https://https://www.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/hanoi/best-things-to-do/100000003721
Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do in Hanoi [2025]
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Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
4.2
/5
556 reviews
6.7
From €3.74
Based on 12,461 reviews
Hồ Hoàn Kiếm Area | 144m from downtown
Phone +842438249494
Address: 57B P. Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Water puppetry making & control
Vietnamese water puppet show
Saved by 1366 users356 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Excellent, a very local performance.
The performers stand behind a curtain, using bamboo poles and other tools to manipulate the puppets. Musicians and voice actors are on either side of the stage.
It's right by Hoan Kiem Lake. Just use navigation to get there. Buy tickets at the ticket window. Sitting in the front rows allows for a better view. Because I was sitting near the front, I could vaguely see the bamboo poles and wires used to control the puppets. The artists are amazing!
This was a really fun experience and the puppeteers were very talented! It was also good value for money, but we were unsure why this was the top rated thing to do in Hanoi, as there were so many other amazing activities to do.
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Hoan Kiem Lake
4.6
/5
1132 reviews
6.2
Based on 13,796 reviews
Hồ Hoàn Kiếm Area | 231m from downtown
Address: Hang Trong, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–4 hours
Highlights:
Jade Mountain Temple & Turtle Tower
Historic Turtle Tower & lake
Saved by 1707 users527 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
This is an amazing spot in Hanoi, very calming and relaxing. It is surrounded by skyscrapers and bustling streets, great for walking around and enjoying the fresh air. At night, it becomes alive with colorful lights and music. A must-see destination in the old quarter. Especially good for taking pictures.
Hoan Kiem Lake Park in Hanoi, Vietnam is the most famous lake-ring park in Hanoi and even Vietnam. The park has a legend that there is a sword in the middle of the lake, so it is called Hoan Kiem Lake. It is a place for domestic and foreign tourists to check in. In summer, it feels very cool under the big trees on both sides of the lake. It is a must-see attraction to visit Vietnam.
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Hanoi Train Street
4.6
/5
42 reviews
5.8
Ba Dinh Square | 859m from downtown
Phone +84564312900
Address: P. Trần Phú, Hàng Bông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Highlights:
Vietnamese coffee by century-old tracks
Unique coffee culture by tracks
Saved by 1427 users93% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
This is a really nice spot! Not far from Hanoi Train Station, there are many restaurants and bars on both sides of this section of the railway. About ten trains pass by every day! First of all, I definitely recommend going at night for the best view; the neon lights along the entire street are stunning! Secondly, when you go there, you'll see tables and chairs placed on both sides of the railway. You have to buy a beer to sit and wait for the train to pass. However, when the train passes, only the tables and chairs on the shop side remain seated. Those on the other side must leave their seats and pack up their tables. So, remember to choose a seat on the bar side for the best view!
Hanoi, Vietnam🇻🇳【Hanoi Train Street】
Hanoi train street
Hanoi Train Street, also known as "Railway Street" or "Train Alley", is located in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter. It is located between Le Duan Street and Kham Tien Street, just a few blocks away from the famous Hoan Kiem Lake. The street is only 200 meters long and is surrounded by residential buildings. One of the main attractions of Hanoi Train Street is the charming cafes lining the alley. These cafes offer a unique experience, where you can enjoy a cup of Vietnamese coffee or delicious food while watching the trains pass by.
Train schedule:
9:20～15:20～20:20～21:40～22:00
There is also a 18:20 train on Saturdays and Sundays
No.
4
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Hanoi Sky Lotte Observation Deck
4.7
/5
127 reviews
5.8
From €6.85
Based on 338 reviews
4.1 km from downtown
Phone +842433336565
Address: 54 Lieu Giai Street, Cong Vi Ward, Ba Dinh District Lotte Centre, Hanoi 10000 Vietnam
Highlights:
VR zone: virtual reality sightseeing
65th-floor observatory in 52s
Saved by 762 users119 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It’s worth the price! You should get the one with a free drink. The best time to go there is from 5pm till evening.
Good romantic setting for couples, nice Skyline View, great tasting cocktails, and don't know other places to set the moon just right highly recommend for a special occasions
No.
5
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36 Pho Phuong
4.6
/5
282 reviews
5.8
437m from downtown
Phone +84826563802
Address: 2A P. Hàng Bồ, Hàng Đào, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–4 hours
Highlights:
Vietnamese culture & commerce showcased
Vietnamese snacks & live music
Saved by 1084 users108 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The experience here is a mix of discovery, and exploration, and a lot of distractions. These 36 streets are perhaps the most well-known part of Hanoi, and have tons of shops and street vendors, selling everything from street drinks and foods, souvenirs, clothing, accommodation, spa services like massages, manicures and pedicures, hair salons, cafes and many others. They are alive almost 24/7 and are at the heart of the city.
This is the old town, convenient for daily life, and authentically showcases the local people's daily routines! Various small shops and businesses abound; there are no skyscrapers, it's a pristine trading environment, giving you a feeling of stepping back in time. It's definitely worth exploring!
No.
6
City Sightseeing Hanoi
4.5
/5
48 reviews
5.7
From €4.65
Hồ Hoàn Kiếm Area | 909m from downtown
Phone +841900558865
Address: 1 Tràng Tiền, Phan Chu Trinh, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Hop-on, hop-off and choose your own attraction stops
Multi-lingual tours to explore cultural history
Saved by 483 users86% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
You can cover most of their stops in 1hour bus ride (if you choose not to hop off at all and just wanna mainly enjoy the scenes from the bus). We hopped off at the Cathedral stop, it was one of the last few stops of the journey. It was apparently a perfect stop, as it happened to be very close (only 5 mins walking) to the hotel we were staying at, Hoan Kiem District, the heart of all the tourist spots. So if you also stay in Hoan Kiem area and plan to go home straight after the ride, I suggest you hop off at Cathedral Stop, so you can walk home and can save cost by not taking a Grab (online taxi) home. I started my bus ride at 2pm, didn’t hop off at all until stopped at the Cathedral at 3pm ish. All spots were a great choice, audio was clear, the tour guide greeting you at the bottom deck was friendly. All in all, convenient for lazy travellers like me. wear a hat + sunscreen, for sitting at the top deck (bottom deck won’t be worth it, despite the aircon, believe me)
The City Sightseeing Bus Tour in Hanoi was a convenient way to see the city highlights in a short time. The hop-on hop-off system allowed me to visit key attractions without worrying about taxis or navigation. The audio commentary was informative, though sometimes the volume was a bit low with the city traffic noise. The buses were clean and well-maintained, and the rooftop view was fantastic, especially at sunset. Overall, it’s a good value for money and a great option if you want a stress-free way to explore Hanoi.
No.
7
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St. Joseph Cathedral
4.6
/5
752 reviews
5.6
Based on 3,042 reviews
Hồ Hoàn Kiếm Area | 438m from downtown
Phone +84903425692
Address: 1 P. Nhà Thờ, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
French romance opposite church
Renaissance tower & nearby cafes
Saved by 1432 users371 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Located not far from Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Cathedral is a truly impressive cathedral! I arrived in the evening, so I didn't get to explore it properly. I just looked at the exterior. There's a small garden at the entrance with a statue of the Virgin Mary. The surrounding streets are all unique and well worth a stroll.
I still recommend checking in at Hanoi Cathedral, because after visiting many cathedrals in Southeast Asian countries and China, this one in Hanoi is really magnificent and beautiful in appearance. The effects are completely different during the day and at night. You can check in during the day, and the design inside is also very beautiful.
It takes 15 minutes to walk from Hoan Kiem Lake, but it only takes half an hour to take photos and check in.
No.
8
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Hanoi Old Quarter
4.5
/5
196 reviews
5.4
Based on 28,948 reviews
Hồ Hoàn Kiếm Area | 412m from downtown
Phone +84439264381
Address: P. Hàng Ngang, Hàng Đào, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–5 hours
Highlights:
Evening traditional water puppet show
Hanoi's ancient commerce culture
Saved by 1121 users48% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
definitely worth visiting and walking down each and every lane and lake side. beautiful cute cozy cafes will cheer you up and so many street sopping you can do here.
very convenient place to live when visiting Hanoi. You can find anything you need within walking distance to hotels. Good spot for tours to pick up. Stores, cafes and restaurants close late too.
No.
9
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Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum
4.4
/5
358 reviews
5.1
Based on 11,886 reviews
Ba Dinh Square | 2 km from downtown
Phone +842438455128
Address: 1 Hùng Vương, Điện Biên, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Over 240 Vietnamese flowers surround
Ho Chi Minh's resting place
Saved by 622 users139 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Vietnam and we share the same roots and similar systems. The location here is similar to Tiananmen Square, a very open square with Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum in the center. When I visited, it was under maintenance and I was unable to pay my respects.
Location: Ho Chi Minh's MausoleumTime I visit: early morningYes, this place was amazing. Big park. People come around having for early morning jogging around 6 in the morning.If you want to enter the Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, you will need to pass through the guard.They will not allow you to to use short cut. The guard is everywhere. So be careful.Overall, I enjoy my view and jogging around the Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Will visit it again if I have a chance to visit Hanoi.
No.
10
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Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
4.3
/5
119 reviews
5.1
Ba Dinh Square | 1.4 km from downtown
Phone +842437345427
Address: 19c Hoàng Diệu, Điện Biên, Ba Đình, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Rebuilt imperial city for tourists
Millennium culture & art hub
Saved by 392 users38% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It's OK. Although it can't be compared with the royal palaces of other countries, it does reflect the characteristics of Vietnam. Especially the exhibition introducing the history of Vietnam, which may be the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Vietnam.
back to Ly Dynasty, Thang Long is the capital of Dai Viet. and Imperial City was built here
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