The best places to visit in Hanoi are Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hoa Lo Prison, a water puppet show and West Lake with Tran Quoc Pagoda. Most can be covered in 2–3 days, many are free, and the rest cost about 50,000–100,000 VND (₹170–₹340) each. The best time to visit Hanoi is October to December, with spring (March–April) the next best.
Hanoi, the vietnam capital, is over 1,000 years old and is the gateway to Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa. With direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, it is where most Indian travellers start their Vietnam trip. This guide lists the 15 best places to visit in Hanoi and the top things to do in Hanoi for Indian tourists, with 2026 entry fees in rupees, opening hours, a 3-day plan, food and vegetarian tips, and where to go next.
| Place | Entry fee (2026) | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Hoan Kiem Lake / Ngoc Son Temple | Free / 50,000 VND (~₹170) | 1 hr |
| Old Quarter | Free | 2–3 hrs |
| Temple of Literature | 70,000 VND (~₹240) | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum | Free (mornings only) | 1–2 hrs with complex |
| Imperial Citadel of Thang Long | 100,000 VND (~₹340) | 1.5 hrs |
| Hoa Lo Prison | 50,000 VND (~₹170) | 1 hr |
| Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre | 100,000–200,000 VND (~₹340–₹680) | 50 min |
| West Lake & Tran Quoc Pagoda | Free | 1–2 hrs |
Fees are for reference and can change; converted at about 295 VND = ₹1.
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
Hoan Kiem Lake is the heart of Hanoi: a free lakeside walk with the red Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple.
The name means “Lake of the Returned Sword”, from the legend of King Le Loi, who returned a magic sword to a golden turtle after driving out Ming invaders in the 15th century. The small Turtle Tower on an islet in the middle of the lake is a symbol of the city.
What to see:
- The Huc Bridge: the red wooden “Morning Sunlight” bridge leading to the temple, Hanoi’s most photographed spot.
- Ngoc Son Temple: a 19th-century temple honouring General Tran Hung Dao and the scholar-god Van Xuong. Inside are preserved specimens of the giant turtles that once lived in the lake.
- Pen Tower and Ink Slab Gate: stone monuments at the temple entrance symbolising learning.
- The walking street: from Friday evening to Sunday night, the roads around the lake become car-free, with folk games, street music and families out in force.
Practical info: walking around the lake (about 1.8 km) is free at any time. Ngoc Son Temple costs 50,000 VND (~₹170) and opens from about 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Allow about an hour.
Tips for Indian travellers: come at 6–7 AM to see locals doing tai chi and dancing, or after 6 PM when the lake is lit up. Try the famous Trang Tien ice cream nearby (a Hanoi favourite since the 1950s and a good vegetarian treat). Hoan Kiem is one of several beautiful lakes in hanoi.
Hanoi Old Quarter
The Old Quarter, just north of Hoan Kiem Lake, is a maze of “36 streets”, each once named after the goods sold there, and is the best place to shop, eat and soak up local life.
Street names still begin with “Hang” (goods): Hang Bac (silver), Hang Gai (silk), Hang Ma (paper goods), Hang Thiec (tin). The narrow, deep “tube houses” were built that way because shopfronts were once taxed by width. Indian visitors often compare the bustle to Chandni Chowk, but with more cafés and fewer cars.
Streets and sights not to miss:
- Hang Gai: silk, scarves, embroidery and tailor-made ao dai, often ready in 24–48 hours.
- Hang Ma: lanterns and paper decorations, especially colourful before Tet and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
- 87 Ma May ancient house: a restored 19th-century merchant’s house showing how Hanoi families lived; small entry fee.
- Bach Ma Temple (Hang Buom Street): one of the oldest temples in the city, dedicated to the White Horse guardian spirit.
- Dong Xuan Market: the biggest covered market in Hanoi, built by the French in 1889; good for fabric, dried fruit and souvenirs.
- Weekend night market: Friday–Sunday evenings from Hang Dao Street to Dong Xuan Market, for clothes, souvenirs and snacks.
- Ta Hien Street: Hanoi’s lively “beer street” in the evening, with soft drinks and fresh juices for non-drinkers.
Practical info: the Old Quarter is free to explore; allow 2–3 hours on foot, or take a cyclo ride (agree on the price first). Watch out for motorbikes when crossing: walk slowly and steadily.
Tips for Indian travellers: several Indian and vegetarian restaurants, such as Ram Krishna on Hang Buom Street, are inside the Old Quarter, which makes it the most convenient area for hotels in hanoi for first-time visitors.
Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam)
Built in 1070, the Temple of Literature was dedicated to Confucius and became home to Vietnam’s first national university in 1076.
For centuries, the country’s top scholars studied and sat royal exams here. Today it is one of Hanoi’s most peaceful and photogenic sites, with old trees, ponds and traditional gates.
What to see:
- Five courtyards: each leads deeper into the complex, from the main gate to the sanctuary.
- Khue Van Cac (Constellation of Literature Pavilion): built in 1805 and pictured on the 100,000 dong note, it is the symbol of Hanoi.
- 82 doctoral steles: stone tablets on tortoise backs listing the names of successful candidates from 1442 to 1779, recognised by UNESCO’s Memory of the World programme.
- Dai Thanh Sanctuary: the main hall honouring Confucius and his disciples.
- Imperial Academy (Thai Hoc house): the rebuilt university building at the back.
Practical info: 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, about 10 minutes by car from Hoan Kiem Lake. Entry 70,000 VND (~₹240); open daily from about 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
Tips for Indian travellers: Vietnamese students visit before exams to pray for good results, much like students visiting temples in India before board exams. Come early in the morning for photos without crowds. Around Tet, calligraphers write wishes in Chinese-style characters here, a lovely souvenir. Indian visitors often compare it with ancient centres of learning such as Nalanda.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square and One Pillar Pagoda
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex is Vietnam’s most important political site, where Ho Chi Minh declared independence on 2 September 1945.
Ho Chi Minh, the founding leader of modern Vietnam, lies in state inside the granite mausoleum on ba dinh square. For Indians, the solemn atmosphere is similar to Raj Ghat in Delhi.
Opening hours: the mausoleum is free to enter but opens only in the mornings on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (closed Monday and Friday): about 7:30–10:30 AM from April to October and 8:00–11:00 AM from November to March, with slightly longer hours at weekends. It closes for about two months each year for maintenance; in 2026 it is closed from 4 September and reopens on 3 November.
Rules: shoulders and knees must be covered; bags and cameras are left at the deposit counter; no photos, hands in pockets or talking inside. Visitors walk slowly in a line past the glass sarcophagus.
Also in the complex:
- Presidential Palace: a yellow French colonial building (seen from outside).
- Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house and fish pond: the simple wooden home where he lived and worked; a small fee applies.
- One Pillar Pagoda: a tiny lotus-shaped shrine on a single pillar, first built in 1049, free to visit.
- Ho Chi Minh Museum: exhibitions on his life, next to the pagoda.
Tip: arrive before opening time to avoid long queues, especially at weekends, and watch the changing of the guard on Ba Dinh Square. Allow 1.5–2 hours for the whole complex.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the seat of Vietnamese royal power from the 11th century onwards.
King Ly Thai To moved the capital here in 1010 and named it Thang Long (“Rising Dragon”). The citadel was inscribed by UNESCO in 2010 for its 1,000 years of layered history, from royal palaces to a 20th-century military headquarters.
What to see:
- Doan Mon Gate: the main southern gate with five arches; the central one was for the king.
- Kinh Thien Palace foundations: the platform and stone dragon staircase of the main throne hall.
- D67 bunker and headquarters: where Vietnam’s military leaders directed operations during the war, with the original meeting room and maps.
- Hau Lau (Princess Pavilion): a two-storey pavilion at the back of the citadel, once used by the ladies of the royal court.
- 18 Hoang Dieu archaeological site: excavations showing foundations, wells and pottery from different dynasties.
- Hanoi Flag Tower (Cot Co): an 1812 hexagonal tower nearby, one of the city’s symbols.
Practical info: 19C Hoang Dieu Street, near the mausoleum. Entry 100,000 VND (~₹340); usually open Tuesday–Sunday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, closed on Mondays. Allow about 1.5 hours. On some evenings, guided night tours of the citadel are offered; ask your guide.
Tip for Indian travellers: history lovers will see parallels with Delhi’s Red Fort: both were royal citadels later used by modern governments. Combine it with the mausoleum on the same morning.
Hoa Lo Prison
Built by the French in 1896 to hold Vietnamese freedom fighters, Hoa Lo was later nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton” by American pilots held there.
Only part of the original prison survives; the rest was replaced by a tower block. The museum covers two periods:
- The French colonial period: crowded cells with leg shackles, solitary cells, a guillotine and stories of political prisoners and their escapes.
- The American War period: rooms showing the lives of US pilots held here, including the flight suit of the late Senator John McCain.
Its story of colonial imprisonment will feel familiar to Indians who have visited the Cellular Jail in the Andamans.
Practical info: 1 Hoa Lo Street, about 10–15 minutes’ walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. Entry 50,000 VND (~₹170); open daily, roughly 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Allow about an hour, and use the audio guide for context. Some exhibits may be upsetting for young children. On selected evenings, a special night tour is offered with storytelling and performances.
It is a short walk from the french quarter hanoi, so combine it with the cathedral and Opera House.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
Water puppetry is a centuries-old art from the Red River Delta, with wooden puppets “dancing” on water to live traditional music.
The art began in flooded rice fields, where villagers performed after the harvest. Puppeteers stand waist-deep in water behind a bamboo screen and move the lacquered wooden puppets with long poles hidden under the surface, while musicians play drums, flutes and the one-stringed dan bau, and singers narrate in Vietnamese.
What you’ll see: short scenes of rice planting, fishing, buffalo fighting, dragon and phoenix dances, and the legend of Hoan Kiem Lake’s golden turtle. The stories are easy to follow without understanding the language, which is why Indian children love it, much like Rajasthani kathputli shows.
Practical info: the thang long water puppet theater at 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, beside Hoan Kiem Lake, holds several 50-minute shows every afternoon and evening. Tickets cost about 100,000–200,000 VND (₹340–₹680) depending on the seat; there is a small extra charge for cameras and videos. Book a day ahead in peak season (October–April). Middle rows give the best view; the front row may get a little splashed.
West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda
West Lake (Ho Tay) is Hanoi’s largest lake, and Tran Quoc Pagoda on its shore is the city’s oldest pagoda, with a Bodhi tree from Bodh Gaya.
West Lake covers about 500 hectares, with a 17 km shoreline lined with temples, cafés, lotus ponds and expat neighbourhoods, about 10–15 minutes by car from the Old Quarter.
What to see:
- Tran Quoc Pagoda: dating back about 1,500 years, on a small island linked by a causeway, with a tall red stupa tower. Its Bodhi tree was grown from a cutting of the tree at Bodh Gaya and given by Indian President Rajendra Prasad during his 1959 visit, which makes it a special stop for Indian visitors. Entry is free; cover shoulders and knees.
- Quan Thanh Temple: an ancient Taoist temple near the lake with a huge 17th-century bronze statue of the guardian god Tran Vu.
- Phu Tay Ho: a busy temple on a peninsula, dedicated to the Mother Goddess, crowded with worshippers on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month.
- Cycling or a swan-boat ride: rent a bicycle and ride part of the lake path, or take a pedal boat on the water.
Tips for Indian travellers: visit Tran Quoc in the late afternoon, then watch the sunset from Thanh Nien Road, the tree-lined road between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. In early summer, the lotus ponds around the lake are in bloom. Tay Ho has plenty of cafés and international restaurants for dinner.
Hanoi Train Street
Hanoi Train Street is a narrow residential lane where trains pass just centimetres from the houses.
The best-known section runs between Le Duan and Tran Phu streets, near Hanoi Station. Families live right next to the rails, and when a train is coming, everyone pulls in chairs and stands back against the walls. Trains usually pass several times in the afternoon and evening, more often at weekends.
Important: the authorities have restricted access several times for safety, so cafés along the tracks open and close from time to time. If it is open, sit at a café, never stand on the tracks, and follow staff instructions when a train approaches. Read our hanoi train street guide for timings and tips.
Nearby: walk along Phung Hung Street, where the old railway arches are painted with murals of old Hanoi, a free and safe photo spot. Then try Hanoi’s famous egg coffee (it contains egg yolk, so it is not suitable for those who avoid eggs) at the original Cafe Giang on Nguyen Huu Huan Street, or explore other cafes in hanoi.
Long Bien Bridge
Long Bien Bridge, built by the French between 1899 and 1902, is a historic steel bridge over the Red River, best visited at sunset.
When it opened, it was one of the longest bridges in Asia. It survived heavy bombing during the war, and its patched steel sections are a reminder of that history. Today it carries trains, motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians, but no cars.
What to do: walk out on the narrow pedestrian lane for views of the river and the city skyline, watch trains rumble past, and look down at the banana fields on the river islands below. Photographers come at sunrise and sunset.
Practical info: free; about 10 minutes’ walk from Dong Xuan Market. Allow 30–45 minutes. Stay in the walkway and away from the tracks. Read more about long bien bridge.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
This is the best museum in Hanoi for families, showing the cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, with full-size traditional houses in the garden.
What to see:
- The main building: costumes, tools, musical instruments and ceremonies of groups such as the Hmong, Dao, Tay and Cham.
- The outdoor garden: real houses rebuilt by members of each community, including a towering Bahnar communal house, an Ede longhouse and stilt houses that children can climb into.
- The Southeast Asia building: exhibitions on neighbouring cultures, including links with India and the wider region.
Practical info: Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay, about 20–30 minutes by Grab from the Old Quarter. Entry is about 40,000 VND (~₹135); open Tuesday–Sunday, about 8:30 AM–5:30 PM, closed on Mondays. Allow 1.5–2 hours. Water puppet performances are sometimes held in the garden.
Tip: if you are going to Sapa or the northern mountains, visit this museum first; it helps you understand the hill tribe cultures you will meet there.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the Opera House and the French Quarter
Hanoi’s French Quarter has grand colonial buildings such as the neo-Gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the Hanoi Opera House.
- St. Joseph’s Cathedral (1886): Hanoi’s main Catholic church, with twin bell towers inspired by Notre-Dame de Paris. The square in front is free to visit; the interior opens during mass times. Sit at a pavement café on Nha Tho Street and try iced lemon tea (tra chanh) like the locals.
- Hanoi Opera House (1911): modelled on the Palais Garnier in Paris, best photographed in the evening when it is lit up. Inside visits are by performance ticket only.
- Trang Tien and Hai Ba Trung streets: wide boulevards with colonial villas, bookshops, galleries and the famous Trang Tien ice cream shop.
- Vietnam National Museum of History: two elegant buildings behind the Opera House, covering Vietnam’s history from prehistoric times, including Cham sculpture with Hindu influences.
Tip: the French Quarter is a short walk south of Hoan Kiem Lake. Combine it with Hoa Lo Prison for a half-day walk.
Lotte Center Observation Deck
For the best view of Hanoi from above, head to the observation deck on the 65th floor of Lotte Center.
Lotte Center, at 54 Lieu Giai Street in Ba Dinh, is one of the tallest buildings in Hanoi. The deck offers 360° views over West Lake, the Red River and the city centre, and has glass “skywalk” panels in the floor that let you look straight down, a thrill for children.
Practical info: a ticket is required, and the deck usually stays open into the evening. Allow about an hour. Go at sunset to see the city by day and by night, then have dinner or a drink at the rooftop restaurants in the same building. See our guide to lotte center hanoi for prices and tips.
Mega Grand World Hanoi
A Venice-style entertainment area east of the city, with canals, gondola rides and evening shows, popular with families and young couples.
mega grand world hanoi is in the Vinhomes Ocean Park 3 area across the Red River, about 45–60 minutes by car from the Old Quarter.
What to do: walk along colourful European-style streets and canals, take a gondola ride, shop and eat at the many restaurants, and stay for the evening light shows and street performances. The area is especially lively at weekends and is very photogenic after dark.
Practical info: entry to the area is free; gondola rides, shows and other activities are paid individually. Plan a half day or an evening. It is a good option for families with children who want a break from historic sites.
Traditional Craft Villages (Bat Trang)
Bat Trang pottery village, about 15 km from the centre, lets you watch potters at work and try making your own bowl.
Bat Trang has been making ceramics for more than 700 years. Walk through workshops and kilns, browse the large ceramics market for vases, tea sets and souvenirs, and join a pottery class where children can shape and paint their own pieces.
Practical info: about 30–45 minutes by car from the Old Quarter. The village is free to visit; pottery classes cost a small fee. Allow half a day.
Other villages near Hanoi specialise in silk (Van Phuc), conical hats and incense (Quang Phu Cau, famous for its colourful incense-drying yards). See our guide to traditional craft villages in Hanoi.
3-Day Hanoi Itinerary for Indian Travellers
Three days is enough for Hanoi’s main sights plus a day trip.
- Day 1 (Hoan Kiem): Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, the Old Quarter, Hoa Lo Prison, then a water puppet show and dinner.
- Day 2 (Ba Dinh): the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum early (check the open days), One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and the Imperial Citadel, then sunset at West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda.
- Day 3: a day trip to Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh.
Best Day Trips from Hanoi
The two best day trips from Hanoi are Ha Long Bay (about 2.5–3 hours by expressway) and Ninh Binh (about 2 hours).
- Ha Long Bay: a UNESCO-listed seascape of limestone islands. A day cruise is possible, but an overnight cruise is more relaxing. Request vegetarian or Jain meals at least 1–2 days before boarding.
- Ninh Binh: boat rides through caves and rice fields at Trang An or Tam Coc, plus the huge Bai Dinh Pagoda. Read our guide on hanoi to ninh binh transport, and on the way back, ninh binh to hanoi.
Coming back from the bay? See our guide on halong bay to hanoi transfers. From the mountains, read how to travel from sapa to hanoi.
Where to Eat in Hanoi: Street Food, Indian and Vegetarian
Hanoi is one of Asia’s great food cities, and vegetarian and Indian travellers have plenty of choices.
- Local favourites: pho, bun cha and banh mi; read our hanoi food guide and the best street food in hanoi.
- Vegetarian: look for “chay” restaurants serving vegetarian pho, tofu and vegetables; see our list of vegetarian restaurants in hanoi.
- Indian: several Indian restaurants in and around the Old Quarter serve North and South Indian food, with Jain options on request; see the best indian restaurants in hanoi.
Best Time to Visit Hanoi
The best time to visit Hanoi is October to December, when the weather is cool, dry and sunny; March and April are also pleasant.
- October–December: about 18–28°C, clear skies; peak season, including the Diwali travel window, so book early.
- January–February: cool (around 14–20°C) with drizzle; Tet (Lunar New Year) is colourful, but some places close for a few days.
- March–April: warm and pleasant.
- May–September: hot and humid (often 32–38°C) with heavy afternoon showers; plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings.
For month-by-month details, check our guide to hanoi weather.
Where to Go Next from Hanoi
Hanoi connects easily to the rest of Vietnam by flight, train and road.
| From Hanoi to | Best way | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Da Nang | Flight (~1 hr 20 min) | hanoi to danang |
| Hoi An | Flight to Da Nang, then 45 min by road | hanoi to hoi an |
| Hue | Flight (~1 hr 10 min) or overnight train | hanoi to hue |
| Ho Chi Minh City | Flight (~2 hrs) | hanoi to ho chi minh |
| Phu Quoc | Direct flight (~2 hrs) | hanoi to phu quoc |
| Nha Trang | Flight to Cam Ranh (~1 hr 45 min) | hanoi to nha trang |
| Da Lat | Direct flight (~1 hr 45 min) | hanoi to da lat |
Arriving in Hanoi from the south? See our guides from ho chi minh to hanoi, danang to hanoi and phu quoc to hanoi. If Hoi An is next, don’t miss its heritage homes such as the phung hung ancient house.
Hanoi Travel Tips for Indian Tourists
- Visa: Indians need a Vietnam e-visa (about USD 25 for a single entry), applied for online.
- Money: carry VND for entry fees and street food; cards work in hotels and larger restaurants.
- Transport: use Grab for taxis; agree on prices before taking a cyclo.
- Dress: cover shoulders and knees at the mausoleum, temples and pagodas.
- Safety: Hanoi is generally safe; watch for pickpockets in crowds and keep bags on the side away from the road.
Places to Visit in Hanoi: FAQs
What are the top 5 places to visit in Hanoi?
Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex and West Lake with Tran Quoc Pagoda.
How many days are enough for Hanoi?
2 days for the city, or 3–4 days with a trip to Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh.
What are the best things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam?
Walk the Old Quarter, watch a water puppet show, eat street food, visit the Temple of Literature, see the sunset at West Lake and take a Ha Long Bay cruise.
Is Hanoi good for Indian tourists?
Yes. It has direct flights from India, many Indian and vegetarian restaurants, Buddhist sites with links to India, and good-value hotels.
Plan Your Hanoi Trip
Hanoi is the perfect start to a Vietnam holiday from India.
Explore our vietnam tourism packages covering Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and the rest of Vietnam, or end your trip on the beach with a phu quoc tour package.
Tell us your travel dates, group size and departure city in India. A Vietnamtour.in travel expert will plan your Hanoi sightseeing around opening days and the best times, book hotels, cruises and transfers, and arrange vegetarian, Jain or Indian meals throughout your trip.
