One Pillar Pagoda

Emperor Ly Thai To built one of Hanoi's most famous landmarks, the One Pillar Pagoda in 1049 in honor of the Goddess of Mercy. The pillar was destroyed in 1954, but the pagoda was quickly rebuilt. The design of the pagoda reflects the Buddhist belief that the world was created much as a lotus flower emerges from the water. The temple is built above a small pond covered in lotus blossoms.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Visiting Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum is an unforgettable experience. Inside an imposing building lies the embalmed body of the founder of modern Vietnam. When visiting the mausoleum the following rules need to be observed: No short sleeves & skirts are allowed. Silence should be observed when entering the tomb and definitely no photographs (in fact all bags have to be left outside). It’s quite an experience as you queue with many Vietnamese, some of whom have traveled many miles to make the pilgrimage. The mausoleum is a unique opportunity to reflect upon the life of one of the 20th century's more revered historical figures. Next to the mausoleum is a replica of "Uncle Ho's" wooden house on stilts.

Temple of Literature

Dating back to 1070, the Temple of Literature was the site of Vietnam's first university and was used to educate the sons of the mandarin class. The complex consists of five separate courtyards with different paths that would originally have been reserved for the Emperor and his mandarins and highlighted by the Khue Van Pavilion. One of the courtyards contains the statue of Confucius guarded by two beautiful bronze storks standing on turtles. Another feature of the temple is the steles. In 1442, hundreds of stone tablets, or steles were erected to record the names and achievements of the graduates. Eighty-two of the steles remain and are considered the most valuable artifacts at the temple. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society placed then and now on education.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

The museum contains documents, artistic works, photographs and other items, which vividly detail Ho Chi Minh's accomplishments in developing modern Vietnam. Portions of the museum focus on the links between revolutionary Vietnam and the outside world.
Note: All museums are closed on Monday. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is only open during the morning from everyday (except Friday and Monday) and is closed from September to November for annual maintenance.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is the heart of Hanoi. In the morning, residents converge to jog around its tree-lined shores or perform mesmerizing "Tai Chi". In the evening people once again gather in the lakeside cafes to chat about the day's events. Hoan Kiem Lake has a colorful history. In the 15th century Emperor Le Thai To vanquished the invading Chinese with the help of a magical sword. Legend has it that whilst rowing on the lake an enormous turtle seized the sword from his grasp. The Emperor took this as a sign of divine intervention and that peace had been restored. In honor of the event he renamed the lake ‘Ho Hoan Kiem’ – Lake of the Restored Sword.

The Old Quarter

A walk through the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 Streets offers a glimpse in to Vietnamese life from ages past. In the early 13th century, guilds and artisans clustered their shops around certain streets. As time went by the narrow lanes adopted the names of the particular guild or goods sold there. Hence you can still walk from Fish Street to Tin Street to Bamboo Street. It’s a great place to explore on foot with numerous photo opportunities.
There are also two ancient houses in the Old Quarter that are especially worth visiting

Ancient House: 87 Ma May St.

Built over 110 years ago, this house is one of the two ancient homes in Hanoi's Old Quarter, which were carefully restored as part of Hanoi's 990th Anniversary in 2000. The house is a typical Old Quarter "tube house" 2 meters wide and 60 meters long with open yards between rooms for air and light. The house is arranged strictly in accordance with "Feng Shui" rules and is vividly decorated in a traditional style.

Ancient House: 38 Hang Dao St.

This house, built on the foundations of a 17th century trader's home has been renovated to reflect the architecture and decorative styles of old Hanoi. The first floor is designed for trading purposes and living accommodation, the second for the family altar and the act of worshipping.

Hanoi Opera House

The Hanoi Opera House is one of Hanoi's grandest buildings. The exterior is a delightful mix of French neo-classical design with shuttered windows, wrought iron balconies and tiles friezes. Construction of the Hanoi Opera House began in 1901 and was completed in 1911.

Hoa Lo Prison

Better known as ‘The Hanoi Hilton’ it became famous during the American War as many US POWs were incarcerated here. Notable inmates included Republican senator John McCain and Douglas Peterson who later became the first post-war US Ambassador to Vietnam. In 1996, a modern, 26-storey office block was built on the site. However, large sections of Hoa Lo have been preserved and converted into a museum.

Water Puppet Show

Water puppetry is a remarkable Vietnamese art form combining traditional music, fireworks and elaborate puppets floating gracefully on the water. The stories depict Vietnamese legends, peasant life and local festivals. The art form dates back to the 10th century and originally these plays would have taken place on lakes and ponds during the monsoon season. The stories remain the same but now the production takes place in a specially designed theatre with a stage knee-deep in water. The puppeteers are hidden behind a bamboo screen and the whole experience is both entertaining and amusing.

Ngoc Son Pagoda

Ngoc Son Pagoda stands in Hoan Kiem Lake. The pagoda was built in honor of Saint Van Suong - the spirit of literature and wisdom and Tran Hung Dao, one of Vietnam's most famous generals. Surrounded by water and shaded by trees, this 19th century temple is a delightful place to escape the bustle of Hanoi.

Quán Thánh Temple

Quán Thánh Temple was built during the reign of King Ly Thai To (1010 - 1028). The temple honors Saint Tran Vu, a legendary figure who helped King An Duong Vuong chase away demons during the construction of Co Loa Citadel. The central feature of the temple is a giant, black, bronze statue of Tran Vu cast in 1667.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

With origins dating back to the 6th century Tran Quoc is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. The pagoda's unique design features a visitor hall, two corridors and a bell tower. Inside are numerous statues, the most notable of which is the wooden statue of the Shakyamuri Buddha. The oldest stele was built in 1639 and depicts the pagoda's history. Several burial stupas in the garden are relics of one of the earliest Zen Buddhist groups in North Vietnam.

Museum of Ethnnology

This is a must-see for anyone intending to visit either Mai Chau or Sapa, or indeed anyone interested in Vietnam’s cultural diversity. The museum is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. As well as the comprehensive array of exhibits inside, there are also traditional tribal houses reconstructed within the grounds.