Planning to explore Vietnam’s capital? Hanoi blends ancient charm with vibrant street life, offering unforgettable experiences at every corner. Whether you’re here for just 24 hours or planning a longer stay, these top 10 tourist attractions in Hanoi will help you discover the city’s soul. From historic temples to bustling markets, I’ve rated each spot to help you plan the perfect itinerary for places to visit in Hanoi in one day.
1. The Hanoi Old Quarter
Cultural Value: 8/10 | Entertainment: 10/10 | Accessibility: 10/10
The Old Quarter is where Hanoi’s heart truly beats. This maze of 36 ancient streets, each named after the goods once traded there, remains the city’s most atmospheric district. You’ll find everything from silk vendors to silver craftsmen packed into one chaotic, wonderful square kilometer.
Since the 15th century, artisans have called these streets home, and that tradition continues today. Walk from Hang Bac (Silver Street) to Hang Tre (Bamboo Street), then over to Hang Gai (Silk Street). It’s like stepping through different micro-neighborhoods, each with its own character and merchandise.
The real magic happens after dark. Don’t miss the bia hơi corner (Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen intersection) at night; grab a plastic stool, order a fresh beer for pennies, and watch the world go by. Street vendors grill meat on tiny charcoal stoves, motorbikes weave through pedestrians, and locals and travelers mix freely. It’s pure Hanoi magic.
Admission: Free
Hours: 7 am to midnight
Location: North of Hoan Kiem Lake
Pro tip: Get deliberately lost here. The best discoveries happen when you wander down random alleyways and stumble upon hidden cafes or family-run workshops.
2. Hoan Kiem Lake
Cultural Value: 7/10 | Entertainment: 7/10 | Accessibility: 10/10
Legend has it that a golden turtle gifted Emperor Ly Thai To a magical sword here to defeat invaders. After victory, the turtle reclaimed the blade, diving deep to return it to the gods. This gave the lake its poetic name: “Lake of the Restored Sword.”
Early morning is prime time! Join locals doing tai chi, practicing breathing exercises, or playing badminton in the gardens. The atmosphere is peaceful, almost meditative, a stark contrast to the chaos that takes over later. Turtle Tower sitting in the middle makes for Instagram-worthy shots, especially at sunrise or when lit up at night.
The walking path around the lake is about 1.8 kilometers, perfect for an evening stroll. Weekends bring even more energy when nearby streets are closed to traffic, transforming into pedestrian zones filled with street performers, artists, and families enjoying ice cream.
Admission: Free
Hours: Open 24/7 (Pedestrian Street opens from 7 p.m Friday to midnight Sunday)
Pro tip: Visit twice, once at dawn for tranquility, once at dusk for people-watching and sunset photos.
3. Temple of Literature
Cultural Value: 9/10 | Entertainment: 6/10 | Accessibility: 8/10
Vietnam’s first university deserves a spot on any list of top attractions in Hanoi. Built in 1070 to honor Confucius, this beautifully preserved complex features five courtyards, ancient stone turtle statues (rub them for exam luck!), and records of Vietnam’s brightest scholars dating back centuries.
The architecture alone is worth the visit. Traditional Vietnamese design with curved roofs, ornate carvings, and peaceful gardens. Each courtyard has its own purpose and atmosphere. The third courtyard houses 82 stone steles mounted on turtle backs, each commemorating doctoral graduates from the 15th to 18th centuries. UNESCO recognized these as world documentary heritage.
What makes this place special is how it represents Vietnamese reverence for education and scholarship. Even today, students visit before major exams, and graduation photos are taken here constantly.
Visit around lunchtime to dodge the tour groups and actually enjoy the tranquil gardens. Bring water! There’s limited shade in some areas.
Admission: 30,000 VND
Hours: 8am-5pm (Nov-Mar), 7:30am-6pm (Apr-Oct), Tuesday-Sunday
Location: 58 Quoc Tu Giam, Dong Da
4. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Cultural Value: 7/10 | Entertainment: 5/10 | Accessibility: 7/10
Love it or find it eerie, Uncle Ho’s final resting place is an essential stop for understanding modern Vietnamese history. The imposing granite structure houses the preserved body of Vietnam’s revolutionary leader. Visitors file past in respectful silence. It’s a solemn but important glimpse into the reverence Vietnamese people hold for their founding father.
Built between 1973-1975, the mausoleum was designed in the style of Lenin’s tomb, though Ho Chi Minh himself requested cremation and a simple burial. The complex includes his stilt house where he lived, the Presidential Palace, and beautiful gardens worth exploring after viewing the mausoleum.
Dress modestly (no shorts or sleeveless tops) and arrive early. The line gets insane, and security is strict. Cameras, bags, and phones must be checked before entry. The actual viewing is brief but memorable.
Admission: 35,000 VND
Hours: 8am-11am, Tuesday-Thursday & Saturday-Sunday (last entry 10:15am), closed October-November for maintenance
Location: No. 1, Hung Vuong, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh
5. Water Puppet Theatre
Cultural Value: 9/10 | Entertainment: 10/10 | Accessibility: 9/10
This 11th-century art form is pure Vietnamese genius. Puppeteers stand waist-deep in water, manipulating lacquered wooden characters with bamboo poles while traditional musicians provide the soundtrack. The stories showcase rural village life and ancient folklore. It’s entertaining even if you don’t understand Vietnamese.
Originally performed in rice paddies during harvest festivals, water puppetry evolved into a sophisticated art form. The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is Hanoi’s most famous venue, with shows running multiple times daily. Each performance features around 17 short skits depicting everything from dragon dances to farmers planting rice to legendary battles.
The musicians sit stage-left, playing traditional instruments like the đàn bầu (monochord) and trong (drum), while singers narrate the stories. Even young kids stay engaged. The splashing, colorful puppets, and occasional pyrotechnics keep everyone entertained.
Book tickets in advance, especially during peak season. Front-row seats get you closer but might catch some splash.
Admission: 100,000 VND
Hours: Multiple daily shows at 3:30pm, 5pm, 6:30pm, 8pm, 9:15pm (plus 9:30pm Sundays)
Location: 57b Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem
6. Vietnamese Women’s Museum
Cultural Value: 10/10 | Entertainment: 7/10 | Accessibility: 9/10
One of Vietnam’s most modern museums, this place tells powerful stories often overlooked in history books. Three floors cover everything from ethnic textiles to women’s crucial wartime roles to Mother Goddess worship practices. You’ll learn about women as soldiers, mothers, workers, and spiritual leaders throughout Vietnamese history.
The textile collection on the third floor is stunning: Intricate embroidery and weaving from various ethnic minorities. The war exhibit on the second floor is sobering, showcasing photographs, personal items, and testimonies from women who fought, nursed, and kept communities alive during decades of conflict.
The exhibitions are thoughtfully curated with English translations throughout. Easily one of Hanoi’s best museum experiences! Interactive displays and video presentations make the history accessible and engaging.
Admission: 30,000 VND
Hours: 8am-5pm, Tuesday-Sunday
Location: 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hang Bai Ward, Hoan Kiem
7. Hanoi Opera House
Cultural Value: 8/10 | Entertainment: 9/10 | Accessibility: 7/10
This French colonial beauty looks like it was plucked from Paris and dropped in downtown Hanoi. Built in 1911, the Opera House underwent careful restoration in 1997 and now hosts world-class performances. It’s Vietnam’s largest theatre, seating over 600 people in its ornate, gold-trimmed interior.
The architecture is stunning! Gothic Revival meets French colonialism with arched windows, decorative balconies, and a grand façade. Even if you don’t catch a show, the exterior is worth photographing, especially when illuminated at night.
Admission: 300,000 VND (performance-dependent)
Hours: Check website for showtimes
Location: So 01, Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem
8. Ngoc Son Temple
Cultural Value: 10/10 | Entertainment: 6/10 | Accessibility: 9/10
The Temple of the Jade Mountain sits on a tiny island in Hoan Kiem Lake, connected by the stunning red Huc Bridge (The Morning Sunlight Bridge). Built to honor scholar Saint Van Xuong and General Tran Hung Dao, the temple features intricate word puzzles on the walls added in 1884 by Confucian scholar Nguyen Van Sieu.
The temple grounds are compact but lovely, with altars, incense burners, and a preserved specimen of a giant turtle found in the lake – a nod to the legendary golden turtle of Emperor Ly Thai To’s story. The architecture showcases classic Vietnamese religious style with tiered roofs and guardian statues.
Perfect for a quick cultural break while exploring the lake area. The red bridge itself is probably photographed more than the temple, especially popular with newlyweds and tourists.
Admission: 20,000 VND
Hours: 7:30am-5:30pm daily
Location: Hoan Kiem Lake (north side)
9. Museum of Ethnology
Cultural Value: 10/10 | Entertainment: 8/10 | Accessibility: 6/10
Located a bit outside the city center, this museum is absolutely worth the trek. It showcases Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities through costumes, handicrafts, videos, and life-size architectural replicas. The outdoor section features massive traditional communal houses reaching 30 meters high. You can actually climb inside many of them.
The indoor exhibits are comprehensive, displaying everything from farming tools to ceremonial costumes to musical instruments. Each ethnic group’s section explains their unique customs, beliefs, and daily life. The diversity is remarkable! Vietnam is far more culturally varied than most visitors realize.
Outside, the traditional structures from different regions are the highlight. There’s a Bahnar communal house, a Viet house from the north, a Tay stilt house, and many more. Kids especially love exploring these different buildings.
Give yourself at least two hours here. There’s a lot to absorb! The museum cafe serves decent Vietnamese coffee if you need a break.
Admission: 40,000 VND
Hours: 8:30am-5:30pm, Tuesday-Sunday
Location: Nguyen Van Huyen, Nghia Do, Cau Giay
10. Saint Joseph’s Cathedral
Cultural Value: 8/10 | Entertainment: 6/10 | Accessibility: 10/10
Hanoi’s Neo-Gothic cathedral channels serious Notre Dame vibes. Built in 1886 on the site of the ancient Bao Thien Tower from the Ly Dynasty, it’s become a popular gathering spot where you’ll find everyone from devout worshippers to newlyweds posing for photos.
The cathedral’s dark facade gives it a mysterious, almost brooding appearance, quite different from typical Vietnamese temple architecture. Inside, stained glass windows and religious artwork create a peaceful atmosphere during mass. The square in front buzzes with life, especially evenings and weekends.
The surrounding cafes offer perfect people-watching perches. Grab a Vietnamese coffee and enjoy the scene. Nha Tho Street (Church Street) leading to the cathedral is lined with boutiques, galleries, and trendy eateries.
Admission: Free
Hours: 8am-noon, 2pm-6pm daily (mass times vary)
Location: 40 Nha Chung, Hoan Kiem
Making the Most of Your Hanoi Visit
These places to visit in Hanoi in one day form a compact circuit you can realistically cover if you start early and move efficiently. Here’s a suggested route:
Morning (7am-12pm): Start with sunrise tai chi at Hoan Kiem Lake, then head to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before crowds arrive. Visit the nearby Temple of Literature mid-morning.
Afternoon (12pm-5pm): Lunch in the Old Quarter, then explore its maze of streets. Duck into Ngoc Son Temple, then either the Vietnamese Women’s Museum or Museum of Ethnology depending on your interests.
Evening (5pm-10pm): Catch the water puppet show around 6:30pm, grab dinner in the Old Quarter, and end with street food and bia hơi (beer) at Ta Hien corner.
Hanoi rewards those who embrace its contradictions: ancient and modern, peaceful and chaotic, formal and ridiculously fun. The city moves at two speeds simultaneously: the meditative tai chi practitioners at dawn and the motorbike chaos of rush hour. Temple incense mingles with pho steam. Centuries-old pagodas sit next to hipster cafes.
Don’t try to see everything perfectly. Miss a museum, skip a temple, spend an extra hour just wandering. Some of Hanoi’s best moments happen when you abandon the plan and follow your curiosity down a random alley. That’s when you’ll find the grandmother selling bánh mì from a bicycle, the hidden courtyard cafe, the impromptu street concert.
The top 10 attractions in Hanoi listed here provide structure, but leave room for serendipity. Hanoi isn’t a city you conquer with an aggressive itinerary. It’s a city you experience, slowly, with all your senses engaged. Jump in with both feet and let the city surprise you.
