Long Bien Bridge

Constructed from 1899 to 1902, Long Bien Bridge was the first bridge across Red River. At that time, it used to be called “Doumer”, the name of Indochina president - Paul Doumer. If you go there by motorcycle and bike, park your vehicle on the side of Long Bien Bridge, stand there and watch the antique attractiveness of our “historical observer”. Not shiny or modern like other bridges as you may see in Da Nang or Quang Ninh, Long Bien Bridge can lure tourists into the primitive color of rust. Combining with the fierce Red River, the whole scenery may make you feel breathless. Moreover, if you are lucky, sometimes you will be able to see the train pass by and experience a little bit of fear when the bridge vibrates slightly.

 

Address: Cầu Long Biên, Phúc Tân, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội

Hang Dau Booth

In 1894, the French built two booths calls Hang Dau and Don Thuy (located at the end of Dinh Cong Trang street) to provide water for the citizens as well as Western soldiers in the Old Quarter. The tower looks like an ancient fortress constituting three floors, cylinder with 19-meter diameter and 25-meter height. Continuing to explore inside, you will find some stone walls with doors to wander around. Since 1954, Hand Dau booth has been abandoned and turned into a touristic spot in Hanoi. Furthermore, the presence of this water tower appears as an evidence for a historical period of our capital.

Address: Hang Dau booth is located at the intersection of Hang Dau, Hang Than, Quan Thanh, Phan Dinh Phung, Hang Cot and Hang Giay (Quán Thánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội)

Hanoi Opera House

If Sydney’s symbol is the opera house and Norwegian people are also proud of their opera house in Oslo, Hanoi’s opera house is a must- visit place in our capital. Resembling the model of an Opera house in Paris, this site was constructed from 1901 to 1911 on Trang Tien Street. If there is a classical band or musician arriving in Vietnam, definitely Hanoi opera house will be the place to hold their performance. Recently, Hanoi opera house has cooperated with Institut Francophone International to open a virtual tour around the house combining with the gentle melody of French classical music in 15 minutes, which gives the audience a clearer view about the establishing history as well as the sophisticated architecture of this site.

Address: 01 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3933 0113
Website: http://www.hanoioperahouse.org.vn

St. Joseph’s Cathedral

With the typical features of Gothic style in Europe with high stone walls, dome and lots of windows, for a long time, St. Joseph’s Cathedral has become an ideal place for couples to take wedding photo. Inspired by the design of Notre Dame in Paris, the construction of this site began in 1886. Therefore, this is the oldest church in Hanoi. Inside, the church is sculptured with sophisticated pattern beneath an admirable system of holy pictures on colorful glass. If you are a type of dreamy person, this place will make you feel like a princess living in her antique castle.

Address: 40 Nhà Chung, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3928 6350

Dong Xuan Market

Tired of historical sites, then you might be interested in this one - Dong Xuan Market, where you can find almost everything in the world with cheap price if you know how to bargain. Located in the old streets, Dong Xuan market is known as the “stomach” of Hanoi. The history of this area is attached to the establishment and development of Thang Long, which once was the name of Hanoi. Dong Xuan market was built in the middle of 1889 by the French government. Despite the fast pace of modern life, for more than 100 years, Dong Xuan market has still been so lively and always full of customers. Not only is this the most crowded in Ha Thanh (another way to call Hanoi), Dong Xuan market comprises a significant amount of cultural and mental values illustrating divergent lives of old Hanoi people.

Address: Đồng Xuân, Hà Nội

National Museum of Vietnam History

To understand better about the glorious history of Vietnam in general, you should visit National Museum of Vietnam History. National Museum of Vietnam History is one of the oldest museums inheriting the infrastructure of Louis Finot, which was erected in 1926. Visiting the museum, you will be amazed by the grand exhibition through 30- 40 thousand years until today. Not only can you emerge in the solemn atmosphere but you are also able to witness an important part of Vietnam during the colonial period.

Address: No. 1, Tràng Tiền – No. 25, Tông Đản, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Website: http://baotanglichsu.vn

Government Guest House

After passing by National Museum of Vietnam History, you can easily see a grand yellow mansion with Vietnam’s flag held in the front roof. Government Guest House possesses the classic beauty of French architecture, with the symmetrical ground and façade complex resembling authentic European style.

Address: 10 Lê Thạch, Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3825 5853

Hoa Lo Prison

If you are a brave person and fond of a terrifying experience, then this prison should definitely be included in your checklist. Hoa Lo prison was held up by French colonists in 1896 called “Central prison” to imprison Vietnamese patriots and politicians during that time. The Vietnamese history says that the Frech colonists applied many savage methods from hitting, locking people in iron cache to sentencing them to death in order diminish the spirit of Vietnamese soldiers. Today, Hoa Lo prison has turned into a touristic spot for who wants to comprehend the difficulties as well as incredible strength of Vietnam to be able to defeat the French colonists.

Address: 1 Hoả Lò, Trần Hưng Đạo, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3934 2253

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel

Constructed in 1901 by two French investors André Ducamp and Gustave-Émile Dumoutier, Metropole is the first 5- star as well as oldest hotel in Hanoi. For a long time, this place has been chosen to be the accommodation of many politicians, movie stars, and famous writers when they visited Hanoi such as Charlie Chaplin, Jane Fonda, George H. W. Bush, etc. Metropole hotel comprises of two main area: the ancient Metropole and the new Opera.

Address: 15 Ngô Quyền, Hoàn Kiếm
Website: http://www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com/

Cua Bac Church

Cua Bac Church is a Roman Catholic church constructed by the French colonist in 1932. The site constitutes the uniqueness in French architecture, which creates an unforgettable mark whenever people visit here. Designed by Ernest Hébrard, Cua Bac Church possesses an asymmetric style, which is totally different from a normal design of other cathedrals built during this time. Moreover, thanks to the harmonic designs between Eastern and Western culture, this site is highly evaluated as a typical model of European and Vietnamese style’s combination.

 Address: 56 Phan Đình Phùng, Quán Thánh, Ba Đình
No matter how the French colonists had sabotaged Vietnam, we cannot unrecognized their effort in constructing many impressive sites in Hanoi. Not only do these places help us to attract a substantial amount of tourists but it also represents the glorious past of Vietnamese people in general.

Dong Xuan market

Established since Nguyen dynasty, Dong Xuan is known as one of the oldest markets in Hanoi. Therefore, tourists normally visit here to peep into the corridors of history rather than for shopping purpose. This market is quite large with hundreds of small shops along its narrow idles, which enables it to serve different needs of customers from clothes, toys, household utilizes to traditional silk. Moreover, we recommend you visit Dong Xuan market with an empty stomach or else you will miss the chance to taste much typical and appetizing food of Hanoi such as bun cha, sweet tea, pho, etc.

Address: at the end of Hang Dao- Hang Ngang- Hang Giay Street
Opening hours: 7am- 6pm

Long Bien wholesale market

Long Bien wholesale market used to rank in top five most interesting markets in South East Asia by Gobackpacking magazine. As the largest wholesale market in Hanoi, notwithstanding hot or cold, rain or dry weather, we can never see a day-off at this place. Different from others, Long Bien market ignites its lively atmosphere from 11 pm until dawn, when traders start to move to another part of the city. Products sold in this area are the most divergent in Hanoi as they are imported from plenty of different places like the Hanoi suburb, the South or even China.

Address: Hồng Hà, Phúc Xá, Ba Đình

Quang Ba flower market

If you are a nocturnal person then this suggestion would match you perfectly. As one of the most famous night markets, not only does Quang Ba flower market provide fresh flowers for the whole city but it also represents a cultural charm of Hanoi at night. The market looks like a huge flower garden with various kinds such as rose, orchid, daisy and even some rare ones that you might never know before. Opening all year but if you want to visit this place, you have to wait until midnight; however, not until 2-3am does the market truly exposes its characteristic- vibrant, gorgeous and appealing with full of buyers. To be able to find the best flower, you should carry along a flashlight.

Address: Quang Ba flower market, Âu Cơ, thôn Bắc, Nhật Tân

Hom market

Beside Dong Xuan, Hom market has also been constructed for an excessively long time. Compared to the small size in the part, now Hom market has the capability to satisfy any housewives from clothes, silks, and bags to dry food, sweets, fresh food, spices, and especially seafood, which is carefully selected to guarantee the quality standard. Not only inside but outside the gate, there is a variety of street vendors that you can buy stuff for your family without entering the gate. Nevertheless, if you are not used to purchasing things in Hom market, you should be active in bargaining, particularly clothes or else you will lose money for nothing.

Address: Phố Huế, Ngô Thì Nhậm

Hang Be market

Through hundred years, Hang Be has been an indispensable part of Vietnam capital. For an authentic Hanoian, Hang Be market is a place for socializing, a cultural space of people in the old quarters. Moreover, thanks to its location, people usually feel that food here holds better taste than other places, which maybe is just a subjective perspective and no longer correct but it has deepened into Hanoi people’s mind. After centuries, Hang Be still remains the same discipline as the old days. Every morning, small shops are held up and when the sun disappears, everyone collects their stuff and comes home. Each one has their own space that has been decided together in advance that never in this market could we observe an infringement case between vendors for a trading area.

Address: Hàng Bè, quận Hoàn Kiếm

Buoi market

Located at the intersection of Hoang Hoa Tham and Buoi street, Buoi market is well- known for its distinctive products – plants and pets. Although through times, the simplicity and ease of this market have diminished somehow, it still remains as one of the oldest market fairs that exists until today in the middle of Hanoi. At present, this place has been elevated to become a modern shopping mall with a variety of products. However, to maintain and hold the antique beauty of the old Buoi, behind the shopping mall, there comes a small piece of land to trade seedling and pets.

Address: 743 Hoàng Hoa Thám, Vĩnh Phúc, Ba Đình

Green house market

Among all the markets we have told you until now, this is the youngest one, a market for students – Green house market. Located close to lots of schools and universities in the area, the market is always filled up with lots of students from dawn till dusk so even you are busy with your work, you can visit this place anytime as it opens all day. To suit different tastes of students, products here are divergent and easy to buy, nonetheless, be careful with low- quality or error ones. People are often overwhelmed by the heterogeneity of things to choose.

Address: Phan Văn Trường, Khu tập thể Đại học Sư phạm, Dịch Vọng Hậu, Cầu Giấy

Nghia Tan market

One more market youngster is Nghia Tan Market, one of the most prominent and favorable cuisine center in Hanoi. At this place, you would feel like being lost in a paradise of food with a sensible price. The special thing here is that each season you visit, it would give you completely brand new flavor. For instance, in summer, you will have the chance to taste many kinds of fresh and cool beverages such as tao pho, Sai Gon sweet tea, cold drinks and fresh fruit. Especially, a distinctive dish of Nghia Tan market that you should not overlook is Vietnamese bread serve on a frying pan, which definitely brings you an unforgettable memory. we suggest you should pass by this appetizing market during the noon to midnight as not until then does this place really emerges into its regular hectic style with lots of attractive food.

Address: 2 Nghĩa Tân, Khu tập thể Nghĩa Tân, Nghĩa Tân

Hanoi flea market (Hoa Binh market)

Existed for more than half century, this is the oldest flea market in Hanoi comprising lots of mysterious and strange goods that you can never find anywhere else. As a result of the subsidy period, for official goods, you have to purchase coupons or stamps in advance or else for non- official or even stolen things, these will be sold outside on the pavements or temporary shops. If this is the first time you have ever been here, you will easily get lost as this market is designed as a maze with hundreds of tiny shops selling nearly everything on Earth, especially for rare goods such as antiquated things, you just need to ask the seller beforehand and they will able to get it for you.

Address: 33 Thịnh Yên, Phố Huế

Banana market on Red Riverbank

Talking about float markets, everyone will definitely think about the famous Cai Rang in Can Tho or some others in Cuu Long province. However, right in the center of Hanoi, next to the gorgeous Red River, on Ham Tu Quan street, hardly does anyone, even Hanoi people, know about the existence of a floating market selling a typical fruit of our tropical country- bananas. This market is one of the largest banana suppliers for Hanoi, with many boats, weighted up to tons and full of bananas arriving every day. Although selling bananas is not a tranquil job at all, scarcely could you find a man but only women.

Address: Ham Tu Quan street, at the south part of Chuong Duong bridge
How to get there: when you arrive at Ham Tu Quan street, you have to pass by a restaurant’s parking area to reach the destination

Binh Minh Jazz Club

Away from the hectic atmosphere of our capital city, you can find Binh Minh Jazz Club tucked behind the Opera House. Known as a legendary place for jazz lovers in Hanoi, this is a place to catch live jazz music performed by talented musicians, especially the jazz artist Quyen Van Minh, who has traveled around the world to perform. Normally, the live performance would take place between 21:00 till 23:30 every night.

Address: 1 Trang Tien, Phan Chu Trinh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Rail hamlet

At the end of crowded Kham Thien Street intersecting with Le Duan, there is a small street with the only 500m in length but it possesses unique and bizarre characteristics. That street is called “Rail hamlet”. You might be curious what is so special about this tiny hamlet that we have to mention it. Well, like no other places, the origin for the name is thanks to the existence of a railway cutting through this hamlet. Regardless of the fact that this might be one of the most dangerous places to live in the world due to train accident’s threat, many households have lived here for decades. Within just 500m, you will be amazed by the lively combination among the antiqueness, the modernity, and the diversity in the design of houses here.

For more photos of the Railway residents, click here

Address: along the railway at the intersection of Kham Thien and Le Duan Street

Middle warp of Red River

If you are looking for the inner peace of your soul, this place is definitely a perfect match. Although the middle warp is the home of many poor fishermen and households along Red River, the difficulty in living condition cannot diminish its natural beauty. Slowly riding a bicycle or walking along Long Bien bridge, you are able to see many poetic sceneries such as an immense cornfield, green plants, small fishing boats and white sandbank. Furthermore, sunset in middle warp is outstanding, which gives you a totally different feeling from watching this on a beach. The gradual disappearance of sunshine along with familiar smell of smoke from straw burning will bring a warm and intimate atmosphere that can hardly be explained.

How to get there: From Long Bien bridge, there is a small stair leading to the middle warp. This stair is mainly used for pedestrians, however, bicycle and motorbike can still go through.

Le Mat Snake village

Situated in Long Bien quarter, since 1054, which belonged to Ly Thai Tong dynasty, Le Mat village has been famous for raising cobra. These cobras are kept inside cement storages that are taken care of in a careful manner. Notwithstanding the perilousness, this business offers huge economic benefit for people here. Cobras after processing can be used in different ways such as mixing it with alcohol, cooking many delicious dishes, etc.

Address: Lệ Mật Street, Việt Hưng, Long Biên, Hà Nội

O Quan Chuong

Being the last entrance left of the old Thang Long (another name of Hanoi in the past), not only does O Quan Chuong contain ancient beauty in architecture but it also marks the glorious history of our capital. In the past, O Quan Chuong was one of five entrances used to enter Thang Long, opened during daytime and closed by night. Each door was always guarded to prevent invaders and fire. Opposite to this antique site, you can easily find a small shop selling “bun oc nguoi” (a type of Vietnamese traditional snail noodles) that I guarantee this is the best place to enjoy this significant dish.

Address: 15-17 Ô Quan Chưởng, Đồng Xuân, Hà Nội

Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural

Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Road was built and completed in 2008 to celebrate 1000 – year anniversary of Thang Long- Hanoi. Recognized by UNESCO as the longest ceramic road in the world, this construction started in 2007, with nearly 7000 m2 width and 4km length. The ceramic road has attracted a significant amount of participants including 20 national and 15 international artists from different countries in the world, not to mention more than 100 local artists, 500 citizens, students, children, etc. Illustrating various delightful topics such as capital through different dynasties, “Hanoi- the city of peace”, modern arts, etc. Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Road undoubtedly will make visitors unable to take their eyes off these walls.

Take a look at the road in one minute via this video:

Address: Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Road runs along the road of Âu Cơ, Nghi Tàm, Yên Phụ, Trần Nhật Duật, Trần Quang Khải, Trần Khánh Dư and terminates at the pier of the Long Biên Bridge. (Wikipedia)

West lake flower valley

Have you ever dreamt of immersing yourself in a field full of lavenders such as in Provence (France) or tulips in Keukenhof (Netherlands)? Then visiting West lake flower valley, maybe your dream will no longer be a fantasy. This area contains massive kinds of flowers originated not only locally but also internationally. Once you have entered this valley, I bet that you can hardly resist the temptation of flowers’ aroma and their gorgeous appearances.

Address: 3 Nhật Chiêu, Nhật Tân, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội
Opening hours: 7 AM- 10 PM

More Hanoi Secret Destinations here

Cua Bac Church

Cua Bac Church is a Roman Catholic church constructed by the French colonist in 1932. The site constitutes the uniqueness of French architecture, which creates an unforgettable mark whenever people visit here. Designed by Ernest Hébrard – a French architect, Cua Bac Church was built with an asymmetric style, which is totally different from the normal design of other cathedrals built during this time. Moreover, thanks to the harmonic designs between Eastern and Western culture, Cua Bac Church is highly evaluated as a typical model of European and Vietnamese style’s combination.

Address: 56 Phan Đình Phùng, Quán Thánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Hanoi Creative City

If you have been fed up with historical sites, this suggestion might light up your day. Hanoi Creative City is a modern complex for young people with many types of entertainment such as game center, fashion shops, colorful restaurants, etc. To meet the need of young customers, this place also creates various areas for taking pictures with a creative arrangement and design.

Address: 1 Lương Yên, Bạch Đằng, Hà Nội
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 10PM

Tranquil Books & Coffee

Tranquil Books & Coffee is not only a romantic place for couples but it is also a favorite stop for “worm- books”. Exposing itself by the name, Tranquil possesses an impressive amount of books that can satisfy different preferences. The café is situated in an ancient French “Maison”, which is not too large but the brilliant architecture here creates many spaces for reading that you might be surprised to see. Enjoy a cup of coffee, listen to the gentle melody of old music,, and read a romantic novel! All of this can bring you relaxing moments after a stressful week.

Address: 5 Nguyễn Quang Bích, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Opening hours: 8 AM – 11 PM

More destinations for a good cup of coffee here