Hanoi

Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum

The city down south may have his name, but only Hanoi has the man himself, entombed in distinctly Lenin-esque fashion. Against his wishes, but that's how it goes. No talking, revealing clothing (shorts should be knee length and no exposed shoulders), or other signs of disrespect allowed while viewing; photos are allowed only from outside, in the grand Ba Dinh Square. Purses are allowed into the tomb, but expect them to be searched by several bored soldiers along the way. Left luggage is handled in a complicated scheme: there is an office near the street for large bags, with separate windows for Vietnamese and foreigners, and a further office for cameras, which will be transported to a third office right outside the exit of the mausoleum. Items checked in at the first office, however, will stay there. The mausoleum is closed for a couple months around the end of the year, when the body is taken abroad for maintenance. It is closed in the afternoons for maintenance.

Tue-Thu 06:30–10:30 Sat Sun 07:30-11:30 · Free

Hỏa Lò Prison

Hanoi Hilton

This prison was built by the French at the turn of the 20th century, in classical French prison design. Two thirds of the prison was torn down to make way for the Hanoi Towers, and the rest was converted into a museum. This is where the French imprisoned and executed Vietnamese freedom fighters. The museum exhibits the plight of jailed political revolutionaries under the French colonial regime and the struggle of the Vietnamese people against imperialism in chilling detail. Later, during the America-Vietnam War, the prison held US prisoners of war that sarcastically referred to it as the "Hanoi Hilton". This period is not emphasized, except to present the official narrative of how humanely the POWs were treated, such as showing photos only of prisoners being treated well and playing basketball and playing chess. The museum claims to have the flight suit of John McCain, the most notable POW held here, from when his plane was shot down. Most of the exhibits have detailed English information, but you can also get an audioguide for 50,000 dong.

Daily 08:30-12:00, 14:00-16:30 (Mon & Fri from 08:00) · 50,000 dong · Heritage listed

Hồ Chí Minh Museum

This gleaming white museum and its gloriously ham-handed iconography is the perfect chaser to the solemnity of the mausoleum. The building, completed in 1990, is intended to evoke a white lotus. Some photos and old letters are on display on the second floor, but the main exhibition space is on the third floor. It includes cars crashing through walls to represent the chaos of post-war American capitalism, soldiers charging around with bombs that looked like electric plugs, a cave hideout re-imagined as the inside of Ho Chi Minh's brain, and several other postmodern confections integrated with the detailed main story of the man's life and his country's struggle. There are plenty of photographs, prison documents and newspaper cuttings tracing his life along the way. The tour ends with a burnt bridge signifying the separation of Vietnam, followed by a reconstructed bridge showing the unification of Vietnam after the war. One of the more informative museums in Vietnam. Free guides are available in English, French, Chinese and Russian. The displays are labelled in English and French.

Daily 08:00-11:30, and Tue-Thu Sat Sun 14:00-16:00 · 40,000 dong · Wheelchair accessible · Entry 40000 VND

Fine Arts Museum

Bảo Tàng Mỹ Thuật

Only party-approved art is shown here with information in English and Vietnamese. On three floors of a colonial building, with another three galleries in the west wing. Pieces include soldiers on boats depicted on prehistoric bronze drums, Buddhist art, and revolutionary art of the 20th century wars. Also some interesting lacquer and silk paintings.

Daily 08:30-17:00 · Adult 40,000 dong · Entry 40000 VND

Vietnamese Women's Museum

Bảo Tàng Phụ nữ Việt Nam

This often overlooked museum has benefited from an extensive renovation of its permanent exhibitions. The modernised interior is well laid out with information in Vietnamese, English and French, and contains a huge amount of information on the fearsome female heroines of Vietnamese history. There are also exhibitions on the rituals and traditions surrounding women in family, as well as a beautifully presented collection of intricate hand-made ethnic costumes. A highlight is the regularly updated special exhibitions on a diverse range of subjects, from contemporary issues such as single mothers and street vendors to traditional medicine and Mother Goddess worship. English language tours are available on request.

Daily 08:00-17:00 · 40,000 dong (80,000 dong with audioguide)

National Museum of Vietnamese History

Bảo tàng Cách mạng Việt Nam

Actually two museums: one covers Vietnam from prehistoric times to 1945 and the other covers 1945 to present. This museum gives a very informed and detailed account of the Vietnamese struggle against first the French (starting in 1858—on the first floor), then against the US, ending on 30 Apr 1975 (on the ground floor). It is housed in a colonial French building which was completed in 1932. The building, designed by the architect Ernest Hébrard is considered as a successful blend between the colonial French architecture and traditional Vietnamese architecture, called Indochina architecture. He created double-walls and balconies for a natural ventilation system and protection from sunshine.

Daily 08:00-12:00 and 13:30-17:00, except first Mon of month · 40,000 dong for both

One-Pillar Pagoda

Visitors find this either charming and lovely or utterly pointless, depending on how many tour groups are crammed into the small grounds at the time of their visit. It has a long history attached to it. Regarded as one of Vietnam's iconic temples, it was built by Emperor Lý Thái Tông. The emperor was childless and dreamt that he met the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who handed him a baby son while seated on a lotus flower. He then married a peasant girl that he had met and she bore him a son. The emperor constructed the temple in gratitude for this in 1049 having been told by a monk to build the temple, by erecting a pillar in the middle of a lotus pond, similar to the one he saw in the dream. Before the pagoda was opened, prayers were held for the longevity of the monarch. The temple is built of wood on a single stone pillar 1.25 m in diameter, and it is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, which is a Buddhist symbol of purity, since a lotus blossoms in a muddy pond. In 1954, the French Union forces destroyed the pagoda before withdrawing from Vietnam after the First Indochina War, it was rebuilt afterwards.

Free · Built 1049 · Heritage listed

Presidential Palace

Completed in 1906 as the residence of the French Governor-General of Indochina. It became the official residence of the President of North Vietnam following independence in 1954, and later of the President of Vietnam following reunification in 1975. Ho Chi Minh was said to have refused to live in the palace for symbolic reasons, though he used it to receive state guests. The building is not open to the public, but you can view it from the outside and take photographs.

Bun Cha Ta Hanoi

Highly recommended if you are looking for authentic North Vietnamese Bun Cha. The food is great, bursting with flavour. Very cosy place.

08:00-22:00 · Vegetarian options

Com Chay Nang Tam Vegetarian Restaurant

This excellent restaurant is a good vegetarian option, and will please both vegetarians and non-vegetarians with its wide range of innovative dishes, which include fake meat dishes. Restaurant is comfortable with good ambience, and is good value. Well worth the short walk out of the old town.

Daily 10:00-21:00 · Vegan options

Mien Man Cafe

Multi-storey art-themed cafe directly behind St. Joseph's Cathedral, serving specialty coffee and house-made syrups. Upper-floor balcony tables overlook the cathedral; non-coffee options available.

08:00-23:30 daily · Wi-Fi

Mediterraneo

Authentic Italian food, probably the best you'll get in Hanoi. Prices are steep and portions small.

Daily 10:00-22:00 · Mains from 195K to 490K dong (Aug 2021)

Moon Men Cocktail Bar

Boutique cocktail bar on the top floor of a building with a balcony overlooking the cathedral. Menu covers homemade-infused signature cocktails as well as classics; non-alcoholic options available. Happy hour 17:00-20:00. Reservations accepted. Cash, card and QR payment.

Mon-Thu 17:00-01:00, Fri-Sun 17:00-02:00 · cocktails from 150,000 dong; 8% service charge

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Musicians accompany folk legends from Vietnamese history, told with wooden men, women, and dragons, dancing and splashing on the face of the water. The narratives are sung in Vietnamese, but lyrics are available in several languages. Or just ignore the dialogue and narration and focus on the special effects. There are several performances throughout the day. Don't worry about getting wet, but the seats are very small, and visitors with above-average height will have to squirm a bit.

Mo-Su 15:00-20:00 · Camera passes are an extra 20,000 dong

Tầm Vị

Vietnamese restaurant in well-preserved heritage villa, serving traditional Northern cuisine at reasonable prices. Excellent choice for first-time visitors who want authentic home-style cooking in a more upscale dining space. Inexplicably awarded a Michelin star in 2023 despite not at all being a fine dining destination, but forget about the star and you'll have a good time. To the restaurant's credit, their low prices have remained mostly unchanged since; but prior reservations are now essential.

Daily 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00 · 200-300k dong per person

Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su

Serve delicious beef rice noodle, fried bread stick is crispy and delicious. The place is so clean and nice. All of the soups and sides include beef (bo), so this isn't for vegetarians.

Mo-Su 06:00-22:00

Kaiser Kaffee Restaurant

Interesting little place which has excellent Vietnamese and Western food.

Madam Tu Hong

Restaurant specialising in cha ca (Hanoi-style turmeric-and-dill grilled fish cooked at the table), set in a restored old house once belonging to Madam Tu Hong, a 19th-century Vietnamese businesswoman.

lunch 11:00-14:00, dinner 17:00-22:00

Etēsia

Excellent contemporary European wine bar and bistro, with intimate countertop seating and dedicated cocktail bar on second floor. French head chef formerly sous chef at Michelin-starred Parisian restaurant. No tables, only 18 counter seats. Reservations recommended due to limited seating, but walk-ins also welcome.

Daily: 17:00-21:00 · Mains 190K-890K dong

LABRI Bistro

Out-of-the-way modern French bistro with Korean touches in casual, minimalist dining room. Excellent cooking, though portions are a tad small. Korean head chef formerly worked at Michelin-starred restaurant in Osaka. Reservations recommended.

Daily 17:00-22:00 · Mains 380K-680K

01 -wan- Tantan Ramen

Two-floor ramen shop owned by a Japanese chef, specialising in excellent tantanmen with creamy, Sichuan-inspired "numbing spicy" mala broth.

Daily 11:00-22:00 · Ramen bowls from 180-200k dong

Hồng Hà Theater

Vietnam Tuồng Theatre

Hát tuồng (Hanoi: [háːt tûəŋ]) or hát bội (Saigon: [háːk ɓôjˀ]) is a form of Vietnamese theatre. Hát tuồng is often referred to as classical "Vietnamese opera" influenced by Chinese opera which combines acting, singing, and dancing. Tuồng employs the use of stock characters who are recognizable from their make-up and costumes, which are typically very elaborate and extravagant. Usually, a character's personalities can be revealed through three features: the color of the face, the eyebrows, and the beard. In this 1 hour show, the artists will perform most interesting, unique and typical recitals from famous Tuongs (which typically last 1-2 hours). The show starts at 18:00 but from 17:30 the theater is open so the guests can interact with the artists, observe the performance preparation and try to sing, dance, play drum with the artists and enjoy traditional royal tea. The English leaflets will be provided for every guest which will introduce the content of each recital throughout the show.

Mon Thu 18:00-19:00 · 150,000 dong

Việt Lai Thuận

越来顺

Grand Chinese dining hall serving the best and most authentic Sichuanese cuisine in town, alongside some Cantonese options. Caters near-exclusively to Chinese group clientele, with private rooms and karaoke facilities. Servings are all very large (sized for 3-4 pax) as a result, but kitchen can accommodate requests for half-servings.

Daily 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00 · 300-500k dong per person

Banh Mi Hoi An

Vietnamese Sandwiches. This place is open from early morning and serves great bahn mi. Nice staff with good English skills.

Hanoi Opera House

Built by the French during the colonial period, it usually hosts classical music concerts and local Vietnamese plays and pop concerts rather than operas.

Bánh Mì 25

Vietnamese Sandwiches. This is a good restaurant for a quick bite to eat near Dong Xuan Market. Lovely place and mouth watering food.

Huyen Huong Restaurant

Choose from a wide variety of seafood dishes (many of which are swimming around in tanks) and other Vietnamese specialities. Friendly staff complements the tasty food.

from 80,000 dong

Quán Thánh Temple

Đền Quán Thánh

The northern temple, dedicated to the Taoist god Xuanwu, known in Vietnamese as Trấn Vũ, with a large bronze statue of him at the main altar.

Ngọc Sơn Temple

玉山寺

Located on a small island in the Hoan Kiem Lake, connected with the mainland by a bridge. With small but attractive grounds, the temple displays on Vietnamese history and, more memorably, displays on the giant turtles, including a mummified specimen (who died in 1968). The two on-site gift shops vend a variety of souvenirs, many of them turtle-themed. Entry fee: 50.000 Dong

Kim Liên Shrine

Đền Kim Liên

The southern temple, dedicated to Cao Sơn Đại Vương, a Vietnamese mountain god who is said to be a son of King Lạc Long Quân of the ancient Hồng Bàng dynasty and his wife, the immortal mountain snow goddess Âu Cơ.