Hanoi has full of things to do, Hanoi Old Quarter and French Quarter remains ancient architectural building, while the local life is so unique. Hanoi has a combination of the old and new looks that create interesting things to see and discover. Hanoi is available to discover in the very early morning in Quang Ba flower market to the late evening in Hanoi Old Quarter. This article suggests 10+ tourist attractions in Hanoi that you can visit during the day. 

Hoan Kiem Lake – Ngoc Son Temple

• Address: Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
• Directions to Hoan Kiem Lake – Ngoc Son Temple

The Sword Lake locates in the heart of the city surrounded by the fresh green shade of trees. The specific bustling atmosphere of 36 streets is probably the first image to remind us of the capital and also a prominent tourist destination in Hanoi.

Hoan Kiem Lake – Ngoc Son Temple – The Huc Bridge – Pen Tower – Ink Slab has become a symbol of the beauty and cultural crystallization, the national spirit of ancient Hanoi. If you are a Vietnamese native in the distance to visit the capital or would like to introduce Hanoi to foreign friends, please visit them at these locations.

On the weekends, the centre will ban roads to organize activities on the Hanoi pedestrian street, creating space for the people of the capital as well as visitors to come here. At the pedestrian street, you will be returning to your childhood with old folk games such as the mandarin square capturing, bamboo jacks, skipping rope, and a shuttlecock. If your family has kids, you can spend a weekend taking them here to play. They will enjoy it.

Hanoi Old Quarter

• Address: Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
• Directions to Hanoi Old Quarter

Ha Thanh has many exciting things as well as many famous and attractive places for tourists to explore. However, Hanoi is the most beautiful and “people” with thirty-six streets or called by the name “old quarter.” The population of Hanoi now ranks second in the country, only after Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi’s land gradually widens, but the original Hanoi and the Hanoi descent people only gather together in a circle of 36 streets on Hoan Kiem Lake. Arriving in Hanoi, you should go to the old quarter to feel the living life of people here, which is different from the places where you have been.

Previously, Hanoi’s 36 streets were named according to business goods such as Hang Trong – selling drums, Hang Duong – vending sugar, and Hang Thiec – trading mechanical material. But, today only a few streets are still retaining the old trading form like Hang Ma, and Thuoc Bac. Now, the item is much more vibrant and more diverse, the time has changed those streets a bit but still is that scene- small shops under the moss-covered room, golden walls, closed tile roofs, and old green windows. Hanoi people speak in a very gentle and elegant voice.

In addition to the imprint of the ancient town on the folds of houses at every street corner, this place considers a culinary paradise with many delicious dishes. The unique food is Pho and Bun Cha. Hanoi people have refined taste and a sophisticated eating styles. Until now, Hanoi people still like pho like the old – a delicious bowl of pho depends on the light and sweet broth, the flexible cake still retains the toughness and crunchy American beef, sweet taste dissolves in the mouth, serves with lemon, chilli, and onions. If you come to Hanoi’s old quarter, at least once, try eating pho in the way of the Hanoi people.

>>>  Read more about things to do in Hanoi Old Quarter at night 

Dong Xuan Market

• Address: Dong Xuan, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
• Directions to Dong Xuan market

Dong Xuan Market is the busiest and oldest shopping area in Hanoi, built-in 1889 under the Nguyen Dynasty. It is also one of the tourist destinations in Hanoi, which is known as a symbol associated with the capital.

Dong Xuan Market is a primary wholesale market in the Northern region, which has a variety of diversified and rich products from cloth, clothes, silk brocade, dry goods, jam, confectionery, food, souvenirs, and electronic appliances… These goods are mainly from China at many different prices. When buying, you should choose carefully and walk around a market to consult the previous rate, and bargain to avoid buying expensive ones.

It not only sells diverse shopping items, but it also has many famous dishes around Dong Xuan market such as “Banh Tom Co Am” (average price from 10,000 VND – 50,000 VND), Yen Tea (15,000 VND – 25,000 VND) and Huyen Anh Ribs porridge is opposite the market gate (20,000 VND – VND 50,000). In particular, to enjoy the most pleasurable and diversified choices possible, tourists can visit the night market in the ancient town on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

>>> Read more about Dong Xuan market 

Long Bien Bridge

• Address: Long Bien Bridge, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
• Directions to Long Bien Bridge

Referring to Hanoi, people immediately think of ancient beauty. And Long Bien Bridge is probably a feature that contributes to the imprint of ancient Ha Thanh. The bridge of hundreds of years remains intact like that; people do not paint or renovate, but let the rain and sunshine wear with it the colours of time, of history – and witness the maturity of a domain town.

What is interesting about this bridge? You don’t know, Long Bien Bridge was once the longest and most beautiful bridge in Indochina, named the horizontal Eiffel of Vietnam in the early 20th century. If you go to the bridge early in the morning, you will see many older people pensive fishing, and walking in the wind. At sunset or when the night comes, Long Bien Bridge becomes the dating place of the couples Ha Thanh.

If you want to have an evening of romantic dating on Long Bien Bridge, you can choose to sit on the right-hand side – facing Chuong Duong Bridge. The lights glistened from Chuong Duong bridge to sneeze back, with the traffic light, vehicles in the city radiate from many bright sides, while holding a lover’s hand and letting your legs sit on the bridge. You can immerse yourself in the fresh wind of the Red River. It will give you a very refreshing feeling.

>> Read more about Long Bien bridge 

Hanoi Opera House

• Address: No. 1 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Directions to the Opera House
• Website: http://www.hanoioperahouse.org.vn/
• Ticket: 400,000 VND

Hanoi Opera House is known as a cultural and artistic symbol of the city and is a tourist destination in Hanoi that many tourists love. This is the place where public performances hold, as well as international art performances. Here you will enjoy a variety of unique art forms from famous Vietnamese plays such as Tuong (classical drama), Cheo (traditional opera), and Cai Luong (reformed opera) to opera shows such as French opera, Italian classical music, Chinese opera, Ballet, chamber symphony. All the traditional quintessence is recreated on the new stage.

If you want to visit the inside of the opera house, visitors must buy tickets including the package of watching art shows for 400,000 VND. This is quite inconvenient for those who only need to visit, but this is also an opportunity for you to fully enjoy the beauty of architecture, culture as well as music and art space in here. If you intend to visit the Opera House, you should actively monitor the website to update detailed information about the schedule, choose the right program and book early to be able to get a good position in the auditorium.

>> Read more about What French people left in Hanoi 

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater

• Address: No. 49 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
• Directions to Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
• Website: http://thanglongwaterpuppet.org/

Performance schedule:

• From Monday to Saturday: 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 8:00 pm, 9:15 pm
• Sunday: 09:00 am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:10 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 8:00 pm, 9:15 pm
• Ticket price: 100,000 VND / adult – 60,000 VND / child
• Program duration: 40 – 50 minutes

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is one of the most famous water puppet shows in Vietnam founded in 1969.

In the public cultural space, fairy tale stories and historical legends are recreated by wooden puppets on the water which are extraordinarily unique and lively. It is an exciting and not to be missed destination for travellers visiting Hanoi. In particular, if your family has kids, they will be very excited to see the fun and exciting water puppet shows. Thang Long Puppet Water Theater not only attracts domestic visitors, but it is also a tourist destination for foreigners who want to learn about the culture and the traditional art forms of Vietnam.

The show impressed the audience right from the first minute when the national music background rang from the keys of the performers. The colourful wooden puppet characters, in turn, appear under the water in folk tales and games, which make viewers feel very happy and excited.

Note: you should go to the place to buy tickets in advance because they run out very quickly. Besides, if you buy tickets early, you can require to seat in front of the stage or in the middle row to get a full view of the show. However, this is also the location where you can easily be splashed. Also, the theatre requires you not to film photos during the concert. If you want to use it, you should register with the organizers – the surcharge of the camera is 20,000 VND, and the cine camera is 60,000 VND.

If you do not like to wait in line to buy tickets, you can book Hanoi city tours at the link below, which includes entrance tickets for all the places you want to go

>> Read more about top shows and performances in Hanoi 

Hanoi Saint Joseph Cathedral

• Address:  No.40, Nha Chung, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi
• Directions to Hanoi Saint Joseph Cathedral
• Website: https://tonggiaophanhanoi.org/
• Opening hours: Morning 8:00 am – 10:30 am, Afternoon 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Mass Calendar:

• Weekdays (2 Masses): 5:30 and 18:15
• Sunday (7 Masses): 5:00 am, 7:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am (French ceremony), 4:00 pm (children’s holiday), 6:00 pm, and 8:00 pm  (youth festival).
• Feast of Saints of the Steward Joseph: March, 19th every year.

Hanoi Saint Joseph Cathedral has the official name of St. Joseph’s Church (St.Joseph) – the oldest church in Hanoi city. Hanoi Saint Joseph Cathedral not only is the place where the religious activities of Catholics belonging to the Archdiocese of Hanoi regularly take place, but it is also a famous Hanoi tourist destination, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists to visit.

The church has an architectural design according to the medieval Gothic style of Europe, as a unique and charming highlight in the heart of Hanoi. If you have time, you should visit the cafe with a rooftop near the church like Eden Coffee to enjoy a delicious drink and watch the church from above. I am sure that it will surely be an exciting experience. Also, you should also appreciate some “specialities” around the church area such as lemon green tea to shoot the breeze, grilled meat rolls, mixed rice paper, pork rib porridge, and noodle soup with Indian taro,…

Besides, you remember to choose formal clothes, keep quiet, absolutely no joke when inside the Cathedral and do not take disgusting pictures, which is not suitable for the sanctuary of the church.

>> Read more about Hanoi Saint Joseph 

West Lake

• Address: Duong Thanh Nien, Tay Ho district, Hanoi
• Directions to West Lake

Speaking of West Lake, people cannot think of a famous tourist attraction of Hanoi in thousands of years of culture with so many essences and material and spiritual values. The beautiful West Lake in the early morning, quiet when the sun stands at noon, but the most attractive is the romantic rose gold waves on the lake every sunset.

When you come to West Lake, you can walk around the lake to get some fresh air or choose the cafe along the banks of the lake to relax and watch the space, dropping yourself into the peace of the scenery. Riding a bike or a motorbike is the favourite if you go alone or 2 people. On the other hand, when travelling with your family, you can use the tram travel service to be very interesting and convenient. In particular, Ho Tay Lotus Pond is in full bloom, bright and radiates pure fragrance from the beginning of June. It will make you crazy about its beauty and not want to return.

Besides, the owners of lotus growing areas in West Lake also make lotus tea in the early morning, the time of the flowers is the freshest and the night dew remains. So, if you can come here early in the morning, you can watch the lotus in the fresh air and learn about the way people work and buy lotus tea or lotus wine to make a gift. Besides, West Lake is most famous for its speciality shrimp cakes that every visitor here should try.

In addition to sightseeing and enjoying the delicious dishes of West Lake, there are some other interesting entertainment activities such as duck riding and kayaking on the lake. This experience is especially suitable for young people, and couples who love each other to enjoy the wild beauty of this place fully. Besides, Ho Tay Water Park is one of the entertainment places in Hanoi that you should choose if you intend to take your children to play during the summer.

Quang Ba flower market

• Address: Đe Nghi Tam, Au Co, Tay Ho district, Ha Noi
• Directions to Quang Ba flower market
• Market time: 23:00 PM – 4:00 AM

Whether you are living in Hanoi or just a far-away guest stopping for a bit, try once waking up in the middle of the night to visit Quang Ba flower market – this will be an amazing experience which you will never forget. The most crowded market is from 1 am to 2 am, when the whole city is still sleeping, Quang Ba flower market is bustling and full of flowers. The light emitted from the overhead lights makes the whole market sink in shimmering, fanciful colours. For those who love wandering to explore Hanoi at night, this is one of the beautiful tourist destinations not to be missed.

As a wholesale flower market and customers are mainly wholesale buyers, flower prices are quite low. However, you should observe previous buyers see how they choose flowers and pay to avoid buying expensive ones.

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

• Address: 19C Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi
• Directions to Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
• Website: http://www.hoangthanhthanglong.vn/
• Ticket price: VND 30,000, free for children under 15 years old
• Opening hours: 8:00 am – 12:30 am & 1:30 pm – 7:30 pm (From Tuesday to Sunday)

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, is an intriguing relic of Vietnam’s history and, signifying its historical and cultural importance, was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. The ancient site was the political centre of the country for 13 consecutive centuries and served as the capital of Vietnam for eight centuries. A notable attraction in the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long was the Hanoi Flagpole, also known as the Hanoi Flag Tower- a symbol of the spirit of freedom and independence of the nation.

The route to visit Thang Long Citadel gives you a reference: first, go to Doan Mon Square, visit Doan Mon, Kinh Thien Palace, revolutionary historical heritage house D67, Hau Lau. Next, walk through a section to the archaeological site of Hoang Thanh Thang Long – this place has many architectural vestiges such place, citadel, old well, Next, walk through a section to the archaeological site of Hoang Thanh Thang Long – this place has many architectural vestiges such as the palace, citadel, pillar leg since feudal times. You should spend from 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours to finish Thang Long Ancient Citadel. If you want to understand the cultural meaning better, historical stories of the Citadel, you should hire a guide or ask volunteers to guide you.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

• Address: 19 Ngoc Ha, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi | No. 8 Hung Vuong, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi
• Directions to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• Website: http://www.bqllang.gov.vn/
• Ticket price: VND 25,000
• Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 am – 11:00 am; Saturday + Sun from 8:00 am – 11:30 am;
• Closed: Monday and Friday.

President Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum at Ba Dinh Square, which is one of the tourist destinations in Hanoi, has a lot of meaning to the people of the whole country. Also, there is also the Vice President – Uncle Ho’s working place when alive, including wooden stilt houses, gardens, fish ponds, and Ho Chi Minh Museum – a place to store and display biographies, revolutionary careers and some major historical events from the late 19th century to the present.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which has a tight security system, is a sanctuary place. When visiting this place, you should wear formal attire (not wearing short pants, short skirts, sleeveless shirts) and not take photos on film in the area relics. Monuments are usually closed from October to December each year for maintenance, so you should check the information before visiting. Also, you can refer to the historical relics where should visit when coming to Hanoi/

>> Read more about top museums in Hanoi 

The Temple of Literature

• Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Dong Da district, Hanoi
• Directions to the Temple of Literature
• Website: http://vanmieu.gov.vn/
• Ticket price: VND 30,000 / trip, free for children under 15 years old
• Opening hours: Summer from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, winter from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

The Temple of Literature is often considered one of the famous tourist destinations in Hanoi, built-in 1070 under King Ly Thanh Tong. The Temple of Literature, which is a place to worship Confucius, scholars, scholars, and sages, is also regarded as the first university in Vietnam to train talented people to serve the country. Up to now, the Temple of Literature had become a symbol of the thousand-year-old Capital and a cultural cradle of Vietnam.

Visitors to the temple of literature are most crowded on the occasion of Tet, everyone – especially a lot of pupils and students from all over the country flocked in the early days of spring to burn incense or ask for the words of the old master to pass the exam or expect to be like.

In addition, every year on Lantern Festival (Full moon of the 1st month) at Khue Van Cac – the Temple of Literature usually takes place in Vietnam Poetry Festival – this is an opportunity for versifiers, and writers to meet and exchange poems and talks as well as a tradition to preserve the beautiful culture of the Vietnamese people. Relatively well-preserved the temple of literature attracts not only a large number of domestic visitors but also a tourist destination in Hanoi for foreigners to be highly appreciated the unique cultural and ethnic history.

We hope the above information about top tourists attraction in Hanoi during the day helps you plan your visit to the capital city of Vietnam. If you have any questions, just leave them in the comment section or let us know via email or online chat.