Hanoi tourist guide – what to see

It may be a cliché but there really is something for everyone in Hanoi, a city steeped in history and full of character. If you have to choose between here and Ho Chi Minh City, go for Hanoi, since its quintessential Vietnamese charm is not compromised by Western influence as is its southern counterpart.

What to see first depends on your interests. Most visitors’ first stop is the Old Quarter, where the tiny shopfronts on narrow streets display their wares, which may be anything from flowers to silk scarves. It’s fun to get lost in the labyrinth of alleys here, then find your way out with a map or hop in a cyclo back to the hotel.

Few will want to leave the city without learning something of its hardships during the two Indochinese Wars of the 20th century (with France and the USA) at the History Museum and the Military History Museum, while many are curious to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the country’s greatest hero lies in tranquil repose.

After dark, there is a lively bar scene in tourist areas, while some hotels put on performances of traditional music and dance. Top of your list, however, should be a visit to a performance of water puppets, which feature two key Vietnamese characteristics – ingenuity and a love of fun.

City tours
See Hanoi’s top attractions, such as the Temple of Literature and Hoan Kiem Lake, on a guided city tour… more

Day trips
Explore craft villages and ancient pagodas in the hills around Hanoi by signing up for a day tour out of town… more

Temples
Check out the Temple of Literature, the One Pillar Pagoda, Bach Ma Temple and other ancient religious sites… more

Museums
Delve into Vietnam’s turbulent past at the History Museum or find out about minority groups at the Museum of Ethnology… more

Parks and Lakes
Hanoi is blessed with some gorgeous open spaces to cool off and mingle with the locals… more

Old Quarter
Loose yourself in this ancient square kilometre packed with history and culture… more

War sites
Hanoi was badly damaged during the ‘American War’ and the legacy of that savage conflict lives on… more