23 Best Things to Do in Hanoi: Must-See Attractions

Hanoi presents a fusion of geography, culture, and past. Discover with MOTOGO Tours the best things to do in Hanoi. Let’s reveal the city’s appeal in an unforgettable manner.

23 best things to do in Hanoi

For every visitor, Hanoi has a combination of outstanding attractions and interesting activities. You won’t want to miss these 23 the best things to do in Hanoi, from famous sites to neighborhood favorites.

1. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Often known as the “Lake of the Restored Sword,” Hoan Kiem Lake is a 12-hectare emblem of Hanoi’s spiritual and cultural life. Visitors can enjoy picturesque hikes, see people performing tai chi, or photograph the famous Turtle Tower at the lake’s center from this quiet haven.

On Jade Island, Ngoc Son Temple draws about two million guests a year. Offering insight into Vietnam’s ancient religious traditions, the temple is connected by the brilliant red The Huc Bridge and honors General Tran Hung Dao and Taoist spirits. Anybody visiting the city should definitely see it given the calm surroundings.

2. Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter

The Old Quarter in Hanoi is a busy area known for its unique “36 Streets Hanoi.” Each one has a history connected to a different trade or skill, like silk, silver, or ceramics. From street shopping to enjoying regional cuisine like Pho and Banh Mi, this energetic area provides a great venue for outdoor pursuits in Hanoi.

3. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which houses the embalmed body of Vietnam’s revolutionary leader, attracts an estimated 5 million tourists each year. Surrounded by sites like the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the location—Ba Dinh Square—is a major emblem of respect and memory.

President Ho Chi Minh announced Vietnam’s independence in 1945 from Ba Dinh Square itself, therefore establishing it as a major site in Vietnamese history. Daily at 6:00 AM, visitors can see the somber flag-raising ritual honoring the legacy of the nation.

4. Discover the Temple of Literature

Built in 1070, the 54,000-square-meter Temple of Literature honors Confucius and Vietnamese intellectuals. Celebrating 82 revered doctors whose names are etched on ancient stone stelae and holding imperial tests for almost 700 years, it was Vietnam’s first university.

Every year, more than a million people come to the temple to see its five courtyards, ponds, and well maintained gardens—traditional Vietnamese architecture. Particularly well-liked on the Lunar New Year, the site attracts students looking for blessings for scholastic success.

5. Explore the Hanoi Opera House

The Hanoi Opera House, which was built in 1911 and is based on the Palais Garnier in Paris, is a fabulous example of French colonial architecture. Rising 34 meters tall and with 600 seats, it hosts well-known cultural events including traditional Vietnamese performances and classical music concerts.

6. Hanoi walking tour

The greatest approach to really experience the history and energetic street culture of Hanoi is a Hanoi walking tour there. Start in Hanoi Walking Street, where areas designated for pedestrian only let you freely explore sites including Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter.

These trips frequently feature stops at famous locations like the Temple of Literature and Dong Xuan Market so you may meet residents and sample real street cuisine. This is a hive of activity and excitement since hundreds of people visit this place every weekend.

7. Take a Cyclo Ride Around the Old Quarter

A delightful and peaceful approach to see Hanoi’s busy Old Quarter are cyclo rides. Usually lasting 30 to 60 minutes, a journey costs roughly 100,000 VND ($4–5) allowing guests to slowly enjoy the views and noises.

You will pass historic shophouses, neighborhood markets, and street food sellers as you negotiate the little streets. This trip offers visitors a wonderful blend of cultural exploration and nostalgia, allowing them to see traditional Hanoi among contemporary living.

8. Visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

The 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam are richly varied, and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology exhibits this Covering 3.27 hectares, the museum boasts more than 15,000 relics ranging from commonplace objects to tools and traditional attire. Interactive displays and life-size copies of ethnic dwellings help one to better appreciate Vietnam’s past.

9. Stroll Around West Lake

West Lake is Hanoi’s biggest lake. It’s 500 hectares big and is a peaceful place to get away from the busy city. Surrounded by a 17-kilometer-long road ideal for bicycling or walking while savoring breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding temples.

The area is also a hotspot for famous coffee shops and cafes in Ha Noi and luxury residences. Key attractions include Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quang Ba Flower Market, making West Lake a blend of natural beauty and cultural charm.

10. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda

Constructed in 1049, the one pillar pagoda is a singular architectural wonder meant to resemble a lotus bloom. Perched atop a single stone pillar in the middle of a little pond, it represents in Buddhism enlightenment and purity. Thousands of people visit this famous sight annually, rebuilt in the 1950s following war devastation.

11. Food tours in Ha Noi

The ideal approach to enjoy the rich gastronomic scene of Hanoi is a walking food tour or rent a Hanoi motorbike rental to go around the streets. In addition, many tourists choose to join the Hanoi motorbike tours. Under the direction of local experts, these trips frequently lead you into the Old Quarter, where you can enjoy famous cuisine including egg coffee, Bun Cha, and Pho.

Don’t miss sampling Vietnamese iced coffee or unusual combinations like coconut coffee among the cafés in Hanoi Old quarter. These excursions not only satisfy your taste receptors but also reveal the history behind the world-class cuisine of Hanoi.

12. Watch a Water Puppet Show

For millennia, audiences have been enthralled with a classic Vietnamese art form called a water puppet show. Perched on a water stage, the puppets mimic rural life and folkloric events under live music. Every show runs roughly one hour, and Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre tickets start at 100,000 VND.

13. Explore the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum

The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is a window into the artistic legacy and cultural identity of the nation. Its holdings consist in traditional lacquer paintings, Cham and Khmer culture sculptures, and antique ceramics. Visitors can also appreciate modern artwork capturing Vietnam.

The Bodhisattva statue from the 18th century and patriotic wartime art highlight of the exhibit. Attracting hundreds of art lovers annually, this must-see location is perfect for everyone fascinated in Vietnam’s artistic legacy.

14. Markets in Hanoi

The daily life of Hanoi reflects in its vivid markets. As the sun rises, the Quang Ba Flower Market comes alive with a kaleidoscope of vibrant, freshly-cut flowers. By night, the Hanoi weekend night market turns the Old Quarter into a hive of street events, handcrafted products, and food vendors.

Visit Hom Market for fabrics and textiles; fresh produce is wholesale paradise at the nocturnal Long Bien Market. These Hanoi night markets are a cultural trip that perfectly embodies local culture, not only for buying.

15. Visit Ta Hien Street (Beer Street)

The core of Hanoi’s nightlife, Ta Hien Street presents a vibrant fusion of socializing and street culture. Well-known for its cheap Bia Hoi, you may mix with residents and visitors to enjoy a cool drink for as low as 5,000 VND.

The street comes alive with music, brilliant lights, and the scent of street cuisine following dusk. Ta Hien street embodies the spirit of Hanoi’s after-hours appeal whether your preferred hangout is laid back or exciting party atmosphere.

16. Visit the Quan Thanh Temple

An ancient shrine to the North Taoist deity Tran Vu, the Quan Thanh Temple dates back more than a millennium to the Ly Dynasty. This architectural wonder boasts complex wood and stone sculpture, including a 4-ton metal monument of the deity.

Near West Lake, the temple draws thousands of people annually, particularly for Tet. Its historical value and calm atmosphere make it a quiet haven amid the busy city.

17. Explore Thu Le Park

Thu Le Park is a great place for families to visit. It has a zoo with over 600 animals, some of which are rare, like the Indochinese tiger. Covering 29 hectares, it also boasts a little amusement park, a lake for paddle boating, and rich gardens.

18. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda

Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist shrine, Tran Quoc Pagoda, first opens in the sixth century. Situated on a little island in West Lake, this must-see for spiritual and cultural research because of its recognizable 11-story tower and calm surroundings.

During celebrations and full moon events, the pagoda draws hundreds of people providing a window into Vietnamese Buddhism. Its quiet surroundings offer a welcome diversion from the busy streets of the city.

19. Walk Across Long Bien Bridge

Gustave Eiffel’s Long Bien Bridge stands as a testament to Hanoi’s strength and perseverance. Constructed in 1902, this old bridge was vital during the wars and is now a favourite location for history buffs and photographers. Rising and setting views from the bridge across the Red River.

20. Visit Co Loa Citadel

The citadel of Co Loa is situated in the Co Loa Commune in the Dong Anh District of Hanoi, Vietnam, approximately sixteen kilometers north of the city center. Built in the third century BC, Co Loa Citadel is the first defensive construction found in Vietnam. Claiming a distinctive spiral form with three concentric walls, it was the capital of the old Au Lac Kingdom. Visitors can see the ruins of the fortress, temples, and an archaeological museum highlighting relics today.

21. Cafe hanoi train street

The little lanes running through Pham Hong Thai Street, Tran Phu Street, and Dien Bien Phu Street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter along the rail lines are known as cafe Hanoi train street. The area surrounding No. 5 Tran Phu Street and Ngo 224 Le Duan, where you can find various cafes only next to the tracks, is the most well-known and often visited part for guests.

22. Go Trekking in Ba Vi National Park

About 60 kilometers from Hanoi, Ba Vi National Park is a hiking paradise with rich trees, breathtaking paths, and grand mountain tops. Popular paths are the one to the historic French ruins buried in the forest and the climb to Tan Vien Peak, which provides panoramic views.

Nature lovers will find the park perfect since it boasts a varied range of plants and animals. Entry costs are 20,000 VND – 100.000 VND; best seen in the cooler months, from October to April, to completely appreciate its calm beauty.

23. Visit Hanoi’s Traditional Craft Villages

The craft villages around Hanoi offer a window into Vietnam’s rich creative legacy. 13 kilometers from the city center, Bat Trang Pottery Village has workshops to let you design your own ceramics. Van Phuc Silk Village, renowned for its opulent handwoven silk, highlights the delicate craftsmanship in fabric-making in meanwhile.

Visit Phu Vinh Rattan and Bamboo Village for original bamboo products. Their finely crafted furniture and décor items. These communities not only uphold centuries-old customs but also give guests a practical cultural encounter.

Hanoi has something for every kind of interest. These top activities in Hanoi can guarantee you to fully enjoy the beauty of the city. We appreciate you using our guide as advised.

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