Sword Lake By Vina.com
Updated: 11/15/2019
Contents
Are you planning for a holiday in Hanoi, Vietnam, and wondering where to go in that city? Here are 15 Hanoi attractions.
1. Thang Long Royal Citadel (Hoàng Thành Thăng Long)
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, one among many Hanoi attractions, was built in the 11th century when the Ly dynasty chose this city to be the capital of Vietnam instead of Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.
Thang Long Royal Citadel has only been opened to public recently after it was discovered in 2010. It has attractive and shady gardens where you can see a lot of big trees with squirrels climbing up and down. It consists of imposing buildings where the kings and princesses lived. When you are in, you will see many underground bunkers, as well as, historic artifacts. This place has something for everyone to see that makes it one of the 15 must-see attractions in Hanoi, Vietnam.
After walking through the main gate, you will see an exhibition room, which displays a variety of artifacts discovered during the archaeological site there, the largest and most impressive excavation in Vietnam. Thang Long Royal Citadel is one of the best Hanoi attractions that you should not miss when you visit this city.
- Opening hours: 8 a.m – 5 p.m
- Location: Quan Thanh commune, Ba Dinh district
2. Sword Lake (Hồ Gươm)
Sword Lake By Duong Nguyen
Sword Lake, which is really picturesque, is located in Hoàn Kiếm district, the center of Hanoi. It is considered the heart of the capital. Coming to Sword Lake, one of Hanoi attractions, you will see the ancient Turtle tower, Thê Húc bridge, as well as, Ngọc Sơn temple. Those three things have made the soul of Sword Lake beside the legend. If you come to Hanoi, you should visit the lake once not only to see the peaceful site there, but also to learn more about history of Vietnam.
3. Hanoi West Lake (Hồ Tây)
West Lake By Duong Nguyen
With the circumference of 17 kilometers, West Lake, located in Tay Ho district, is the largest lake in Hanoi. It plays the role of a huge air conditioner of the capital. One of the notable points at the lake is the oldest pagoda of Vietnam called Tran Quoc, which was built in the sixth century. If you come here during the Lunar New Year, you will see a lot of Vietnamese people praying in the pagoda. They pray for peace, concord, safety, and happiness.
In the afternoons, you will see a lot of duck boats moving on in the lake. You can easily hire one to ride, as well. When you are hungry, walk to a floating restaurant in the lake, and buy something to eat there. West Lake is one of Hanoi attractions that you should visit once when you travel to this capital city of Vietnam.
4. Botanical Garden (Bách Thảo)
Botanical Garden, one of Hanoi attractions, is considered the green lung of Hanoi. It is like a haven of peace or tranquility. You can also have some sportive activities here in the afternoons. If you love trees and serene places, Botanical Garden should be your first choice. Walking in the garden is a way to escape from noisy streets and shopping centers. You will have a good connection with the nature, and feel truly refresh here. If you are a nature lover, Botanical Garden is certainly one of your 15 must-see attractions in Hanoi, Vietnam.
5. Temple Of Literature (Văn Miếu)
Temple Of Literature By Vina.com
The Temple of Literature, one among Hanoi attractions, was built in the 11th century. The temple has five courtyards, each of which has its own history and function. For example, in the third courtyard, tombstones with names of doctors are placed as a way to praise and respect the excellent Vietnamese people. Many Vietnamese students often come to touch the head of the stone turtles here when the exams are coming in hope of getting good marks on their tests.
The Temple of Literature was constructed with a typical architecture style of Vietnam for many centuries, including tiles and wood. Right from the gate, you can see big trees, which are over a hundred years old. All of those typical features have made Temple Of Literature one of Hanoi attractions.
- Opening hours: 8 a.m – 5 p.m
- Location: 58 Quoc Tu Giam St, Dong Da district
6. Bat Trang Pottery Village
Bat Trang, one of the top 15 Hanoi attractions, is a village in Hanoi in which people produce household products like bows, plates, cups, pots, and bottles. They also make tools for decoration purposes like flower pots and vases. The pottery artists here are now so skillful that they can make household items as beautiful as the decoration ones.
Visiting the village, you can watch and buy many beautiful products along the road. You can even visit the pottery market, see how pottery products are made directly, and try creating a product on your own. You will certainly be interested in this pottery-making experience. Therefore, do not miss the chance to produce your own pottery product when you visit Bat Trang Pottery Village, one of the top 15 Hanoi attractions.
- Location: Bat Trang commune, Gia Lam district
7. Ba Dinh Square
Ba Dinh Square, one of Hanoi attractions, is adjacent to Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. This is a place where many important national historical events were held.
Ba Dinh Square is a green and unoccupied area of Hanoi. During the nighttime, local people often gather here to walk, exercise, or hang out. When you visit Ba Dinh Square, you can combine visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One-pillar Pagoda near there.
- Location: Hung Vuong St, Ba Dinh district
8. Vietnam Museum Of Ethnology
This is the largest and most interesting museum in Hanoi, Vietnam. The museum display daily activities of many ethnic groups in the country. Visiting the museum, you will recognize that Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country with 54 ethnic groups in total. If you are interested in discovering multiculturality, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology should be one of your 15 must-see attractions in Hanoi that preserves a thorough visit.
There is not only indoor display, but also outdoor one. If the indoor exhibition is informative about the life of Vietnamese ethnic groups, the outdoor display and traditional games make this museum stand out. You can even visit some houses modeling after ethnic architecture like houses on stilts.
- Opening hours: 8 a.m – 5 p.m
- Location: Nguyen Van Huyen St, Cau Giay district
9. Water Puppet Theatre
This place is a good address for people who love traditional arts. When you come here, you can enjoy water-puppet shows, discover the beauty of puppets, and imagine the life of Vietnamese people long ago. Water puppet is the traditional art of the Vietnamese.
The content of traditional water puppet shows are about daily life of farmers in this country, including planting, cultivating, catching fishes, riding or plowing with buffalo, swimming contest, historical legends, or dragon dancing. Water Puppet Theatre is one of the top 15 Hanoi attractions that you will impress you once you come.
- Location: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang St, Hoan Kiem district
10. Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter By Vina.com
Hanoi Old Quarter, one among many Hanoi attractions, is the ultimate shopping area for foreign tourists. When you come here, you can buy many kinds of souvenirs, especially clothes made from silk. If you are hungry, you can easily find a restaurant where foods are not only delicious, but also very cheap.
In Hanoi Old Quarter, each street has the same name as a popular product sold in it. For example, if you want to buy a comb, you should go to Comb Street. If you want to buy a mat, you should go to Mat Street. Foreign visitors never miss visiting Hanoi Old Quarter. It is really one of the 15 must-see attractions in Hanoi, Vietnam.
11. Hanoi Opera House (Nhà Hát Lớn)
Hanoi Opera House, one of Hanoi attractions, is a place for people who are interested in theatrical performance, traditional songs, symphonies and opera. This place has become one among the 15 must-see attractions in Hanoi, Vietnam because of its beautiful architecture. Hanoi Opera House is one of the largest theatres in Hanoi capital.
- Location: 1 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem district
12. Dong Xuan Market
This is the largest market in Hanoi with many floors of fashion, apparel, and souvenirs, which are sold at the best price in this city.
Dong Xuan Market, one of the top 15 Hanoi attractions, is a place where a lot of retailers in Hanoi buy goods at very low prices. It is actually a market for bulk sale in the city. The typical products here are electronic devices, clothes, and household equipments.
- Location: Dong Xuan commune, Hoan Kiem district
13. Ba Vi National Park
Ba Vi National Park is an outstanding point of natural beauty. It has a three-peaked mountain that makes the area picturesque. Coming to the park, you can completely escape from noise and business of city life. The green color of grass and trees, as well as, the fresh mountain air will make you feel really relaxing. If you want to do some natural therapies, go to a spa resort located at the mountain foot.
Ba Vi National Park, one of the best Hanoi attractions, is also a big source of medicinal plants. Walking in this tropical area with a lot of mountain slopes and forest trails is a great experience in the nature. Moreover, you can visit an orchid garden, a bird garden and some temples.
- Location: Ba Vi district
14. Perfume Pagoda (Chùa Hương)
Perfume Pagoda, one of Hanoi attractions, is located in the middle of a sacred site with Buddhist temples constructed in limestone cliffs. The mountain foothills show great natural beauty with streams, temples, and tropical plants. There are a lot of pagodas here to visit, each of which offers a different shrine.
There are a lot of statues made from green stone in the caves. Each statue is about an intricate shrine in Buddhism.
- Location: Huong Son commune, My Duc district
15. Thu Le Park And Zoo
Thu Le Park and Zoo, one among many Hanoi attractions, is the home to 90 species of animals with nearly 800 individuals. Visiting this place you will see cats, tigers, lions, reptiles, monkeys, apes, elephants, and many others.
There is also a lake in the park where you can hire a duck boat to ride and enjoy the slightly windy weather on the surface of water there. If you have kids, take them here with you, and they will be very excited about seeing animals.
- Opening hours: 8 a.m – 5 p.m
- Location: Ngoc Khanh commune, Ba Dinh district
In this writing, I have provided you with 15 must-see attractions in Hanoi, Vietnam. They are all very beautiful and worth visiting. If you travel to the capital city of Vietnam, do not miss those Hanoi attractions.
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