- Hanoi is home to a unique coffee culture, most notably the invention of 'egg coffee' (cà phê trứng), created during a milk shortage in the 1940s.
- The city's Old Quarter maintains a traditional street-naming convention where streets were historically named after the specific craft or guild goods sold there.
- Hanoi operates on a high density of motorbikes, with the city's population-to-vehicle ratio being one of the highest in Southeast Asia.
- Despite its status as a major capital, Hanoi maintains a 'sidewalk culture' where business, dining, and social interactions occur almost exclusively on public pedestrian walkways.
- The city contains numerous 'tube houses,' which are extremely narrow, deep residences designed to minimize street-front taxes while maximizing living space.
About Hanoi
Hanoi is the thousand-year-old capital of Vietnam, defined by its blend of Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French colonial architectural influences. The city center radiates from Hoàn Kiếm Lake, serving as the cultural heart where traditional practices meet modern urban growth. Visitors can explore the scholarly heritage at the Temple Of Literature or reflect on the city's complex history at the Hoa Lo Prison Relic. Large-scale preservation efforts have kept the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long as a testament to historical administrative power. Beyond the historic core, the city offers expansive green spaces like Yen So Park.
Highlights of Hanoi
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Temples
This is the oldest Buddhist temple in the city, situated on a small island in West Lake.
Temples
Founded in 1070, this site functioned as the first national university of Vietnam.
Museums
The museum provides a somber look into the facility used by French colonists and later during the Vietnam War.
Historical places
This UNESCO World Heritage site features ancient palace foundations and archaeological artifacts from multiple dynasties.
Museums
It houses an extensive collection of traditional garments and tools from Vietnam's 54 officially recognized ethnic groups.
Natural attractions
The lake serves as the primary recreational hub and symbolic center of the city.
Temples
Located on a small islet in Hoàn Kiếm Lake, this temple is reached by the iconic red Huc Bridge.
Parks
As the largest park in the capital, it provides a quiet escape from the intense urban traffic of the center.
Top things to do in Hanoi
The 811 highest-rated places in Hanoi, ranked by travellers.
1
Temples
Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly N...
2
Museums
Hoa Lo Prison Relic, colloquially known as the 'Hanoi Hilton,' is a former French colonial prison used to house Vietname...
3
Temples
The Temple of Literature is a well-preserved example of traditional Vietnamese architecture, originally built in 1070 by...
4
Venues
The Hanoi Opera House is a prominent example of French Colonial architecture, designed by architects Broyer and Harley i...
5
Temples
Chùa Thầy, also known as the Master’s Pagoda, is an 11th-century Buddhist temple complex nestled at the foot of Sai Son...
6
Historical places
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a UNESCO World Heritage site representing 13 centuries of continuous power in Hano...
7
Museums
The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology focuses on the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam. It comprises an indoor...
8
Natural attractions
Hoàn Kiếm Lake serves as the historical and cultural center of Hanoi, featuring the Ngoc Son Temple situated on a small...
9
Parks
Thong Nhat Park, historically known as Lenin Park, is one of the largest public green spaces in central Hanoi, centered...
10
Zoos
VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium is an integrated indoor family entertainment center located within the basement levels of the...
11
Parks
Yen So Park is a 323-hectare urban park located within the Gamuda City development, serving as the largest green space i...
12
Museums
The Vietnam Military History Museum is one of the nation's premier institutions dedicated to the documentation and prese...
13
Temples
Ngoc Son Temple is situated on Jade Island within the northern portion of Hoan Kiem Lake, connected to the mainland by t...
14
Parks
Cau Giay Park is a prominent urban green space in Hanoi serving as a primary recreational hub for the surrounding Duy Ta...
15
Parks
Hoa Binh Park is a expansive 20-hectare green space in the Bac Tu Liem district of Hanoi, distinguished by its large cen...
16
Historical places
The Ho Chi Minh Museum is a major biographical museum dedicated to the life and revolutionary career of Vietnam's first...
17
Temples
The One Pillar Pagoda is a historic Buddhist temple in Hanoi, uniquely designed to resemble a lotus blossom emerging fro...
18
Temples
St. Joseph Cathedral, locally known as the Hanoi Cathedral, serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hano...
19
Amusement parks
Công Viên Thiên Đường Bảo Sơn is a comprehensive entertainment complex located on the western outskirts of Hanoi. The pa...
20
Historical places
Thành Cổ Sơn Tây is a well-preserved Vauban-style military fortress constructed in 1822 during the reign of Emperor Minh...
21
Temples
Phủ Tây Hồ is a prominent lakeside temple dedicated to Princess Liễu Hạnh, one of the Four Immortals in Vietnamese folk...
22
Natural attractions
West Lake (Hồ Tây) is the largest freshwater lake in Hanoi, covering approximately 500 hectares with a shoreline spannin...
23
Parks
Ho Tay Water Park is a prominent amusement facility located on the northern shore of West Lake in Hanoi. The park featur...
24
Temples
Bang Pagoda, formally known as Linh Tien Tu, is a historic Buddhist site located in the Hoang Mai district of Hanoi. The...
25
Museums
The Vietnamese Women's Museum is a gender-focused museum in Hanoi that documents the central role of women in the nation...
26
Parks
Bãi Đá Sông Hồng is a sprawling riverside park located on the alluvial plains of the Red River in the Nhat Tan district....
27
Temples
Ba Chua Kho Temple is a prominent spiritual site dedicated to the 'Lady of the Storehouse,' a legendary figure associate...
28
Temples
Quan Thanh Temple is a historic Taoist site dating back to the Ly Dynasty in the 11th century. It is dedicated to Huyen...
29
Museums
The Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum is the primary institution for preserving and exhibiting the national artistic her...
30
Places of interest
Thung lũng hoa hồ Tây is a sprawling floral park located on the edge of West Lake in Hanoi, spanning several hectares. I...
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Hanoi on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Hanoi
Autumn (September to November) or Spring (March to April) offer mild temperatures and lower humidity, avoiding the extremes of the summer heat and winter drizzle.
3-4 days, allowing enough time to explore the historic Old Quarter, major museums, and surrounding green spaces without rushing.
Hanoi is best navigated via ride-hailing apps for motorbikes and cars, though the central districts are highly walkable. Public bus networks exist, and a developing metro system currently offers limited lines.
The Old Quarter is ideal for proximity to major sights and nightlife, while the Hoàn Kiếm district provides a more balanced atmosphere near the lake.
Hanoi is a budget-friendly destination, with affordable street food, local transit, and mid-range accommodation options readily available.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 811 curated attractions in and around Hanoi, ranked by traveller ratings.
Tran Quoc Pagoda is the highest-rated place to visit in Hanoi right now.
The largest category is temples, with 420 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Thái Bình, Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh.
Explore more of Vietnam
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.