Free self-guided walk · Hanoi

The Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and the French Quarter

A free self-guided walk from Dong Xuan Market through Hanoi's Old Quarter to Hoan Kiem Lake, then via St Joseph's Cathedral and Hoa Lo Prison to the Opera House.

Distance
4.5 km
Walking time
1 hr 0 min
Allow
About 2.5 hours with stops
Stops
6

Open the route in Google MapsHanoi city guide

About this walk

Hanoi's Old Quarter is a dense grid of narrow streets, many named after the goods once sold there. This walk crosses it from the big market to the lake, then heads into the wider avenues of the French Quarter.

Crossing the road is a skill: walk slowly and steadily, and let the scooters flow around you.

  • Terrain: Flat. Pavements are often taken up by parked scooters and food stalls, so you will walk in the road at times.
  • Best time: Early morning, when people exercise around the lake. On weekend evenings the streets around the lake close to traffic.

Route map

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Route and stop positions © OpenStreetMap contributors. North is up.

The stops

  1. Dong Xuan Market

    Start at the largest market in the Old Quarter.

  2. Hang Buom street

    One of the Old Quarter's 'guild' streets; follow the narrow streets south.

  3. Ngoc Son Temple

    On Hoan Kiem Lake, the temple on an island reached by the red The Huc bridge.

  4. St Joseph's Cathedral

    A neo-Gothic cathedral from the 1880s, with cafés around its square.

  5. Hoa Lo Prison

    The prison museum, built by the French and later called the 'Hanoi Hilton' by American prisoners.

  6. Hanoi Opera House

    Finish at the French colonial opera house.

Tips

  • Agree prices before buying at the market.
  • Hoan Kiem Lake's streets are pedestrian-only on Friday to Sunday evenings.
  • Hoa Lo Prison closes for lunch some days; check times.

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Sources and review date

This walk was last reviewed on 2026-10-28. Distance and walking time come from OpenStreetMap's walking router and don't include time at stops. Opening hours and access change; please check before you go.