Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Hanoi

Ha Noi is the capital of Vietnam and the land of a Thousand Years of Civilization. Come to Ha Noi, you will be discover the old quarter, see the bustling streets, visit famous tourist attractions and feel the love inside you. Here are top 10 tourist attractions you should visit during your trip in Ha Noi.

1. One Pillar Pagoda

The first position on the list of Hanoi attractions is the One-pillar Pagoda – an ancient pagoda of nearly 1,000 years old. The Pagoda was built on a single wooden pillar of 1.25meters in diameter, it has gathered the essence of architecture for thousands of years of the country’s history.

2. West Lake

West Lake is one of Hanoi’s largest and most romantic lakes. It is where the high-end homes of Hanoi’s wealthy live, and contains a large number of hotels, restaurants, and luxury shops as well. . Visit West Lake, don’t forget to walk around Thanh Nien Street - the most beautiful street in Hanoi and Tran Quoc Pagoda - one of Hanoi’s oldest pagodas.

3. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum at Ba Dinh Square is one of the famous tourist attractions in Hanoi. This is the final resting place of Vietnamese communist leader Ho Chi Minh sits in Ba Dinh square, the location where he read the nation’s declaration of independence in 1945.

4. Temple of Literature

This is one of the temples of Confucius, and home of the nation’s first university. Originally built in 1070, the temple is meant to honor all scholars. Today, the Temple of Literature has become a symbol of the thousand-year-old Capital and a cultural cradle of Vietnam.

5. Ha Noi Old Quarter

Ha Noi Old Quarter is famous for its 36 streets, ,located on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake. It is the center of many attractions in Hanoi, from temples to the water puppet show to its street market. As the quarter was designed around the market, you will find that the streets here are all named for the kind of products that were once sold along its sidewalks, from wood to silver to paper.

6. Thang Long Water Puppet Theater

This attractions was founded in 1969 and become one of the most famous water puppet shows in Vietnam. The fairy tales and historical legends are recreated by wooden puppets on the water which are extremely unique and lively. This is an exciting things to do in Hanoi for travelers.

7. Hoa Lo Prison

Hoa Lo Prison Museum is a must-visit attraction in Hanoi to witness the crimes of war. Built by the French colonial government in the late 19th century, Hoa Lo Prison Museum was originally used to harbor Vietnamese revolutionaries and any dissidents of the French rule.

8. Saint Joseph's Cathedral

Saint Joseph’s Cathedral (also known as Hanoi Cathedral), was built on the site of the Bao Thien Tower, which was the most famous landmark in the capital during the Ly Dynasty. The Cathedral is not only the place where the religious activities of Catholics belong to the Archdiocese of Hanoi but also a famous Hanoi tourist attraction. With unique and ancient architecture, this is a destination that cannot be missed when visiting Ha Noi.

9. Dong Xuan Market

Dong Xuan Market is the busiest and oldest shopping area in Hanoi, built-in 1889 under the Nguyen Dynasty. This is also one of the must-visit attractions in Hanoi, which is considered a symbol associated with the capital.
10. Hoan Kiem Lake

Known as the lake of the returned (or restored) sword, this lake marks the historical center of ancient Hanoi. There are some famous monuments around the such as Turtle Tower, Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, Pen Tower and Dai Nghien. On weekends, the streets surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake will be walking streets with many exciting activities such as street music and folk games. Surely you will have a good time here.