Itineraries
Where to stay
The Old Quarter for first-timers who want to walk everywhere; the Hoan Kiem lakeside and French Quarter for wider, calmer streets; Truc Bach and Ba Dinh for a quieter base near the citadel.
The areas: Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem lakeside and French Quarter, Truc Bach and Ba Dinh.
Where to stay in Hanoi: areas and adviceHotels in HanoiPlaces to see
All things to do in VietnamViewpointBa Dinh SquareThe broad square in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, with flag ceremonies at dawn and in the evening.Entry: Free to visit; mausoleum hours are limited
FoodBa Trieu street stallsSidewalk cafes and food stalls south of Hoan Kiem Lake serving pho and chicken fried rice.Entry: Pay as you go
MarketDong Xuan MarketHanoi's big wholesale market, selling fabric, souvenirs and snacks in its halls and surrounding lanes.Entry: Pay as you go
NeighborhoodHanoi Old QuarterA maze of narrow trading streets north of Hoan Kiem Lake, busy from morning until late.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumHoa Lo Prison RelicPreserved cells and exhibits of a colonial-era prison that was later used during the war.Entry: Day ticket; night tours are separate
NatureHoan Kiem LakeA lake at the heart of central Hanoi, ringed by a shaded path and crossed by a red bridge.Entry: Free to visit
RuinsImperial Citadel of Thang LongThe UNESCO-listed royal citadel site, with gates, palace foundations and excavated layers of the old capital.Entry: Pay at the gate
ViewpointLong Bien BridgeAn iron bridge over the Red River with a narrow walkway, river views and stairs to Banana Island.Entry: Free to visit
TempleNgoc Son TempleA temple on a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake, reached by the red The Huc Bridge.Entry: ₫[fee]
FoodNgu Xa island food streetsLakeside streets on Truc Bach island known for pho cuon and other rice noodle dishes.Entry: Pay as you go
TransportNoi Bai International AirportHanoi's airport, about 45 km from the center by airport bus, taxi or ride-hailing.Entry: Domestic and international flights
TempleOne Pillar PagodaA small pagoda raised on a single pillar within the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex.Entry: ₫[fee]
ChurchSt. Joseph's CathedralA twin-towered Catholic cathedral facing a small square west of Hoan Kiem Lake.Entry: Active church; respect services
FoodTa Hien StreetAn Old Quarter street whose corner with Luong Ngoc Quyen fills with bia hoi drinkers at night.Entry: Pay as you go
TempleTemple of LiteratureA temple to Confucius and home of the country's first university, laid out as walled courtyards.Entry: Pay at the gate; night tours are separate
NatureTruc Bach LakeA small lake beside West Lake, with the lakeside Thanh Nien road running between the two.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumVietnamese Women's MuseumA museum on women's lives, crafts and roles in Vietnamese history, open daily.Entry: ₫[fee]