Hanoi see and do guide: Architecture

An independent selection of the best things to see and do in Hanoi. No paid placements, no advertorial.

Hanoi see and do guide

Long Bien Bridge

A Hanoi icon in all senses, the Long Bien Bridge - formerly known as the Paul Doumer Bridge - was one of the greatest... Read more
Long Bien Bridge
Up the ramp from Hang Khoai in the Old Quarter

Catholic Churches of Ninh Binh and Nam Dinh

The provinces of Ninh Binh and Nam Dinh around 2 hours by road south of Hanoi, are where Catholicism first took root in Vietnam... Read more

Walking Hanoi - Part 3 - Old Quarter to Ba Dinh Square

This self-guided Hanoi walking tour by Rusty Compass takes us along the edge of the Old Quarter, past stunning colonial villas... Read more

Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi

Ba Dinh Square is where several of the Hanoi’s most historic sights are located - Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s house... Read more

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Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi
Ba Dinh District Hanoi

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Walking Hanoi - Part 2 - Old Quarter to the French Quarter

This Hanoi walk takes us from the Catholic centre of the Old Quarter through the French colonial architecture of the precinct... Read more
Walking Hanoi - Part 2 - Old Quarter to the French Quarter
Start - St Josephs Cathedral Hanoi

Old Quarter, Hanoi

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a warren of bustling lanes that have been the commercial heart of the capital for centuries. The 36... Read more

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Old Quarter, Hanoi
From the north end of Hoan Kiem Lake

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Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, Hanoi

The simple timber house on stilts, in a lovely garden setting, from which Ho Chi Minh ruled wartime North Vietnam prior to his... Read more

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Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, Hanoi
Ba Dinh Square behind Ho Chi Minh
40,000VND

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Museum of Vietnamese History, Hanoi

Vietnam’s best account of its thousands of years of history is set in one of Hanoi’s finest buildings. A refreshing break from... Read more

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Museum of Vietnamese History, Hanoi
1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi - in the French Quarter
20,000VND - more for cameras

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One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi

One of Hanoi’s most revered sights, the One Pillar Pagoda dates back to Hanoi’s founding and is a commonly used symbol of the... Read more

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One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi
Ba Dinh Square Hanoi, nearby the Ho Chi Minh Museum
Free

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West Lake area

Hanoi's West Lake area is home to the city's oldest temple - Quan Thanh Temple, as well as the Tran Quoc Pagoda. Opposite West... Read more

St Joseph's Cathedral, Hanoi

Hanoi’s main Catholic cathedral, the beautifully faded St Joseph’s, sits at the head of one the city’s most attractive streets. Read more

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St Joseph's Cathedral, Hanoi
40 Nha Chung St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

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Bach Ma Temple, Hanoi

11th century Bach Ma Temple is Hanoi’s oldest place of worship and is easily visited while strolling through the Old Quarter.... Read more

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Bach Ma Temple, Hanoi
76 Hang Buom St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi - in the Old Quarter
Free

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Hanoi Museum, Hanoi

You’ll need to have a lot of time, patience and enthusiasm to make the journey out of town to Hanoi’s newest museum. Impressive... Read more

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Hanoi Museum, Hanoi
Pham Hung Street, Từ Liêm, Hanoi

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Hanoi Citadel, Hanoi

World Heritage listed Hanoi Citadel, also known as the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, is one of Vietnam’s most important... Read more

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Hanoi Citadel, Hanoi
Enter from Hoang Dieu St, Hanoi, nearby the Cot Co Tower.
30,000VND

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Duong Lam Village, outside Hanoi

Duong Lam is a surprisingly picturesque traditional village about 50kms from Hanoi. It's an enjoyable half day trip and the... Read more

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Duong Lam Village, outside Hanoi
Duong Lam, Son Tay - 50kms from Hanoi
20,000VND

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