Other Things to See and Do in Hanoi

date 20:09 | 23/04/2024

Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital, is either the starting or finishing point for travelers in the country as most people travel north to south or south to north. It’s a bustling city full of backpackers and travelers with a lot to see and do — none of which will break the bank.

Other Things to See and Do in Hanoi

1. Wander around Hoan Kiem Lake

Come early in the morning to watch throngs of people practicing Tai Chi before their working day begins. In the center of the lake is the Tortoise Pagoda, a shrine to the famous giant turtles that used to live in the lake. The shrine and the red bridge are lit up at night and during the weekends many of the streets are blocked off to cars which makes it a great place to explore on a Friday or Saturday. It’s a scenic area lake that is worth taking a stroll around.

2. See Quan Su Pagoda

As the headquarters for the Vietnam Central Buddhist Congregation, Quan Su is one of the most important temples in the country. If you’re going to visit any of Vietnam’s pagodas, this 15th-century one is the one you should see. It’s small, calm, and tranquil. Admission is free, though donations are accepted.

3. Admire the One Pillar Pagoda

Originally built in 1049, One-Pillar Pagoda sits on stilts over a lake and is a miniature reproduction of the original temple built by the Ly Dynasty. The pagoda was restored and rebuilt in the 1840s and again in 1922. It was severely damaged in an explosion in 1954 as well, though was once again restored. A prayer at this little wooden pagoda is said to bring fertility and good health. Admission is 25,000 VND.

4. Watch a water puppet show

Water puppetry is an art form that dates back over a millennium. Puppets are carved from wood, and the shows are performed in a waist-deep pool, which makes the puppets look like they’re walking in water. Near the lake, you can see a show at either of the two water puppet theater venues. Admission from 100,000 VND and performances are in Vietnamese.

5. Tour Hoa Lo Prison

U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War named Hao Lo “the Hanoi Hilton” and this is where many U.S. soldiers were held and tortured (former Sen. John McCain from Arizona is its most famous prisoner). Prior to the war, it was used to hold political prisons that the French wanted to lock away (and usually execute or torture). What remains of the building is a small museum, complete with the guillotine used to execute detainees. While morbid, it also provides insight into how the Vietnamese whitewash their history (like most countries do, to be fair). The entrance fee is 30,000 VND per person.

6. Visit the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts

The Fine Arts Museum is a must-see. There are fantastic exhibits of Buddhist art, folk art, and silk and lacquer paintings but the museum’s most impressive feature is Kouan Yin, the goddess of mercy who is depicted with a thousand arms and eyes. Admission is 40,000 VND. Closed on Mondays and holidays.

7. Tour the Army Museum

This museum has an excellent collection of planes, tanks, and guns supplied by the Chinese and Soviet armies, alongside dozens of captured French and US-made war machinery. There’s not a lot of information in English (and, as a military museum, there’s obviously going to be a heavily biased point-of-view) but it’s nevertheless an interesting place to tour and learn about the war from the other side. Admission is 40,000 VND per person. Closed Mondays and Fridays.

8. Visit the Vietnam Women’s Museum

The Vietnam Women’s Museum offers some insight into the contribution of Vietnamese women to the country’s culture and society, including their roles during wartime. It’s a fairly small museum but it includes an interesting collection of interviews and historical memorabilia. Admission is 40,000 VND.

9. Explore the Museum of Ethnology

The Vietnamese Museum of Ethnology contains exhibits on the different ethnic groups that reside in the country and will give you a much better understanding of Vietnamese history (there are 54 different ethnic groups recognized in Vietnam). Outside, there are numerous reconstructed buildings you can see that showcase traditional architecture throughout the ages. Admission is 40,000 VND.

10. See the National Museum of Vietnamese History

This museum has a collection of antiques (and some replicas) dating from prehistory all the way to 1945. Here you’ll find bronzes from the Dong Son culture, jewelry from Vietnam’s imperial times, sculptures from the Khmer and Champa kingdoms, and more (there are over 200,000 items on display). Admission is 40,000 VND plus an extra 30,000 VND for photography,