Ha Noi: 5 reasons to visit Vietnam’s capital

1. 1

   A thousand years of history

   Founded on the Red River and named Thang Long in 1010. See the Temple of Literature (1070), home of Ha Noi’s first university, and the One Pillar Pagoda (1049), built on a single stone pillar in a lotus pond.^[1]

2. 2

   The Old Quarter

   One square kilometre of 36 streets, each named since the 15th century after the goods its craftsmen traded: silver, silk, bamboo and more.^[1]

3. 3

   Hoan Kiem Lake

   The lake of the restored sword, with Ngoc Son Temple reached by a red bridge, and locals doing tai chi by the water.^[1] On weekend evenings the streets around it are closed to traffic.^[4]

4. 4

   The nation’s landmarks and museums

   The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Museum of Ethnology on Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, and the Vietnamese Women’s Museum.^[1]

5. 5

   The French Quarter and live culture

   The Opera House, the largest theatre in Vietnam, and St Joseph’s Cathedral.^[1] In the evening, catch a water puppet show, an art form born in the Red River Delta centuries ago.^[3]

PhoPhở

The noodle soup Ha Noi is famous for. Worth trying here even if you have had it elsewhere.^[2]

Bun chaBún chả

Chargrilled pork belly and patties with rice noodles in a light fish-sauce dressing. Almost always a lunch dish.^[2]

Cha caChả cá

Marinated fish grilled, then stirred with spring onion and dill at your table. Nowhere does it like Ha Noi.^[2]

Bun dauBún đậu

Crispy fried tofu with fresh rice noodles, a favourite Ha Noi lunch.^[2]

Bun thangBún thang

A clear, delicate broth with shredded chicken, Vietnamese ham and thin omelette strips.^[2]

Bun caBún cá

A sweet-and-sour fish noodle soup with crispy fried fish, good on a hot day.^[2]

Beef jerky saladNộm bò khô

Green papaya and carrot with beef jerky, a sweet-and-sour afternoon snack.^[2]

Egg coffeeCà phê trứng

Strong Robusta topped with sweet whipped-egg foam.^[2]

Don’t miss: a glass of fresh bia hơi (draught beer) at “bia hơi corner”, where Ta Hien meets Luong Ngoc Quyen in the Old Quarter.^[1]

Ha Noi’s nightlife centres on the Old Quarter, especially at weekends when it becomes a pedestrian zone.^[3]

• Ta Hien, “beer street”, and the nearby streets of Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ma May and Hang Buom: locals and travellers on tiny plastic stools on the pavement, cheap draught beer, and clubs with local DJs.^[3]
• Hoan Kiem Lake walking streets: the streets around the lake are closed to traffic from Friday evening to Sunday night, and on Tết and public holidays.^[4]
• West Lake is the expat area, with its own bars and meeting spots.^[3]
• Shows: water puppets and modern performances such as My Village at the Opera House.^[1][3]
• Location: Ta Hien is in the Old Quarter, now Hoan Kiem ward.^[5]

Before July 2025 the centre was Hoan Kiem District, and most maps, hotels and taxi drivers still use that name. Since 1 July 2025 Ha Noi is organised into wards, and the heart of the city is split into these^[5]:

The Northern Territory Loop starts and ends in Ha Noi, and the Truong Son War Trail finishes here. Plan a day before or after your ride for the Old Quarter and a bowl of phở. Questions? Message us on WhatsApp.