The Best Things to do in Hanoi Vietnam Old Quarter

Hanoi is a city where the past never really left and nowhere is that more evident than in Hanoi Vietnam Old Quarter. Ancient temples sit beside French colonial facades, loudspeakers crackle over streets, and the air smells like a mix of grilled pork and exhaust (it’s true). It’s gritty, poetic, and totally unapologetic.

One minute you’re sipping egg coffee in a hidden café and the next you’re dodging scooters to buy a Vietnamese delicacy from a sidewalk vendor. Hanoi is chaotic, but rich with character, and the Old Quarter of Hanoi is the heart of the city.

What is the Hanoi Vietnam Old Quarter?

The Old Quarter in Hanoi dates back over a thousand years, to when Hanoi (then called Thăng Long) was first established as Vietnam’s capital in 1010 during the Lý Dynasty. The area that’s now the Old Quarter developed as a hub for craftsmen and traders.

These artisans grouped themselves by trade—silversmiths on one street, blacksmiths on another—giving rise to the “36 streets,” each historically associated with a specific craft or product.

You’ll see street names like Hàng Bạc (Silver Street) or Hàng Gai (Silk Street), with “Hàng” meaning “merchandise” or “goods.”

During the French colonial period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Old Quarter saw the addition of colonial-style buildings, many of which still stand today—though often weathered and layered over with local improvisation.

Despite wars, modernization, and economic reform, the Old Quarter has held onto its chaotic charm. It’s one of the few places where you can literally walk through a thousand years of Vietnamese history in just a few blocks.

Old Quarter Hanoi Map

All the places in the Hanoi Vietnam Old Quarter are shown on the map below. Although the Old Quarter is technically within the pink border shown, there are a few places just outside or right on the border that are included here.

Best things to DO in Hanoi’s Old Quarter

The Hanoi Vietnam Old Quarter is just one area of Hanoi to explore and the following 15 things to do in Hanoi Old Quarter can easily be done in just 1 day. There’s a lot more to explore in Hanoi but the Old Quarter is a great place to start.

1. Explore ancient streets – 36 streets Hanoi

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a maze of 36 historic streets, known as the “36 guild streets” or “36 Old Streets“, where each street was known for a single item. You’ll find crumbling colonial buildings next to centuries-old shopfronts, narrow alleys hiding family-run cafés, and sidewalks overtaken by street food stalls.

Wander through the Old Quarter streets and explore alleyways as you snap photos of the architecture with its weathered and peeling paint.

2. Hanoi Train Street

One of the top Ha Noi Old Quarter attractions is Train Street. This is where train tracks run in between buildings where locals reside. Residents of these buildings have capitalized on the popularity of train street by setting up cafes along the tracks.

At one time you could have just walked along the tracks, chosen a cafe and sat inches from the tracks as the train sped by. Worried about the possibility of a tourist getting injured, city officials cracked down on the whole process.

Today, you have to wait for a “wrangler” to take you to a cafe where you will sit further back from the tracks. You also can’t just freely walk along the tracks taking as many photos as you want. You have to let the cafe workers know and they will walk you out there and let you take photos.

3. St. Joseph’s Cathedral

Built in 1886, this neo-Gothic church is a striking French colonial leftover. It’s the oldest church in the city and still an active place of worship, especially packed during Christmas.

Its stained glass windows, twin bell towers, and peaceful courtyard offer a quiet break from the chaos outside. The surrounding area is now café central, ideal for people-watching and grabbing a strong Vietnamese coffee. The cathedral is located just outside the Old Quarter.

4. Dong Xuan Market

This Soviet-era indoor market is Hanoi’s biggest and busiest, with everything from knockoff handbags and phone chargers to dried squid and party decorations. The lower level is a maze of fabric bolts, kitchenware, and wholesale goods.

Upstairs caters more to tourists with souvenirs and T-shirts. It’s loud, cramped, and not for the claustrophobic. But if you want to see Hanoi’s commercial industry in full swing, this is it.

TIP: This place gets packed by mid-morning so try to arrive early. Keep an eye on your belongings because when it gets crowded, you’ll be shoulder to shoulder with others and it makes it easier for pickpockets.

Be sure to walk around the outside of the market because you’ll see so many things that you’ve probably never seen before!

Photography Tip: You may have very low light at the market so you’ll want to up your ISO on your camera. Focus on the details of the market: close-ups of dried goods, hands exchanging money, and vendors setting up their stalls.

5. Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

The Water Puppet show is a traditional Vietnamese storytelling with a twist—performed on water. The centuries-old art of múa rối nước originated in the rice paddies of the Red River Delta, and this theater keeps it alive.

Wooden puppets dance, fight, and farm over a shallow pool, backed by live folk music. It’s a cultural hit, but it’s also one of the more unique performances you’ll catch anywhere in Southeast Asia.

Shows are short (under an hour) and usually sell out, so it’s smart to book ahead. It’s located right across the street from the temple at Hoan Kiem Lake.

Planning a trip to Vietnam? Check out my 2 Week Vietnam Itinerary to help you plan your trip.

6. Phung Hang Mural Street

Once just another stretch of railway arches, the Phung Hang Mural Street is one of the youngest Hanoi Old Quarter attractions. The street was transformed in 2018 into a public art space with vibrant murals celebrating Hanoi’s history and daily life.

You’ll see everything from old cyclo scenes to traditional markets painted onto the archways. It’s a fun photo-op for travelers in the Hanoi Old Quarter.

Photography Tip: The best light for photos will be earlier in the day. Stand back from the murals and catch candid street shots of locals passing by a mural.

7. Visit Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square

This is the chaotic heartbeat of the Old Quarter—an open space at the edge of Hoan Kiem Lake where motorbikes swirl like bees and everything seems to converge. It’s not particularly scenic, but it’s the place to feel Hanoi’s nonstop motion.

Around the square, you’ll find towering cafés with rooftop views, and that’s where you want to be. Viewing the square from above is quite entertaining! We stopped at the Hanoi 1930 Bistro for a drink and loved watching the chaos from above.

Photography Tip: In the evening, pick a spot on one of the sidewalks in Thuc Square to try to get a long-exposure shot of the motorbike headlights which will turn into streaks.

8. Night Market on Hang Dao Street

The Hanoi Night Market takes place every weekend starting around 6pm. You’ll find a mix of souvenirs, flea market type items, household goods, and food vendors. It’s a busy market and it’s best to come sometime after 7pm when most vendors are fully set up.

If you find something you want, be sure to haggle. Haggling for a lower price is expected and a good starting point is about 70% of the listed price. You’ll end up somewhere in the middle, probably saving around 40% of the price they asked for.

Again, with places that are crowded be sure to keep an eye on your belongings as this is where pickpockets count on shoppers to be distracted.

9. Beer street – Ta Hien Street

If you’ve done any research on Hanoi then you’ve surely heard of Beer Street. This is a popular area where the street is filled with tables and small red stools right outside bars and restaurants where people can get cheap beer.

Beer street has been around since the French colonial days and is a must see in Hanoi. Although the draw to beer street is cheap homemade beer for as little as .25 cents, you’ll find food, street performances, and lots of competing loud music.

Be sure to show up early if you want a seat. The Hanoi Beer Street is one of Hanoi’s busiest spots in the evening. Also, you might find tables that are pushed together so expect to make lots of new friends as the evening goes on.

10. Walk Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword) is Hanoi’s most iconic landmark, located at the heart of the city. The lake is steeped in legend—it’s said to be where Emperor Lê Lợi was given a magical sword by the golden turtle god to defeat the Chinese invaders. After his victory, he returned the sword to the turtle in the lake, hence the name.

It’s a picturesque lake where locals practice tai chi at sunrise and kids run around chasing birds. It’s definitely worth taking a stroll around the lake.

Photography Tip: Sunrise is a great time to photograph the lake because of early morning fog or mist and the water will most likely be calm. Take a photo of the lake from the bridge and focus on getting the reflection of the temple in the water.

11. Ngoc Son Temple – Huc Bridge

After you’ve walked around the lake, visit Ngoc Son Temple, a peaceful shrine dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao (who repelled Mongol invasions) and a few other cultural figures. You reach it via the bright red, photogenic Huc Bridge.

Inside, it’s quiet and reflective—burning incense, traditional architecture, and a stuffed giant turtle (seriously) that once lived in the lake. It’s a symbolic spot deeply tied to Hanoi’s legends and identity.

12. Quan Chuong Gate

Quan Chuong Gate (also known as Old City Gate) is one of the last remaining gates of the ancient Hanoi city wall, which was originally built during the Lý Dynasty in the 11th century.

The gate served as one of the main entrances into Hanoi’s walled city, and while much of the city wall was demolished over time, this gate remains as a symbol of Hanoi’s long and layered history.

13. Ma May Ancient House

The Ma May House is a restored 19th-century merchant house that gives a glimpse into how Hanoi’s well-off families lived in the Old Quarter a century ago. It’s a narrow but deep house, a typical “tube house” layout, full of traditional woodwork, open courtyards, and and antique furniture.

It’s a quick visit (20–30 minutes tops) but a worthwhile stop if you want to visualize what the Old Quarter looked like before the scooters and signage explosion.

14. Long Bien Bridge

Designed by Gustave Eiffel (yep, that Eiffel), the Long Bien Bridge was completed in 1902 and became a vital lifeline between Hanoi and the countryside. It was bombed multiple times during the Vietnam War but still stands today.

These days, trains still cross the center track, while pedestrians and motorbikes share the side lanes. Walking it at sunrise or sunset gives you a beautiful view of the Red River.

15. Shop for souvenirs

The Old Quarter Hanoi is one of the best places to shop for souvenirs. You’ll find a lot of similar or even identical items in many of the shops but there’s a variety of items worth buying.

Silk

Silk is lightweight and easy to pack and it’s a true Vietnamese craft. From scarves to pillowcases, many designs will feature traditional patterns or scenes. Hang Gai Street (Silk Street) is where you’ll find reputable silk shops in Hanoi.

Ceramics

Beautiful hand-painted dishes, bowls, and tea sets from the Bat Trang village just outside of Hanoi can be found in the Old Quarter. Although the store will wrap it up, be sure to give it some extra padding by wrapping it in clothing before packing.

You’ll also find Lacquerware in the Old Quarter Hanoi but be aware that it can be heavy and very fragile so you’ll definitely want to wrap it very carefully.

Hand-painted posters

You can find vintage style propaganda posters with bold colors and slogans from Vietnam’s past. These political, but artistic, posters make great wall art. You can find them in small shops around Hang Bac and Hang Ngang streets or at the Dong Xuan Market.

Just be sure to get it rolled in a tube, not folded.

There are too many items from the Hanoi Vietnam Old Quarter to list here that you might want to take home: handwoven baskets, water puppet figurines or masks, local snacks like jackfruit chips or candied ginger are some other options that are unique souvenirs to take home.

How To get around Hanoi Vietnam Old Quarter

The Old Quarter in Hanoi is very walkable and walking is probably the best way to experience it. Walking the Hanoi’s Old Quarter gives you a chance to browse shops and find those hidden gems you might not find by other means of transportation.

If you’re short on time and want to quickly get from one end of the Old Quarter to the other, then you can easily find a taxi or Grab (Southeast Asia’s version of Uber). Taxis are everywhere throughout Hanoi.

Another option is to take a cyclo. You’ll see them throughout the Old Quarter and it’s a nice comprimise between walking and taking a taxi.

WHERE TO STAY in Hanoi’s Old Quarter

WHERE TO EAT in Old Quarter Hanoi