First of all, they fly to the capital of Vietnam to go to Halong Bay. But there is something to see in the city of Hanoi itself — the sights here are not the most impressive, but still interesting. One day of deep exploration of the city will not be enough. But you can get acquainted in Hanoi in a short time, although it is better to allocate 3-4 days and slowly see one of the most unusual cities in Vietnam.
What to see in Hanoi in one day?
Many attractions in Hanoi are located near the Lake of the Returned Sword, so in our guide we will consider the reservoir as a starting point for exploring the city on your own.
A tip! Considering how many attractions are located in the capital of Vietnam, it is best to prepare in advance. Plan your route and print out a list of names. Vietnamese people will be happy to tell you the way, but the name must be indicated in the local language, few people know Russian and English in Hanoi.
Be prepared for the fact that hotels do not have high-quality maps, most often tourists are offered to use a simple card printed on a printer. It is best to send a map that works offline to your phone beforehand.
If you are limited in time and want to find out what to see in Hanoi in 1 day, focus on the location of objects. They should be within walking distance, which will save money on transport and get to know the city better while walking. So, let’s go on an independent trip to Hanoi.
Lake of the Returned Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake)
The lake is located in the central part of the city, and it is associated with a beautiful, ancient legend about the Emperor Le Loi. Legend has it that a magic sword given by a golden turtle helped the ruler defeat the enemy. When the enemy army was defeated, Le Loi held a grand celebration on the lake, but a turtle suddenly appeared and dragged the sword to the bottom. The lake appeared in the old channel of the Red River, in its center a tower – Temple of the turtle was built.
On the lake there is a Buddhist temple of the Jade Mountain (Ngoc Son Temple), built in the 14th century. Ngoc Son Temple has been renamed and rebuilt several times so far. A stuffed turtle 2 meters long is kept here. Entrance to the temple will cost $ 1, it is open from 7-00 to 18-00.
The Huk Bridge or Morning Sunlight Bridge leads to the temple. This landmark of Hanoi (Vietnam) is considered the hallmark of the city. Travelers, pilgrims, and believers come here. Newlyweds come to this bridge to take pictures. In the evening, the bridge is beautifully illuminated.
On the shore of the lake there are many cafes where you can eat and see the life of citizens from the outside. In the evening, guests can enjoy a puppet theater on the water. After the show, you can walk near the lake.
The park is a favorite place for local residents to walk. Adults and children come here. In the morning, athletes train here – they run, do kung fu.
The lake is adjacent to the beautiful Lee Thai To Park. Its central square features a bronze statue of King Lee Thai To, who founded Hanoi. The monument is made without a single seam and weighs 34 tons together with the pedestal, has a total height of 10.1 m.
The museum is located south of the Lake of the Returned Sword. Public transport comes here – buses # 8, 31, 36 and 49.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
At first glance, the cathedral seems gloomy, because it is made in gray tones and in the Gothic style. It was built in 1886 by the French. The building stands out against the architectural landscape of the city. The best time to walk near the temple is in the evening, when it is illuminated and gets a certain grace, but at the same time it does not lose its medieval gloom. The cathedral is active, services are held here, and the organ sounds.
This is interesting! During Christmas, carnivals are held in the square near the temple.
The cathedral opens daily at 5-00. From 11-00 to 14-00, the temple closes and then accepts tourists again until 17-00. Services provide:
- from Monday to Friday – at 5-30 and at 18-15;
- on weekends – at 5-00, 7-00, 9-00, 11-00, 16-00 and 18-00.
Admission is free. The cathedral is located next to the Lake of the Returned Sword in the west direction at 40 Nhà Chung, Hàng TrốNg, Hoàn KiếM, Hà NộI 100000, Vietnam. As a rule, the main entrance is closed, the door should be open on the left side.
Old Quarter
The block is called “36 streets” because in the past it consisted of 36 streets, each reserved for certain artisans. Each street name contains the word hang-product. This quarter has streets of silk, jewelry, vegetables, shoes. Here you can buy everything, including good souvenirs from Vietnam. Today, the quarter has more than fifty streets. The best time for tourists is after 19-00, the streets of the quarter turn into a night market with a huge number of food establishments where you can taste real Vietnamese cuisine and not only. In general, the place is very atmospheric, at least here you should take a walk, look into the courtyards of houses.
Night Market
The main advantage of the market is the lack of transport, this part of the old quarter turns into a pedestrian zone. Owners of bars and cafes put out chairs, tables and invite you to dinner. The cuisine is very diverse, but you should come here not so much for culinary masterpieces, but for a special atmosphere and mood.
The night market starts from Hang Gai Street and continues to Hang Dau Street.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum
The landmark of Hanoi (Vietnam) is designed and built by analogy with the Lenin Mausoleum. Construction was carried out for two years-from 1973 to 1975. By the way, the project was led by specialists from the Soviet Union. The material was brought from all over Vietnam, and even the plants planted near the Mausoleum reflect the nature of all corners of the country.
However, in reality, the Mausoleum was built against the will of the ruler. The fact is that in accordance with the will, he was supposed to be cremated and his ashes scattered all over the country. A guard of honor in a beautiful uniform regularly stands next to the building. Mausoleum security guards ensure that visitors follow strict rules:
- you can not enter the territory of the Mausoleum in shorts and short skirts;
- they observe silence here;
- you can’t keep your hands in your pockets and cross them over your chest;
- smoking, taking photos, and making videos are prohibited.
Photo and video equipment and personal belongings are left in the storage rooms.
The line to the Mausoleum usually looks intimidating, stretching for several hundred meters, but it moves quickly. In the evening, the square in front of the building is illuminated.
- Admission is free.
- You can see one of the main attractions of Hanoi every day (Monday and Friday-weekend) from 8-00 to 11-00. In autumn, the Mausoleum is closed for three months for maintenance work.
For self-guided sightseeing in Hanoi, visit the stilt House and the Leader Museum. Both structures together with the Mausoleum form a complex. The house on stilts is one of the residences of the legendary ruler, and the museum has exhibits telling about his life.
- Admission to the museum grounds will cost VND40, 000.
- Visiting hours are from 8-00 to 11-30, then a break until 14-00, after which guests visit the museum until 16-00. On Mondays and Fridays, the museum is closed after 12: 00.
On a note! Next to the Mausoleum, it is impossible not to see a bright yellow building. This is the Presidential Palace, where you can also go on any day except Monday and Friday from 7-30 to 11-00 and from 14-00 to 16-00. The cost of visiting is also 40 thousand VND.
By the way, the entire mausoleum complex is located on the territory of the botanical garden. Originally, the unique plants grew on 33 hectares, but today the garden occupies only 10 hectares. Most of the plants are native, but a third of them are imported from Africa, Oceania, South and North America. The garden is equipped with hiking and cycling paths, comfortable fields for various sports, and there are even two lakes where you can swim on a catamaran.
The mausoleum complex is located on Ba Dinh Square.
On a note! The Ho Chi Minh Museum also has a city named after him, located in southern Vietnam (formerly Saigon).
Puppet theater on the water
One of the most visited activities and entertainment not only in Hanoi, but also in Vietnam. Each guidebook lists this attraction, and travelers themselves recommend seeing a unique performance.
The performance has not changed for five centuries. A fascinating presentation tells about the diverse culture and life features of numerous Vietnamese nationalities. You will not see such a puppet show anywhere, you will not hear such ancient songs that are accompanied by the playing of national musical instruments.
The theater has become a leading brand, the only theater in Vietnam, and the owner of the Asian record “The only theater in Asia that shows puppet shows on the water 365 days a year”. The theater has successfully toured in more than 40 countries, remaining in the hearts of audiences around the world, from Asia to Europe, America, and Australia…
- The duration of the show is about 45 minutes.
- The ticket price starts from 60 thousand VND.
The schedule of performances and more information about this Hanoi landmark can be found on its official website. http://thanglongwaterpuppet.com/ .
Are you in Hanoi for a few days?
These days will be the most vivid and unforgettable in your life, if, of course, you have at hand a map of Hanoi with attractions in Russian.
Women’s Museum (Vietnamese Women’s Museum)
In the center of the city, just half a kilometer from the lake of the Returned Sword, there is a museum, which a few years ago became the most visited attraction in the capital. However, some tourists recommend leaving the museum tour for the following days.
The museum was founded at the end of the last century and is dedicated to the invaluable contribution of women to the development of Vietnam. The museum occupies a four-story building with a total area of more than 2000 sq. m. The number of exhibits exceeds 25 thousand. Here you can find information about 54 ethnic groups.
The main exhibition is spread over three floors. Each exhibit is dedicated to a specific topic, and each exhibit has signs in three languages, including English.
The museum shows the difficult life of women in Vietnam, especially in rural areas. It also shows national women’s costumes, costume jewelry, jewelry, items made by craftsmen by hand.
You can put your personal belongings in a storage box, or buy a keepsake at the museum’s souvenir shop.
- The museum is open every day except Monday from 8-00 to 16-30.
- Admission costs VND40.000.
- The attraction is located to the south of the lake of the Returned Sword, which is served by public transport-buses No. 8, 31, 36 and 49.
Museum of Ethnology
Another interesting museum in the category “what to see in Hanoi”. It clearly shows the history, traditions and way of life of the people of Vietnam and all the countries of Southeast Asia. The exhibition is rich and interesting, featuring everyday objects, boats of local fishermen and real houses. The museum is especially interesting for children. At the entrance, tourists are offered a guide, but the story is told in English.
The museum occupies an area of 13 thousand square meters. m. The decision to build it was made by the government of the country in 1987. Construction work was carried out for 8 years – from 1987 to 1995. The special feature of the museum is that it is located on Nguyen Van Heyen Street. Previously, rice was grown here. The expositions are located in two parts of the museum – indoor and outdoor. In the indoor part, in addition to the exhibition, there is an office, library, laboratories, and storage facilities. Every year the museum receives more than 60 thousand visitors.
- The attraction is open daily except Mondays from 8-30 to 17-30.
- An adult ticket costs 40,000 VND, while a child ticket costs 15,000 VND.
- If you plan not only to see what is in the museum, but also to take photos or shoot videos, you will have to pay VND50, 000.
- The museum is located near the tourist area, bus number 14 arrives here. Address: Nguyen Van Huyen road, Cau Giay district | Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam.
Chua Tran Quoc Multi-story Pagoda
This pagoda is the oldest in Vietnam and is revered as an object of cultural and national heritage, you should definitely see it. There are many interesting legends associated with this place. The pagoda was built in the 6th century by the Red River, which at that time was the main waterway in the northern part of the country. After 11 centuries, the structure was forcibly moved to the island and installed on its foundation. This was a necessary measure, since the pagoda was flooded every year during the flood of the river.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the building was restored, restored, and all the statues and stelae were carefully preserved. The main value of the pagoda is a Buddha statue made of rare wood.
The pagoda is decorated with a picturesque garden, in which a 15-meter-high structure consisting of 11 tiers is built. On each tier there is a statue of Buddha, there are 66 of them in total. The garden is decorated with a bodhi tree, it is believed that it is grown from the offshoot of a sacred tree, where the Buddha found enlightenment. The pagoda is revered by the locals as an essential part of the development of all of Vietnam.
The attraction is located on a small island connected to the shore by a causeway, the point is on the map at the bottom of the page.
Ceramic mosaic
It may not be listed in the guidebook, but if you are traveling around Hanoi on your own, take the time to see it.
The place is recognized as one of the most spectacular and interesting, so it is better to go to the wall on foot. It is located east of the lake of the Returned Sword.
The wall is a real masterpiece with a length of almost 4 km. The unique feature of the mosaic is that it is laid out by hand. Initially, it was just a concrete wall about one meter high, built as a dam. Today it is a work of art, every inch of which is decorated with mosaics. The wall depicts the history of Vietnam, stories of numerous legends, scenes of everyday life. In the fall of 2010, the wall with a total area of just under 7 thousand square meters. m. is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest mosaic in the world. The city was awarded the certificate during lavish celebrations dedicated to the millennial anniversary of the capital of Vietnam.
The idea belongs to an artist from Vietnam. In 2003, archaeologists found a unique pottery of the Li Dynasty. The woman was inspired by the bright mosaic and decided to make it a symbol of Vietnam, which would remind her of the country’s history.
In the competition dedicated to the reconstruction of the dam system, the artist’s project received a special prize. Work on laying out ceramics began in 2007, the main part of them was completed in 2010, but today masters of different nationalities are still working on this masterpiece. Young people from Vietnam and more than a hundred artists from other countries took part in the project.
- You can look at the wall at any time every day. You don’t have to pay for it.
- It is not difficult to get to the attraction on your own – first go to the Long Bien Bridge and turn north to Au Co Street. Follow to Duong Hong Ha Street.
Excursions and tours in the capital of Vietnam
Food tours
If you want to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Vietnam, carefully study the question – what to see and try in Hanoi. Tourists are offered to plunge into the world of local cuisine. The guide accompanies guests of the city to various cafes, in total, 6-7 places with different cuisines are planned for the tour. The menu features entrees, rolls, rice, noodles, ice cream, salads and amazing egg coffee.
Boat tours
Take a comfortable boat trip to Halong Bay with a polite, professional guide. During the trip, guests are fed and introduced to the country’s history.
Hanoi-Kids Tours
The peculiarity of such tours is that the guide for tourists are students. It is always interesting to see the city through the eyes of a teenager – emotionally, unconventionally and fun.
Tours and excursions in agencies are usually booked by tourists who are planning a trip to Hanoi for the first time. Traveling around the city and surrounding areas saves a lot of time, as the guide knows exactly what sights to show and what will be interesting for a foreigner to see.
Hanoi Motorcycle Tours
If a calm and measured rest is not for you, if you love speed and are very curious, feel free to book a motorcycle tour. This is another convenient way to see Hanoi in one day.
The price of such a tour includes vehicle rental, insurance, an experienced guide and, of course, a trip to Hanoi. Before traveling with tourists, they must be instructed. Motorcycle tours are offered by many travel agencies, you can choose an excursion for a different number of days and with a visit to different attractions in the city and in the surrounding area.
If you are not limited in time and want to stay longer in the capital of Vietnam, pay attention to such attractions as the mountain town of Sapa, Halong Bay and the Fragrant Pagoda. You can get here on your own or as part of sightseeing groups.
One of the most interesting cities in Southeast Asia is Hanoi, whose sights attract fans of Asian culture.