10 Best Things to Do in Hanoi

There are many enjoyable activities to experience in Hanoi that highlight the city’s lively history and culture. Hanoi offers a vast array of options, where visitors can feel the essence of Vietnamese culture and tradition, while also witnessing progress being made throughout the various districts of the city.

Hanoi has a rich history of more than 1,000 years, which is reflected in its many fascinating attractions such as temples, imperial citadels, theaters and natural beauty spots near the city. Exploring these places in Hanoi can be both entertaining and educational, offering a unique blend of beauty and cultural significance. There are a variety of things to do in Hanoi that should not be missed, and we have listed some of our top picks below.

What are the best things to do in Hanoi?

1. Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son

• Location: Hanoi Old Quarter, Dinh Tien Hoang, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Open: Daily from 8 am to 6 pm

Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Turtle Lake, is a significant landmark in Hanoi and a favored destination for both locals and tourists to spend time during the day. The lake is home to Ngoc Son Temple, located on a small island in the middle of the lake and accessible by a bridge, providing an attractive backdrop for taking photos.

During sunrise and sunset, the area around the lake gets crowded with people jogging, couples enjoying the scenic views, and elderly individuals practicing tai chi and line dancing. Hoan Kiem Lake is open for free visits, but there’s a fee to access Ngoc Son Temple, which is situated on a small island in the middle of the lake.

2. Water Puppet Theatre

• Location: 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Phone: +84 (0)243 824 9494

The Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi honors and conserves the old-style Vietnamese water puppetry, which has a deep connection with Hanoi. There are numerous theatres in Hanoi where visitors can indulge in this exceptional Vietnamese interpretation of the puppet tradition in Asia.

The Thang Long Puppet Theatre is the most well-known and reputable theater in town. It features a liquid stage where puppets gracefully dance and glide, operated by a group of puppet masters who remain hidden behind a screen. The majority of performances include the popular Legend of the Restored Sword of King Le, a story about Hoan Kiem Lake and the giant tortoise.

3. Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

• Location: Quan Thanh, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Phone: +84 (0)243 734 5427

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a fascinating reminder of Vietnam’s past and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical and cultural significance. The most identifiable feature of the citadel is the central flag tower, which stands at a height of 40 meters and is frequently used as an emblem of Hanoi.

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, situated in Ba Dinh, was the heart of ancient Hanoi and functioned as the political hub for 800 years. Its proximity to numerous popular tourist spots makes it an ideal location to visit.

4. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

• Location: 8 Hung Vuong, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Open: Saturday and Monday–Thursday from 8 am to 11.30 am (closed on Fridays and Sundays)

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a solemn and significant place in Hanoi, paying tribute to a person who had a significant impact on Vietnamese history. In Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh is considered the most prominent leader of the country and known as “Uncle Ho” among residents. His body is now preserved and displayed in a glass case in the Ba Dinh area of Hanoi.

The mausoleum is not only a popular tourist spot, but it also holds significant historical value and leaves a lasting impression on visitors. It was designed based on the mausoleum of Lenin located in Moscow.

5. Hanoi Old Quarter

• Location: Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

The Hanoi Old Quarter is an enthralling part of the city, characterized by narrow streets lined with impressive colonial buildings. Despite the constant flow of various vehicles like scooters, motorbikes, and cars, visitors can enjoy the bustling atmosphere of street vendors selling fruits and souvenirs. Additionally, the area boasts numerous shop houses that offer mouth-watering Vietnamese cuisine at affordable prices.

The Old Quarter is a place in Hanoi that reflects what most people picture the city to be like, and it’s strongly advised for all tourists to explore this area on foot.

6. Dong Xuan Market

• Location: Dong Xuan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Open: Daily from 6 am to 7 pm

Dong Xuan Market is the biggest market of its kind in Hanoi, located in a large 4-story Soviet-style building. The market offers a wide range of clothing, fashion items and souvenirs at very competitive prices.

Although one may not have an interest in buying printed T-shirts or inexpensive sunglasses, it can still be intriguing to observe the local merchants’ activities. Moreover, on the first floor, there is a wet market that offers a sensory overload of exotic produce with its sights and smells.

7. Hanoi Opera House

• Location: 1 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Phone: +84 (0)43 933 0113

The Hanoi Opera House, located in the center of the French Quarter, is considered to be one of the most beautiful structures in Hanoi. Constructed in 1911 and designed to resemble the Paris Opera House, this noteworthy site radiates Parisian allure through its ivory-colored columns, intricate balustrades, and Gothic domes.

The opera house offers a variety of classical performances, such as Vietnamese opera and dance shows, as well as sketches and music concerts by famous international artists, that visitors can enjoy.

8. Temple of Literature 

• Location: 58 Quoc Tu Giam, Van Mieu, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Open: Daily from 8 am to 4.30 pm

The Temple of Literature, located in the heart of Hanoi, is a delightful temple complex that was constructed to serve as an educational hub dedicated to Confucius, the renowned Chinese philosopher. The entire site is rich in Vietnamese history and tradition.

In the last millennium, numerous buildings were constructed and enhanced in this vast region, which is now brimming with elaborate pavilions, holy places, and a lush garden. Visiting The Temple of Literature has become a customary practice for new medical graduates.

9. The Perfume Pagoda

• Location: Huong Son, My Duc, Hanoi, Vietnam

The Perfume Pagoda is a striking temple complex located in Hanoi. It is thought to have originated in the 15th century. The group of Buddhist temples are constructed on a mountain range, with intricate pathways carved into the rocks, surrounded by lush forests and flowing streams.

The temple can be found in the Son Mountains, about 60 km to the south of Hanoi. Getting there is an adventure because you need to take a 2-hour car or bus ride and then travel by boat to reach the mountains’ base.

10. Ba Vi National Park

• Location: Van Hoa, Ba Vi, Hanoi, Vietnam

Ba Vi National Park, located approximately 48 km away from downtown Hanoi and about a 2-hour drive, is an exceptionally beautiful nature reserve. It is renowned for its mountain with three peaks that rise sharply into the sky and are frequently covered by clouds, making it a remarkable sight to behold. The park boasts striking landscapes and an assortment of flora and fauna found in the jungle.

Located at the peak of the tallest mountain is an ancient temple from the 11th century, which provides a wide and impressive view of the neighboring landscape. On the ground of the forest are hot springs that occur naturally. The national park is situated around 58 km towards the west of Hanoi.