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1. Old Quarter
- This is the "36 streets", the historic center of trade and commerce in old Hanoi. Each street is named after what was (and often still is) sold... read more
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- Shopping
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2. Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is the center of the city both literally and figuratively. The lake is the city's most popular strolling ground and a lovers' lane...
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- Attractions
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3. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Despite Ho Chi Minh's request to be cremated, like communist leaders before him, he was embalmed and put on display. A visit to this mausoleum... read more
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4. One Pillar Pagoda
To the right of the Ho Chi Minh Museum is the unique One-Pillar Pagoda, a wooden structure built in 1049 that sits on stilts over a lake. A king...
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- Religious Sights
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5. Hanoi Opera House
This gorgeous, historic Art Nouveau building was built near the turn of the 20th century. Unfortunately, to get inside, you'll have to attend a...
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6. Vietnam History Museum
This is an exhaustive repository of Vietnamese ancient and historical relics nicely displayed with some bare-bones explanations in English. Housed...
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- Culture
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8. Temple of Literature
- In 1070, King Ly Thanh Tong founded Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) to pay tribute to education and to those of high academic achievement.... read more
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9. Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)
For sheer gruesome atmosphere alone, this ranks near the top of the must-see list. It was constructed by the French in 1896 mainly to house political...
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10. Army Museum
This museum presents the Vietnamese side of the country's struggle against colonial powers. There are three buildings of odds and ends from both...
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- Culture
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The Best of NileGuide
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Sightseeing is high on everyone's list of things to do in Hanoi. Most visitor attractions are within a compact area so many are accessible on a walking tour. The Old Quarter with its narrow lanes is a great place to start. Here you can see a variety of places while also getting an insight into Vietnamese daily life. St. Joseph's Cathedral, the Hang Da Market, Bach Ma Pagoda, Nha Tho Street and the Dong Xuan Market are all places to check out. Call in on some of the stores selling silver and other items as you wander this area. Shopping, or just looking, can be a memorable experience.
There are several landmarks just outside this area. Hoan Kiem Lake is attractive while Ba Dinh Square with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the National Assembly building is a 'must see'. Enjoy the One Pillar Pagoda before checking out the historic Hanoi Flag Tower, Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature.
Down in the heart of the French Quarter, you will find the Opera House and the beautiful Vietnam History Museum. Note the various old French villas which are now used as embassies and government offices.
West Lake is another popular attraction. There are pagodas, bars and restaurants, and a water park. This is also a chance to see some countryside where there are flower nurseries, orchards and fishing ponds.
