Top 5 Best Places to Visit in Hanoi

Each year, a great number of tourists pour in Hanoi to explore the center of culture and history in Vietnam. It is also no surprise that many famous symbols of the country located in the capital. In this post, we will show you some places to visit in Hanoi which should not be missed. Top 5 Best Places to Visit in Hanoi

Top 5 Best Places to Visit in Hanoi

1. Vietnam Military History Museum 

Vietnam Military History Museum is a must-see destination for anyone who interested in the military history of this heroic South East Asia country. This National Museum has the best collections of the Vietnam War and many Vietnamese treasures. Tourist coming here will contemplate the historical pages of Hanoi in just one location.

The Museum from Above

Ever since the construction of the building in 1956, Vietnam Military History Museum has become one of the main attractions in Hanoi. Here, you can not only see many remnants of the past, such as remarkable artifacts, but also the realistic photos, documents of the Vietnamese Revolution. Tourist can easily immerse in the courageous and honorable age of Vietnamese people.

Tank M48 Patton

The museum also presents with outdoor display areas showing the unification of People and Army against all modern machines of war. There are many airplanes like Bell UH-1 Iroquois H model, tanks (PT-76 amphibious light tank), artilleries, and so on presented in the courtyard. 

2. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum 

No one has influenced the modern Vietnam as greatly as President Ho Chi Minh. For this reason, people built Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to keep his preserved body and to show the utmost admiration and love for the Founding Father of Vietnamese Revolution. You are strongly recommended to visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum for your travel to Vietnam.

Exterior of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The Mausoleum was built in 1973 and officially opened in 1975. Even though it was based loosely on Lenin's Mausoleum in Russian, the building still has unique Vietnamese design and features. The building materials came from provinces in Vietnam such as sand from Hoa Binh province and Thai Nguyen province; 16 rare trees from Truong Son Mountain range. Even the Soviet Union sent granite and marble to decorate the Mausoleum.

There are 240 squares of grass divided into patches by the pathways and flower gardens surrounding the structure. As you go through the door guarded by 4 honor soldiers, you can see the body of President Ho Chi Minh preserved in the central of the hall. 

Students Visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Afterward, you can also venture to the West to visit One Pillar Pagoda, Uncle Ho’s House, and Ho Chi Minh Museum to learn more about the life of the Vietnamese National Hero.

One Pillar Pagoda

3. Hanoi Old Quarter 

The heart of commercial in Hanoi will definitely bring many enjoyable experiences to tourists. The Old Quarter has ancient architecture of French Colonial, rich Vietnamese cuisine and various local shops. Since the Old Quarter becomes the pedestrian streets on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it is a perfect place for you to enjoy your wonderful weekends.

We recommend you to travel by cyclo, a traditional means of transport in Hanoi years ago, or on foot. Therefore, you can have an overview of the Old Quarter and slowly immerse in the busy streets of Hanoi. On the way, you will easily encounter both the French colonial style in houses and the ancient architecture style through temples and pagodas. 

Traveling by Cyclo

Shopping is one of the main activities for local and tourists when visiting these ancient streets. You will find many kinds of traditional products such as clothes, purses, and other products as well. It is possible to go window-shopping and enjoy the bustling trading scenes in the Old Quarter. 

Appealing Local Shop

Tourists also are crazy about the street-food in food vendors and food stalls on the Old Quarter. You can drink Bia Hoi on Ta Hien street or enjoy local foods in the north of Dong Xuan Market.

4. Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)

Once was the nightmare of the prisoners in Vietnam War and French colonial time, Hoa Lo Prison has become the epitome of the cruel and bloody war in Vietnam. U.S. POWs who were imprisoned called this “Hell’s Hole” as “Hanoi Hilton” or “Little Vegas” in a sarcastic way. Visitors will be shivered by the eerie atmosphere of this place.

"Hanoi Hilton" at Night

In the first look, Hoa Lo Prison seems to be a normal French Building with the sign “Maison Centrale” on the door. However, as you enter deep into the prison, you will see a lot of mannequin model resembling the prisoners jailed with steel chains in their legs to restrict their movements. It is possible to look into the dark and tiny cells where the inmates were confined. The dark cell called Cachot was used to imprison anyone who violated the rule of the prison or had hostile attitude. 

A Corner of the Prison

Hoa Lo Prison will be the most vivid museum that you want to visit in Vietnam.

5. Hoan Kiem Lake

Considered to be the heart of the city by a lot of people, Hoan Kiem Lake is the main destination for visitors when traveling to Hanoi. This special location attracts visitors not only because of dreamy scene at night and picturesque landscape in the morning but also many unique sites located near Hoan Kiem Lake. 

Hoan Kiem Lake from Afar

The first thing you will notice at first glance is a building in the middle of the lake is the Turtle Tower (Thap Rua). It was not until 1886 that the tower was constructed and became the attractions of Hanoi. Another important site is The Huc Bridge, which connects with Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain).  Along with Pen Tower and Temple of the Jade Mountain, The Huc Bridge is one of the symbols of Hoan Kiem Lake.

The Symbol of Hoan Kiem Lake

When you visit the lake, it is a pity not to cross The Huc bridges and enjoy the remarkable Temple of the Jade Mountain. The Temple is the harmony of nature and people and is a great example of ancient Vietnamese architecture. There are also souvenir shops and a small exhibition room with unique Turtle model of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Front of the Temple

• Source: Vietnam Aurora Travel