What you can see in the Old Quarter of Hanoi Vietnam

Hanoi is one of the world’s most ancient cities, lying on the banks of the Red River. As you enter the Vietnamese capital, you’ll find streets in the Old Quarter of Hanoi lined with well-preserved colonial structures, old pagodas, and one-of-a-kind museums.

This French-colonial city offers wonderful gastronomy, active nightlife, and unique silks alongside unusual handicrafts. Furthermore, it makes a terrific destination to explore on foot. Within the city, you’ll also discover a cosmopolitan community shaped by influences from China, France, and Russia.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake

A tour around the lake at the heart of the Old Quarter of Hanoi is nearly mandatory for any visitor. Ideally, visit early morning when locals congregate to exercise, read the newspaper, and enjoy thick Vietnamese coffee from footpath baristas. You can visit Hoan Kiem Lake for free, though you must pay to enter Ngoc Son Temple – a small temple sitting on an island in the lake’s center.

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is an amazing remnant of Vietnamese history and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its center flag tower stands 40 meters tall and serves as the most recognized symbol of Hanoi. Moreover, this location formed the heart of ancient Hanoi and functioned as the city’s political center for eight centuries.

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay

Gliding past the famed limestone cliffs rising from the green sea of Ha Long Bay is a must-do on any trip to Vietnam. You can visit the bay on a day trip from Hanoi ; however, due to the long travel time, an overnight cruise is the better choice.

Water Puppetry

The Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi honors the traditional art of Vietnamese water puppetry. The city has a long history with this art form, and multiple theaters offer visitors this distinctly Vietnamese twist on Asia’s puppet heritage. In particular, the Thang Long Puppet Theatre stands as the original – and largely the best – theatre in town. There, puppets dance and glide gracefully across the liquid stage while puppet masters guide them from behind a screen.

The Perfume Pagoda

The Perfume Pagoda

The Perfume Pagoda is a stunning temple complex that builders erected in the 15th century. Lush trees and running streams surround this Buddhist site, which workers carved into a mountain range through a maze of rock passageways. Additionally, the temple sits in the Son Mountains, some 60 kilometers south of Hanoi, and the journey there is an adventure in itself.

Old Quarter of Hanoi

The Old Quarter of Hanoi forms the traditional heart of the Vietnamese capital. Each of its 36 streets dedicates itself to a specific trade – haberdashery, porcelain, hardware – and visitors can spend hours strolling the narrow lanes. Indeed, these streets have changed little over the decades, preserving their authentic character.