Best Things To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam

Are you looking for what to do in Hanoi?

PLACES TO SEE

  • Ho Chi Minh Museum
  • Vietnam Military Museum
  • Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
  • Old Quarter
  • Vietnamese Women’s Museum
  • Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
  • Temple of Literature & National Uniiversity
  • Hoan Kiem Lake
  • Hoa Lo Prison
  • Ho Chi Minh’s residence
  • West Lake
  • Thang Long Water puppet theatre
  • Hang Gai Street
  • St Joseph’s Cathedral
  • Fine Art’s Museum

Below we have a list of things to do in Hanoi and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Hanoi getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Hanoi with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Hanoi

Here is the list of things to do in Hanoi and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Old Quarter

    4.1 (4115 Votes)
    Old Quarter

    Restaurant, Leisure, Market, Shopping Center

    Wander along the streets of Old Quarter to really experience the inherent charm of Hanoi. The pulse of the city, the Old quarter is full of typical Vietnamese sights and scenes. It is an area well-known for the history, the architecture, the enormous amount and diversity of products and even the everyday life of its residents. Visitors will certainly be eager to wander along the old streets to...Read more
  2. Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

    Art And Culture, Entertainment, Performance, Theatre

    Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is a familiar address for both domestic tourists and foreign ones, who want to enjoy water puppet shows and discover the beauty of this unique Vietnam traditional art. The show depicts traditional Vietnamese life and scenes from communal entertainment. It is a fascinating experience for both adults and kids. Immerse in the totally magical and 'out of the world' ...Read more
  3. Hoan Kiem Lake

    4.6 (3970 Votes)
    Hoan Kiem Lake

    Water Body, Lake, Nature

    The Hoan Keim lake offers endless opportunities for people watching and recreation. A daily tableau for morning walkers and star-gazed couples, it’s interesting to witness the flurry of activity that this lake is privy to. A massive home base to many local eateries and hawker stalls, the lake is indispensable in Hanoi’s local scene. Also, visit the popular attractions in the c...Read more
  4. Temple Of Literature And National University

    Art And Culture, Monument, Nature, University

    Also know as Van Mieu, The Temple of Literature is one of the oldest major monuments of Vietnam. It’s home to remnants of Vietnam's pre 19th and 20th century history.. Founded by King Ly Thanh Tong in 1070, it became the site of the country's first University, Quoc Tu Giam in 1076. The ambiance is serene and the beautifully landscaped grounds ooze spiritual calm. Also, visit the pop...Read more
  5. Ho Chi Minh Museum

    4.3 (1883 Votes)
    Ho Chi Minh Museum

    Art And Culture, Museum

    The Ho Chi Minh Museum explains the life and times of Ho Cho Minh, perhaps the most celebrated human being in Vietnam. There are a number of interesting photos, manuscripts and translations of Ho’s writings that will educated the visitor about the Vietnam in Ho’s days. Check out the ‘8 Requirements of Society’ written by Ho that makes for an interesting read. Also,...Read more
  6. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

    Art And Culture, Museum, Landmark, Square

    The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum holds the embalmed remains of Ho Chi Minh; this larger than life granite structure stands in over Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Ba Dinh Square which is situated in front of the mausoleum is a landmark in it’s own right as the President Ho declared the independence of Vietnam on September 2, 1945 there. The square is comprised of an interesting mish ...Read more
  7. Hoa Lo Prison

    4.3 (1259 Votes)
    Hoa Lo Prison

    Art And Culture, River, Nature

    The Hao Lo Prison was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for prisoners of war during the Vietnam War when it was sarcastically known to American prisoners of war as the "Hanoi Hilton". The prison was demolished during the 1990s, though the gatehouse remai...Read more
  8. Vietnamese Women's Museum

    4.3 (3156 Votes)
    Vietnamese Women's Museum

    Art And Culture, Art Museum, Museum, History Museum

    The Vietnamese women’s museum highlights the heroic struggles and contribution of Vietnamese women in the society and culture. It holds an incredible collection of posters, fabrics and tribal artefacts dating back to the wartime. The museum is labelled in both English and French and is noteworthy to see the invaluable contribution of women during the war. Also, visit the popular att...Read more
  9. Vietnam Museum Of Ethnology

    4.4 (2611 Votes)
    Vietnam Museum Of Ethnology

    Art And Culture, Museum

    Vietnam Museum of Ethnology exhibits objects of interest and information from the indigenous ethnic groups in Vietnam. It’s a fascinating visit where one can learn about interesting facts related to Vietnam’s culture and ethnic groups. Also, visit the popular attractions in the city by following Hanoi itinerary 2 days.
  10. Ho Chi Minh's Residence

    Art And Culture, Museum, Estate, Lake

    Ho's residence, the well-known house on stilts, is behind the Presidential Palace, a magnificent French colonial building built in 1901 for the resident French governor. Instead of the glorious structure nearby, Ho chose to live in this humble house from 1958 to 1969. Facing a beautifully landscaped lake, the structure does have its charm, and the spartan room is an interesting glimpse into th...Read more
  11. West Lake

    4.5 (3313 Votes)
    West Lake

    Waterfront, Walking Area, Lake, Picnic Spot

    The largest lake n Hanoi is a popular spot for gathering, surrounded by many shops, restaurants, gardens, and hotels. It features the Tran Quoc Pagoda, Vietnamese for ‘Stabilizing the Nation’ and also the city’s oldest temple, Quan Thanh Temple. The West Lake area was once the site of the palaces and pavilions of the Trinh Lords who ruled over northern Vietnam between the 16t...Read more
  12. St Joseph's Cathedral

    4.5 (3037 Votes)
    St Joseph's Cathedral

    Art And Culture, Church, Religious Site, Cathedral

    Entering this majestic church is like walking into 1886, as little has changed since it first opened its doors. The centre of Catholicism in Hanoi is the beautifully decrepit neo-Gothic, St Joseph’s Cathedral. Built in the early days of the colony at the expense of a revered pagoda that was demolished in the name of France's mission civilisatrice, St Joseph’s opened its doors to wo...Read more
  13. Fine Arts Museum

    4.3 (2156 Votes)
    Fine Arts Museum

    Art And Culture, Art Museum, Museum

    Housed in a recently renovated colonial building, this museum contains the finest display of artwork in all the country, and so is a must do for anyone interested in art. Its three floors contain examples from all periods up to the present, and the variety of media is particularly impressive. Wood carvings, ceramic statues, and lacquered furniture stand beside silk, oil, and watercolour painti...Read more
  14. Hang Gai Street

    Walking Area, Market

    This is one of the better streets in the old quarter though there are several other good ones like Dinh Liet, Hang Dao, and several others. If you are in the old quarter you will probably eventually walk down this street anyways. It is a good street for silk and pictures and other fabrics and clothes. Let's face it; in a city this size with a shopaholic population you're going to find a lot to ...Read more
  15. Vietnam Military History Museum

    Museum, Military Museum, History Museum, Educational Site

    The museum makes for an interesting visit, especially it’s display of Vietnam’s struggle for independence and the ensuing historic war. The museum has indoor and outdoor exhibits that highlight the various military weapons and artifacts used in the war. Some of the objects displayed are as old as thousand years and date the starting of the Vietnamese civilization with special impor...Read more