Hanoi
Set amidst landscaped grounds near the centre of Hanoi, the Temple of Literature honours Vietnam's finest scholars, and also offers visitors a chance to鈥
Must-see attractions in Hanoi
Hanoi
This thought-provoking site is all that remains of the former Hoa Lo Prison, ironically nicknamed the 鈥楬anoi Hilton鈥 by US prisoners of war (POWs) during鈥
Hanoi
Legend claims that, in the mid-15th century, heaven sent Emperor Le Loi a magical sword, which he used to drive the Chinese from Vietnam. After the鈥
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Hanoi
Added to Unesco's World Heritage List in 2010, Hanoi's Imperial Citadel was the hub of Vietnamese military power for over 1000 years. Ongoing鈥
National Museum of Vietnamese History
Hanoi
Built between 1925 and 1932, this architecturally impressive museum was formerly home to the 脡cole 贵谤补苍莽补颈蝉e d鈥橢xtr锚me-Orient. Its architect, Ernest鈥
Hanoi
This fabulous collection relating to Vietnam's ethnic minorities features well-presented tribal art, artefacts and everyday objects gathered from across鈥
Hanoi
In the heart of the Old Quarter, the small Bach Ma Temple (literally 'White Horse Temple') is said to be the oldest temple in the city, though much of the鈥
Hanoi
This excellent and highly informative museum showcases the roles of women in Vietnamese society and culture. Labelled in English and French, exhibits鈥
Hanoi
One of the Old Quarter鈥檚 best-restored properties, this traditional merchants鈥 house is sparsely but beautifully decorated, with rooms filled with fine鈥
Hanoi
Two kilometres south of Hoan Kiem Lake, this temple was founded in 1142. A statue shows the two Trung sisters (from the 1st century CE) kneeling with鈥
Hanoi
Hanoi's neo-Gothic St Joseph Cathedral was inaugurated in 1886, and has a soaring facade that faces a little plaza that's usually stuffed with selfie鈥
Hanoi
This humble, traditional stilt house where Ho lived intermittently from 1958 to 1969 is set in a well-tended garden adjacent to a carp-filled pond and has鈥
Hanoi
The city's best views can be found on the 65th-floor 360-degree Observation Deck of the landmark Lotte Center in the western corner of Hanoi's Ba Dinh鈥
Hanoi
The excellent Fine Arts Museum is housed in two buildings that were once the French Ministry of Information. Treasures abound, including ancient Champa鈥
Hanoi
This glorious neoclassical centrepiece of Hanoi's French Quarter is unmissable with its Gothic pillars and domes. The French-colonial 900-seat venue was鈥
Hanoi
The city鈥檚 largest lake, West Lake is 15km in circumference and ringed by upmarket suburbs, including the predominantly expat Tay Ho district. On the鈥
Hanoi
A symbol of the tenacity and resilience of the Hanoian people, the Long Bien Bridge (built between 1899 and 1902) was bombed on several occasions during鈥
Manzi Exhibition Space & Artist Residency
Hanoi
Just round the corner from its namesake cafe, gallery and shop, this art space and gallery hosts exhibitions and open studios for local and international鈥
Hanoi
Jutting into West Lake (Ho Tay), beautiful Tay Ho Pagoda is perhaps the most popular place of worship in Hanoi. Throngs of people come here on the first鈥
Hanoi
This park, formerly known as Lenin Park, is a lovely place to escape the bustle of the Old Quarter and see what the locals do in their downtime. Hint:鈥
Hanoi
In the tradition of Lenin, Stalin and Mao, Ho Chi Minh鈥檚 Mausoleum is a monumental marble edifice. Contrary to Ho Chi Minh鈥檚 desire for a simple cremation鈥
Vietnam Military History Museum
Hanoi
Easy to spot thanks to a large collection of weaponry at the front, the Military Museum displays Soviet and Chinese equipment alongside French- and US鈥
Hanoi
The One Pillar Pagoda was originally built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong who ruled from 1028 to 1054. According to the annals, the heirless emperor dreamed鈥
Hanoi
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex is an important place of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese. A traffic-free area of botanical gardens, monuments, memorials鈥
Hanoi
Meaning 'Temple of the Jade Mountain', Hanoi's most visited temple sits on a small island in the northern part of Hoan Kiem Lake, connected to the鈥
Hanoi
One of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam, Tran Quoc Pagoda looks new with its clean orange bricks. What gives it a photogenic advantage is the backdrop of the鈥
Hanoi
The largest covered market in Hanoi was originally built by the French in 1889 and almost completely destroyed by fire in 1994. Almost everything you can鈥
Hanoi
This dramatic monument depicts a woman with a sword and one man holding a rifle and another a torch. It was erected as a memorial to those who died鈥
Hanoi
The huge concrete Soviet-style Ho Chi Minh Museum is a triumphalist monument dedicated to the life of the founder of modern Vietnam. The often-confusing鈥
Hanoi
Separated from West Lake (Ho Tay) only by 脨 Thanh Nien, this lake is lined with flame trees. During the 18th century the Trinh lords built a palace on the鈥
Hanoi
Shaded by huge trees, Quan Thanh Temple was established during the Ly dynasty (1010鈥1225) and was dedicated to Tran Vo (God of the North), whose symbols鈥
Hanoi
Spanning almost 4km along the Song Hong dyke, from its terminus at the Long Bien Bridge, this mural project holds the Guinness World Record for being the鈥
Hanoi
This narrow lane is packed with local eateries turning out cheap, tasty food for a few dollars. Ngo Cam Chi translates as 鈥楩orbidden to Point Alley鈥 and鈥
Hanoi
This opulent restored colonial pile was flung up in 1906 as the Palace for the Governor General of Indochina. The yellow (a colour of communism) beaux鈥
Hanoi
The hexagonal Flag Tower, one of the symbols of Hanoi, is part of the Vietnam Military History Museum complex, though tower-only admission is free from鈥
Hanoi
A relatively quiet waterfront scene is around the northeast edge of Truc Bach Lake. Many lau (hotpot) restaurants are huddled together in an almost鈥
Hanoi
Near the southern bank of West Lake, 脨 Thuy Khue features dozens of outdoor seafood restaurants. The level of competition is evident by the daredevil鈥
Hanoi
The official centre of Buddhism in Hanoi, the wonderfully maintained and otherwise peaceful Ambassadors鈥 Pagoda attracts quite a crowd on holidays. During鈥
Hanoi
More commonly known as 'Chicken Street', Pho Ly Van Phuc is devoted to barbecued, grilled and roast chicken, usually dished up brushed with honey and鈥
Hanoi
Of the former 16 medieval gates to the city, only this one stone and brick gate remains. The portal 鈥 still used by scooter traffic 鈥 is inscribed on the鈥