Places you should visit in Ha Noi
As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is the cultural center of Vietnam. Despite the battles that have raged around it, Hanoi retains much of its historic charm. Hanoi boasts more cultural sites than any city in Vietnam, including over 600 pagodas and temples and some delightful French colonial buildings.
- The Old Quarter, near Hoan Kiem Lake, is a thriving, chaotic tangle of streets dating to the 13th century. Each street was originally home to merchants specializing in a particular trade, such as jewelry, silver, baskets, and silks, and the street names today reflect these industries, even if the same products are no longer offered there. The Old Quarter is still famous for its artisans and merchants. Look for the guild houses dotting the area, whose tranquil courtyards and temples offer a nice break from the busy streets. The Dong Xuan market, the city’s largest, is found in the heart of the district and is open for business every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening, with a huge variety of clothing, souvenirs and food for sale.
The Old Quarter is most enjoyable when you put away your map and simply wander the maze of lanes, soaking up the cultural essence of Hanoi.
- Lakes: Hanoi has many scenic lakes and is sometimes called “City of Lakes,” the most famous of which are Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Halais Lake, and Bay Mau Lake. At Hoan Kiem Lake you can join in on a martial arts session, do some tai chi exercises, or simply stroll. West Lake, the largest lake in Hanoi, is the city’s Beverly Hills, with many trendy restaurants and clubs in the area. It’s also home to Vietnam’s oldest pagoda, Tran Quoc, which was built in the 6th century on an island in the middle of the lake. A boddhi tree seeded from the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment grows in the courtyard.
- French colonial architecture: Hanoi was the capital of French Indonchina from 1887 to 1954, and the city retains some beautiful colonial buildings from that period. Good examples include the Grand Opera House, the State Bank of Vietnam (formerly the Bank of Indochina), the Presidential Palace (formerly the palace of the governor-general of French Indochina), the Cathédrale St-Joseph, and historic hotel Sofitel Metropole.
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: Ho Chi Minh City in the south may have his name, but only Hanoi has the man himself, embalmed and dressed in distinctly Lenin-esque fashion. No talking, short pants, or other signs of disrespect are allowed while viewing; photos of the large concrete-and-granite structure are permitted only from outside, in the grand Ba Dinh Square.
- Ho Chi Minh Museum: Right around the corner from the mausoleum, this gleaming white museum and its gloriously ham-handed iconography are the perfect chaser to the solemnity of the mausoleum. The museum displays personal items and photos from Ho Chi Minh’s life, housed in a building, completed in 1990, which is intended to evoke a white lotus.
- Ho Chi Minh’s residence: Rather than occupy the spectacular Presidential Palace, former home of the French colonial governor, Ho instead chose to live nearby in a traditional Vietnamese house on stilts, overlooking a small pond. He was resident here from 1958 to his death in 1969.
- One-Pillar Pagoda: First built in 1049, the One-Pillar Pagoda honors Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the goddess of mercy.
- The Temple of Literature, an excellent example of Chinese and Vietnamese architecture, was founded in 1070 to honor the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It was established as the country’s first university six years later. The courtyard features 82 stone tablets, each mounted on the back of a carved tortoise, with the names of graduates from the years 1484 to 1780.
- Hoa Lo Prison (“The Hanoi Hilton”): Built by the French at the turn of the 20th century, this is where the French imprisoned and executed many Vietnamese during the war for independence. Later, the prison was used to hold U.S. prisoners of war, including U.S Senator John McCain. The prison is now a museum highlighting the struggle of the Vietnamese people against imperialism.
- Army Museum: This museum celebrates the role of the Vietnamese Army in the country’s battles for independence. In addition to historic photos, there are numerous bombs, aircraft, guns and tanks on display, including one of the tanks that charged through the gates of the presidential palace in Saigon on April 30, 1975, an event which marked the end of the Vietnam War.
- Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts: For visitors with an interest in the arts, this museum, housed in a beautiful colonial building, is a must-see. There’s a nice mix of Vietnamese traditional crafts such as lacquerware and silk painting, as well as some impressive historic artifacts. One highlight is an 11th century statue of the goddess of mercy, Kouan Yin, with a thousand arms and eyes. There are explanations in English.
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: Vietnam is home to 53 ethnic minorities, and this museum sheds light on their history and culture. In back of the museum are re-constructions of traditional village homes.
The red roofs of Hanoi’s Old Quarter make for a charming skyline
The imposing pagoda of Tran Quoc
The Presidential Palace, built between 1901 and 1906, was the home of the French governor-general of Indochina. For symbolic reasons, Ho Chi Minh refused to live in it
Reminiscent of Lenin’s tomb in Red Square, Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum reflects his venerated status in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh’s presence is felt everywhere in Hanoi. Today, he’s revered less for his socialist ideals and more for his leadership in unifying and liberating Vietnam .
It can be mobbed by tourists, but One-Pillar Pagoda is well worth a visit
The Temple of Literature is not only an interesting sight but a great place to take a break from the hectic city
Military history buffs especially will enjoy the Army Museum
Although auto traffic is growing in Hanoi, many residents still get around as these women do: on two wheels
2 years ago