The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology provides a fascinating introduction to the country’s 54 ethnic groups . The museum’s collections are clearly displayed and include everyday objects, religious items and works of art, giving an excellent overview of th..

An attractive wooden bridge leads to the Temple of the Jade Mound, which was built in the 19C on the site of the old palace of the Trinh lords on a small island in Hoan Kiem lake . It is dedicated to Van Xuong (the god of literature), General Tran H..

In the 15C, thirty-six artisans’ guilds were situated in this area which lies to the north of Hoan Kiem lake , each occupying a different part of the district. Today this is the Old Quarter, once the commercial heart of the city. The narrow winding ..

The Fine Arts Museum boasts a comprehensive collection of Vietnamese art, from Dong Son bronzes to 18C sculptures and Later Le art, as well as Cham (9C-10C), Ly (1009-1225), Tran (1225-1413), Le and Mac (15C-16C) statues. Part of the mu..

With its pavilions, courtyards and pools, the Temple of Literature has a delightful and peaceful atmosphere. Founded in 1070, the temple was dedicated to the Chinese philosopher Confucius , whose teachings advocated moral propriety. Here, and in the..

Built in the 17C, Quan Thanh Temple is a magnificent example of the art of wooden sculpture , with its finely carved doors, window frames and altar. To the rear of the temple, note the huge bronze of Tran Vu , whose acts of courage were honoured wh..

Tran Quoc Pagoda (Pagoda of National Defence), one of the oldest in Vietnam, was originally built in the 6C on the banks of the Red River. Threatened by erosion, the pagoda was rebuilt on Ca Vang island (Goldfish Island) in the West Lake in 1615. T..

Kim Lien Pagoda (Pagoda of the Golden Lotus) is dedicated to Princess Tu Hoa , who founded the sanctuary on the shores of the West Lake in the 12C, and Quynh Hoa , the princess of silk worms. The latter, now part of the Buddhist pantheon, was said ..

Once a branch of the Red River , Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) forms the southernmost part of the old commercial town. Its shores were laid out as a public promenade in the 1930s and the lakeshore is now busy throughout the day, but es..

Hidden behind a heavy wooden door, Bach Ma temple (Temple of the White Horse) is the oldest religious building in the Old Quarter (11C), although its present Chinese influenced appearance is due to restoration work carried out in the 19C. The templ..

Situated to the north of the Old Quarter , Dong Xuan market is the largest in Hanoi. Built by the colonial administration, the market hall was damaged by fire in 1994 and now only the façade of the original building survives. The market is spread ov..

Since the year 2000, the Vietcombank has occupied the old Bank of Indochina building, one of the most amazing examples of colonial-style architecture in the city. Built in 1930 by Georges-André Trouvé at the end of the square, the bank blends Art D..

With its perpendicular streets, the old French Quarter to the south of Hoan Kiem lake is so different from the busy narrow streets of the Old Quarter that you could easily believe you were in another city. The streets here are lined with Belle Époq..

Long Bien Market, standing under the bridge of the same name, is continuously busy. The market is a popular meeting place for women from the outskirts of Hanoi, who come here to work as porters in an effort to feed their hungry families. Don’t miss t..

Both the architecture and the exhibits of this museum make it well worth a visit. Situated in the old French Quarter, the museum was built in the 1920s in a developing architectural style which combined international, colonial and local influences. I..

The Museum of Vietnamese Women is situated near the crossroads with Hang Bai. Although the presentation is highly ideological, the exhibits are moving and focus on a variety of subjects: such as the cult of mother-goddesses and the role of women duri..

Situated at the foot of the ultra-modern tower blocks housing the Melia hotel and the Hanoi Tower Center, the 19 December market ( Cho 19.12 ) at n° 43 is named after a famous victory against the French. The stalls of fresh vegetables, meat and condi..

Founded in 1131 and restored in 1855 and again in 1954, Ly Trieu Quoc Su Pagoda has the unmistakeable charm of Hanoi’s pagodas, with its triple-scrolled porch, Chinese characters and banyan trees providing shade on the street outside.

From the 11C to the present day, Ba Dinh has been a centre of power. Although this official district has little atmosphere, it boasts an amazing mix of buildings including 11C temples , architecture from the French Third Republic , imposing Soviet-..

An avenue of mango trees in Bach Thao Park leads to Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, in which the politician lived and worked from 1958 to 1968. Its simple style provides a strong contrast with the stuccoed splendour of the neighbouring palace. Ho Chi Mi..