There’s no doubt Hanoi has a lot to offer visitors, the city is teeming with interesting sights. However, if you have younger members of the family in tow you may wonder how many of those attractions will hold their attention for more than a minute.

The good news is Hanoi is bursting with enjoyable sights and attractions for little travellers. The Ho Tay Water Park is one of the most fun places in the city and splashing around in the cool water is a welcome break from the stifling heat of the city, even for adults.

No visit to Hanoi would be complete without catching a show at the Water Puppet Theatre – this is great entertainment for all the family. Even though the dialogue is in Vietnamese, most visitors still find it highly entertaining.

Thu Le Park and Zoo is another great family trip. After visiting the various animal compounds, the park area provides the ideal spot for a picnic. If the fresh air hasn’t tired them out yet, stop by Star Bowl on the way home, it is sure to be right up their alley.

Just walking around the historic Old Quarters will be an eye-opening experience for both you and the children. This area is a maze of shops selling everything under the sun. It’s the heart of the city and a great place to sample every day life in Hanoi. Hoan Kiem Lake is also nearby, and is the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll at sunrise or sunset.

Located in the Ba Dinh district, the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts is definitely worth a visit. The museum showcases Vietnamese art of the 20th century, up to the seventies.

While the layout of the exhibitions is a bit crowded, the actual art is outstanding and there are detailed descriptions in English accompanying each piece. Typical of a communist country, there is a lack of works with innovative or controversial themes.

A lot of space is reserved for local techniques and art styles such as lacquer, silk painting, wood block and folk art. Explanations about these techniques are also provided in English. There are also interesting wood statues depicting daily life, or war events.

The top floor is dedicated to Buddhist sculptures and prehistoric artefacts, some of which are huge and striking. Most visitors are captivated by the statue of the 11th century goddess of mercy, and her 1000 arms and eyes.

The museum is housed in a beautiful colonial building, and there are some benches dotted around for when you need to a take a break. It is usually possible to wander around in peace, unless a tour group coincides with your visit.

There is a gift shop on site, selling modern works of well known artists, and also some of the pieces displayed in thematic exhibitions. If you wish to purchase a piece, the museum will register it and provide a certificate.

The warren of streets, close to Hoan Kiem Lake, is widely known as the ‘Old Quarters’. The streets date back to the 13h century, and the chaos found there echoes the past, when specialized trade guilds operated on designated streets. Despite being constantly bombarded with hawkers, motorbikes and cyclos while negotiating the area, most visitors fall in love with the quaint streets of the Old Quarters.

The streets are like branches of a tree stretching out over the area just north of the famous lake. The Old Quarter has always been the economic centre of Hanoi, and needless to say, is the oldest area of the city.

The communal houses are established by the guilds in each area. They function as small temples where locals can worship a local god, or the white horse which is a symbol of the city. Aside from these houses, there are also Buddhist and Daoist temples dotted along the jagged streets. The most notable structure is Bach Ma Temple, situated in the eastern quarter.

You may notice the more elaborate European style buildings, usually two story buildings with Western features, such as bay windows and high sloping roofs.

The Old Quarter originated from workshop villages governed by trades and guilds; today, streets are dedicated to a special type of product. Hang Thiec Street is the place to buy tin, Hang Via Street specialises in bamboo products, while other streets are lined with shops selling toys, laquerware or clothes.

West Lake covers a large proportion of the north and western area of central Hanoi. The area is home to a crop of housing developments, with the most luxurious homes located on the eastern shore. This section of Hanoi is steeped in legend and is home to a number of important pagodas.

Tran Quoc is Vietnam’s oldest pagoda, having been built in the 6th century. It is situated on Cayang Island in the centre of the lake. The prime minister of India gave Vietnam a branch of the Bodhi tree, which is the tree under which Buddha gained enlightenment; this tree now grows in a courtyard at West Lake.

The temple was originally constructed as a centre for Dharma study, and was later used as an Imperial feasting ground. The structure has a visitor’s hall and a bell tower, and is home to a group of monks. Ceremonies for the dead take place on auspicious days, which visitors are welcome to observe; however, it is important to dress respectfully.

Further along the lake, Quan Thanh Temple is located close to the northern gate. This structure was built during the reign of Le Thai To King and is dedicated to the god who controlled Vietnam’s northern regions. This impressive temple features a triple gate, courtyard, and a 12 foot bronze statute of the god named, Huyen Thien Tran Vo.

Hoan Kiem Lake literally means ‘Lake of the Returned Sword’, and this stunning body of water is located in the heart of Hanoi. The lake is a focal point of the city, and one of the region’s most scenic locations.

The Ngoc Son Temple sits on a small island, known as Jade Island, close to the north shore of the lake. This structure was erected in the 18th century and is in commemoration of the 13th century military leader Tran Hung Dao. A red painted bridge connects Jade Island to the shore.

Thap Rua is the small stupa resting on the small island in the centre of the lake. Despite being built quite recently in the late 1800s, Hanoians have utmost respect for the structure. Recent plans to paint the mossy structure were met with much disapproval from Hanoi residents.

The lake is the city’s favourite strolling ground, as well as serving as ‘lover’s lane’ after dark. Many locals use the lake area for exercise in the mornings and again just before sunset.

The lake is useful when navigating the city, as people often give directions in relation to it. The lake is also adjacent to the warren of streets housing hundreds of traditional handicraft shops, providing a peaceful sanctuary for exhausted shoppers.

Whether it’s for an afternoon stroll, an ice cream or morning aerobics, the lake is a welcome oasis in the urban jungle of Hanoi.

Museums are an integral part of any country’s national identity and preserve the history and development of the country. They are a place to learn and gain insight into the local culture and background. Hanoi’s museums have a distinct focus on conserving the art culture of Vietnam, as well as artifacts from Vietnam’s ethnic groups.

The Museum of Ethnology is one of Hanoi’s most interesting and enjoyable attractions. The Museum is renowned throughout the country for not only conserving and exhibiting the culture of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, but is also devoted to helping researchers in their studies.

The Vietnam History Museum exhibits a range of items which depict the country’s historic developments. The collection includes prehistoric tools, dynastic thrones and sculptures of mythical creatures, and is considered a national treasure of Vietnam.

The Fine Art Museum in Hanoi, traces the origin of Vietnam’s artistic culture and houses an impressive collection of around 10,000 artworks. The museum consists of 16 showrooms, separating the work into categories such as ethnic minority, Bronze Age, Paleolithic Age, Feudalism, and Fine Arts before the August 1945 Revolution.

The Vietnamese Women’s Museum should be top of your must-see list while in Hanoi. The museum documents the brave women who played a significant role in the social and political history of Vietnam. Four floors of artifacts and photographs depict women taking part in national activities, as well as women’s achievements in the fields of education and healthcare.

Historic Hanoi

Experience one of Asia’s oldest capitals, wrapped around 1000 years of legend from the mystical Hoan Kiem Lake. Dodge swarms of motorcycles, marvel at the ancient pagodas or shop in the ancient Hang districts. Hanoi is Vietnam’s proud, living museum of a capital, draped in Communist sensibility but brimming with life.

This blog will soon become a full travel guide to Hanoi, to help you get the most out of your visit to North Vietnam. It’s written by a well travelled Southeast Asian expert and produced by guide experts, to soon include hundreds of pages and dozens of pictures of Hanoi at its best and busiest.

Use this site to plan your trip, whether you plan to cruise beautiful Halong Bay, disappear into the intriguing mountains of the Perfume Pagoda, or go trekking amoung the montagnards of the Sapa highlands. Find out what a Com Pho is, how to pronounce Ao Dai (in the North) and why Ho Chi Minh is the saviour of the city. It’s all found here.

Day trips: there’s some fantastic day trips or overnight excursions from Hanoi, such as Halong Bay and the Perfume Pagoda, but you’ll need a hire car and driver to get there (Note! rental cars in Vietnam come with drivers since tourists are not supposed to drive). You can arrange this before hand with online car hire companies.

About Hanoi
All the basic facts for tourists visiting the city plus top tips for the interpid traveller… more

What to see
All the top attractions listed in detail including tours and highlights for those short on time… more

What to do
Whether you want to shopping for gifts, indulge in some pampering, play sport or see the sights… more

Hospitality
Everything from cheap rooms in hostels to the best luxury hotels in town plus spa, restaurant and nightlife tips… more

Shopping
Whether you need to pick up a few essentials or a seeking out that perfect wedding present, we’ve got the inside scoop… more

North Vietnam
Guide to areas of the countries which are an easy leap away from Hanoi for when the city gets too much… more

Vietnamese Culture
This diverse and oft-misunderstood land is begging to be discovered by cultured visitors… more

Living here
Complete guide to everthing an expat is every going to need for long-term stays in Hanoi… more

Getting here
All your transport needs taken care of in one simple section including plane, train or taxi… more