Hoan Kiem Lake (aka. Guom Lake) is located in the heart of Hanoi and is in the middle of the old quarter, which means it's super convenient for your visit. 

    It is surrounded by many cultural and religious sites, such as the Ngoc Son Temple, the Turtle Tower, and The Huc Bridge. The lake is a popular place for locals and tourists to enjoy the scenery, relax, and take part in various activities.

Address: Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District

 West Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in Hanoi. It always has it's own beauty no matter what time you visit: quiet and misty in the early morning, vibrant and bustling in the afternoon.

Address: Thanh Nien Street, Tay Ho District

in the afternoon

 Truc Bach Lake (originally a part of West Lake) is relatively smaller than the other two lakes mentioned, and is somehow more preferred by locals; however, it has as much history as any other location.

Address: Thanh Nien Street, Tay Ho District.

map

President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum has a political and historical role in Hanoi Capital and in the hearts of every Vietnamese person - a place to store and commemorate the body of the late great President. The historical attraction built on Ba Dinh Square, is covered with a vast green of grass and trees, giving you an immediate feeling of peace and solemnity.

Address: 19 Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District.

The Temple of Literature is a historical and cultural site in Hanoi, that was built in 1070 as a temple dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. The temple is a symbol of Vietnamese tradition of learning and scholarship, and it honors the achievements of many scholars and intellectuals throughout the history. 

Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Dong Da District.

View of Hanoi’s Literature Temple from above.

 One Pillar Pagoda is a famous attraction in Hanoi that has a unique and distinctive architecture. It is a Buddhist temple that was built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong in 1049, to honor Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who gave him a son in a dream. The temple is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, which is a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and peace in Buddhism. Although the pagoda is not a spectacular and large-scale construction, it has a particular historical and religious value that's totally worth a visit.

 Address: Chua Mot Cot, Doi Can, Ba Dinh District.

 Located in the city center neighboring Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Cathedral (or St.Joseph’s Cathedral) is a beautiful and historic architecture with Gothic style. The cathedral was built on the original site of Bao Thien Pagoda by the French after they entered Hanoi in 1882. The cathedral has a Gothic Revival style, similar to the Notre Dame de Paris. The cathedral is open to the public every morning except Mondays, and it hosts several Masses during the day.

 Address: 40 Nha Chung Street, Hoan Kiem District.

Hoa Lo Prison (aka. the "Hanoi Hilton"), is a historic site located in Hanoi. It was originally built by the French colonial administration in the late 19th century to house political prisoners during their occupation in Vietnam. The prison's name, Hoa Lo, translates to "fiery furnace" or "stove," referring to the blacksmiths' workshops that were once located on the site.

Address:  1 Kp. Hoa Lo, P. Tran Hung Đao, Q. Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi. 

What is there to see when visiting Hoa Lo prison?

1. The giant guillotine was stained with the blood of many patriotic soldiers.

    The guillotine machine at Hoa Lo prison is an invention of French doctor Guilotane, designed to replace execution methods such as dismemberment or horse tearing in the Middle Ages. The guillotine includes main parts such as the guillotine table, guillotine rack and guillotine knife.