Top Things to Do in Hanoi: Must-See Attractions and Activities

Many people love Vietnam for its pleasant climate, fantastic weather for sunbathing and swimming, and sandy beaches. However, this is not the only reason to plan a trip. It’s a wonderful, bright, and memorable country. If you are considering visiting large cities and planning things to do in Hanoi, this review is just for you. We will indicate the most popular places. Perhaps you don’t know about some of them yet, and you will discover new travel potential for yourself.

One Pillar Pagoda: A Symbol of Hanoi

All tourists call this location the most beautiful Buddhist temple in Vietnam. This destination is the first one of the things to do in Hanoi. Previously, it was called the Temple of Distant Salvation. It also had the name Flower Blossom Tower. This architecture is one of the most significant Buddhist shrines in the center of Hanoi. The structure is made of wood.

It was built on a single pillar with a diameter of 1.25 m. From the outside, it may resemble a lotus flower, the traditional symbol of purity.

Emperor Lý Thái Tông designed the building. According to legend, he was inspired by one of the dreams and built this temple exactly as he had imagined.

Exquisite architecture with smooth curves and traditional carved details will appeal to all tourists because the structure is similar to only Vietnam buildings. Therefore, go there if you want to get acquainted with more information.

Advice for tourists: It’s a well-known place that attracts many people. So, go there in quiet hours if you want to enjoy it fully in peace.

Hanoi Opera House: Architectural Elegance

This building is located in the center of the capital, on a beautiful, vast square. Various events and concerts are regularly held here. At first glance, you will see the unusual yellow façade with white columns and carved details. It resembles Europe more than Asia, which is unsurprising because French colonists built the theatre. The architecture is one of the Hanoi attractions. It opened in 1911 and still draws full houses for various performances.

Tips for tourists: you can book good excursions to get acquainted with all the details and history. Visitors are also offered a guided tour and artistic performance.

Another modern landmark, the Hilton Hotel, stands not far from the theatre, which amazes people with its pomp. So you can study two pieces of architecture at once.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: Paying Tribute

If you have free time and are considering what to do in Hanoi, go for something extraordinary, visit this area. This majestic and huge building has guards dressed in traditional uniforms at the entrance. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was built and opened in 1975, and the embalmed body of the politician is kept here. We are talking about the leader of Vietnam Hồ Chí Minh. Many tourists, as well as the Vietnamese themselves, can stand in line for several hours every day to pay tribute to this significant person in the life of their country. Hồ Chí Minh’s body is dressed in a khaki robe and placed in a glass sarcophagus.

Hoan Kiem Lake: A Serene Escape

This picturesque place is located near the Old Town. Therefore, you can enjoy walks along the beautiful streets and relax in the park near the lake. It is one of the things to do in Hanoi Vietnam, to learn about the life of locals.

The evergreen water makes it very popular, and photographs against its background look picturesque. Here, you see different kinds of people. These could be group yoga classes or locals wanting to spend time with their families.

Tips for tourists: this location looks most picturesque at dawn. You won’t regret it if you get up early and go there. The most interesting activity for tourists is laughter yoga, which can be observed near the People’s Committee building.

The group will always accept tourists who ask to join them. You are also guaranteed to have a gym located outdoors.. If you visit this location in the morning, you may get acquainted in more detail with ordinary days in Hanoi.

Museum of Ethnology: Cultural Insights

Do you want a more diverse cultural program and to learn an unusual list of Hanoi things to do? Visit this museum to study samples of the life of the ancient population of Vietnam. It presents rare examples of artifacts that people can enjoy while strolling through its vast grounds. The collection consists of specimens from Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.

The museum presented tribal art and everyday objects. You will be interested in seeing what instruments the ancient Vietnamese used. You also get acquainted with ancient architecture and customs.

However, the most impressive part is the garden, where buildings represent different ethnic groups. These are tangible objects that can still be seen in old villages. The most popular is the Bahnar community house.

Tips for tourists: The museum’s exhibits have descriptions in Vietnamese, French, and English. If you know at least one of them, then booking a guided tour is unnecessary. Enjoy a stay in the wonderful and cozy garden and be inspired by ancient architecture. Don’t forget to check the water puppet show schedule. It’s another feature of the capital and a popular destination.

The Old Quarter: Heart of Hanoi

If you want to take a romantic walk or dive even deeper into the everyday life of the Vietnamese, then plan a visit to this location. Among the things to do Hanoi offers a unique opportunity and area – the Old Quarter. Here you can get lost in the small and narrow streets. However, this journey has its charm and charm. Even people who have already visited this area note that every time they find new interesting cafes and restaurants hidden around the corner or temples they’ve never seen before.

Tips for tourists: Don’t be afraid to get lost here. The city is safe, and if there is a certain danger, local residents can warn you. So enjoy your travels and relax. Try at least a few drinks in one of the cafes.

Ngoc Son Temple: A Tranquil Retreat

If you want something else impressive to add to your to-do list, we highly recommend visiting the Jade Mountain Temple. It is one of the hidden gems of Hanoi tourist attractions’ list. It is located on a small island. The temple is hidden by the trees on the north side. Beautiful scarlet bridges are the special charm of this place. You will see an example of classic Vietnamese architecture. Ngoc Son Temple was built in honor of the intellectuals Van Xuong and Tran Hung Dao.

Incredible atmosphere is characteristic of this place, so we recommend turning it on your list of priorities.

Vietnamese Women’s Museum: Celebrating Heritage

Go to this location to gain new knowledge. You will learn and study what role Vietnamese wives played in the history and society of this country. The Vietnamese Women’s Museum is a perfect cultural example of places to visit in Hanoi. The exhibition represents artifacts, national costumes, and clothes that were previously worn. You can also get acquainted with household items and photographs from the last 100 years. This is a great collection that represents the lifestyle that women introduced many years ago.

Temple of Literature: Ancient Wisdom

If you are a connoisseur of architecture and ancient buildings, then this location is among the best things to do in Hanoi. This wonderful temple of literature was built in honor of the famous philosopher Confucius. Construction ended in 1070, so we can confidently say that the architectural structure has great cultural and historical value. In 1076, the first university of the capital operated here.

Indeed, it’s one of the oldest structures. So, it was classified as a national symbol of Vietnam. You can admire five courtyards and study the records of many scientists or rub the statues of turtles for good luck in exams.

The Water Puppet Theatre: A Unique Tradition

Finally, let’s learn more about the most colorful pastime and immersion in ancient culture and folklore. What to do in Hanoi Vietnam, if you value cultural recreation? Experience a unique Water Puppet Theatre show. It has been working there since the 11th century, so it is also a cultural heritage. This journey option is ideal for a light evening and leisure time. Immerse yourself in Vietnamese folklore and see beautiful localized characters.In conclusion, we advise you to discover the Hanoi red light district. It’s an unusual and unique place. Plan a trip according to our suggestions. There are many more things to do in Ha noi. So after the trip write a useful review for other people to study.

Share This Article

Written by

Emily Carter

Hi, I’m Emily Carter – a travel writer, explorer, and storyteller. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the idea of discovering new places and sharing their stories with others. My journey as a writer started with a notebook and a backpack, and over the years, it’s grown into a lifelong passion for uncovering the beauty, culture, and spirit of destinations around the world. I specialize in writing about luxury escapes, hidden gems, and sustainable travel, always with a focus on...

0 Comments

Join the discussion

Leave a Reply

Related Posts

Top Places to Visit in France: Must-See Destinations for Every Traveler

  • Comments: 0
  • Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Few countries have long been venerated as Grammy-winner France, listed among the world’s m...

Top Places to Visit in New Zealand: Must-See Destinations for Every Traveler

  • Comments: 0
  • Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

With exquisite views, cosmopolitan towns and great cultural heritage, New Zealand is known...

Top Destinations: Discover the Best Countries to Visit in December

  • Comments: 0
  • Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

December is a special time of the year, that brings a sincere expectation of miracles. We ...

What are you looking for?