutique cafes and fine dine restaurants, lush green gardens and an array of shady trees. With an area of about 15km, this magnificent lake is best explored on a bicycle. West Lake is also a great place to take a leisurely stroll, stopping in between for refreshments in the cafes on the shore if you have a day in your hand. Read More

A local experience like no other, the cooking classes in Hanoi is perfect for learning and preparing Vietnamese dishes and learning about the local vegetables and ingredients. Hanoi Cooking Centre is one of the most popular local classes, with up to six classes offered, including a local market and street food tour. Some other renowned and popular classes are Hoa Sua School Cooking Class and Blue Butterfly Cooking Class.

One of the remarkable things about Vietnam is its people. Chatting with the locals is a good way to know Vietnam from their perspective and know the country and city. In the parks, near the lakes and temples, a group of old men and motorbike drivers gather to play the famous Chinese chess. It is quite intense to watch them play and how fast they play it but it is fun to witness it. Truc Bach Lake is one of the well-known destinations where Chinese chess is played. Tasting Vietnamese coffee is another must-have experience in Hanoi. Read More

The French Quarter in the old part of Hanoi is a relatively affluent neighborhood. Also called Little Paris, it houses many colonial buildings, quaint temples, luxury hotels, fine-dining restaurants, boutiques, cafes, bookstores, and more. Many buildings and streets showcase the architectural influence of the French, especially in the French-styled villas.