It is a pleasure to welcome you to the exciting capital city of Vietnam. The meeting place of east and west, old and new. The chaotic and fascinating atmosphere of Hanoi, Vietnam is overwhelming and intriguing. There is no doubt that Hanoi will leave an impression on you. This city will delight all of your senses, from its incredible French colonial architecture to its tantalizing Vietnamese cuisine. Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam and one of the ancient capitals of the world 밤문화, so there are many things to do in Hanoi that you shouldn’t miss.
Hanoi is a great base for visiting places in Vietnam like Halong Bay and Sapa, which are located in northern Vietnam. The culture, food, history, and nightlife of Hanoi need to be explored for at least a few days. In this easy-to-follow travel guide, we’ve provided the best things to do in Hanoi Vietnam so you can make the most of your time.
The first time you arrive in Hanoi, especially if it is your first time, it can seem overwhelming. If you want to get the lay of the land and decide which parts of the city to explore, we recommend taking a Walking Tour.
The Old Quarter
Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as Hoan Kiem District, is the city’s business center and main tourist attraction. We spent most of our time here in Hanoi. There is a lot going on. Simply crossing the street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is one of the best things to do.
I will never forget Dave’s description of crossing Hanoi’s streets as a human game of Frogger. There is a lot of colonial architecture in the old quarter, and remnants of the French past are still visible. Instead of listing all the activities in the old quarter in one paragraph, we will break them down here in section 1.
Hoan Kiem Lake
The most popular thing to do in Hanoi is to visit Hoan Kiem Lake. When we arrived in the city, it was the first place we walked to. The Hoan Kiem Lake is a quiet oasis in the heart of Hanoi, between the Old Quarter and French Quarter.
The name Hoan Kiem comes from a legend about an emperor using a magical sword to defeat the Ming Dynasty from China. The Golden Turtle God returned the sword to the bottom of the lake after winning. Turtle Tower stands guard today to honor the legend. In the lake, keep an eye out for endangered turtles.
Ngoc Son Temple
An island in the middle of the lake is home to Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain). Hanoi’s most visited temple, Ngoc Son Pagoda, sits on Jade Island. One of the best things to do in Hanoi is to visit the temple dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao, who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century. Cross the lovely red Huc Bridge or Rising Sun Bridge to get there.
Shop At Dong Xuan Market
The sport of shopping in Vietnam is not for the faint of heart. There will be a lot of haggling and high-pressure contact, but it is worth it! If you’re visiting Hanoi, don’t forget to visit the Dong Xuan Market for all your souvenirs and clothing. It dates back to 1889, the Dong Xuan Market is a huge four-story shopping center that sells everything you can imagine. Fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish are sold in the food market on the ground floor.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
In the Old Quarter, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, also known as The Big Church, was one of the first structures built by the French. Designed to look like Notre Dame in Paris, St. Joseph’s Cathedral is worth a visit for its beautiful gothic architecture. Don’t forget to go inside