Costs nothing · Hanoi, Vietnam

15 Free Things to Do in Hanoi

The best budget in travel is zero. These Hanoi spots have verified free entry.

Free means verified: each entry policy here is checked, out of 99 tracked Hanoi places. Updated monthly.

  1. Old Quarter

    Neighborhood

    The Old Quarter is the chaotic, intoxicating heart of Hanoi, a dense tangle of narrow streets where, traditionally, each lane specialised in a single trade, a pattern you can still read in street…

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  2. Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum

    Landmark

    Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum is a solemn, monumental structure in the heart of Hanoi where the embalmed body of the revered Vietnamese leader lies in state.

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  3. Hanoi Old Quarter

    Landmark

    Hanoi Old Quarter is the historic commercial heart of Vietnam's capital, a dense network of 36 ancient streets dating back to the 13th century.

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  4. Hanoi Flagtower

    Landmark

    The Hanoi Flagtower (Cột Cờ Hà Nội) stands as one of the few surviving structures from the Nguyen Dynasty's citadel, largely untouched by French colonial demolition.

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  5. Bat Trang Pottery Village

    Landmark

    Bat Trang Pottery Village, located about 13 kilometers southeast of Hanoi's city center along the Red River, is one of Vietnam's most renowned ceramic craft villages.

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  6. Bach Ma Temple

    Religious site

    Bach Ma Temple (White Horse Temple) is one of the oldest and most revered Buddhist temples in Hanoi, located near the northern shore of Hoan Kiem Lake.

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  7. An handmade Hang Manh - Ethnic Craft Station

    Market

    An handmade Hang Manh - Ethnic Craft Station is a small, family-run market stall located on Hang Manh Street in Hanoi's bustling Old Quarter.

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  8. Sword Lake Octagon House

    Landmark

    The Sword Lake Octagon House, known locally as Tháp Rùa (Turtle Tower), stands on a small grassy islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake in central Hanoi.

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  9. Ly Thai To Park

    Park & nature

    Ly Thai To Park is a tranquil green space located on the eastern shore of Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter.

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  10. Anh Village Silk

    Market

    Anh Village Silk is a charming store on Nguyen Huu Huan Street, specializing in Vietnamese silk products.

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  11. Hoa Fashion

    Market

    Hoa Fashion is a vibrant market located in the Tay Ho district of Hanoi, just a short walk from the shores of West Lake.

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  12. Pheva Chocolate - Hanoi

    Market

    Pheva Chocolate - Hanoi is a specialty market and boutique located on Phan Boi Chau Street in the heart of Hanoi.

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  13. TiredCity 2D Ly Quốc Su

    Market

    TiredCity 2D Ly Quốc Su is a lively market tucked away on a narrow alley in Hanoi's Old Quarter, offering a quintessential local shopping experience.

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  14. Mountain Allure

    Market

    Mountain Allure is a delightful market located at 107 Hàng Buồm Street in Hanoi's vibrant Old Quarter.

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  15. Vui Studio

    Market

    Vui Studio is a delightful market and concept store tucked away on Tong Duy Tan Street in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem district.

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How we pick these

Every place here is genuinely free to enter. We filter the 99 Hanoi places we track down to those with no admission charge, then rank them by traveler reviews. Updated monthly.

Good to know

Always vs sometimes free

A few museums are free only on set days — check opening info before you go.

Budget the extras

Entry is free, but transport, snacks and lockers in Hanoi still add up.

Go early

Free attractions draw crowds; mornings are usually the calmest.

Common questions

What can you do for free in Hanoi?+

This list ranks the best no-cost things to do in Hanoi, from parks and viewpoints to museums with free entry.

Are there free museums in Hanoi?+

Some museums are free all the time and others on specific days. The verified-free ones are included above.

Is Hanoi expensive to visit?+

You can see a lot of Hanoi on a tight budget by leaning on the free attractions here and eating where locals do.

Worth paying for? Best things to do in Hanoi · hidden gems · build a budget itinerary

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