Hanoi, Vietnam

15 Best Things to Do in Hanoi

Start with these 15 and you have seen the Hanoi that travelers rate highest.

Ranked by traveler review volume across 99 places we track in Hanoi. Updated monthly.

  1. Old Quarter

    NeighborhoodFree entry

    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. Temple Of Literature

    Religious site

    The Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) in Hanoi is a beautifully preserved complex that served as Vietnam's first national university, founded in 1076.

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  3. Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

    Landmark

    Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is a beloved cultural landmark in Hanoi, located near Hoan Kiem Lake in the city's Old Quarter.

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  4. Hoa Lo Prison Relic

    Museum

    Hoa Lo Prison, originally built by the French colonial authorities in the late 19th century, is a haunting museum in central Hanoi that tells the story of Vietnam's fight for independence.

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  5. Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum

    LandmarkFree entry

    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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  6. Hanoi Zoo

    Park & nature

    Hanoi Zoo, also known as Thủ Lệ Park, is a long-standing attraction in the city that combines a zoo with a public park.

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  7. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

    Museum

    The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is a leading museum in Hanoi dedicated to the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam.

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  8. Hoàn Kiếm Lake

    Park & nature

    Hoàn Kiếm Lake, or Lake of the Returned Sword, is a serene oasis in the bustling heart of Hanoi.

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  9. West Lake (Hanoi)

    Park & nature

    West Lake is Hanoi's largest freshwater lake, stretching 17 km around and covering 500 hectares northwest of the city center.

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  10. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

    Landmark

    The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a monumental granite structure in Ba Dinh Square where the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh lies in a glass case.

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  11. Temple of Literature, Hanoi

    Religious site

    The Temple of Literature in Hanoi is a well-preserved complex dedicated to Confucius, sages, and scholars.

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  12. Hỏa Lò Prison

    Museum

    Hỏa Lò Prison, built by the French between 1896 and 1901, was originally used to hold Vietnamese political prisoners.

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  13. Hanoi Old Quarter

    LandmarkFree entry

    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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  14. Apron Up Cooking Class

    Market

    Apron Up Cooking Class is the highest-rated food and drink experience in Hanoi, located in the bustling Old Quarter.

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  15. Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum

    Museum

    The Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum is a premier cultural institution in Hanoi, housing an extensive collection of Vietnamese art from prehistoric times to the present.

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The full picture, restaurants included, lives in the categories below.

Attractions & sights

Landmarks, museums, neighborhoods

99 places

Restaurants

Where to eat

Explore

Day trips

Escapes near the city

Coming soon

Experiences & tours

Book things to do

Coming soon

Photo spots

Best views

Coming soon

Wellness

Spas & relaxation

Coming soon

Off the beaten path

12 hidden gems in Hanoi

Like Be Wellness Spa and Serene Spa, loved by reviewers, skipped by tour groups.

See them →

Get outdoors

12 outdoor adventures near Hanoi

Hanoi Zoo (4 km away) and more, all within 100 km.

Explore →

After dark

15 best bars & nightlife spots

Cloud Sky Bar Hanoi and Solar Sky Bar lead the night.

Go out →

For the kids

11 things to do with kids

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre and more the whole crew will rate.

Bring them →

Date night

8 romantic spots for couples

Hanoi Zoo at two-person pace.

Slow down →

Costs nothing

15 free things to do in Hanoi

Verified free entry, Old Quarter included.

Spend nothing →
Best things to do in Vietnam
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