Hanoi is a vibrant city with so much to offer. It is insanely busy all day but the traffic will blow your mind away. There are no traffic rules in Hanoi, but surprisingly there are very few accidents.

We chose to stay in the Old Quarter so we were closer to experiencing the life of the Hanoians. We certainly were not disappointed. We stayed at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel for a number of reasons. We really researched our hotels well and the Sofitel offered a high standard of accommodation, and was close to the Hoan Kiem Lake which had a beautiful park around its entirety. There was so much activity in and around the park so we spent some lovely afternoons just walking and watching.

The Hotel is first class in every respect. We could not fault the service, the rooms were beautiful and it had a lovely pool to cool off in the afternoon. We chose to stay in a Grand Premium Room which offered us access to the Hotel Club where we could have all day dining at no extra cost, and happy hour in the evenings.

Hanoi has so much to offer, so let’s explore some of the more significant tourist destinations.

  1. Temple of Literature – the temple hosts the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s first national university. A significant historical site which had some interesting architecture. Make sure you see the Stone Steles which are considered a history of Vietnamese Confucian education.
  2. Old Quarter – full of sidewalk vendors, bicycles, scooters and cars that weave in and out of the pedestrians. There is so much to see and soak up so all you want to do is just wander around for a few hours. There are also plenty of shops that will make beautiful outfits overnight for you at very reasonable prices if you are in the market for some new clothes.
  3. Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple – the lake is beautiful and there are so many activities that go on around it. People doing yoga, exercising, walking their dogs and small vendors selling their wares. In the middle of the lake is the Ngoc Son Temple which is accessed via the Rising Sun Bridge. There are many temples in Vietnam so you may not get to all of them. Don’t worry though…..if you miss one you will always find another.
  4. Vietnamese Museum of Ethnology – this is a very interesting museum, and outside there is an historical area showcasing traditional village houses. We think this is worth a visit.
  5. Hanoi train street – if you don’t mind picking up your table and chairs and moving in order for a train to pass in front of you, then you will love this. When the trains aren’t coming through you can wander up and down soaking in all the cafes and bars. Hanoi is quite famous for this street and, as always, there are loads of tourists. It is a must as far as we are concerned. Where in the world are you able to sit next to a train track and watch trains pass by as you sip your coffee!
  6. Victoria Express Train – we went on the overnight train from Hanoi to Sapa just to experience something a little different. If you imagine Hercule Poirot on the Orient Express it is something a little similar to that, but not quite as luxurious. The cabins are quite cosy, but comfortable enough to sleep in. There are 2 bathrooms situated at either end of the carriage which are clean and well stocked. The only disappointment was that there was no dining car on this particular train, but we were served juice and croissants for breakfast in the morning. All in all it was a bit of fun, and just another experience to make our travels a little different.
  7. Gioi Market – these markets are insane! You can buy anything here, from a small nail to a motor bike, and everything in between. There are so many vendors selling their goods and the narrow passageways are full of locals, tourists and a huge number of people riding their motor bikes up and down looking for products. This is not for the faint hearted, it is enormously busy, easy to get lost in and an eye opener for what is on sale.

Travel Tips

  • There are no real dress restrictions in any of the temples or other sightseeing venues, but respectful dressing is always appreciated.
  • There are plenty of beautiful souvenirs to be had, but always barter for a good price. The competition is fierce for a sale.

Travel Alerts

  • Please be careful of the street food. Not all of it will be well cooked or hygienically prepared. It would be best to take recommendations from your guide.

Travel Adventures

  • Maison Centrale Hanoi (Prison) – during the Vietnam War this was used to hold US prisoners. It is a significant tourist destination.
  • Water Puppet Theatre – water puppet shows are very popular in Hanoi, but unfortunately we did not have time to experience one. They are very popular and should be booked as soon as you arrive in Hanoi.
  • The One Pillar Pagoda – an historic Buddhist temple and one of Vietnam’s two iconic temples, alongside the Perfume Temple. It is designed to resemble a lotus blossom.
  • Hanoi weekend night market – it only operates Friday to Sunday but we think any night market is worth a visit.
  • Walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake and stop at the cafe to sit and watch Hanoi life. There is always something going on.
  • Saint Joseph Cathedral – a beautiful 19th century Gothic revival church which reminded us of Notre Dame. It is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi.