Right now, Vietnam's capital Hanoi is a very popular travel destination. Many tourists visit from Japan as well, and the city of Hanoi is very lively.

Recommended ways to spend time in Hanoi include strolling through streets with a classical atmosphere, visiting famous sightseeing spots, and seeing World Heritage sites.

This article is packed with special information to make sightseeing in Hanoi even more enjoyable.

We hope you find it helpful!
 

Basic Information about Vietnam

First, let's introduce Vietnam.

Vietnam borders China, Laos, and Cambodia and is located on the eastern side of the Indochina Peninsula.

From World Heritage sites to ruins, ancient capitals, modern cities, and beach resorts, the country's attractions vary by region. For that reason, one of the great pleasures is being able to choose where to go according to your purpose.

In Vietnam, you can enjoy everything—sightseeing, resorts, gourmet food, and shopping.

Official country name	Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Language	Vietnamese
Currency	VND (Vietnamese dong)
National character	Cheerful and friendly, gentle, earnest
Time difference	-2 hours (2 hours behind Japan)
Access	5~6 hours by direct flight from Japan

 

Hanoi Basic Information

Next, we will introduce Hanoi.

Hanoi is a city located in northern Vietnam.

Colonial-era architecture remains, offering a nostalgic atmosphere, while rapid modern development is also underway.

It is a very attractive city.

1. The best season is autumn

The best season in Hanoi is autumn from October to November.

During this period there is little rain and the temperatures are very comfortable.

Like Japan, Hanoi has four seasons. Autumn is recommended for a trip to Hanoi!

2. Safety is good

Hanoi is considered to have good public safety among Southeast Asian cities.

However, special caution is needed in urban areas. There have been incidents of snatching and pickpocketing.

Take proper precautions, such as not carrying valuables or large amounts of cash, and avoiding deserted streets and walking alone at night.

3. Hygiene conditions

Hanoi’s hygiene conditions cannot be considered good.

To visit various sightseeing spots and enjoy the cuisine, it is important to have a good understanding of hygiene matters.

1. About food

Vietnam’s hot and humid climate creates an environment where food poisoning is likely to occur.

Avoid raw foods as much as possible and make sure that food is thoroughly cooked.

Carrying sanitizing wipes can give you peace of mind.

2. About water

Water purification technology in Vietnam is still developing, so do not drink tap water.

When you need water, buy mineral water at convenience stores or supermarkets.

3. About toilets

In some places, restrooms are unhygienic.

You can use clean restrooms at luxury hotels, restaurants, and large shopping centers.

Toilet paper may not be available, so it is reassuring to carry pocket tissues.

Also, be aware that the rule is not to flush toilet paper but to throw it into the nearby basket.

[By Area] Recommended Tourist Spots in Hanoi

There are many tourist spots in Hanoi that you should definitely visit.

We will introduce recommended attractions by area, so please use this as a reference.

1. Hanoi City Center Area

This area features key spots that represent Hanoi.
You can visit attractions in popular neighborhoods with a retro atmosphere, as well as tour World Heritage sites such as the Thang Long Imperial Citadel and the Temple of Literature.

There are also traditional performing arts and historic buildings that allow you to learn more about Hanoi, offering plenty to see.

In the central area of Hanoi, see and experience the wonders of Vietnamese culture.

1-1. Old Quarter【Hanoi Old Quarter】

First, we introduce Hanoi’s iconic Old Quarter.

The Old Quarter is a delightful area where, street by street, specialty shops of the same trade—basket bags, dried fruit, sweets, stationery, and more—are clustered together.

It’s great for shopping, and even just wandering around and looking is a lot of fun.

A night market is also held in the evening, keeping the area lively all day long.

Address	P. Hàng Ngang, Hàng Đào, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Hours	Varies by location

 

1-2. Hanoi Cathedral【St. Joseph's Cathedral】

St. Joseph’s Cathedral is an iconic symbol of Hanoi.

It stands on the west side of Hoan Kiem Lake, and its presence is imposing. Every day, many tourists take photos and admire the building.
 
The interior of the church is open to visitors. The beauty of the stained glass imported from Italy and the atmosphere inside will captivate you so much that you may lose track of time.

In the square in front of the church stands a statue of Mary, as if watching over the city of Hanoi.

Address	40 P. Nhà Chung, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Hours	8:00 AM–11:00 AM　 2:00 PM–5:00 PM
Closed	None
Admission	Free

 

1-3. Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre【Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre】

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is a traditional Vietnamese entertainment venue.

It originally began as entertainment for farmers in northern Vietnam, but today it is very popular with Vietnamese people as well as tourists.

In this theater, the stage is water. The puppets move comically across the surface, while the puppeteers skillfully control them from behind.

Their movements make it seem as if the puppets are moving of their own accord. It is a very impressive puppet show.

The performances are in Vietnamese, but audio-dub earphones are available for rental (for a fee), so you can also enjoy them in Japanese.

Address	57B P. Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Opening hours	Five performances from 3:00 PM
Closed	None
Admission	Varies by seat
Official Website	https://nhahatmuaroithanglong.vn/

 

1-4. Thang Long Ruins【Thang Long Imperial Citadel】

The Thang Long site is the remains of a citadel where you can feel the grandeur of successive dynasties, inscribed in 2010 as Vietnam’s sixth World Heritage site.

Spanning 900 years from the 11th to the 19th century, it is a very important site for telling the history of the capital that stood here, with many highlights to see.
 
There are spots here where you can take in panoramic views of the site and enjoy magnificent scenery. Today, it is one of Hanoi’s most popular attractions.

Address	19c Hoàng Diệu, Điện Biên, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Opening hours	8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Closed	None
Admission	100,000 VND (approx. 600 yen)
Official Website	https://hoangthanhthanglong.vn/

 

1-5. Hoa Lo Prison【Hoa Lo Prison Relic】

Hỏa Lò Prison is a prison built by the French at the end of the 19th century. At times, it is said that more than 2,000 prisoners were held there.

Afterwards, the grounds were rebuilt and it is now a museum.

Quietly standing in the heart of Hanoi, this facility conveys a solemn atmosphere along with the history of the period.

Address	1 P. Hoả Lò, Trần Hưng Đạo, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Hours	8:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m.
Closed	None
Admission	50,000 VND (about 300 yen)
Official website	https://hoalo.vn/

 

1-6. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum【Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum】

At the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the remains of former President “Ho Chi Minh,” known as the father of Vietnam’s founding, are enshrined.
 
The mausoleum is very beautiful, built of marble in the shape of a lotus flower, and is a must-see structure.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a place visited by many worshippers from all over Vietnam and is always crowded.
 
There is also a security check at the entrance under strict guard. Photography is prohibited.

Please note that you will not be allowed inside if you are wearing revealing clothing.

Address	1 Hùng Vương, Điện Biên, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Hours	【April–October】7:30 a.m.～10:30 a.m. (until 11:00 a.m. on Sat, Sun, and public holidays) 【November–March】8:00 a.m.～11:00 a.m. (8:30 a.m.～11:30 a.m. on Sat, Sun, and public holidays)
Closed	Monday and Friday
Admission	Free
Official website	https://www.bqllang.gov.vn/

 

1-7. Temple of Literature【Temple Of Literature】

The Temple of Literature is a classic, popular sightseeing spot in Hanoi.

This is Hanoi’s oldest university, dedicated to the god of learning, and it was built in 1070.

Because it’s believed to bring good luck in studies, not only tourists but many Vietnamese visit as well.

One of the many gates, the Khue Van Pavilion（けいぶんかく）, is featured on the 100,000 VND banknote.

Address	58 P. Quốc Tử Giám, Văn Miếu, Đống Đa, Hà Nội
Hours	8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Closed	None
Admission	70,000 VND (approximately 420 yen)
Official Website	http://vanmieu.gov.vn/en/

 

1-8. Dong Xuan Market【Dong Xuan Market】

Dong Xuan Market is a three-story local market — the largest in Hanoi — located on the north side of the Old Quarter.

It’s a recommended shopping spot visited not only by Vietnamese but also by many tourists.

There are plenty of shops selling Vietnamese souvenirs, sundries and accessories, tableware and clothing, so you’ll never get bored. You can also buy the Vietnamese traditional dress, the ao dai.

At Dong Xuan Market, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for!

Address	Đồng Xuân, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Hours	7:00 AM–6:00 PM
Closed	None

 

2. Areas around Hanoi

There are also sightseeing spots in areas a little away from the city center of Hanoi.

Venture a bit farther and enjoy a relaxed stroll while visiting the sights.

2-1. 西湖府(さいこふ)【Phu Tay Ho】

Tay Ho Temple seems to float on West Lake. It is a temple that attracts the devotion of many people in Hanoi.

We recommend spending a relaxing time by the water's edge within the grounds. The sunset from here is very beautiful.

There are also many local restaurants on the way to Tay Ho Temple, so you can enjoy Hanoi cuisine as well.

Address	52 P. Đặng Thai Mai, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội
Hours	6:00 AM–5:30 PM
Closed	None
Fee	Free

 

2-2. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology【Vietnam Museum of Ethnology】

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is located in Cau Giay District, about 8 km from central Hanoi.

It showcases the cultures of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups and is a very large facility consisting of two galleries—outdoor and indoor. It's a valuable place to learn about Vietnamese culture.

There are many real-life exhibits, so there's plenty to see.

Address	Đ. Nguyễn Văn Huyên, Quan Hoa, Cầu Giấy, Hà Nội
Hours	8:30 AM–5:30 PM
Closed	Monday
Fee	40,000 VND (approx. 240 JPY)
Official website	https://www.vme.org.vn/vi

 

2-3. Lotte Center Hanoi Observation Deck【Sky Lotte Observation Deck】

This observatory is located on the 65th floor of the Lotte Center, one of the tallest buildings in Hanoi. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of Hanoi.

The "Sky Deck," the highest glass floor at 478 meters above ground, gives you the sensation of floating in the sky.

Friends, families, and couples visit every day, making it a very popular tourist spot.

Address	54 P. Liễu Giai, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Hours	9:30 AM–10:30 PM
Closed days	None
Admission	Adults 230,000 VND (approx. 1,380 JPY) Children 170,000 VND (approx. 1,020 JPY)
Official website	https://observationdeck.lottecenter.com.vn/en/index

 

2-4. Vietnam Military History Museum【Viet Nam Military History Museum】

The Vietnam Military History Museum is the largest military museum in Vietnam.

The museum houses and exhibits more than 150,000 documents and related artifacts.

In the outdoor area, there are weapons and equipment used in wars, and many visitors come to observe and take photos.

Inside, there are automated audio guides, 3D mapping, and 3D films, so you can learn about the exhibits even without a guide.

Address	Km6+500, CT03, Tây Mỗ, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội
Hours	8:00 AM–11:00 AM 1:00 PM–4:30 PM
Closed days	Monday and Friday
Admission	Free until the end of 2024

 

3. Hanoi Suburban Area

Here are some popular attractions near Hanoi that you can reach within a few hours from the city.

We also recommend dedicating a day of your itinerary to this outing.

3-1. Bat Trang Village【Bat Trang Ceramic Village】

Bat Trang Village is famous for ceramics and is located about 20 km from central Hanoi, roughly a 45-minute drive away.

The pottery made here is called Bat Trang ware. With a wide variety of tableware and more, it’s very popular, and many people buy it as souvenirs.

Since it’s close to Hanoi, tours to Bat Trang Village are available. You can take factory tours and try pottery-making — both are very popular.

Address

Hanoi, Gia Lâm, Bat Trang Village

 

3-2. Ninh Binh Province【Ninh Binh】

Ninh Binh is about 100 km from Hanoi and can be reached in around two hours by car.

The Trang An scenic landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a must-visit.

There are also boat rides in Tam Coc, the Hoa Lu relics, Mua Cave, Bai Dinh Pagoda, and many other fascinating sights.

Be sure to visit Ninh Binh, where nature and history blend.

3-3. Ha Long Bay【Ha Long Bay】

Ha Long Bay is about 150 km from Hanoi and takes around four hours by car.

Rather than going on your own, a day trip or overnight tour from Hanoi is easier and more straightforward, and is recommended.

The charm of Ha Long Bay lies in its dreamlike atmosphere. The sight of over 2,000 limestone karsts rising from the sea is well worth seeing.

Savor the UNESCO-listed scenery on a relaxing and inspiring cruise.

Summary

Hanoi is a captivating city with countless attractions — you’ll never get bored.

When getting around, try riding a cyclo, Vietnam’s iconic bicycle taxi, to soak up the atmosphere.

In this article, we introduced many spots in Hanoi that are well worth a visit.

Enjoy Hanoi’s culture, which offers a different charm from Japan.