📍13 Best Things To Do In Hanoi Old Quarter (Tours, Activities & Attractions, 2024.)

WONDERING WHAT THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN HANOI OLD QUARTER ARE?

At the heart and soul of Hanoi is Old Quarter, a millennium-old city that once held the title as Vietnam’s second capital for nearly 800 years between 1010 and 1802, where it superseded Hoa Lou and replaced by Hue before modern Hanoi got reelected again in 1945 following the conclusion of World War II.

These days Old Quarter is a must-visit tourist destination that seamlessly interweaves the country’s storied past with its vibrant and colourful present with an eclectic mix of cultural attractions and architectural styles that showcase the influences and evolution this millenium-old place has transpired through.

Explore sites such as the stunning Ngoc Son Temple, an iconic place of worship nestled on an island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, and see inside the gorgeous heritage-listed 87 Ma May Ancient House, a beautiful traditional multi-level tube-house with a unique interior courtyard which was one of my favourite place to visit, while exploring this bustling and atmospheric place on a retro human-powered bike/cart hybrid, the Cyclo. Better yet, Old Quarter is also the pick-up place for tonnes of tours, making it a fantastic destination to base yourself to pack in plenty of Vietnamese experiences.

1. Walk Across The Iconic Red Bridge To A Holy Place.
Ngoc Son Temple. – $.

Undoubtedly, one of the Hanoi Old Quarter’s most iconic attractions is Ngoc Son Temple. Set on a small picturesque island in the middle of the old city’s centrepiece, the tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake, this place of worship showcases Vietnam’s fusion of cultures and beliefs with it honouring Van Xuong De Quan, the Taoist God of prosperity, and the Amitabha, a holy deity in Mahayana Buddhism through its intricate sculptures and carvings.

The temple also commemorates Tran Hung Dao, the greatest military commander of the Tran Dynasty, who successfully led the country’s armies to several notable victories against the formidable Mongolian Yuan Dynasty during the 13th century.

But that’s not all there is to discover. After crossing the iconic red The Huc Bridge (Welcoming Morning Sunlight Bridge), you’ll find, encased in glass, two giant taxidermied turtles (Rafetus swinhoei). These colossal creatures were one of the four ancient turtles that lived in the lake’s serene waters and represent longevity and wisdom in Vietnamese folklore, making this tranquil place amid Old Quarter’s chaos a lovely place to explore notable aspects of the country’s heritage.

Note: Just before walking across the bridge, be sure to admire the Pen Tower which has 3 Chinese symbols engraved into it meaning “Write Onto The Sky”.

2. Enjoy A Stroll Around The Lake Of The Return Sword.
Hoan Kiem Lake.

For those with more time on their hands, walking around Hoan Kiem Lake is easily one of the best activities to become acquainted with this beautiful ancient place. Considered the heart and soul of Hanoi, and picturesque urban lake deeply imbued in history has a fascinating tale of why it is named, in English translation, the Lake Of The Returned Sword. 

Walking around its perimeter is a lovely way to enjoy the serenity it brings in a chaotic city that never seems to sleep. It’s a picturesque way to see the ancient capital and with the Ngoc Son Temple and Turtle Tower (which also sits on an island in the middle of the lake), there are plenty of wonderful sights to see. 

Plus, you may even see the Rafetus swinhoei turtle poking its head out of the water (the same species as the one encased in the Ngoc Son Temple). It is one of the last of its kind, and some think it may even be the legendary Golden Turtle who lent a magical sword to King Le to fend off the Chinese Ming Dynasty. After successfully defeating the northern invaders, the turtle reappeared while the King was boating on the lake, and asked him to return the weapon, giving this tranquil place its name and adding to its mystique.

Plus, many incredible tourist attractions lie not far from its shore, making circumnavigating it a fantastic way to explore the ancient landscape.

3. Be Taken Around By A Local In A Traditional Vietnamese Vehicle.
Cyclo.

If you don’t fancy walking, another fantastic way to get around Old Quarter is by Cyclo. These human-powered traditional Vietnamese vehicles are essentially three-wheeled bicycles with a cart at the front for two passengers to sit.

While these days they are just for tourists as they are no longer the most practical way of getting around, they used to be one of the primary modes of transportation up until the 1990s and are an enjoyable way of travelling throughout the bustling city as the slow nature of these pedal-powered things allows passengers to enjoy the scenery without getting swept up and overwhelmed by its hectic pace providing an unforgettable age-old experience while getting from A to B.

4. See The Famous Shenanighans.
Hanoi Train Street.

No trip to Hanoi Old Quarter is complete without experiencing the awe-inspiring organised chaos of Train Street. Home to one of the world’s most iconic urban scenes, this globally renowned place doesn’t appear that unique at first glance, with the most famous part of it just looking like an endless row of market vendors selling their range of wares.

Setting it apart is the fact that this street is an active railway line, and when the trains come, which they do repeatedly throughout the day, the vendors hastily collapse down their stalls like origami and masterfully avoid getting narrowly hit by the oncoming locomotive with mere seconds to spare. Other areas showcase the locomotives going right past people’s houses. Either way, it’s one of the most unique and nerve-wracking things to see, but witnessing it in person is such a highlight of visiting this city that I highly recommend everyone does so.

5. Discover How The Locals Used To Live.
87 Ma May Ancient House (Also Known As Hanoi Ancient House.)

Amongst all the city’s stunning architecture that dates back centuries, one of the best places to visit in Hanoi Old Quarter that showcases what private life was like for the people living in those bygone eras is the Ma May Ancient House, also known as the Hanoi Ancient House.

Walking down Ma May Street to the ancient house is like travelling back in time as it is home to many of the capital’s oldest homes, including 14 that were built in the late 19th century, but number 87 is open for the public to explore.

With many of its original features still intact, this stunning traditional tube house that covers a mere 157.6m2 over two stories beautifully encapsulates and brings to vivid life how Hanoians of that timeframe lived. I was particularly taken by the interior courtyard’s separative that transcended both levels of the dwelling and separated the front from the back, giving the homeowners a private exterior space in a densely packed city.

6. Marvel At The Architectural Beauty Of Hanoi’s Oldest Temple.
Bach Ma Temple.

Going even further back in time to when Hanoi first became the ancient capital, is the Bach Ma Temple, which is easily one of the best places to visit in the Old Quarter for those looking to explore the city’s most ancient architecture.

Standing as one of the oldest temples in the city, this historically significant place was built in the 9th century to worship Lon Do who prevailed against the witchcraft tactics of General Cao Bien of the Tang Empire, but changed to its current naming following King Lu Thai To relocating the imperial capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long (ancient Hanoi) in 1010 where it stood as one of four temples guarding the Thang Long Citadel.

Visiting Bach Ma Temple today, visitors can appreciate the intricate details of its distinct Nguyen Dynasty architecture while pondering the fascinating story behind how it became it got its name, which translates to “White Horse”.

According to historical records, he repeatedly failed to build his new citadel, but only after getting his courtier to pray did a white horse appear from the Lon Do Temple, wandering around and leaving tracks in its wake before disappearing. The King took this as a sign and built the citadels alongside the trail the mysterious creature left behind. Because the horse moved the project along to completion, the temple’s name was subsequently changed in its honour.

7. Appreciate Some Local Art.
Hanoi Street Murals

For those who enjoy street art, P. Phung Hung Street on the north-western edge of the Old Quarter, lies a row of stunning murals well worth visiting. These beautiful artworks framed within the arches beneath the train tracks beautifully celebrate the capital’s rich heritage and culture through its gorgeous depictions of the lives of locals going about their everyday day.

8. Go On A Vegan Foodie Tour.
Hanoi Vegan Food Tour.

One thing you might not expect Vietnam to be is a big vegan country. It’s something that surprised me the most as I thought finding something to eat would be the most challenging aspect of visiting this beautiful south-east Asian country. However, as it turns out, many Vietnamese people don’t consume animal products thanks to their religious and spiritual beliefs, meaning there is an abundance of dining options for tourists who don’t eat these types of food either. 

A fantastic way to take the guesswork out of finding these places and exploring the delicious traditional culinary delights while meeting like-minded travellers is by joining a Vegan Food Tour. Select between an afternoon and evening trip for a half-day dining experience that involves getting your fill of sumptuous cruelty-free cuisines at a buffet restaurant before learning the useful skill of how to customise local street food into something you can eat while hearing about Hanoi’s history and culture surrounding food. 

The best thing about it is that at the end, everyone gets a laundry list of recommendations for more great vegan dining in the city (my favourite is Katze Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurant.) and a serving of coconut ice cream, making it a fantastic culinary experience, not just for vegans but also for those interested in the trying out animal-free alternatives.

Note: I highly recommend downloading The Happy Cow app, an invaluable tool I use for finding vegan-only restaurants worldwide, along with other dining establishments that offer vegan options.

9. Learn How To Cook Local Cuisines.
Vegan Cooking Class.

For those interested in the cooking aspect of food, rather than enjoying eating it, a Vegan Cooking Class is a great way to learn how to make delicious Vietnamese dishes and take the knowledge home with you so that you can recreate them back home.

The hands-on experience starts by picking out ingredients at the local market and gets participants to cook together to make five dishes, along with several seasonings and marinades synonymous with Vietnamese culture, before dining down to eat your hand-crafted creations.

If you’re concerned that your skills aren’t up to par, fear not, as this class is beginner-friendly, not a master chef class, and is done so in a communal way, with an emphasis on providing an experience that is authentic to how Vietnamese families cook within their homes, which makes it a fantastic choice for tourist families looking to do the same with their own.

10. Explore The Ancient City At Night.
Old Quarter.

For those looking for the best things to do in Hanoi Old Quarter at night, there’s nothing quite like exploring the ancient capital after dark. After the sun dips below the horizon, the millennium-old city atmosphere becomes idealistic and romantic with the illuminating lights and it comes alive with relaxed and playful ambience.

Strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake during this time is magical, especially when visiting the Ngoc Son Temple before it closes at 6.00 pm as it provides a lovely and serene place to enjoy the beauty of the nighttime landscape. Exploring the streets also provides a vastly different experience to the daytime, with entertainers popping up everywhere. We came across a delightful theatre show and a musical performance which both had traditional costumes, props and instruments, making for a wonderful addition to our night.

Furthermore, the city is buzzing with many shops, markets (especially on Hang Dao Street), bars and restaurants to enjoy. Our favourite from the latter was the Katze Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurant. It’s odd to find as the storefront is a tiny empty shop with the actual thing down a narrow alleyway and up some stairs. Luckily, some guys out front instinctively knew what we were looking for, and when we got up there, the owner gave each group a uniquely personalized greeting experience that neither of us will soon forget.

I won’t ruin the surprise and say what happened. But it ended up being one of the most unexpected and hilariously memorable things that happened throughout our entire trip visiting Vietnam, so I can’t recommend visiting this place enough. Plus, he’s a top-notch guy with an incredible back story, which has led him to meet the likes of people like Bill Clinton. Word to the wise, though, order a bit on the light side as they are very generous with food, and you can always opt for more later if need be.

11. Go On A Cultural Journey With A Famous Water Puppetry Show.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.

While the street performances are a delightful surprise to stumble upon while venturing around the city, Old Quarter is home to a fascinating cultural spectacle no visitor should miss. The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre holds the record as the only place in Asia to perform Vietnam’s unique water puppetry show every day of the year, with it only being a short distance from the Ngoc Son Temple, it’s easy to incorporate into any schedule.

The origins of water puppetry date back to the 11th century when rice farmers made the traditional Asian performance art form their own by using the flooded rice fields as their sets to entertain each other.

At the theatre, it’s evolved from those humble roots into using waist-deep pools and bamboo poles to make the puppets appear as though they are gliding on the water, taking their audience on a vibrant and colourful cultural journey through the country’s endlessly enchanting heritage, lore, legends and traditions. Add in the beautiful sounds from various traditional Vietnamese instruments and this 50-minute show does an excellent job beautifully encapsulating the essence of an endless intriguing South East Asian Country and is sure to stay with you long after the final curtain has closed.

One of the best things about Old Quarter is not just its attractions connect tourists with the country’s ancient culture and traditional values but is also the gateway to some of Vietnam’s most beautiful places.

Better yet, for those joining a tour group, most, if not all, pick up and drop passengers off right from their hotels in the ancient city, making it an excellent place to base yourself if you want to explore the Red River Delta region without having to manage it all yourself.

12. Cruise The UNESCO World-Heritage Ha Long Bay.
One, Two Or Three Day Cruise.

For all its beauty and culture, there is no place more synonymous with Vietnam than Ha Long Bay. This magnificent UNESCO-certified world heritage site consists of over 1900 individual islands of dramatic limestone karst mountains and is a geographical marvel that must be seen to be believed. It has such high acclaim that visiting it is a bucket list item for many people as it is one of the most enigmatically beautiful places on the planet, so it goes without saying that seeing it up close is easily one of the best things to experience in Vietnam.

The best way to marvel at this breathtaking ocean landscape is from a small cruise ship. While there are many one or two-day cruises to choose from, which most, if not all, offer to pick passengers up directly from their hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND paying extra for a 3-day, 2-night luxury cruise.

That is because Ha Long Bay is such a revered destination that so many people want to explore, so Day 1 was extremely crowded with everyone visiting Sung Sot Cave, which was rushed and Ti Top Island. Meanwhile, Day 3 started quietly with kayaking through Luon Cave, but coming back out of it, many more people from other cruises began arriving to see it for themselves, which wasn’t as bad.

But Day 2 was excellent. After being transferred to a junk boat for the day, it was only a small group of about 16 of us 3-day cruise passengers from several different ships going far away from everyone else and enjoying kayaking through another sea cave where we saw monkeys (including some baby monkeys) and swimming at an isolated beach all by ourselves. It was phenomenal!

Even my boyfriend, who is neither a cruise nor a nature person, said visiting Ha Long Bay on our 3-day, 2-night trip was the highlight of our holiday to Vietnam, which is a testament to how much he loved it, and as someone who loves nature and photography, it was heavenly for me too, especially sipping cocktails and enjoying views of the karst from the rooftop jacuzzi.

13. See Ha Long Bay On Land.
Ninh Binh Day Tour.

Ha Long Bay isn’t the only place of outstanding ecological value to see those beautiful shard-like limestone karst mountains Vietnam is famous for. Ninh Binh is another area abundant with these unique topographical landmarks. As a matter of fact, this stunning province is nicknamed the Ha Long Bay On Land, thanks to its similarly rugged terrain. However, because it is on the mainland and not at sea, there are more options to visit it.

You can head out there on your own accord and discover its many attractions by day-tripping there on a Grab motorbike, hiring one yourself, booking transfers, or alternatively, booking a day tour, overnighter or multi-night trip, which all pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in Old Quarter if need be.

We opted for a Private Day Tour with The Church Travels as we only had a day to fit this in, and this company offered four places to visit instead of what most were offering, which was three. It was fantastic as it felt more authentic and less touristy than joining group tours, and saw the Hoa Lou ancient capital, learnt about Vietnamese Kings, were taken on a traditional Sampan boat trip through the stunning Trang An Landscape Complex, climbed 500 steps to the top of breathtaking Hang Mua Mountain and visited the Bich Dong Pagoda cave temple.

Places To Visit In Hanoi Map.

Accommodation: Where To Stay In Hanoi Old Quarter.

• Best Budget: Hotel Emerald Waters Classy & Lubi House Homestay.
• Best Mid-Range: Veshia Hotel.
• Best Luxury: Imperial Hotel & Spa.
• Best Ultra Luxury: The Oriental Jade Hotel & Scent Premium Hotel.

Best Restaurants In Hanoi.

• Katze Vegan & Vegetarian.

With a history dating back to the 11th century, there are plenty of excellent things to do in Hanoi Old Quarter that allow visitors to connect with Vietnam’s ancient heritage and traditional values, including walking along the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake, a place of myth and legend, discovering the Bach Ma Temple, the oldest pagoda in the city, and visiting the Ma May Ancient House, a traditional tubular home.

Additionally, this ancient city is also the pickup point for many tours, both in Hanoi and many other places in the Red River Delta region, such as the revered Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh, making the capital a very alluring place to travel for many tourists.

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