Hanoi is Vietnam's capital and one of the country's major tourist destinations, attracting both domestic and foreign visitors. The cultural and historical tourist attractions, as well as the famous architectural works, always entice visitors to come and explore. Let's take a look at the best places to visit in Hanoi right now. 

What season is the most beautiful in Hanoi?

The capital of Hanoi clearly distinguishes four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season has its own beauty and charm, depending on the feeling of the individual. Autumn and spring are the best seasons to visit Hanoi. Many people believe that autumn is the most beautiful season in Hanoi, with its clear blue sky, chilly wind, falling leaves, and the scent of milk flowers... The streets are like new clothes in the spring when the trees are budding and the flowers are blooming...

Autumn and spring are the best seasons to visit Hanoi

10 Best Places to Visit in Hanoi

The most beautiful places to visit in Hanoi to make your visit even more memorable.

Hanoi Old Quarter

The Old Quarter of Hanoi is a charming neighborhood where visitors can admire many fine examples of colonial architecture lining the narrow streets. Loads of scooters, motorcycles, bicycles, and cars weave their way around fruit and souvenir vendors and cramped shops selling delectable Vietnamese food for a dime.

On weekends, visitors can enjoy the night market, as well as some of Hanoi's pedestrian streets with entertainment and drinks. Sitting in the corner drinking beer and watching the flow of people around is one of the most interesting activities for most visitors when they come here.

Sitting in the corner drinking beer and watching the flow of people around

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword Lake) is a central feature of Hanoi and a popular hangout spot for locals and visitors throughout the day. Ngoc Son Temple is located on a small island in the middle of the lake and is connected by a bridge, making it a lovely backdrop for a few photos.

This area becomes especially busy around sunrise and sunset, with joggers, couples enjoying the relaxing views across the lake, and the elderly practicing tai chi and line dancing. You can visit Hoan Kiem Lake for free, but Ngoc Son Temple requires a fee. The temple is located on a small island in the lake's center.

Hoan Kiem Lake also known as Sword Lake or Ta Vong Lake

Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is widely regarded as one of the best places to visit in Hanoi. The structure, which was originally constructed in 1070 as a university dedicated to Confucius, scholars, and sages, has been extremely well preserved and is an excellent example of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture.

The Well of Heavenly Clarity, turtle steles, pavilions, courtyards, and royal passageways are all part of this ancient site. When you visit the Temple of Literature, you will see historic buildings from the Ly and Tran dynasties in what has now become a memorial to education and literature.

The Temple of Literature is widely regarded as one of the best places to visit in Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum 

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square is one of the famous places in Hanoi. It is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam's most iconic and popular leader, affectionately known as 'Uncle Ho' by his people. His body is kept in a glass case at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in downtown Hanoi (albeit against his wishes). A visit to Uncle Ho's final resting place can be an extraordinary experience for visitors because it is more than just an ordinary attraction; it is a part of a unique history.

If you've arrived in the land of thousands of years of civilization, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is one of the best things to see in Hanoi. With the National Assembly, Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and so on, this is Vietnam's political center.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square is one of Hanoi's best places to visit

Hanoi Opera House

The Opera House, located at 1 Trang Tien, is a beautiful tourist attraction in Hanoi with many historical imprints. This is the location of major art exhibitions by many of Vietnam's most famous singers and artists. Visitors can admire the magnificent architecture of the Sydney Opera House or purchase tickets to one of the regularly scheduled performances to see the magnificent interior of the theatre.

Opera House is the location of major art exhibitions by many of Vietnam's most famous singers and artists

Thang Long Imperial Citadel

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel historical relic is a massive architectural work typical of the ancient Vietnamese feudal dynasties and was built during many periods from Dinh - pear money went to Ly, Tran, Le, and the entire Nguyen Dynasty.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel relic complex is now located in Ba Dinh district, with a total area of more than 18,000 ha, and includes many archaeological areas of great value, such as the Hanoi flagpole, Kinh Thien palace, house D67, North gate, and so on. When visiting Hanoi, don't forget to stop by this important relic to feel the ups and downs of history and learn more about the capital's thousand-year history.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel is the next best place to visit in Hanoi

West Lake

West Lake, Hanoi's largest freshwater lake, is located in Tay Ho district. With a 17-kilometer circumference and numerous historical sites, high-class hotels, luxury restaurants, cafes, and nightlife venues are worth exploring along the lakeside.

A 15-minute drive from Hanoi's Old Quarter, many locals and tourists often come here on weekends for open space, relaxation, and rest as it offers a haven of great natural beauty with plenty of quiet spots in the vast botanical gardens. West Lake is one of Hanoi's top attractions, making it an ideal location for an afternoon stroll. There are also boats for rent, and lunch in a floating restaurant is an excellent option that is well worth the experience.

West Lake, Hanoi's largest freshwater lake, is located in Tay Ho district

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Vietnam is a multiethnic country with 54 distinct groups that contribute to the country's rich diversity in language, culture, and way of life. If you want to learn about each ethnic group's beliefs and customs, the Museum of Ethology is the best place to discover them. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a mix of art, ordinary everyday objects, and historic artifacts that will undoubtedly tell you an intriguing story about each unique culture.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Hoa Lo prison

This is one of the best places to visit in Hanoi when coming to the capital. The French built Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the Mai Son Central, in 1896 to capture Vietnamese political prisoners. Since 1954, it has been used to imprison American pilots. A visit to "the prison" can elicit a range of emotions, including sadness, shock, and even disgust. The Mai Son Central exhibit focuses on the suffering of Vietnamese prisoners detained here, which teaches us the importance of peace. Only a small portion of this prison remains intact and has become a popular destination for most foreign tourists visiting Hanoi; the rest was destroyed to make way for the Hanoi Towers.

The French built Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the Mai Son Central

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater

This art form originated in the 11th century in North Vietnam and is derived from the flooded rice paddle fields of rural Vietnam. As a source of entertainment, villagers devised the use of a rod to perform puppets over the water. Puppets dance and slide gracefully across the liquid stage, guided by a troupe of puppet masters hidden behind a screen. Nowadays, typical puppet show themes are the same as in the past, they are mostly rooted in Vietnamese traditional activities such as rice cultivation, fishing, and folklore.

Travelers can enjoy this uniquely Vietnamese take on Asia’s puppet tradition

The 10 best places to visit in Hanoi listed above will make your trip to Vietnam's capital unforgettable. With many other intriguing places to discover, consider taking additional tours for a richer adventure. Plan your visit and travel to Vietnam for an interesting and fun trip!