Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam. It is located in the north of the country and one of the top entry points into the country alongside Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon) in southern Vietnam and Da Nang in central Vietnam.
This Sightseeing in Hanoi thread is specifically to share information, locations and ideas around what to see, where to go and what to do in Hanoi by both travellers who have recently visited the city and those who are planning to make a future visit.
To kickstart this thread, here is a list of a few popular places in Hanoi that are worth visiting:
- Hoan Kiem Lake and Old Quarte: The heart of Hanoi, surrounded by scenic walking paths and the iconic Turtle Tower and vibrant weekend and night life. A maze of narrow streets make up the old quarter bustling with markets, shops, and street food vendors, showcasing traditional Hanoi life.
- Hanoi Train Street: Narrow alley at the edge of Hanoi Old Quarter with an in-use railway line lined with cafes and restaurants
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: The resting place of Vietnam’s revered leader, Ho Chi Minh, located in Ba Dinh Square.
- Temple of Literature: Vietnam’s first national university, dedicated to Confucius, featuring beautiful gardens and traditional architecture.
- Hoa Lo Prison Museum: Also known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” this museum provides a glimpse into Vietnam’s history during the French colonial period and the Vietnam War.
- Water Puppet Show: Watch a traditional water puppet performance at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, a unique Vietnamese art form.
- Cyclo Tour: Take a leisurely ride on a cyclo (pedicab) through the bustling streets of the Old Quarter.
- Street Food Tour: Join a guided street food tour to sample Hanoi’s diverse and delicious street food offerings.
- Shop at Night Markets: Visit the Dong Xuan Market and the weekend night markets around Hoan Kiem Lake for local handicrafts, souvenirs, and snacks.
- French Quarter: Stroll through the tree-lined boulevards and admire the French colonial architecture, including the Hanoi Opera House and St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
Share your latest experiences in exploring these sites and/or other new points of interest in Hanoi as responses/comments on this thread. This will be very helpful to fellow travellers and members of this travel community who are planning a trip to Vietnam.
