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Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and has plenty of history to wander through and explore. I stayed in Hanoi for 5 days which gave me a lot of time to get to know the city.

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Old Town Street Names

One of the first things you’ll notice in The Old Quarter is all the streets have a theme as to what they sell. From tin to toys to bedding and everything in between, there’s a street for that. It makes it quite easy to find what you’re looking for…..if you can read Vietnamese of course! Otherwise, you can either wander around yourself or use a translated map.

Hoa Kiem Lake

Legend has it that a Golden Turtle came to this lake and asked for the Emperor’s sword. The sword was given to the Emperor by The Dragon King to fight against Chinese oppression. Turtle Tower stands in the middle of the lake to commemorate the event. The lake also serves as the center of the city where you can find street vendors, restaurants, the puppet theater, and locals exercising in the morning. The southern end of the lake features more high-end shops while the northern side has restaurants, street food, and a puppet theater.

Key Points of Interest

Navigating through Hanoi by foot is doable but will take a long time. I recommend walking to the destination and then taking a motorbike taxi back. There is a lot to see on the way and you might stumble across something interesting.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is located outside of The Old Quarter and is about a 40 minute walk from the lake if you don’t get lost or distracted along the way. Entrance to the grounds of the Mausoleum is free. You will get to see the Presidential Palace, the living quarters of Ho Chi Minh, his car collection, and the one-pillar pagoda. I could not figure out how to go inside the Mausoleum to see Ho Chi Minh’s body but according to guidebooks, that is something you can do.

If you don’t go with a tour group it is pretty easy to see everything in an hour or less. There will be a lot of groups and tour buses gathered around this area so it is best to go as early as possible.

The Temple of Literature

Arguably the most popular temple in Hanoi is the Temple of Literature which is also known as the National University. Previously a working school for top academics, the temple now traditionally serves as a place where current students in Hanoi come to pray for good grades and take graduation pictures upon completion of their studies.

The temple boosts five courtyards each with a different meaning. Scholars had to complete their studies in each courtyard before moving to the next. There is also an altar to honor Confucius and his disciples as well as many historical artifacts from previous students. These items include old uniforms, books, exams, and schedules.

Hoa Lo Prison

I first learned about Hoa Lo Prison when I visited the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh. I didn’t know this prison existed before my trip to Vietnam so I made sure to pay it a visit.

The prison itself is torn down except for the main gate which is now a museum and memorial. It was built by the French to imprison Vietnamese who disagreed with the French rule. Later on, it served as a prison for American POWs and was dubbed “Hanoi Hilton” due to the conditions inside.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater

Art and culture should always be included during a trip abroad. The Water Puppet Show is one of the well-known Vietnamese arts that is still used today. It is more popular in Northern Vietnam than in the south. Water puppets became a popular way for farmers to entertain villagers during the rainy season when their rice fields were flooded. Since then, it has evolved into an amazing cultural experience.

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is located at the northern end of Hoa Kiem Lake. Shows run every hour starting at 3pm. The evening shows tend to be sold out so it’s best to buy your ticket early. Tickets are about 100,000VND depending on where you sit in the theater. The show is 50 minutes long and is entertaining even if you don’t understand Vietnamese.