{"id":47204,"date":"2025-03-18T15:27:35","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T14:27:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travander.nl\/?p=47204"},"modified":"2025-03-18T15:34:15","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T14:34:15","slug":"what-to-do-in-hanoi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travander.nl\/en\/wat-doen-in-hanoi\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do in Hanoi? Interesting sights and fun tips"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What to do in Hanoi. Vietnam's bustling capital is a city where history, culture and everyday life come together perfectly. Centuries-old temples and colonial French architecture alternate with modern buildings and lively markets. The beating heart of the city is Old Quarter, wander here through the narrow streets full of mopeds, food stalls and small stores. Here you can taste the atmosphere of Vietnam, with street vendors and locals sitting on plastic stools along the sidewalk. Located in the north of the country, Hanoi is a great starting point for an unforgettable tour of Vietnam. Explore this authentic city with our best tips for what to do in Hanoi!<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Mopeds through the streets of Hanoi<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A local on a plastic stool along the sidewalk<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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What to do in Hanoi?<\/h2>

Hanoi has a rich history that you can explore in places like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where Vietnam's embalmed leader is laid to rest. The H\u1ecfa L\u00f2 Prison, also known as the \"Hanoi Hilton,\" also offers an impressive glimpse into the colonial and wartime periods of Vietnam<\/a><\/strong>. But there is much more fun to see and do in Hanoi.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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1. Stroll the streets of the Old Quarter neighborhood<\/h3>

Old Quarter is the historic beating heart of the city. You will find a maze of narrow streets where history and modern city life come together beautifully. Originally a trading district, Old Quarter is still Hanoi's commercial center. Both during the day and in the evening, it buzzes with energy. There are many cozy little stores, street vendors with hats full of fresh fruit and an endless stream of mopeds maneuvering through the chaos. A fun fact to share is that every street in this neighborhood is named after the commodity originally sold there.<\/span><\/p>

In between the bustle, you will also find French colonial buildings, colorful temples and hidden courtyards in this district. Explore the narrow streets on foot and be sure to take a seat at one of the terraces for a local Bia Hoi beer. At night, the district turns into a lively nightlife area where locals and travelers congregate.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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A local vendor in Hanoi<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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One of the narrow streets in Old Quarter<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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2. Take a look at Hanoi Train Street<\/h3>

Hanoi Train Street is one of the most unusual and photogenic spots in the city. This narrow street is known for the train tracks that run right through a densely built-up residential area. Twice daily, a train races past cafes and houses just inches away. A spectacular sight that attracts many spectators.\u00a0<\/p>

In recent years, Hanoi Train Street has become increasingly popular. Many travelers wait along the train tracks, or on the terrace of a cafe, as the train thunders by. Since 2019, part of the street has been closed to prevent accidents, but you can still find great places where you can experience the spectacle up close.<\/p>

It is extraordinary to see how the locals have arranged their daily lives around the rails. During the day, you see people cooking, hanging clothes and relaxing. As soon as the train approaches, they clear away their belongings in no time.<\/p>

Tip<\/strong>: Want to visit Hanoi Train Street? Then go early in the day to avoid the crowds and check train schedules in advance so that you are at the right place at the right time.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Hanoi Train Street<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Local life along Hanoi Train Street<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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3. Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake<\/h3>

One of the city's most beloved spots is Hoan Kiem Lake. The place where locals and tourists converge. Located in the center of Hanoi, this picturesque lake is an oasis of calm amidst the chaotic busy streets. For locals, it is not only a place to relax, but also an important cultural and historical landmark.<\/p>

On the north side of the lake you will find the Ngoc Son Temple, a beautiful red temple. You can reach the temple via the bright red Huc Bridge. It is one of the famous sights in Hanoi. The temple is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00. You do pay an entrance fee for this.<\/p>

The lake is especially popular early in the morning or in the evening. You will see many locals practicing tai chi here, jogging a lap around the lake and dancing to traditional music. These are the most fun times of the day to be here! On weekends, the streets around the lake are closed so the area is car-free. This makes it a bustling meeting place with music, games and very friendly atmosphere. So our tip is to visit Hanoi on weekends.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Via the Huc bridge to the Ngoc Son temple<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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4. Visit the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh<\/h3>

The Mausoleum is a well-known and popular sight in Hanoi, this is of course because Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body is laid out here. You can visit the massive gray building, but keep in mind that you must be dressed appropriately. This means no flip-flops, tank tops and shorts. Outside the Mausoleum, you can also visit Ho Chi Minh's former residence and a small temple.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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5. Visit Hoa Lo prison<\/h3>

Hanoi Hilton is the nickname of Hoa Lo Prison, one of the most impressive historical sites in Hanoi. The building dates back to 1896 and served as a prison for Vietnamese revolutionaries who resisted French colonial rule. Later, during the Vietnam War, American prisoners of war were detained here.\u00a0<\/p>

Part of the prison has been built up as a museum and you can visit. You can take a look inside the cramped cells and see various instruments of torture. The exhibition and stories give you an impression of how people lived here under harsh conditions. It is impressive and moving.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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6. Admire St. Joseph's Cathedral<\/h3>

St. Joseph's Cathedral is an extraordinary building in central Hanoi, and probably reminds you of Notre-Dame in Paris. It is one of the oldest churches in Vietnam and a striking remnant of the French colonial period. You can take a look inside the church, but the atmosphere around the landmark is especially fun to take in. Many locals gather in the square to enjoy a cup of Vietnamese egg coffee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Mausoleum<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Culinary hotspots in Hanoi<\/h2>

Hanoi is a gourmet paradise, and the culinary heart of Vietnam. Consider typical Vietnamese dishes such as ph\u1edf (noodle soup) and bun cha (grilled pork with rice noodles) that have their origins here. A very fun activity to do in Hanoi is a street food tour<\/a><\/strong> past the stalls of the Old Quarter.<\/p>

Our favorite culinary hotspots in Hanoi are:<\/p>