Planning to visit Hanoi for two or three days during your trip to Vietnam? Don't waste time and discover the must-see attractions during your stay in the Vietnamese capital. Temples and pagodas, museums and lakes, not to mention the old quarter… We'll take you through the iconic landmarks of Hanoi!

The Old Quarter

The Old Quarter of Hanoi is the most authentic in the capital. It consists of narrow alleyways, traditional tube houses, small temples, delightful street restaurants and food stalls, and above all, countless artisanal boutiques of every kind. This is precisely what has made this neighborhood famous, and it's easy to explore on foot day or night.

Most streets have retained their old names: they begin with the word Hàng, which means "goods" because each street has its own specialty. You'll find the street of red silk dyers (Hàng Dào), the street of votive objects (Hàng Ma), the street of shoes (Hàng Giây), the street of tinsmith workers (Hàng Thiêc), and so on…

Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Ngọc Sơn Temple

Not far from Hanoi's old town lies Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Translated as 'The Lake of the Returned Sword', the lake's name comes from a legend according to which Emperor Lê Lợi defeated the Chinese with the help of a sword recovered from these waters. After the battle, he reportedly saw a giant turtle emerge from the lake and return the legendary sword to it before it carried this divine gift into the lake's depths. Situated on small islands in the middle of the lake, Ngoc Son Temple and Thap Rua (Turtle Tower) pay homage to this legend.

Note: many local residents come to the lake's shores every morning to practice traditional tai chi. Every weekend, the lakeside becomes entirely pedestrian and hosts numerous activities. In other words, it's the ideal place to meet the locals!

Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is absolutely not to be missed during a stay in Hanoi. It's one of the rarest examples of Vietnamese architecture so well preserved! Built in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tông, the Temple of Literature was dedicated to Confucius (Khong Tu) to honor scholars and great writers. It was inaugurated in 1076 and became Vietnam's first university. Initially intended for the education of princes, sons of mandarins, and aristocrats, it only opened to students of the nation in 1442.

Today the temple welcomes support and cooperation from cultural and scientific organizations and all visitors who wish to learn more about Vietnamese national culture.

Tran Quoc Pagoda and Ho Tay Lake

Head to Hanoi's largest lake: Ho Tay Lake or the Lake of the West. Here you'll find Vietnam's oldest pagoda: Tran Quoc. Dating from the 15th century, the pagoda sits in a beautiful garden where centuries-old trees and Buddhist statues coexist in an unexpected setting. You can even admire the famous statue of the Buddha of Nirvana, recognized as a masterpiece of Vietnamese sculpture. In any case, Ho Tay Lake offers the perfect chance to get a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Florine Dergelet