Hanoi 101 - What to visit in Hanoi
Food Scene
Ta Hien is a small street lying in famous Old Quarter of Hanoi, near Hoan Kiem Lake. The street just stretch 200 meters, but it is one of the most crowded streets in Old Quarter particularly and in Hanoi generally. Ta Hien has the most specific features of both old Hanoi and modern Hanoi. It is named “international crossroad”, drawing many foreign visitors and also Hanoi people.
On the small and crowded street of Ta Hien, you can find variety of best Hanoi street foods such as Nem chua, Vietnamese bread, noodles, sweet porridges,… Especially, in summer, Ta Hien is famous for beer.
Summer in Hanoi is quite hot and dam. And that is the reason why people choose cool beer as a preferable drinking. In the afternoon, hundreds foreign travelers and Vietnamese people gather in this small street and enjoy a cup of iced beer after a hard-working day. They just sit on a small-sized plastic chair, hold their beer mug, order some snack foods and chat with their friends. Other foreigners would like to sit in corner of the street and watch the daily life as well as the very charming clutter of Hanoi.
There are lots kinds of beer for you to choose, including draught beer, bottled beer, cask ale or black beer. Vietnamese beer is reviewed sweet and pretty slight, so you can take more than 5 mugs without getting drunk. The snack foods to serve with the beer are also diverse, from traditional ones such as nem Phung, fried nem, nem, boiled peanut to Western ones such as fried chip, cheese stick,… The prices are generally cheap.
The common thing among beer restaurant in Ta Hien is its simple and street style. Everything is on street sides with plastic chairs used for both seat and table. The customers can order a mug of beer and sit for hours without being interrupted. The comfortable and friendly atmosphere as well as great beers and foods are the main reasons for the attraction of Ta Hien Street.
The hotter the weather is, the more people come to Ta Hien. Sometimes in weekends, there is no empty seat. The street starts getting crowded after 5pm, when the sun is about to come down and the street is getting cooler.
Ta Hien Street is more and more drawing thousands backpackers from everywhere around the world. It is an unforgettable memory when you stop here to have some beer after long day of exploring the Old Quarter.
110 locals recommend
Old Quarter
Phố Lương Ngọc QuyếnTa Hien is a small street lying in famous Old Quarter of Hanoi, near Hoan Kiem Lake. The street just stretch 200 meters, but it is one of the most crowded streets in Old Quarter particularly and in Hanoi generally. Ta Hien has the most specific features of both old Hanoi and modern Hanoi. It is named “international crossroad”, drawing many foreign visitors and also Hanoi people.
On the small and crowded street of Ta Hien, you can find variety of best Hanoi street foods such as Nem chua, Vietnamese bread, noodles, sweet porridges,… Especially, in summer, Ta Hien is famous for beer.
Summer in Hanoi is quite hot and dam. And that is the reason why people choose cool beer as a preferable drinking. In the afternoon, hundreds foreign travelers and Vietnamese people gather in this small street and enjoy a cup of iced beer after a hard-working day. They just sit on a small-sized plastic chair, hold their beer mug, order some snack foods and chat with their friends. Other foreigners would like to sit in corner of the street and watch the daily life as well as the very charming clutter of Hanoi.
There are lots kinds of beer for you to choose, including draught beer, bottled beer, cask ale or black beer. Vietnamese beer is reviewed sweet and pretty slight, so you can take more than 5 mugs without getting drunk. The snack foods to serve with the beer are also diverse, from traditional ones such as nem Phung, fried nem, nem, boiled peanut to Western ones such as fried chip, cheese stick,… The prices are generally cheap.
The common thing among beer restaurant in Ta Hien is its simple and street style. Everything is on street sides with plastic chairs used for both seat and table. The customers can order a mug of beer and sit for hours without being interrupted. The comfortable and friendly atmosphere as well as great beers and foods are the main reasons for the attraction of Ta Hien Street.
The hotter the weather is, the more people come to Ta Hien. Sometimes in weekends, there is no empty seat. The street starts getting crowded after 5pm, when the sun is about to come down and the street is getting cooler.
Ta Hien Street is more and more drawing thousands backpackers from everywhere around the world. It is an unforgettable memory when you stop here to have some beer after long day of exploring the Old Quarter.
Dong Xuan market is the biggest wholesale market in The North of Vietnam. This market attracts a great number of tourists because of the advantage of the location, a long history of culture, and selling a great variety of goods. Dong Xuan night market is near other famous destinations in Hanoi and it doesn’t take time to search the stalls and buying Vietnam souvenirs so tourists should choose it as a final of the day.
Located in Hanoi Old Quarter but Dong Xuan Market is different from other streets. If each street like Hang Dao, Hang Ma only specializes in one kind of goods, goods sold in Dong Xuan Market is extremely diverse from machinery, agricultural products, textiles to Vietnamese traditional food. Especially, food in here is dirt cheap (its prices from $1 to $3) which makes this market a heaven for diners to hang out with friends.
147 locals recommend
Dong Xuan Market
Dong Xuan market is the biggest wholesale market in The North of Vietnam. This market attracts a great number of tourists because of the advantage of the location, a long history of culture, and selling a great variety of goods. Dong Xuan night market is near other famous destinations in Hanoi and it doesn’t take time to search the stalls and buying Vietnam souvenirs so tourists should choose it as a final of the day.
Located in Hanoi Old Quarter but Dong Xuan Market is different from other streets. If each street like Hang Dao, Hang Ma only specializes in one kind of goods, goods sold in Dong Xuan Market is extremely diverse from machinery, agricultural products, textiles to Vietnamese traditional food. Especially, food in here is dirt cheap (its prices from $1 to $3) which makes this market a heaven for diners to hang out with friends.
Opening hours: Friday – Sunday from 7PM-11PM
It occupies some of the busiest streets found in the Old Quarter, including Hang Duong, Hang Ngang, and Hang Dao. The market is approximately 3 km in length, and it starts at the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square and ends at the Dong Xuan market gate. Visitors are free to meander as they please, as the roads are blocked off to transportation. The market is free of commotion, as well, and visitors are instead greeted by locals conversing and music playing. The night market is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night from 8 p.m. and is open late.
Hanoians have a tradition of meandering around the streets of the Old Quarter. Every weekend, the night market makes these same streets even livelier. The market attracts a large number of visitors, including both locals and tourists from around the world. Regardless of where they come from, all visitors attend in hopes of enjoying the easy-going vibe found here. There are a number of venues there for shopping as well as amazing street food. The night market of is surely a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the city.
121 locals recommend
Hanoi Night Market
Phố Hàng BạcOpening hours: Friday – Sunday from 7PM-11PM
It occupies some of the busiest streets found in the Old Quarter, including Hang Duong, Hang Ngang, and Hang Dao. The market is approximately 3 km in length, and it starts at the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square and ends at the Dong Xuan market gate. Visitors are free to meander as they please, as the roads are blocked off to transportation. The market is free of commotion, as well, and visitors are instead greeted by locals conversing and music playing. The night market is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night from 8 p.m. and is open late.
Hanoians have a tradition of meandering around the streets of the Old Quarter. Every weekend, the night market makes these same streets even livelier. The market attracts a large number of visitors, including both locals and tourists from around the world. Regardless of where they come from, all visitors attend in hopes of enjoying the easy-going vibe found here. There are a number of venues there for shopping as well as amazing street food. The night market of is surely a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the city.
Sightseeing
West Lake was created from a curved part of Red River and appeared in several Vietnamese legends. One legend suggests that West Lake was shaped after the battle between Lac Long Quan and a nine-tailed fox spirit , and that's why the lake was once called "Fox Corpse Swamp" (Đầm Xác Cáo). Another folk story claimed that original name of the lake was "Golden Buffalo Lake" (Hồ Trâu Vàng, or Han Viet: Hồ Kim Ngưu) because it was formed from struggle of a buffalo after the disappearance of her calf. In the 11th century, the lake was named "Foggy Lake" (Han Viet: Hồ Dâm Đàm) due to its
West Lake is bordered by many significant places in the history of Hanoi and Vietnam. Tran Quoc pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Vietnam, was built in the 6th century by Ly Nam De and is located on a small island in the middle of the lake. Near Tran Quoc Pagoda is Quan Thanh Temple, one of the Four Sacred Temples of ancient Hanoi (Vietnamese: Tứ trấn Thăng Long).
West Lake
West Lake was created from a curved part of Red River and appeared in several Vietnamese legends. One legend suggests that West Lake was shaped after the battle between Lac Long Quan and a nine-tailed fox spirit , and that's why the lake was once called "Fox Corpse Swamp" (Đầm Xác Cáo). Another folk story claimed that original name of the lake was "Golden Buffalo Lake" (Hồ Trâu Vàng, or Han Viet: Hồ Kim Ngưu) because it was formed from struggle of a buffalo after the disappearance of her calf. In the 11th century, the lake was named "Foggy Lake" (Han Viet: Hồ Dâm Đàm) due to its
West Lake is bordered by many significant places in the history of Hanoi and Vietnam. Tran Quoc pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Vietnam, was built in the 6th century by Ly Nam De and is located on a small island in the middle of the lake. Near Tran Quoc Pagoda is Quan Thanh Temple, one of the Four Sacred Temples of ancient Hanoi (Vietnamese: Tứ trấn Thăng Long).
In 1882, after the French army conquered Hanoi, the cathedral was constructed and completed in 1886. The cathedral and Nha Chung area were built on the land formerly belonging to Bao Thien pagoda, which was built under Ly dynasty.
The architecture with domes of the cathedral follows the Gothic style and design of Paris Cathedral. It is 64.5m in length, 20.5m in width with two bell towers of 31.5m-height. Though the appearance of the cathedral, from the doors, the colorful window glass, to the religious paintings for decoration follows Western style, the main interior part is decorated in Vietnamese way with two typical colors yellow and red. Outside, in front of the cathedral is the statue of Mother Maria.
Today, taking advantage of beautiful architecture and good venue at the center of the city, the area surrounding the cathedral is always packed with hundreds of local people and tourists hanging out with friends for drinking, talking, and watching the street.
Nha Chung Street now becomes the “Lemon Tea” street, a popular gathering place to many youngsters in Hanoi, and home to eye-catching souvenir shops and Western style restaurants. It is not only the holly place for Christian couples hold their wedding, but also a great venue for non- religious grooms and brides to take nice wedding shots.
209 locals recommend
St. Joseph's Cathedral
40 Nhà ChungIn 1882, after the French army conquered Hanoi, the cathedral was constructed and completed in 1886. The cathedral and Nha Chung area were built on the land formerly belonging to Bao Thien pagoda, which was built under Ly dynasty.
The architecture with domes of the cathedral follows the Gothic style and design of Paris Cathedral. It is 64.5m in length, 20.5m in width with two bell towers of 31.5m-height. Though the appearance of the cathedral, from the doors, the colorful window glass, to the religious paintings for decoration follows Western style, the main interior part is decorated in Vietnamese way with two typical colors yellow and red. Outside, in front of the cathedral is the statue of Mother Maria.
Today, taking advantage of beautiful architecture and good venue at the center of the city, the area surrounding the cathedral is always packed with hundreds of local people and tourists hanging out with friends for drinking, talking, and watching the street.
Nha Chung Street now becomes the “Lemon Tea” street, a popular gathering place to many youngsters in Hanoi, and home to eye-catching souvenir shops and Western style restaurants. It is not only the holly place for Christian couples hold their wedding, but also a great venue for non- religious grooms and brides to take nice wedding shots.
This glorious neoclassical centrepiece of Hanoi's French Quarter is unmissable with its Gothic pillars and domes. The French-colonial 900-seat venue was built in 1911. On 16 August 1945 the Viet Minh–run Citizens’ Committee announced that it had taken over the city from a balcony on this building. For some drama today, book ahead for a performance here, even if just to experience the grand interior. Most weekends you’ll see Hanoi wedding couples getting photographed on the elegant front steps.
235 locals recommend
Hanoi Opera House
1 Tràng TiềnThis glorious neoclassical centrepiece of Hanoi's French Quarter is unmissable with its Gothic pillars and domes. The French-colonial 900-seat venue was built in 1911. On 16 August 1945 the Viet Minh–run Citizens’ Committee announced that it had taken over the city from a balcony on this building. For some drama today, book ahead for a performance here, even if just to experience the grand interior. Most weekends you’ll see Hanoi wedding couples getting photographed on the elegant front steps.
Tucked behind a walled compound with five separate courtyards, the Temple of Literature was built under Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty in 1070 to honour Confucius. It became Vietnam’s Imperial Academy shortly after, a prestigious school for top academics. Today, the temple honours Vietnam’s finest scholars and signifies the beginning of a uniform educational system in Vietnam.
246 locals recommend
Temple Of Literature
Temple of LiteratureTucked behind a walled compound with five separate courtyards, the Temple of Literature was built under Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty in 1070 to honour Confucius. It became Vietnam’s Imperial Academy shortly after, a prestigious school for top academics. Today, the temple honours Vietnam’s finest scholars and signifies the beginning of a uniform educational system in Vietnam.
Situated at the heart of Hanoi, the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is an outstanding place of interest not only for the capital city but also for the country as a whole. The site is one of the ten special national heritage sites proclaimed by the Prime Minister in 2009 and was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in 2010. Its Outstanding Universal Values are reflected in its historical longevity, its continuous role as a seat of power, and its multiple cultural layers.
114 locals recommend
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
19c Hoàng DiệuSituated at the heart of Hanoi, the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is an outstanding place of interest not only for the capital city but also for the country as a whole. The site is one of the ten special national heritage sites proclaimed by the Prime Minister in 2009 and was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in 2010. Its Outstanding Universal Values are reflected in its historical longevity, its continuous role as a seat of power, and its multiple cultural layers.
This thought-provoking site is all that remains of the former Hoa Lo Prison, ironically nicknamed the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ by US prisoners of war (POWs) during the American War. Most exhibits relate to the prison’s use up to the mid-1950s, focusing on the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France. A gruesome relic is the ominous French guillotine, used to behead Vietnamese revolutionaries. There are also displays focusing on the American pilots who were incarcerated at Hoa Lo during the American War.
212 locals recommend
Hoa Lo Prison
1 Hoả LòThis thought-provoking site is all that remains of the former Hoa Lo Prison, ironically nicknamed the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ by US prisoners of war (POWs) during the American War. Most exhibits relate to the prison’s use up to the mid-1950s, focusing on the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France. A gruesome relic is the ominous French guillotine, used to behead Vietnamese revolutionaries. There are also displays focusing on the American pilots who were incarcerated at Hoa Lo during the American War.
Meaning 'Temple of the Jade Mountain', Hanoi's most visited temple sits on a small island in the northern part of Hoan Kiem Lake, connected to the lakeshore by an elegant scarlet bridge, constructed in classical Vietnamese style. The temple is dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao (who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century), La To (patron saint of physicians) and the scholar Van Xuong.
107 locals recommend
Ngoc Son Temple
Phố Đinh Tiên HoàngMeaning 'Temple of the Jade Mountain', Hanoi's most visited temple sits on a small island in the northern part of Hoan Kiem Lake, connected to the lakeshore by an elegant scarlet bridge, constructed in classical Vietnamese style. The temple is dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao (who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century), La To (patron saint of physicians) and the scholar Van Xuong.
Located on a small peninsula on the East side of West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with its history line of more than 1,500 years. The architecture of this Buddhist center is a subtle combination between the solemn and beautiful landscape on the peaceful and quiet ambiance of West Lake’s surface. Thanks to these historical and architectural values, Tran Quoc Pagoda attracts many tourists to pay a visit, both inside and outside of Vietnam.
92 locals recommend
Chùa Trấn Quốc - Thanh Niên
Đường Thanh NiênLocated on a small peninsula on the East side of West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with its history line of more than 1,500 years. The architecture of this Buddhist center is a subtle combination between the solemn and beautiful landscape on the peaceful and quiet ambiance of West Lake’s surface. Thanks to these historical and architectural values, Tran Quoc Pagoda attracts many tourists to pay a visit, both inside and outside of Vietnam.
The majestic temple and sacred statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu have remained famous historical - cultural relics for more than 300 years, attracting numerous tourists. Quan Thanh Temple is one of the most impressive spiritual tourist attractions in Hanoi.
Situated in West Lake in a dignified large beautiful campus adjacent north gate of ancient Citadel, Quan Thanh Temple is one of four "Thang Long Tu Tran" of ancient Thang Long. This is among oldest temples in Hanoi. It is a historical and cultural monument which was built in the 11th century to worship holy Tran Vu - the deity defending the north. Undergoing Dynasties, Quan Thanh Temple had been renovated several times, yet it basically has not much changed, and is considered as a beautiful architectural ensemble today. Quan Thanh Temple is one of best-known Hanoi attractions and worth the must-see in Hanoi travel for those who would like to ascertain about the architecture and glorious history here.
30 locals recommend
Quan Thanh Temple
Đường Thanh NiênThe majestic temple and sacred statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu have remained famous historical - cultural relics for more than 300 years, attracting numerous tourists. Quan Thanh Temple is one of the most impressive spiritual tourist attractions in Hanoi.
Situated in West Lake in a dignified large beautiful campus adjacent north gate of ancient Citadel, Quan Thanh Temple is one of four "Thang Long Tu Tran" of ancient Thang Long. This is among oldest temples in Hanoi. It is a historical and cultural monument which was built in the 11th century to worship holy Tran Vu - the deity defending the north. Undergoing Dynasties, Quan Thanh Temple had been renovated several times, yet it basically has not much changed, and is considered as a beautiful architectural ensemble today. Quan Thanh Temple is one of best-known Hanoi attractions and worth the must-see in Hanoi travel for those who would like to ascertain about the architecture and glorious history here.
Considered one of the most stunning bridges in the world when it opened in 1903, the cantilever bridge originally had 19 spans and was designed by Gustav Eiffel, the engineer best known for his eponymous landmark in Paris. The approximately 2.5-kilometre (some say 1.7-kilometre) bridge, built by thousands of Vietnamese workers, was first known as Doumer Bridge, after the French governor-general Paul Doumer, who was responsible for setting up the French administration and implementing huge public works projects. Ironically perhaps, the Vietnamese say the bridge allowed for the easy transport of rice to Dien Bien Phu, helping them win independence against the French there in their battle of 1954. The last contingent of French soldiers retreated across the bridge on 9 October 1954, after withdrawing from the Citadel; a day later victory over the French was declared. The bridge was then renamed Long Bien. The majestic old bridge, its ironwork now slowly and evocatively rusting and making for some great photos
85 locals recommend
Long Bien Bridge
Considered one of the most stunning bridges in the world when it opened in 1903, the cantilever bridge originally had 19 spans and was designed by Gustav Eiffel, the engineer best known for his eponymous landmark in Paris. The approximately 2.5-kilometre (some say 1.7-kilometre) bridge, built by thousands of Vietnamese workers, was first known as Doumer Bridge, after the French governor-general Paul Doumer, who was responsible for setting up the French administration and implementing huge public works projects. Ironically perhaps, the Vietnamese say the bridge allowed for the easy transport of rice to Dien Bien Phu, helping them win independence against the French there in their battle of 1954. The last contingent of French soldiers retreated across the bridge on 9 October 1954, after withdrawing from the Citadel; a day later victory over the French was declared. The bridge was then renamed Long Bien. The majestic old bridge, its ironwork now slowly and evocatively rusting and making for some great photos