Old QuarterPass by
09.00/14.00: Our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel and start the walking tour to discover the charm of the Old & French Quarter.
Kim Ngan TempleThe Kim Ngân communal house is located on Hang Bac street in Hanoi's old quarter. It is one of three structures built for social gatherings and worship of a legendary figure revered as the inventor of all trades. During the Indochina conflict, the structure was used as a training center for nurses and troops, as well as a lecture hall for teaching Vietnamese Romanized script. From 1954 through 2009, a number of families lived there, but by 2009, the remaining 25 households had been relocated in an effort to restore the structure to a close approximation of its original design. The repair work was carried out by Hoan Kiem District specialists with technical support from Toulouse, France.
Admission not included30 min
Visit the wonderfully renovated Heritage House (also known as "Memorial House") to gain a better sense of the layout of tube-houses. A volunteer will generally accompany you through the many rooms and courtyards, pointing you to the magnificent carvings on the doors and balustrades, as well as specimens of traditional fine arts and handicrafts on display, like ceramics and silk paintings. A calligrapher can be practicing his craft in a corner, while a seamstress might be working on an embroidered painting. Some goods are for sale and could make a unique keepsake.
Bach Ma TempleThe Bach Ma Temple, erected in the 11th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Thai To, is the oldest of its kind and an important structure in Vietnamese religion. It is permissible to visit the temple; however, appropriate clothes is required to show respect to the monks who live there.
30 min
President Ho Chi Minh penned the Declaration of Independence that established the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in late August 1945, inside the house at No. 48 Hang Ngang Street in Hanoi. Historical artifacts and evidence related with President Ho Chi Minh have been preserved.
Dong Xuan MarketDong Xuan Market is the place to go if you're looking for a market. This is Hanoi's equivalent to Saigon's Ben Thanh market, and it is the capital's oldest traditional market. The ground floor, like most marketplaces in Southeast Asia, houses a wet market selling predominantly meat, fish, and flowers. Upstairs, you'll find a wide range of merchandise ranging from t-shirts and handbags to electronics and handicrafts, all at wholesale costs.
Hoan Kiem Walking StreetAdmission not included30 min
Hoan Kiem Lake is one of Vietnam's most recognizable lakes, located right in the heart of the Old Quarter. Turtle Tower is surrounded by its peaceful waters and natural beauty. Ngoc Son Temple, an 18th-century pagoda accessible by Huc bridge, a stunning red and wooden footbridge, is located to the side. The shrine honors military commander Tran Hung Dao, who battled off Mongol invaders in the 13th century. Take a walk around the lake and pick a cafe where you can sit and enjoy the wonderful colors of the lake and street performers. This is best enjoyed on weekends between 7 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. Sunday, when vehicles are prohibited, giving walkers a rare opportunity to dominate the streets. Hoan Kiem Lake, often known as the restored sword lake, is well-known among Vietnamese. According to legend, a turtle bestowed a magical sword on Le Loi, an old warlord, who used it to destroy the invading Chinese Ming dynasty before returning it to its true owner, the dragon king.
St. Joseph's CathedralSt. Joseph's Cathedral is a Catholic church on Nhà Chung Street, in the Hoàn Kiếm District of Hanoi, Vietnam. It is a late 19th-century Gothic Revival (Neo-Gothic style) church that serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi. The cathedral is named after Joseph, the patron saint of Vietnam.
