Things to do in Hanoi

Why go to Hanoi

• Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

  The romantic heart of Hanoi, a jade-green lake topped with a crimson bridge leading to a centuries-old island temple.

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

  An imposing Soviet-style monument housing the preserved body of Vietnam's revolutionary leader, surrounded by grand colonial boulevards.

• Old Quarter (36 Streets)

  A labyrinthine medieval merchant district where every alley still sells a single craft, silk, paper, tin, or spices, exactly as it did 600 years ago.

• Temple of Literature (Van Mieu)

  Vietnam's first university and a breathtaking complex of courtyards, stone steles, and lotus ponds dating back to 1070.

• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

  A world-class museum showcasing the culture of all 54 of Vietnam's ethnic groups, with full-size village houses in the outdoor garden.

Good to know in Hanoi

• Transit: Grab (ride-hailing app) is the cheapest and most reliable way to get around, always cheaper and safer than flagging street taxis; a typical cross-city ride costs $1-3.
• Tipping: Not a traditional local custom but appreciated at tourist restaurants; rounding up or leaving 10,000-20,000 VND (~$0.50-$1) is generous and welcomed.
• Tap water: Do NOT drink the tap water; buy large 5L bottles from convenience stores for about $0.50, or refill at your guesthouse if they offer filtered water.
• Free-entry days: The Temple of Literature and Vietnam Museum of Ethnology charge small entry fees (~$1-2), but Hoan Kiem Lake, all pagodas, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum exterior grounds are always free.

Trip essentials