Hanoi walking tour & city guide

The Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake

The Old Quarter, also called the 36 Streets, grew up around guilds of craftsmen, and many streets are still named after the goods once sold there, such as silk, silver or paper. Tube houses, narrow at the front and long at the back, line the streets, and the sidewalks are full of people eating on tiny plastic stools.

Hoan Kiem Lake, at the edge of the Old Quarter, is the heart of the city. The red Huc Bridge leads to the Ngoc Son Temple on a small island. On weekend evenings, the streets around the lake become a pedestrian zone filled with families, street performers and games.

Temples, history and Train Street

The Temple of Literature, founded in 1070, was Vietnam's first university and is a peaceful complex of courtyards and pavilions. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are nearby.

Hanoi's famous Train Street is a narrow lane where trains pass just inches from the houses and cafés. Access is sometimes restricted for safety, so follow local rules. The French Quarter, with its wide boulevards and the Opera House, shows the colonial era.

Visiting tips

Crossing the street in Hanoi takes practice: walk slowly and steadily, and the motorbikes will flow around you. Autumn, from September to November, is the best season. Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa are popular trips from the city.