by Grenouille vert (cropped image) / [CC BY-SA 3.0

Where French Colonial Charm Meets Vietnamese Tradition

A. About Hanoi

Nickname: Paris of the East

Located in the north of the country on the Red River, Hanoi is the vibrant capital of Vietnam.

It features a mix of old-age charm and a modern cosmopolitan outlook.

Next to relics of its French-occupied past, you can discover beautiful traditional Vietnamese monuments such as more than six hundred restored temples and pagodas, and numerous scenic lakes and parks.

Best Things to do in Hanoi

The Good

First of all, Hanoi enjoys a fantastic location on the Red River with numerous lakes within the city. 

Furthermore, prices in Hanoi are very affordable and the city is scoring well for its sights, safety, and delicious cuisine

Finally, with Halong Bay, just within easy reach the capital of Vietnam offers fantastic excursions.

Negative Aspects

Fortunately, Hanoi has no prominent flaw.

To certain degree cleanliness (due to some pollution and chaotic traffic) can be an issue as well as somewhat limited public transport.


B. Best Things to Do in Hanoi in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than thirty sights in Hanoi. The following sights and attractions contribute to a very impressive score of 6.35/10 in this most important category:

# Old Quarter 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

In the historic Hanoi neighborhood and its thirty-six old-style narrow streets, you can discover charming colonial architecture, Buddhist temples and pagodas, plenty of hip cafés, bars, and restaurants with delicious Vietnamese cuisine.

City District

Best Things to do in Hanoi

by Alexey Komarov / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Vietnam Museum of Ethnology 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

This museum highlights the everyday life of Vietnam's 54 ethnic minorities with impressive models of traditional village houses and beautiful displays of artifacts.

Open-Air Museum Established: 1997 | Surface: 4.3 hectares / 10.8 acres | Buildings: 10 | Visitors (2018): 500,000

by Rungbachduong / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Originally erected in honor of the philosopher Confucius in 1070, this picturesque temple complex with a lake, five courtyards, and various temples and other buildings covers an area of over 54,000 square meters.

Temple Complex Built: 1070

by Greg Willis / CC BY-SA 2.0

 

# Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, this scenic lake is home to Ngoc Son Temple on a small island, reached by an iconic red bridge.

Lake

by Rolf Müller / CC BY-SA 3.0

# IMPERIAL CITADEL OF THANG LONG 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Situated at the heart of Hanoi, this beautiful and expansive historical site is Hanoi's only World Heritage Site.

Citadel 🌏 World Heritage Site: since 2010

by Alex 69200 vx / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

# Tran Quoc Pagoda 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Located on a small peninsula near the southeastern shore of the West Lake, this iconic 15-meter-high pagoda is made up of eleven levels and is the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi.

Buddhist Pagoda Completed: 6th century | Height: 15 m

Best Things to do in Hanoi

by Thang Nguyen / CC BY-SA 2.0

 

# Den Ngoc Son Temple 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Connected to the lakeshore by an elegant scarlet bridge, the atmospheric Ngoc Son Temple (or The Temple of the Jade Mountain) sits on a small tree-sheltered island on the north side of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Temple Completed: 18th century

by Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Quan Thanh Temple 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

This remarkable Taoist temple complex contains a beautiful gate, the imposing bronze statue of Tran Vu (measuring almost 4 meters), a bronze bell, shrines, and carved poems.

Taoist Temple Complex Completed: 17th century

by Miya.m / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Museum of Fine Art of Vietnam 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

The Museum of Fine Arts of Vietnam in Hanoi showcases a vast collection of Vietnamese art, blending historical and modern pieces in a uniquely styled building.

Fine Arts Museum  Completed: 1966

by Daaé / Public domain

 

# Museum of Vietnamese Women 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Built to honor the role of Vietnamese women in society, this interesting museum presents artifacts, costumes, crafts, memoirs, and photographs from the past one hundred years.

Museum

Best Things to do in Hanoi

by Aumusee / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

🌎 = World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Hanoi

#11 | Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum 4 2 out of 5 stars

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, completed in 1975, preserves the body of Vietnam's revolutionary leader and blends Soviet and Vietnamese design influences.

Mausoleum

by NKSTTSSHNVN / CC BY-SA 4.0

#12 | Hanoi Train Street (Đường Tàu) 4 2 out of 5 stars

Đường Tàu in Hanoi is a famous street where train tracks run perilously close to residential buildings, attracting numerous tourists despite frequent safety-related closures.

Historic Train Street

by Radek Kucharski / CC BY-SA 2.0

#13 | Hoa Lo Prison Memorial 4 2 out of 5 stars

Hoa Lo Prison, originally built by the French in the late 19th century, was used to detain Vietnamese political prisoners.

The prison memorial showcases exhibits on the harsh conditions and brutal treatment experienced by inmates.

Historic Train Street

by Helenakfronczak / CC BY-SA 4.0

#14 | Long Bien Bridge 4 2 out of 5 stars

Finished in 1902, this historic cantilever bridge across the Red River connects Hanoi with the main port of Haiphong. Only half of the bridge retains its original shape.

Bridge Completed: 1902 | Length: 2.4 kilometers / 1.5 miles

Best Things to do in Hanoi

by Thang Nguyen / CC BY-SA 2.0

    • West Lake 4
    • Thang Long Water Puppet Theater 4
    • One Pillar Pagoda 4
    • Lotte Observation Deck 4
    • Hanoi Opera House 4
    • St. Joseph's Cathedral 4
    • Thay Pagoda (Master's Pagoda) 4
    • Kim Lien Pagoda 4
    • Vietnam Military History Museum 4
    • Bach Ma Temple 4
    • Ho Chi Minh Museum 4
 

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Hanoi

HALONG BAY 8 4.1 out of 5 stars

Dotted with huge limestone islands and caves, Halong Bay is Vietnam’s most famous sight, well-known for its unique beauty.

Bay 🌏 172 km from Hanoi, World Heritage Site since 1994

by Arianos / Public domain

 

Tay Phuong Pagoda (ca. 32 km from Hanoi) 5

Perfume Pagoda (ca. 60 km from Hanoi) 5


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Hanoi (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Hanoi for at least three entire days:

🌏  HALONG BAY (172 km from Hanoi) 8 

Old Quarter 6 

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology 6 

Temple of Literature 6 

Hoan Kiem Lake 5

🌏 IMPERIAL CITADEL OF THANG LONG 5

Tran Quoc Pagoda 5

Den Ngoc Son Temple 5 

Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts 5

Quan Thanh Temple 5