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Things to see in Hanoi

Attractions

The Old Quarter

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a maddening maze of 36 narrow streets named after the products that were traditionally sold along each. Today the shops are as likely to sell mobile phones and homeware as silk clothes and traditional medicine, but the streets are still pleasant to wander through, especially as there are many bars, boutique shops and hotels to be found along them – just watch out for the endless throng of mopeds.

Address: , , Hanoi,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Covering 54 ethnic tribes that live throughout Vietnam, this museum houses an enormous collection of artefacts including clothing, jewellery and musical instruments. Most strikingly, the grounds feature examples of Tay and Yao stilt houses, as well as an Ede long house and a Garai traditional tomb. There are also many extraordinary photos to be found here.

Address: , Nguyen Van Huyen road, Hanoi,
Telephone: +84 4 3756 2193.
Opening times:

Tue-Sun 0830-1730.

Website: http://vietnammuseumofethnology.com/
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum

Despite his wishes to be cremated, the former president, Ho Chi Minh, lies in state here and people come from all over the world to pay their respects, so expect a lengthy queue before entering. His embalmed body is displayed in a granite monolith modelled after Lenin's tomb in Moscow, and visitors must walk around in a respectful silence. No photos are allowed inside and visitors must dress modestly.

Address: , Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi,
Telephone: +84 4 3845 5128.
Opening times:

Tue-Thu 0730-1030, Sat-Sun 0730-1100 (1 Apr-31 Oct); Tue-Thu 0800-1100, Sat-Sun 0800-1130 (1 Nov-31 Mar).

Website: http://bqllang.gov.vn
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

The Temple of Literature

This beautifully preserved temple, dating from 1070, was originally dedicated to Confucius and became the first university in Vietnam. Today it’s an oasis of calm in the heart of Hanoi. The central entrance was reserved for the king and the two side entrances for the mandarins. The interior is divided into walled courtyards and one is lined with stone stelae mounted on the backs of tortoises that are engraved with the names of the students who passed their exams.

Address: , Quoc Tu Giam Street, Hanoi,
Telephone: +84 4 3845 2917.
Opening times:

Tue-Sun 0730-1130, 1330-1630

Website:
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Fine Arts Museum

Housed in a French colonial house from 1930s, this impressive building explores art from the prehistory to the present day. Examples of socialist realist paintings that show peasants striking patriotic poses are of particular interest, while there are also sculptures of the ancient Cham, beautiful oil-and-silk paintings, and precious artworks from Vietnam’s ethnic minorities.

Address: , 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hanoi,
Telephone: +84 4 3733 2131.
Opening times:

Tue-Sun 0830-1700.

Website: http://www.vnfam.vn
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Designed by Soviet architects with a shape said to represent the lotus flower, Ho Chi Minh Museum is dedicated to the life and achievements of the revolutionary leader. Inaugurated in 1990, on what would have been his 100th birthday, the museum depicts Ho Chi Minh’s epic struggle for the liberation of Vietnam from imperial powers.

Address: , 19 Ngoc Ha Street, Hanoi,
Telephone: +84 4 3846 3757.
Opening times:

Tue-Thu, Sat-Sun  0800-1130 and 1400-1630

Website: http://www.baotanghochiminh.vn
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Vietnam Military History Museum

Housing an array of military memorabilia, this is one of the most impressive museums in Hanoi. The grounds include old planes, tanks, a Huey helicopter and a wrecked B-52, while there’s plenty of detail on the long fight for independence, plus the war between the North, South and USA that ran until 1975.

Address: , 28A Dien Bien Phu Street, Hanoi,
Telephone: +84 4852 2658
Opening times:

Tues-Thurs, Sat-Sun 0800-1130 and 1300-1630.

Website: http://www.btlsqsvn.org.vn
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Vietnam National Museum of History

An essential prelude to the Military Museum, this well-planned step back in time describes Vietnamese history from prehistoric settlements through to the reign of the Chinese, before covering the centuries of independence ahead of the French conquest. The story is told through a large collection of extraordinary artefacts including ceramics, sculptures and tablets.

Address: , 1 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi,
Telephone: +84 4 3825 2853.
Opening times:

Mon-Sun 0800-1200 and 1330-1700.

Website: http://baotanglichsu.vn
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Tran Quoc Pagoda

The Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi is one of the oldest pagodas in the whole of Vietnam and is invariably full of locals performing simple ceremonies, praying solemnly and making offerings. Attractively located on an islet on the West Lake, it has a tranquil garden and a spectacular tiered tower and offers a little solace from the chaos of the city.

Address: , Thanh Niên, Hanoi,
Telephone: +84 24 3829 3869
Opening times:

Mon-Sat 0700-1130 and 1310-1800, Sun 0700-1800.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Ho Chi Minh's House

This simple stilt house is modelled on a traditional communal home and was where Ho Chi Minh occasionally lived as was president until his death in 1969. The two simple rooms, a study and bedroom, contain many of his personal effects, and his cars are on display nearby. He is said to have preferred to live and work here rather than use the stunning colonial Presidential Palace next door.

Address: , 1 Bach Thao Alley, Hanoi,
Telephone: +84 4 804 3226.
Opening times:

Daily 0730-1130 and 1400-1600 Tue-Thu, Sat and Sun

Website:
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

Hapro Tourist Information Center

Address: , No. 7 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hanoi,
Telephone: +84 24 3926 3366
Opening times:

Daily 0800-2100.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Ticvietnam/

Staffed by fluent English speakers, and with helpful links to tour operators, Hapro should be the first stop for tourists in Hanoi.

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