Hanoi Old Quarter, renowned for its impressive attractions, distinctive architecture, and delectable cuisines, stands as a quintessential must-visit destination in Hanoi, offering visitors a glimpse into the lives and enduring culture of the locals.
In this article, Vietnamtour.in will provide recommendations for 8 activities to indulge in within the charming confines of Hanoi Old Quarter, ensuring you make the most of your time here. Stay with us till the end for an enriching read!
Wander Through The Ancient Streets
During your journey to Hanoi Old Quarter, don’t forget to take a wander through 36 ancient guilds. It is a great chance for travelers to explore more about the daily activities of locals, as well as Vietnamese traditional products.
You can visit Hang Gai or Hang Dao streets to visit famous shops selling high-quality silk or Vietnamese garments. Or else, let’s drop in Hang Ma to buy decoration goods as souvenirs, or even take some magnificent pictures with colorful street corners here. With every street in Hanoi Old Quarter, you will surely get a distinctive and interesting experience.
We also recommend you visit popular street corners, such as Luong Ngoc Quyen, Luong Van Can, and Ma May. They are ideal spots to experience a chilled-out night with freshly brewed beer and some Vietnamese street food.
- Cau Go Street: The street is considered a commercial hub, where you can find most of the things, especially exploring Vietnamese street food.
- Hang Gai Street, Hang Dao Street: The streets are well-known for a range of shops selling high-quality silk, and traditional Vietnamese garments.
- Ta Hien Street: The street is an ideal spot to experience a chilled-out night with freshly brewed beer and some Vietnamese street food.
Discovering Historical Sites
There are a lot of historical places to visit in the Old Quarter of Hanoi that travelers shouldn’t miss, including:
O Quan Chuong Gate
This is a must-visit ancient landmark in Hanoi, offering you the magnificent architecture of wooden mallet layers, together with a graceful pavilion curving roof.
Ma May House
It is situated at No.87, Ma May Street in the old town, boasting an impressive design with a place of business and a residence. The house is honored as an important historical treasure in Hanoi, expressing the beauty of Vietnamese classic architecture.
Ba Da Pagoda
It is a must-visit place for any Buddhist tourists during their trips to Hanoi. The pagoda was built to express religious and belief roles in the lives of Vietnamese people. Nowadays, it is the headquarters of the Municipal Buddhist Association.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Besides the French Quarter Hanoi, St. Joseph’s Cathedral is one of the most well-known works constructed by the French colonial government. Visiting here, you will be impressed by its Gothic architecture, featuring high domes and colorful glass windows. However, the cathedral still honors some features of the Vietnamese style with worship altars, red tiles, and clay bricks.
Strolling Around and Relax By Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the most popular attractions in Hanoi with foreign visitors because of its ancient beauty and airy landscape. Surrounding the lake, there are also a lot of magnificent sites like Turtle Tower, Thue Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple, and so forth. Thus, this place is ideal for visitors to have strolling time with friends or relatives. During your visit, don’t forget to enjoy Trang Tien ice cream – a renowned local specialty in Hanoi.
Trying Local Foods
In Hanoi Old Quarter, you can easily catch sight of restaurants and food stalls offering a broad range of Vietnamese special cuisine. If so, which is the best spot you should try? Here is the top list of dishes that anyone should try once when visiting Hanoi Old Quarter:
- Pho: Head to Phở Gia Truyen for traditional beef phở or Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư for chicken phở.
- Bun cha: Visit Bún Chả Hương Liên (Obama Bun Cha) for this grilled pork noodle dish famously enjoyed by former President Barack Obama.
- Banh mi: Try Bánh mì 25 (Bánh mì Phố Huế) for a delicious and affordable Vietnamese baguette sandwich.
- Bun bo: Sample this dish at Bún Bò Nam Bộ Cố Đô or Bún Bò Nam Bộ Bà Hồng for a taste of Central Vietnamese cuisine.
- Cha ca La Vong: Go to Chả Cá Thăng Long for their renowned grilled fish with herbs and noodles.
- Bánh cuon: Head to Bánh cuốn Bà Hoành for freshly made steamed rice rolls filled with pork and mushrooms.
- Nem ran: Visit Nem Rán Lò Đúc for crispy Vietnamese fried spring rolls.
- Pho cuon: Try Phở cuốn Hương Mai for fresh summer rolls filled with beef and herbs.
- Xoi xeo: Check out Xôi Yến for sticky rice with mung bean paste and toppings like chicken or pork.
- Egg coffee: Enjoy this unique Hanoian specialty at Giang Cafe or Cafe Dinh.
These specific eateries are well-known for their expertise in preparing these dishes, ensuring you get an authentic taste of Hanoi’s culinary delights when exploring the Old Quarter.
Shopping At Handicraft Stores
Along the streets in Hanoi Old Quarter, there are many handicraft stores, with a variety of Vietnamese traditional products. Some well-known stores with visitors can be listed as Craftlink, Marena Hanoi Lacquerware & Ceramics, and Vietnamese Craft Guild. Here, you can buy some Vietnamese souvenirs, such as picture frames, ethnic wear, bags, or ceramics at affordable prices. Sometimes, you will also be told about interesting relevant stories, which is a great chance to have a deeper understanding of craft villages in Vietnam.
Visiting Dong Xuan Market
Being located in downtown Hanoi, Dong Xuan Market is known as one of the largest local markets in Hanoi. When visiting the market, travelers can find a multitude of items, ranging from traditional to modern products. It is a wonderful shopping place for you to buy meaningful souvenirs for your relatives after your holiday.
If you have a trip to Dong Xuan Market on weekends, don’t forget to drop in Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market nearby. You will be surely impressed by the bustling atmosphere, together with a lot of unique shopping sections.
Drinking Draft Beer At Ta Hien Street
Ta Hien Street is a paradise for beer lovers and anyone who prefers a hustling city ambiance. Most visitors come here to immerse themselves in Hanoi’s vibrant nightlife, which brings an unforgettable experience. If you are having a Hanoi trip with friends and relatives, let’s drop in Ta Hien for a cool beer and say “cheer” with each other!
Having Fun At Some Bars And Clubs
Besides Ta Hien Street, visitors can experience the nightlife of Hanoi with a wide selection of pubs and bars. These places are perfect for you for relaxation with signature drinks, impressive vibes, and community experiences. Below are 3 highly recommended destinations for you:
1900 Le Theater Bar
- Opening time: 08:30 PM – 03:00 AM
- Address: No. 8, Ta Hien Street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
Prague Pub
- Opening time: 11:00 AM – 03:00 AM
- Address: No. 38, Luong Ngoc Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
Shark Club
- Opening time: 09:00 PM – 04:00 AM
- Address: No. 21 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
With the detailed reviews above, we hope you will have a wonderful time when visiting Hanoi Old Quarter. You can discover all 36 guild streets, stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, go to Dong Xuan Market, or even do anything you like. To know more about other tours in Hanoi, don’t forget to refer to our Vietnam tour packages for further information.
