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.
Old Quarter
NeighborhoodFree entryThe 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…
Read our full guide →Temple Of Literature
Religious siteThe Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) in Hanoi is a beautifully preserved complex that served as Vietnam's first national university, founded in 1076.
Read our full guide →Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
LandmarkThang Long Water Puppet Theatre is a beloved cultural landmark in Hanoi, located near Hoan Kiem Lake in the city's Old Quarter.
Read our full guide →Hoa Lo Prison Relic
MuseumHoa 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.
Read our full guide →Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum
LandmarkFree entryHo 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.
Read our full guide →Hanoi Zoo
Park & natureHanoi Zoo, also known as Thủ Lệ Park, is a long-standing attraction in the city that combines a zoo with a public park.
Read our full guide →Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
MuseumThe Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is a leading museum in Hanoi dedicated to the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam.
Read our full guide →Hoàn Kiếm Lake
Park & natureHoàn Kiếm Lake, or Lake of the Returned Sword, is a serene oasis in the bustling heart of Hanoi.
Read our full guide →West Lake (Hanoi)
Park & natureWest Lake is Hanoi's largest freshwater lake, stretching 17 km around and covering 500 hectares northwest of the city center.
Read our full guide →Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
LandmarkThe 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.
Read our full guide →Temple of Literature, Hanoi
Religious siteThe Temple of Literature in Hanoi is a well-preserved complex dedicated to Confucius, sages, and scholars.
Read our full guide →Hỏa Lò Prison
MuseumHỏa Lò Prison, built by the French between 1896 and 1901, was originally used to hold Vietnamese political prisoners.
Read our full guide →Hanoi Old Quarter
LandmarkFree entryHanoi Old Quarter is the historic commercial heart of Vietnam's capital, a dense network of 36 ancient streets dating back to the 13th century.
Read our full guide →Apron Up Cooking Class
MarketApron Up Cooking Class is the highest-rated food and drink experience in Hanoi, located in the bustling Old Quarter.
Read our full guide →Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum
MuseumThe 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.
Read our full guide →
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 soonExperiences & tours
Book things to do
Coming soonPhoto spots
Best views
Coming soonWellness
Spas & relaxation
Coming soonOff 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 →Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend in Hanoi can build your days for you, at local prices.















