Hanoi see and do guide: Cultural

An independent selection of the best things to see and do in Hanoi. No paid placements, no advertorial.

Hanoi see and do guide

Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi

Vietnamʼs most important collection of painting, sculpture, lacquer and other objects is set in a French colonial building not... Read more

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Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi
66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Str., Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi
40,000VND

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Catholic Churches of Ninh Binh and Nam Dinh

The provinces of Ninh Binh and Nam Dinh around 2 hours by road south of Hanoi, are where Catholicism first took root in Vietnam... Read more

Hanoi Citadel, Hanoi

World Heritage listed Hanoi Citadel, also known as the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, is one of Vietnam’s most important... Read more

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Hanoi Citadel, Hanoi
Enter from Hoang Dieu St, Hanoi, nearby the Cot Co Tower.
30,000VND

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Old Quarter, Hanoi

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a warren of bustling lanes that have been the commercial heart of the capital for centuries. The 36... Read more

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Old Quarter, Hanoi
From the north end of Hoan Kiem Lake

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One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi

One of Hanoi’s most revered sights, the One Pillar Pagoda dates back to Hanoi’s founding and is a commonly used symbol of the... Read more

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One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi
Ba Dinh Square Hanoi, nearby the Ho Chi Minh Museum
Free

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Temple of Literature, Hanoi

Along with the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, dates back to Hanoi’s founding 1000 years ago. Vietnam’s first... Read more

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Temple of Literature, Hanoi
Quoc Tu Giam St, Hanoi
20,000VND

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Museum of Ethnology, Hanoi

Hanoi's Museum of Ethnology explores Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority groups looking at costumes, rituals and traditions. A very... Read more

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Museum of Ethnology, Hanoi
Nguyen Van Huyen Rd, Cau Giay District, Hanoi

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West Lake area

Hanoi's West Lake area is home to the city's oldest temple - Quan Thanh Temple, as well as the Tran Quoc Pagoda. Opposite West... Read more

Bach Ma Temple, Hanoi

11th century Bach Ma Temple is Hanoi’s oldest place of worship and is easily visited while strolling through the Old Quarter.... Read more

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Bach Ma Temple, Hanoi
76 Hang Buom St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi - in the Old Quarter
Free

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Hanoi Museum, Hanoi

You’ll need to have a lot of time, patience and enthusiasm to make the journey out of town to Hanoi’s newest museum. Impressive... Read more

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Hanoi Museum, Hanoi
Pham Hung Street, Từ Liêm, Hanoi

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Hoa Lu and Tam Coc day trip

In classic tourist parlance, brochures describe the mystical Hoa Lu and Tam Coc  landscape as “Halong Bay on land” on account of... Read more

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Hoa Lu and Tam Coc day trip
Ninh Binh Province - around 2 hours from Hanoi

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Water Puppets, Thang Long Theatre

Water Puppetry is a lively and fun Vietnamese story telling form that dates back centuries. It originates from northern... Read more

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Water Puppets, Thang Long Theatre
57b Dinh Tien Hoang St., Hanoi - opposite Hoan Kiem Lake near Ngoc Son Temple
+84 4 39364335
80,000VND - extra for cameras.

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Bat Trang Pottery Village

More for those with a serious interest in purchasing pottery than for an experience of a traditional craft village.  There’s... Read more

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Bat Trang Pottery Village
16kms south east of Hanoi

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Van Phuc Silk Village

Another traditional craft village that is lacking in any real atmosphere of tradition, Van Phuc is for those with a deep... Read more

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Van Phuc Silk Village
10kms south west of Hanoi

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Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas, Ha Tay

These two mountainside pagodas can be visited in a pleasant half day from Hanoi. Read more

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Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas, Ha Tay
Ha Tay province around 30kms from Hanoi

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Ca Tru traditional music performance, Hanoi

Ca Tru is an ancient northern Vietnamese vocal music tradition performed Tuesday to Sunday nights in one of two old quarter... Read more

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Ca Tru traditional music performance, Hanoi
42 Hang Bac St Hoan Kiem District Hanoi
200,000VND

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Street Food tours, Hanoi

If all those Hanoi outdoor eateries of low tables, plastic stools and unrecognisable culinary concoctions, spark your curiosity,... Read more

Co Loa Citadel, Hanoi

Co Loa Citadel dates back to the 3rd century BC and ties in with some crucial milestones in the past 2 millenia of Vietnamese... Read more

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Co Loa Citadel, Hanoi
Co Loa, 16kms from Hanoi

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Duong Lam Village, outside Hanoi

Duong Lam is a surprisingly picturesque traditional village about 50kms from Hanoi. It's an enjoyable half day trip and the... Read more

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Duong Lam Village, outside Hanoi
Duong Lam, Son Tay - 50kms from Hanoi
20,000VND

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