Hanoi

Main sights

• Hoan Kiem Lake

  A lake up to 700 m long and 250 m wide in the centre. The red Huc Bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple on Jade Islet, near the northern shore. The Turtle Tower stands on its own small island, tied to the legend of a golden turtle that reclaimed a magic sword.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Hoan Kiem Lake (opens in a new tab)
• Temple of Literature

  Founded in 1070, and home to the Imperial Academy from 1076. Five courtyards lead through the walled grounds, past 82 surviving stone stelae on carved turtles. They name graduates of royal exams held between 1442 and 1779. Signs in English and French mean a guide is optional.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Temple of Literature (opens in a new tab)
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex

  Open mornings only, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and shut for a period each year for maintenance. Shoulders and knees must be covered, bags are searched and silence is expected inside. Photographs are for the outside only, in Ba Dinh Square.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex (opens in a new tab)
• Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

  Remains of the ancient royal citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, west of the Old Quarter and close to the Ho Chi Minh complex.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (opens in a new tab)
• Hoa Lo Prison

  Built by the French between 1896 and 1901 as the Maison Centrale, later used for American prisoners of war who called it the "Hanoi Hilton". Most of it was demolished in the 1990s. The gatehouse and a section survive as a museum.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Hoa Lo Prison (opens in a new tab)
• Long Bien Bridge

  A century-old bridge almost 2 km long, open to trains, bikes, motorbikes and people on foot. The walkways are thin concrete plates with gaps that show the river below. Not one for anyone nervous of heights.

  Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide for Long Bien Bridge (opens in a new tab)

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

• Old Quarter

  About 100 hectares north of Hoan Kiem Lake, with many street names beginning hàng, meaning wares. Hàng Tre was the bamboo street, though trades have shifted: Hàng Buồm is now known for cakes and sweets. The Quan Chưởng gate is the last of the old city gates, and Đồng Xuân Market is at the northern end.

• French Quarter

  Colonial villas, the Opera House and tree-lined avenues south of the lake. The wider streets make it a calmer walk than the Old Quarter.

• Ba Dinh

  The political centre, with the mausoleum, government buildings and the citadel. It is a large, formal area, with long distances between sights.

• Tay Ho (West Lake)

  A residential district around the city's largest lake, with cafés and a cycle path. Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi's oldest Buddhist temple, stands on an island near the south-east shore.

Best areas to explore on foot

1. Around Hoan Kiem Lake

   Level lakeside paths, and the most relaxed walking in the centre. The surrounding streets close to traffic from about Friday evening to Sunday night, though hours shift for holidays and the zone has been suspended around Tet. Taxis cannot reach the lake edge during those hours.

2. The Old Quarter

   Start from the north side of the lake and work towards Đồng Xuân Market, wandering the hàng streets. There is no need for a set route, but keep a map handy as the streets are irregular and pavements hard to use.

3. French Quarter

   From the lake south to the Opera House and colonial boulevards. Hoa Lo Prison makes a natural stop at the western edge of the walk.

4. Lake to Temple of Literature and Ba Dinh

   A longer westward walk on busy roads, joining the Temple of Literature to the Citadel and the Ho Chi Minh complex. Go in the morning, because the mausoleum closes by late morning and the heat builds fast.

Practical walking notes

• Terrain

  Flat, but pavements are often blocked, so expect to step into the road.

• Crossing roads

  Walk slowly and steadily across, without stopping or running, so scooters can flow around you. Keep to a constant pace, even when it feels wrong.

• Pavements

  Often used for parking and cooking. Walk with your phone away and stay alert, and take particular care when stepping out around parked bikes.

• Heat, rain and air

  Summer is hot, humid and rainy, with mosquitoes. Walk early and carry water. December and January are the driest months but winter pollution is usually at its worst, and winter days can feel cold and damp.

• Touts

  Motorbike taxi drivers will approach you on many Old Quarter corners. Agree a written fare before you get on. Cyclo drivers sometimes demand more at the end of a ride.

• Dress for the temples

  The mausoleum requires knees and shoulders covered. Carry a scarf or light layer if your day includes it.

When to visit

• October–December

  Dry, warm days and cooler evenings; ideal for walking.

• January–April

  Cool, misty and sometimes drizzly; Tet (Lunar New Year) closes many businesses.

• May–September

  Hot and humid, with heavy rain showers.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

• By air

  Noi Bai airport is about 45 minutes from the centre by taxi or airport bus.

• By rail

  The Reunification Express runs south to Hue and Ho Chi Minh City.

Local transport

• On foot

  The Old Quarter and lake are best walked.

• Ride-hailing

  Grab cars and motorbike taxis are cheap and widely used.