Hanoi’s top attractions in pictures

September 07, 2015 | 09:54

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The Old Quarter, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature), Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoa Lo Prison... are among the most-appreciated tourist sites in Hanoi on TripAdvisor website.

The Old Quarter: International guests enjoy walking, food and shopping in the old quarter of Hanoi. Alison Thorburn (Sydney, Australia) comments on Tripadvisor: "This is the most wonderful place in Hanoi. Take a wander in the streets, though sometimes traffic is pretty chaotic during peak hours. The tree-lined streets, the atmosphere of the old blended with a modern and dynamic city. The streets are very busy, you will discover interesting secrets as the galleries near the ancient theater."

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: With an area of up to 3.27 hectares along with many areas of display and rich artifacts, the museum attracts many foreign tourists who come to learn more about Vietnamese culture. Brenwyn from Thailand said: "This place is a bit far from the downtown area, but the artifacts are well preserved, giving you a unique perspective on the ethnic minorities of Vietnam through traditional houses, handicrafts, music and customs. This is one of the best museums I've ever visited."

Vietnam Women's Museum: The museum is divided into several display sections, showing images of the Vietnamese women throughout history, in family, at work, in religion ... Irene B. (Vienna, Austria) comments: "This museum is wonderful. The exhibits have captions in Vietnamese, English and French, not just drawing a traditional way of life through the perspective of women, but also suggesting their role in the two wars of resistance for independence."

Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature): This complex of architecture has an important position in the history of Hanoi. After more than 10,000 years, this place has retained its ancient features, with prominent buildings like Khue Van Vac, ancient steles, the temple of Confucius and his students ... Craig M. (UK) said: "This is a place worth of visit. You will escape from the vibrant rhythm of Hanoi, to relax your mind in this quiet space, with lots of beautiful angles for photography. Also, you can learn more about the history and culture of Vietnam."

Hoan Kiem Lake: Located in the city center, this blue lake is an icon and a must-to-visit place in Hanoi. Besides the Turtle Tower, Ngoc Son Temple, Hoan Kiem Lake is also the place where many daily activities of the people take place. KualaLumpur Terence (Malaysia) comments: "A great place to walk at night. You can go around the lake, admire the flowers and observe the activities here. You will see people doing exercises, dancing, jogging ... Do not forget to try the ice cream and snack."

Hoa Lo Prison: A national relic site in the heart of Hanoi, Hoa Lo Prison has attracted many international visitors who want to learn about the history of Vietnam. Nicola S (Perth, Australia) comments: "It helps you understand more about what they went through during the war. Admission fee is cheap and it is located not far from the old quarter. The prison has a lot of information and valuable artifacts."

Thang Long Puppet Theatre: The legends and historical stories are reproduced vividly and impressively through the art of puppetry. TrottingTraveller (Bangkok, Thailand) said: "I watched the entire play carefully though I faced a language barrier. The culture is reflected through the way of life of the people, through gestures, beliefs and values. You do not need to speak the same language to understand."

Vietnam Fine Arts Museum: Coming here you'll understand the development of art history in Vietnam through the rich and valuable documents and exhibits. OliverMalcolm (Athens, Greece) said: "This is a great place. You should take a few hours to see the works of every style, learn the constituents to form them."

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: The gravesite of President Ho Chi Minh welcomes many visitors at home and abroad, who come to show their devotion and remembrance to a great person. Siesta2014 (Portland, Oregon) advices: "If you want to learn about President Ho Chi Minh, this is the place to come. You can visit his corpse placed in a glass box. Also, you can visit the house and garden where President Ho lived and worked."

Thang Long Ca Tru: Ca tru singing is a traditional art form in the Northern Vietnam, recognized by UNESCO as the World Intangible Heritage. With original music and poetic lyrics, ca tru has become a unique cultural feature of Hanoi, attracting international tourists. Nacy F said: "Be prepared to be stunned by the art named Ca Tru. This music genre is extremely unique; it helps you understand and appreciate Asian culture more. The theater is located inside a traditional Vietnamese house. You can spend time seeing the exhibits and artworks on display here."

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