What to See in Hanoi

Overview

UNESCO World Heritage

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long ★★
Over ten centuries old, it was built on the remains of a Chinese citadel. This "blend" of eras and cultures earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

Neighborhoods and Tourist Areas

Old Town ★★★★
This is Hanoi's historic district, originally built around the activities of 36 craft guilds (the "36 guilds"). It's a lively, bustling area rich in architectural and cultural heritage.

Markets

Dong Xuan Market ★
Originally the city's oldest market, built in 1889, it was destroyed by a fire in 1994 and later rebuilt in a more modern style. You can find all kinds of products here.

Monuments and Architectural Complexes

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long ★★
Over ten centuries old, it was built on the remains of a Chinese citadel. This "blend" of eras and cultures earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

French Concession ★
This is Hanoi's French colonial district, with its perpendicular streets, beautiful buildings, public edifices, the opera house, and Saint Joseph's Cathedral.

Ho Chi Minh's House and Mausoleum ★★
These are two nearby sites dedicated to the glory of Ho Chi Minh. Both his house, where he lived for ten years until his death, and his mausoleum, inspired by Lenin’s, where he is buried.

Religious Buildings

Môt Côt Pagoda ★
Autrement appelée "pagode du Pilier unique". Dans son jardin, proche du mausolée de Hô Chi Minh, elle a été détruite par les Français en 1954 puis ensuite reconstruite sur son modèle initial du XIe siècle.

Tran Quoc Pagoda ★★
Built on an island in West Lake, recognisable by its tall stupa, this is Hanoi’s oldest pagoda (6th century). It is a sacred site for Buddhists.

Temple of Literature ★★
This is the country's most important Confucian mausoleum. It dates back to the 11th century. This vast complex is divided into five inner courtyards with numerous ponds and pavilions.

Jade Mountain Temple ★★
It is also known as the "Ngoc Son Temple". This is a sanctuary located on Hoan Kiem Lake in the city centre, dedicated to Confucian and Taoist deities.

Quan Thanh Temple ★
This is a charming Taoist temple (one of the last in the country), built in the 11th century but renovated several times over the centuries.

Museums

Vietnam Military History Museum ★
The museum is dedicated to the various armed conflicts that have marked the country's history, starting with the wars against the French and then the Americans in the second half of the 20th century.

Ho Chi Minh Museum ★★
The life and "revolutionary work" of Ho Chi Minh, plus everything related to the historical events that influenced the Vietnamese revolution.

National Museum of History ★
Housed in a former building constructed by the French in 1932, this museum and its collections are dedicated to the history of Vietnam.

Parks, Gardens, and Natural Spaces

Hoan Kiem Lake ★
This is one of Hanoi’s lakes with well-developed surroundings, particularly popular among walkers. It is also a "legendary lake" in Vietnamese history.

Additional Information