Old Quarter of Hanoi: Top 5 places to visit

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, breathes history everywhere. Hanoi itself is not an incredibly beautiful city, but the Old Quarter of Hanoi has a special charm.

The old architecture of the Old Quarter of Hanoi blends with the French buildings of the colonial era. The narrow streets are filled with tourists walking around, souvenir shops, motorcycles parked on the sidewalks, bar terraces or simply locals sitting squatting and talking in the middle of the street.

In the old quarter of Hanoi is where you will find almost everything you have to see if you visit the capital of Vietnam. If you want, you can lose yourself wandering through these narrow streets and enjoy like a child. But also, I recommend you to visit some of the historical places that are well worth a visit. So here is a list of the 5 most interesting places to see in the old quarter of Hanoi.

Where do you stay during your trip to Hanoi?

The two days we stayed in Hanoi were spent walking around the old town, which is where all the hotels, all the bars and the atmosphere are. We were meeting people from the hostel (Hanoi Backpacker Hostel) and meeting native couchsurfers to explain more about their country.

Apart from that, we also try to find a little party in the capital. We went to a bar and it closed at twelve in the morning, so we were a little disappointed… (At the end of 2017 I returned to Hanoi and I can say that the party theme has improved a lot. Nowadays, there are a lot of bars and clubs where you can go out any day of the week).

What to see in the Old Quarter of Hanoi?

1. Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword Lake)

The most famous lake in the city is located in the old quarter of Hanoi. It is called Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword Lake). In the center of the lake there is a small island with a monument called the Turtle Tower dedicated to the fact that it was the fishing place of a Vietnamese king (Le Thanh Tong).

The name “Hoan Kiem” translates as “Lake of the Restored Sword”, and the legend associated with the lake has an important connection to Vietnamese history. According to legend, in the 15th century, Emperor Lê Lợi led a rebellion against the Chinese to liberate Vietnam from occupation.

After a successful battle, Lê Lợi was in his boat on the lake when a huge turtle emerged from the water and gave him a magic sword, known as the King’s Sword (Hán Thủy), which had been used in the war. It is said that the turtle asked for the sword back, which marked the end of the fighting and the restoration of peace in the country. The turtle, which was believed to inhabit its waters, became a symbol of wisdom and power.

2. Jade Mountain Temple

Also, on another island in the center of the lake, we find the Temple of Jade Mountain (Ngoc Son Temple). It was built in 1865 and dedicated to Confucian and Taoist philosophers and a national hero, Tran Hung Dao, who fought against the Mongol invasions in the 13th century.

The temple’s name, meaning “Temple of Jade Mountain,” refers to the island where the temple is located, which is considered a sacred place. “Ngọc Sơn” is also associated with purity and spiritual peace. To visit the temple, an entrance fee must be paid before crossing the Morning Sunlight Bridge.

3. Morning Sunlight Bridge

The temple is accessed by a beautiful and striking red wooden bridge. This has a curious nickname, which in English would be more or less: Sunrise Bridge or Morning Sunlight Bridge.

The red color of the bridge has symbolic meanings in Vietnamese culture, related to good luck and prosperity. The bridge not only connects two parts of the lake, but also symbolizes the connection between the mundane and the divine, leading visitors to the sacred temple on Ngoc Son Island.

4. St Joseph’s Cathedral

Near Hoan Kiem Lake, is also the St. Joseph Cathedral, another of the most famous places in the Old Quarter and very visited by tourists as it is striking for its European architecture in a totally Vietnamese atmosphere.

It is a Catholic Cathedral that was built in 1886 with a neo-Gothic style, inspired by the architecture of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. Its imposing facade stands out from the surrounding small buildings and alleys making the cathedral a place that is definitely worth visiting. The cathedral is open to tourists outside of mass hours.

5. Hoa Lo Memorial Prison

Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi is a historic prison turned museum. It was used by the French colonists to incarcerate Vietnamese political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam to incarcerate American prisoners of war during the Vietnam War.

After the reunification of Vietnam in 1975, the prison ceased to be used and began to be partially demolished. In 1993, the Hoa Lò Prison Memorial was opened as a museum to preserve the history of the prison and educate future generations about the sufferings experienced here.

A walk through the prison is a journey into the horror of wars and torture. A must visit to understand a little more about the history of this country and the strength of the Vietnamese people.

What to see outside of Hanoi’s Old Quarter?

Visit to the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh

Another must-see in Hanoi is the mausoleum where the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, a national hero who always fought for Vietnam’s independence and freedom, against both the French and the Americans, is kept.

The design was inspired by the Lenin Mausoleum in Moscow, as Ho Chi Minh was an admirer of the Soviet leader and had a close relationship with the Soviet Union during Vietnam’s struggle for independence.

It was chilling to walk in silence near the body of the person who has most influenced this country in decades and, above all, to witness the sadness on the faces of the people visiting, most of them Vietnamese and, many of them, with tears in their eyes.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is not only a final resting place for the leader, but also a symbol of Vietnam’s national unity, sacrifice and patriotic pride. Hours are usually from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM, but may vary, so it is advisable to confirm before your visit. And remember, out of respect, inside the mausoleum it is not allowed to take pictures.

Next Destination: Trip from Hanoi To Sapa

After visiting much of Vietnam, I have no doubt that Hanoi was the city I liked best in Vietnam. Once we saw the capital of Vietnam we took the bus to see the rice terraces of Sapa and meet the ethnic minorities living there. Our last three days in Vietnam were spent trekking in the mountains.

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Nothing is more precious than independence and liberty.

– Ho Chi Minh –