The streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter date back to the 14th century. You can explore this neighborhood by cycle rickshaw; street food stalls serve phở and bún chả there. Bún cá is also available at street stalls throughout Hanoi. The culinary landmarks are therefore distinct: phở and bún chả are associated with the Old Quarter’s street food stalls, while bún cá is associated with street stalls across the city.

History, art and crafts

Even a street name offers a glimpse into Hanoi’s craft history. Hang Bac was historically associated with silversmiths and coin makers; jewelry was produced there later. Anyone interested in the history of individual streets will find a specific connection between place and craft here.

The Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi was inscribed on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 2010. Hanoi’s Temple of Literature offers a different focus: its grounds include five courtyards, records of Vietnamese scholars and turtle statues. The two sites thus offer different starting points for exploring cultural history.

The Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi houses the country’s most important art collection. It includes ancient Cham artifacts and Impressionist works. These examples show the breadth of the collection without reducing it to a single style or period.

Water puppets, lake and coffee

The Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre is located at 57B Đinh Tiên Hoàng in Hanoi’s Hoàn Kiếm District. In Đào Thục village on the outskirts, there is a water puppet workshop and an open-air stage associated with a 300-year-old tradition. A specific location within the city and a village craft and performance connection thus offer distinct points of reference.

Hoan Kiem Lake lies in the heart of Hanoi and is used by walkers, aerobics groups and a laughter yoga group. Walks and group activities are equally part of the picture at this location. Hanoi’s coffee culture can also be part of your exploration: it is reflected in leisurely coffee breaks and traditional coffee houses. If you are interested in urban culture as well as historic sites, coffee offers another thread to explore.

Practical tips for your visit

Hanoi has an extensive bus network with routes within the city. If you include buses in your plans, check the current timetable before traveling. The Hanoi Dep Sound audio guide supports several languages and can be accessed on a smartphone via a QR code. You can therefore consider both the bus network and a multilingual audio guide when finding your way around the city.

Visits to the Hoa Lo Prison Relic historic site are possible individually or in groups; groups are asked to get in touch directly or by phone. Guided tours are offered for the standing monuments and archaeological sites of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long; a map is available at the ticket office. Check the current tour details before visiting. The two tips are practical in different ways: at Hoa Lo, the request to get in touch applies to groups, while at the citadel, guided tours and a map help visitors find their way around.

Discover more destinations: Hanoi, Hoan Kiem District, La Phù, Tt. Đông Anh, Thị xã Sơn Tây, Kim Quan, Ðồng Dụ, Khanh Hoa.

For the overview of destinations: Vietnam.