Hanoi Attractions

Hanoi and north Vietnam offer a choice of must-see attractions, including:

Hanoi
Blessed with broad tree-lined boulevards, lakes and parks, belle époque villas and beautiful temples, the capital city of Hanoi reflects a fascinating blend of Indo-Chinese and French colonial influences.

Wander the maze of picturesque narrow streets of the Old Quarter; browse the sprawling Dong Xuan Market; pay your respects at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and see personal artifacts of the Vietnamese leader at the Ho Chi Minh Museum or at his charming lakeside home.

Then visit One Pillar Pagoda, a cultural and historic relic built in 1049 and unique for its architectural features or pop into the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), Vietnam’s first university. Other not to be missed attractions in Hanoi include:

Hoan Kiem Lake – Located in the heart of Hanoi, this pretty and mystical lake is known locally as the ‘Lake of the Restored Sword’. It is steeped in Arthurian-style legend: in the 15th century, a giant turtle rose from the lake to reclaim a magical sword that was given to Emperor Le Loi to expel the Chinese army from Vietnam.

Stroll beneath a mix of huge, lush green trees, especially beautiful in June and July when the flame trees flower. Watch the locals exercise and practice martial arts while lovers cuddle on park benches.

Be entertained by a traditional water puppet show, music and dance performance in the evening and visit monks at Ngoc Son Temple, an 18th century pagoda which stands on an island easily reached along a wooden red-painted bridge at the northern end of the lake. Try to spot the large soft-shelled turtles basking in the sun beneath the tiny Thap Rua pagoda built on a tiny islet at the centre of the lake.

Hoa Lo Prison (a.k.a. Hanoi Hilton) – Get a glimpse into Vietnam's grim past at this small museum originally built by the French to detain Vietnamese dissidents, then used by the Vietnamese to house US pilots – including John McCain – who were shot down during the American War.

Army Museum – Discover an amazing array of weaponry, including aircraft, tanks, bombs and artillery pieces that were used during the French and American wars. See wreckage of downed French and US aircraft as well as one of the Vietnamese tanks that crashed through the Presidential Palace gates in Saigon, on 30 April 1975.

Thousands of exhibits, including evocative photographs, maps, scale models and various bric-a-brac, give an insight into Vietnam’s struggle against the colonial powers. Hanoi's ancient flag tower (Cot Co), built in 1812, stands in the grounds.

Discover a range of hotel accommodation in Hanoi . . .

Hoang Lien Son Nature Reserve
Trek into a pristine mountain range, home to Vietnam’s highest mountain, Fan Si Pan (3143m). Marvel at the picture-perfect rice terraces, lush vegetation and look out for wildlife including leopard, tiger and black gibbon, as well as more than 150 bird species.

Visit picturesque villages around Sapa, the former French hill station, and meet ethnic hill tribe people who still practice animism and wear colourful traditional clothing. Head to the nearby town of Bac Ha to shop for traditional handicrafts at the lively Sunday market, which is attended by ethnic minorities, including Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay and Xa Pho peoples. Find Sapa hotels . . .

Dien Bien Phu
Nestled in the flat Muong Thanh Valley and surrounded by steep and forested hills, Dien Bien Phu sits just 34km from the Lao Border. The site is famous for the Viet Minh's decisive victory over French colonial forces in 1954.

Today the region is mainly the home of Thai and H'mong tribespeople. Learn about the 55-day battle at Dien Bien Phu Museum then head to the battlefield sites at A1 Hill and Doc Lap Hill, the command bunker of French General De Castries. And, some 35km further away, visit the command post of General Vo Nguyen Giap.

Ha Long Bay
Take a scenic cruise on a refurbished junk through this extraordinary World Heritage site past thousands of towering limestone cliffs, jungle-topped islands, hidden caves, grottoes and clear, emerald waters lapping the white sand of tranquil bays.

Join a tour to see sparkling stalactites and stalagmites inside Hang Thien Cung cave (Grotto of the Heavenly Palace) and in Hang Sung Sot (Surprise Cave).

Come face to face with some interesting rock formations, including a pink phallus, or paddle through low caves into towering limestone islands where the jungle vegetation overhead teems with wildlife. Find Halong Bay hotels . . .