by Grenouille vert (cropped image) / [CC BY-SA 3.0
Table of Contents
A. About Hanoi
Nickname: Paris of the EastLocated 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.
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.
The Not-So-Good:
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
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.
by Alexey Komarov / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Vietnam Museum of Ethnology 6
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
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) 5.5
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.
by Rolf Müller / CC BY-SA 3.0
# IMPERIAL CITADEL OF THANG LONG 5.5
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
# Long Bien Bridge 5.5
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
by Thang Nguyen / CC BY-SA 2.0
# Tran Quoc Pagoda 5.5
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
by Thang Nguyen / CC BY-SA 2.0
# Den Ngoc Son Temple 5.5
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 5.5
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 Vietnamese Women 5.5
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.
by Aumusee / CC BY-SA 3.0
C. Other notable sights and attractions in Hanoi
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- Museum of Fine Art of Vietnam 5.5
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum 5.5
- West Lake 5.5
- Hoa Lo Prison 5.5
- Thang Long Water Puppet Theater 5
- One Pillar Pagoda 5
- Lotte Observation Deck 5
- Hanoi Opera House 5
- St. Joseph's Cathedral 5
- Thay Pagoda (Master's Pagoda) 5
- Kim Lien Pagoda 5
- Vietnam Military History Museum 5
- Bach Ma Temple 5
- Ho Chi Minh Museum 5
D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Hanoi
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: