Discover the Heart of Vietnam: 11 Must-See Attractions in Hanoi

Top 11 most famous attractions in Hanoi

1. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – A Monument to Vietnam’s Founding Father

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is one of Hanoi’s most solemn and significant landmarks. Completed between 1973 and 1975, this imposing marble-and-granite structure was built to honor President Hồ Chí Minh, the revolutionary leader who led Vietnam to independence.

Inside, his embalmed body lies in a glass sarcophagus, dressed in his iconic khaki uniform. Both locals and visitors line up early each morning to pay their respects in silence—an experience that’s as humbling as it is historical. This site forms part of the Ba Dinh Square complex, where Hồ Chí Minh read the Declaration of Independence in 1945. Nearby, you can also explore the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, and the One Pillar Pagoda.

📍 Address: No. 1 Hùng Vương Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

🎟️ Admission: 35,000 VND

🕗 Hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Tuesday to Thursday & Saturday to Sunday (December–September). Last entry: 10:15 AM

2. One Pillar Pagoda – A Symbol of Purity and Devotion

Nestled within the historic Ba Dinh District, the One Pillar Pagoda is one of Vietnam’s most iconic Buddhist temples. Built in 1049 by Emperor Lý Thái Tổ, this unique wooden structure stands on a single stone pillar in the center of a lotus pond, designed to resemble a blossoming lotus, a sacred symbol of purity and enlightenment in Buddhist philosophy.

Legend has it that the Emperor dreamt of the Goddess of Mercy (Quan Âm) handing him a baby boy while seated on a lotus. Shortly after, his prayers for a son were fulfilled. To honor the deity, he commissioned the pagoda's construction.

Despite being damaged during wartime and later restored, the One Pillar Pagoda remains a serene and spiritual destination. It’s a quick stop but a meaningful one, especially for travelers interested in Vietnamese history and religious traditions.

📍 Address: Chùa Một Cột, Đội Cấn Street, Ba Đình District, Hanoi

🎟️ Admission: 25,000 VND

🕗 Hours: Daily: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM; Also open 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Tue, Thu, Sat, and Sun

3. Hanoi Old Quarter – A Living Museum of Craft and Culture

Step into the beating heart of Hanoi at the Old Quarter, a bustling maze of 36 historic streets that has thrived since the 15th century. Located just north of Hoàn Kiếm Lake, this compact one-square-kilometer area is a living tapestry of Vietnam’s commercial past and cultural soul.

Each street was once dedicated to a particular trade—think Hàng Bạc (Silver Street), Hàng Tre (Bamboo Street), and Hàng Gai (Silk Street). Many of these artisan legacies still endure today, alongside family-run stores, street food stalls, and vibrant cafes. You’ll encounter everything from lacquerware and lanterns to steaming bowls of phở and sizzling bánh xèo.

The Old Quarter isn’t just a place to shop—it's an experience. The narrow lanes hum with life, color, and history. Whether you're browsing local handicrafts or sipping iced coffee curbside, this district is where Hanoi’s soul truly reveals itself.

📍 Location: North of Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

🎟️ Admission: Free

🕗 Hours: 7:00 AM – Midnight

4. Hanoi Opera House – A Masterpiece of French Colonial Elegance

The Hanoi Opera House stands as one of the city’s grandest architectural treasures. Built in 1911 during the French colonial era, this iconic landmark was modeled after the Palais Garnier in Paris. With its neoclassical façade, marble staircases, and ornate domes, the opera house is a striking symbol of Hanoi’s cultural fusion.

After nearly a century of performances, the building underwent a meticulous renovation in 1997. Today, it's equipped with modern acoustics and lighting, making it the premier venue in Vietnam for classical concerts, ballet, opera, and international stage productions.

📍 Address: No. 1 Tràng Tiền Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

🎟️ Admission: From 300,000 VND (varies by performance)

🕗 Hours: Visit the official website or box office for event times

5. Vietnamese Women’s Museum – Honoring the Strength of Generations

The Vietnamese Women’s Museum is one of Hanoi’s most thoughtfully curated and modern museums. Dedicated to showcasing the lives, contributions, and resilience of Vietnamese women, this museum offers a powerful and moving perspective on the country’s history and culture.

Through beautifully presented exhibits, featuring traditional costumes, textiles, handicrafts, family heirlooms, and wartime memoirs, the museum highlights the vital roles women have played in everything from agriculture and family life to revolution and national defense. Interactive displays and multilingual descriptions make it accessible to both local and international visitors.

📍 Address: 36 Lý Thường Kiệt Street, Hàng Bài Ward, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

🎟️ Admission: 30,000 VND

🕗 Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays)

6. Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre – Folklore Brought to Life on Water

For a truly unique cultural experience in Hanoi, don’t miss a performance at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. This centuries-old art form dates back to the 11th century, originating in the rice paddies of northern Vietnam, where flooded fields became impromptu stages.

Today, the tradition lives on in a charming indoor setting near Hoàn Kiếm Lake. From behind a silk screen, skilled puppeteers wade waist-deep in water, using long bamboo rods to animate brightly painted wooden puppets. The shows bring to life tales of village life, legendary heroes, and folk mythology, accompanied by traditional live music and singing. It’s fun, family-friendly, and a window into Vietnam’s rural heritage. Shows sell out quickly, so booking in advance is recommended.

📍 Address: 57B Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

🎟️ Admission: From 100,000 VND

🕗 Showtimes: Daily at 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:15 PM

Bonus show: Sundays at 9:30 PM

7. Hoàn Kiếm Lake – Hanoi’s Legendary Heartbeat

At the center of Hanoi’s old town lies Hoàn Kiếm Lake, a serene escape steeped in legend and beloved by locals. Its name means “Lake of the Returned Sword,” a reference to the myth of Emperor Lý Thái Tổ, who was gifted a divine sword by a golden turtle to defeat foreign invaders. After his victory, the turtle reclaimed the sword and disappeared into the lake, forever linking the waters to Vietnam’s national spirit.

Today, Hoàn Kiếm Lake is a symbol of peace and reflection. Locals gather here at dawn for Tai Chi, light jogging, or lakeside chats. The tree-lined promenade offers a perfect stroll, and the scenic views, especially at sunrise, are unforgettable. Don't miss Ngọc Sơn Temple, perched on a small island accessible by the iconic red Thê Húc Bridge. It’s a tranquil place to explore Vietnam’s spiritual side amid the city’s hustle.

📍 Location: Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

🎟️ Admission: Free to the public

🕗 Hours: Open all day

8. Ngọc Sơn Temple – A Sacred Retreat on Hoàn Kiếm Lake

Nestled on a tranquil island in Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Ngọc Sơn Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain) is a peaceful sanctuary that offers both cultural significance and scenic beauty. Accessed by the striking red Thê Húc Bridge, the temple is dedicated to two important figures in Vietnamese history: Saint Văn Xương, an intellectual scholar, and General Trần Hưng Đạo, a national hero revered for his leadership during the Mongol invasions.

The temple's serene atmosphere is enhanced by its intricate architecture, which includes elegant wooden carvings and altars. Notably, in 1884, Confucian scholar Nguyễn Văn Siêu renovated the site, adding câu đối (parallel sentences)—traditional word puzzles—on the temple's walls to celebrate Vietnamese literary and intellectual traditions.

📍 Address: Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hanoi

🎟️ Admission: 20,000 VND

🕗 Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM, Daily

9. Temple of Literature – A Tribute to Knowledge and Wisdom

The Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) is one of Hanoi's oldest and most revered landmarks. Built in 1070 by Emperor Lý Thánh Tông, this beautiful temple was dedicated to Confucius and his disciples, celebrating the values of education and scholarship. It holds particular significance as the site of Quốc Tử Giám, Vietnam's first university, established in 1076 to train Vietnam's elite scholars.

The temple complex features five distinct courtyards, each showcasing remarkable architecture, ancient statues, and inscriptions honoring Vietnam's greatest minds. Among its most iconic features are the stone-carved turtle statues, believed to bring good luck to students preparing for exams, making the temple a beloved site for scholars and learners alike.

📍 Address: 58 Quốc Tử Giám Street, Đống Đa District, Hanoi

🎟️ Admission: 30,000 VND

🕗 Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Nov – Mar); 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Apr – Oct), Tue – Sun

10. Museum of Ethnology – A Deep Dive into Vietnam’s Cultural Diversity

The Museum of Ethnology is a must-visit for anyone keen to understand the cultural tapestry of Vietnam. This fascinating museum showcases the traditions and daily lives of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Designed by Tày architect Hà Đức Linh and French architect Véronique Dolfus, the museum is a blend of modern and traditional architecture, reflecting the diversity it celebrates.

Within its walls, you'll find three main exhibition spaces filled with cultural costumes, handcrafted artifacts, and videos that bring each ethnic group's customs and history to life. The outdoor area features life-size replicas of traditional homes, offering a hands-on, immersive experience of Vietnam’s rural and tribal architecture.

📍 Address: Nguyễn Văn Huyên Street, Nghĩa Đô, Cầu Giấy District, Hanoi

🎟️ Admission: 40,000 VND

🕗 Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM, Tue – Sun

11. Saint Joseph’s Cathedral – A Touch of European Architecture in Hanoi

Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, also known as Hanoi Cathedral, is a stunning example of Neo-Gothic architecture in the heart of the city. Built in 1886 on the site of the Bảo Thiên Tower, the most iconic landmark of Hanoi during the Lý Dynasty, the cathedral draws architectural inspiration from the Notre-Dame de Paris.

As you approach this towering structure, you’ll be mesmerized by its intricate stained glass windows and towering spires. The cathedral is a vibrant place of worship, where a multicultural crowd gathers for Mass, and it’s also a favorite spot for newlyweds to capture romantic photos against its grand backdrop.

📍 Address: 40 Nhà Chung, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

🎟️ Admission: Free

🕗 Hours: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Daily