TOP 10 HIGHLIGHT FOOD AND DRINKS IN HANOI OLD QUARTER, VIETNAM

       
              Hanoi is not only famous for its beauty but also it attracts tourists by its rich cuisine with many mouth watering dishes which will make your stomach happily.
Food-loving globetrotters, if you have a chance to visit Hanoi, don’t miss to try Hanoi street food. The best Hanoi dishes are not expensive yet tasty treats that can be found within Hanoi Old Quarter’s narrow alleyways and bustling street markets. You should spend some days in Hanoi to enjoy Hanoi food, eating your way through the hectic, motorbike clogged streets of Hanoi Old Quarter and don’t the same meal twice to try as much as possible delicious Hanoi street food here. So where is the most famous and convenient place in Hanoi to try Vietnamese Cuisine?. It’s Hanoi Old Quarter which is a well known place for food of tourists and locals. Let’s explore what shouldn’t missed here with Vietnam Eco Travel!
1. Pho (Noodle soup)

          Pho is a familiar food of Hanoians as well as tourists. It is not only a dish but also a pride of Hanoi cuisine in the eyes of domestic and foreign tourists. Pho was invented in the early 20th century. Pho is appeared anywhere from steer vendors to restaurant. Some is served with chicken and some with beef but beef noodles soup is more popular.
“Pho” consists of flat rice noodles, meat-based broth. The dish is accompanied by basil, lime, chili and other extras on the side so you can season the soup to your own taste. The balanced tastes of sweet, salty, spicy, and citrus are highly contagious. The broth is made by simmering beef bones, oxtails, flank steak, charred onion, charred ginger and spices and it takes several hours to make. Each restaurant of pho will have different recipes to make delicious broth.
Be careful when you eat “pho” because you may get addicted with it and always want to come back here again.
Where to try “Pho” in Hanoi Old Quarter:
- Pho Bat Dan: No.49 Bat Dan street
- Pho Thin: No.61 Dinh Tien Hoang street
- Pho Ly Quoc Su: No.10 Ly Quoc Su street
- Pho Suong: Trung Yen lane
- Pho Vui: No.25 Hang Giay street
2. Bun cha (Grilled pork and rice noodles)

       Bun Cha is a Vietnamese dish of grilled pork (cha), rice noodles and dipping sauce, is thought to have originated from Hanoi, Vietnam. Bun cha is served with a plate of rice noodles, a bowl of grilled pork and dipping sauce and a plate of herb.
There are two kind of cha: cha vien and cha mieng. Cha vien is made from lean shoulder which is softer than ham or butt, lean shoulder will be chopped and marinated spices, then grilled. Cha Mieng is made from bacon which was sliced, marinated spices and grilled. To make best Cha Mieng, pork meat have to have both fatty meat and lean.
There are many local restaurants which served Bun cha but to make Bun cha tasty depends on experiences and secret recipes, especially the broth. The broth includes papaya, carrot, fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, etc. Bun cha will be served with herbs to reduce oily taste and raise guest’s appetite.
Where to try “Bun Cha” in Hanoi Old Quarter:
- Bun cha Dac Kim: No.1 Hang Manh street
- Bun cha Tuyet: No.34 Hang Than street
- Bun cha: No.23 Hang Quat street
- Bun cha: Dong Xuan market alley or Phat Loc lane
3. Banh Cuon (Steamed rice pancake rolls)

        The ingredients to make this dish are: rice flour, pork, fried onion, minced wood ear mushroom, fish sauce and some spices.
First you should select high quality rice which is cleaned and soaked in water for several hours before being ground into batter. A thin layer of batter is poured on a cloth that is tautly stretched and placed on top of the pot which can quickly cook the rice batter.
Locally, the chief makes “Banh cuon” with wonderful colours of chives and grated vegetables in the rolls. Banh cuon can made extremily thin because it is steamed over a babric covered a pot which can quickly cook the rice flour, keeping it moist and workable. A very thin layer of batter is poured on the cloth and evenly spead and stems paper thin, and in less than a minute, a flat bamboo stick is used to lift off the delicate rice crepe. Banh cuon is served with dipping fish sauce. The sauce is heated with sugar, vinegar, etc.
Where to try “Banh cuon in Hanoi Old Quarter:
- Banh cuon Thanh Van: No.12 Hang Ga street.
4. Banh my (Vietnamese sandwich)

          “Banh my” is one of the best food of Hanoi street food and is voted one of the best street food in the world. Banh my first appeared in the French colonial period. It was often put pate and butter inside the bread. Then in 1954, when France leaved Vietnam, Vietnamese made banh mi in their own way and added pork, Vietnamese ham, herbs and cucumber inside the bread.
Nowadays, Banh mi is served as any meals during the day. Depends on eater’s preference, the seller will offer a lot of different types shuc as pate which is made from pork liver, egg, pork bacon, Vietnamese ham, shredded dried pork, etc; herbs such as coriander, basil, etc; and cucumber. If you like spicy, you can add chili sauce. From the north to the south of Vietnam, Banh mi can have different ingredients or taste.
Where to try Banh mi in Hanoi Old Quarter:
- Banh mi 25: No.25 Hang Ca street
- Banh mi P: No.12 Hang Buom street
- Banh mi Pho Co: No.38 Dinh Liet street
- Banh mi Ba Dan: No.34 Lo Su street
- Banh mi Nguyen Sinh: No.19 Ly Quoc Su street
5. Cha Ca (Fried fish with dill)
         Cha ca is listed by a few books and TV programs to be one of the things you have to try before you die.
To make this dish, they use the meat of snake-head, catfish, ling, etc, slice and marinate with turmeric powder, galangal, shrimp paste, chili, etc for about 2 hours and then bake in a preheated oven. It is served with a gas stove and a pan. You will put cooking oil, grilled fish, dill, etc inside the pan. This dish will be eat with a plate of rice vermicelli and shrimp paste and herbs.
Where to try in Hanoi Old Quarter:
- Cha ca La Vong: No.14 Cha Ca street
- Cha ca Thang Long: No.31 Duong Thanh street
6. Xoi (Sticky rice)

         There are a lot of kind of sticky rices in Hanoi such as sticky rice with peanuts; sticky rice with bean; sticky rice with corn, etc or chicken, pork, shredded dried pork, Vietnamese ham, etc. You can eat sticky rice for every meal, from breakfast to dinner. Sticky rice is served with pickled cucumber to reduce the fatty taste.
This dish is the combination of a lots of flavours. Eating Xoi to have unforgettable experience!
Where to try in Hanoi Old Quarter:
Xoi Yen: No.35b Nguyen Huu Huan street
7. Goc Da restaurant

           Goc Da restaurant is a small restaurant in No.52 Ly Quoc Su street. It is well known with mouth – watering dishes of Hanoi street food such as fried crab spring rolls, pillow cake, salty donut and “nem chua”. Main ingredients of those dishes are rice flour, pork, mushroom, glass noodles, egg, etc. They are deep fried so they’re very crispy and delicious. It is served with dipping sauce and herbs. The sauce here is taste, made from fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, etc. Put one of those dishes into the sauce, add some herb to reduce the oily taste and try it. You will definitely like them.
8. Nom bo kho (Dried beef with salad)

          “Nom no kho” is one the most favorite of young people in Hanoi. It includes dried beef, peanuts, papaya, some herbs, spices and a special sauce. The sauce is delicious, made from soya or fish sauce. This dish is the perfect combination with ingredients and the sauce. Don’t miss to write down this dish in your must – try food list when you visit Hanoi Old Quarter!
Where to try in Hanoi Old Quarter:
- Long Vi Dung in No.23 Hoan Kiem street
9. Che (Sweet gruel)

         Che is one of Vietnamese dessert. It is made from mung beans, black – eyed peas, kidney beans, tapioca, jelly (clear or grass), lotus seeds, fruit (litchi, longan, mango, durian, jackfruit) and coconut milk, etc.
Che are often prepared with one of a number of varieties of beans, tubers, and/or glutinous rice, cooked in water and sweetened with sugar. It is eaten more in the summer for locals as a dessert. The sellers will put different “che” and ice into a glass. You can choose your favorite “che” and the seller will served them for you.
Where to try in Hanoi Old Quarter:
Che Bon Mua: No. 4 Hang Can street
Che Huong Hai: No.93 Hang Bac street
10. Cafe Trung (Egg coffee)

         You will immediately feel weird when you hear egg coffee. Egg coffee is a unique drink in Hanoi and you can’t find it anywhere.
Egg coffee was made in 1946 by a men who was a bartender for a 5 star hotel. At that time it was lack of milk so he tried to find another ingredient instead of milk, then he recognized that egg could make different taste when it was mixed with coffee. After that he quitted his job and opened his own coffee shop for egg coffee. It became famous until now.
Egg coffee is traditionally prepared with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk and robust coffee. The drink is made by beating egg yolks with sugar and coffee, then extracting the coffee into he half of the cup followed by a similar amount of egg scream which is prepared by heating and beating the yolks. You won’t feel regret when you visit Hanoi and try egg coffee.
Where to try in Hanoi Old Quarter:
- Cafe Giang: No.39 Nguyen Huu Huan street
- Cafe Pho Co: No.11 Hang Gai street
             There are a lot of another dishes of Hanoi cuisine which you should try in Hanoi Old Quarter as well as Hanoi. Those are top 10 highlight food and drinks in Hanoi Old Quarter. I hope you will love Vietnamese cuisine and have wonderful time in Vietnam.

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VIETNAM MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY

         Vietnam Museum Of  Ethnology  is the most recent yet probably the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting Museums in Hanoi and Vietnam. Vietnam Eco Travel will introduces you some information about this museum before you decide to visit it.

Vietnam Museum Of  Ethnology focuses on the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam. It is located on a 3.27-acre (13,200 m2) property in the Cầu Giấy District, about 8 km from the city center. This fabulous collection relating to Vietnam's ethnic minorities features well-presented tribal art, artefacts and everyday objects gathered from across the nation, and examples of traditional village houses. The museum is packed full of information detailing traditional Vietnamese ways of life, from religious events to the symbolic rituals of all the Vietnamese ethnic groups, providing a rich tapestry of the culture melting pot existing in Vietnam. The exhibition hall features everyday objects representing each group, a research centre, library and auditorium.

The Museum Department received 3000 objects from the National Museum of History, most of them costumes. In 1986, the Viet Nam Government approved a 3.27 ha area on which to build the museum. In 1990, the construction of the museum started and the office buildings were finished in 1995. In 1997, the exhibition building was completed with a total of 2,480 m2, including 700 m2 for collection storage. From 1978 to 1995 the Museum Department collected only some 100 objects. Since 1995 more objects could be collected and the museum now has over 25,000 objects and 30,000 films and videos. On November 12th 1997, the permanent exhibition was inaugurated.
Virtual indoor tour. The indoor permanent collection occupies the majority of the exhibition space. However, there is a separate area for the temporary exhibits. The permanent collection is divided into 9 main sections, each of which includes objects displayed in glass cases and dioramas:
• Introduction
• Introduction of the Viet group (Kinh)
• Introduction of Muong, Tho, Chut ethnic groups
• The ethnic groups belonging to the Tay, Thai, and Ka Dai group
• The ethnic groups belonging to the H’Mong-Dao group, Tang Group, and San Diu, Ngai ethnic groups
• The ethnic groups belonging to the Mon-Khmer group
• The ethnic groups belonging to the Nam Dao
• The ethnic groups of Cham, Hoa, Khmer
• The exchange and mingle among different ethnic groups
Virtual outdoor tour. An open-air exhibition in the museum’s spacious and peaceful ground features ethnic houses from all over Vietnam. The outdoor exhibition area is only large enough for the most popular architectural styles to be presented. Already presented are the Ede long house, the Tay stilt house, the Yao house half on stilts and half on earth, the Hmong house whose roof is made of pomu wood, the Viet house with tile roof, etc. Between the houses, there are trees indigenous to the area of each house, zigzagging paths and a meandering stream crossed by small bridges. The outdoor museum is of much captivation to most tourists not only for the cultural values but also for a natural landscape. Some even said: “Walking around here makes me feel like I were in a beautiful park, very relaxing!”

One of the main features of the museum is to present the artefacts in a simple manner so that visitors can enjoy them without being overwhelmed by detail.
It opens from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM every day except Monday.
>>>Read more: Hanoi street food tour with expert local guide
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TOP TOURIST ATTRATIONS IN THE CENTRAL OF HANOI

1. Hanoi Old Quarter

            The Old Quarter has a rich religious heritage. When the craftsmen moved from outlying villages into the capital, they brought with them their religious practices. They transferred their temples, pagodas and communal houses to their new location. Each guild has one or two religious structures and honors its own patron saint or founder. Therefore, on each street in the Old Quarter there is at least one temple. Now, many of the old temples in the Old Quarter have been transformed into shops and living quarters, but some of the old buildings' religious roots can still be recognized by the architecture of their roofs.
The Old Quarter is located between the Lake of the Restored Sword, the Long Bien Bridge, a former city rampart, and a citadel wall, the Old Quarter (consisting of 36 old streets inside) started as a snake and alligator-infested swamp. It later evolved into a cluster of villages made up of houses on stilts, and was unified by Chinese administrators who built ramparts around their headquarters. The area was named "Dominated Annam" or "Protected South" by the Chinese.
 It would be a big surprise should you know that Hanoi's Old Quarter came into being at the time King Ly Thai To selected Thang Long as the country’s capital in 1010, he moved the capital from Hoa Lu which is in Ninh Binh province, far away from Hanoi about 100 km, that is, the streets have a nearly 1,000-year old history and became crowded & lively in 15th century. What makes them unique is that many of them remain in their very ancient architecture of the 15th century. Until now, it has been the oldest continuously developed area of Vietnam.
Visiting this unique historical vestige comfortably lying around Hoan Kiem Lake, tourists get lost in a totally different world from the rest of the city and have the chance to explore the modest but energetic life of the local a hundred years ago, where there were no high-rise buildings, too much traffic or fancy stores; things will get a little bit smaller, as visitors may have used to those skyscrapers and shopping centers in other parts of the city, but not at all less lively and vigorous.
The cuisine in Hanoi Old Quarter also attracts tourists by mouth watering dishes from Vietnam street food to western cuisine. Visiting the Old Quarter, tourists should try “Pho bo” (beef noodles soup), “bun cha” (grilled pork with rice noodles and fish sauce), “Xoi” (steamed sticky rice), “nem” (spring roll), “banh mi” (Vietnamese sandwich), etc.
2. Hoan Kiem lake (Returned Sword lake or Sword lake) and Ngoc Son temple
         Hoan Kiem lake was once part of the Red river. Located in the centre of Hanoi, near Hanoi Old Quarter, it is considered as a heart of Hanoi, a beautiful basket of flowers, a mirror-like green lake, a place of love.

Throughout thousands of years of geographical changes, the lake moved eastward to its present position kilometers from the river.
In legendary, during the war against the Minh aggressors, Le Thai To King was given a precious fairy Sword by the Golden Turtle God. After 10 years of continuous struggling, the King finally defeated the Chinese and reclaimed the nation’s independence. After that, on a nice day, while boating on Lục Thuy Lake, a large turtle came towards him. It immediately grabbed the sword with its mouth and submerged. The king mourned the loss of such a valuable sword, yet could not find either the turtle or the sword. He realized that the God must have lent him the sword to drive back the enemy, but then that his nation was free, the sword must be returned. Hence, King Le Thai To name the Sword Lake or Lake of the Restore Sword after this episode.  The Turtle Tower (Thap Rua) standing on a small island near the centre of lake is linked to the legend. The water in Hoa Kiem lake always be green and have many turtles, some turtles here are hundreds years old.

The lake surrounds Ngoc Son Temple, a temple sitting in the centre on a small island. Go across The Huc bridge (Welcoming morning sunlight bridge), you will reach Ngoc Son temple. The temple attracts many visitors and was built in commemoration of the 13th century military leader Tran Hung Dao who was renowned for his bravery in the battle against the Yuan Dynasty. Homage is also paid to scholar Van Xuong and Confucian master Nguyen Van Sieu. The island on which the temple is built is known as Jade Island and is accessible by the iconic Huc Bridge or Rising Sun Bridge which is a charming scarlet-painted wooden bridge of classical Vietnamese design. The pagoda is also guarded by two towering posts decorated with Chinese writing. The lake and temple are probably the most famous places in Hanoi city in which to rest and enjoy the view and are a great place to sit back and watch the locals.
3. Ho Chi Minh complex

        Ho Chi Minh complex is a must see destination when you visit Hanoi. Being one of special places among Vietnamese, to the west of the Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh complex is an important place of pilgrimage. Ho Chi Minh (or Uncle Ho), the very first president of Vietnam, the National Liberation Hero. He devoted his whole life to the national liberation of Vietnamese people. In order to honor and show the gratitude to Uncle Ho, the government decided to build the Ho Chi Minh complex in Hanoi after he was gone. The complex includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho’s House on stilt, One Pillar pagoda, Ho Chi Minh museum and Ba Dinh square.
Visiting Ho Chi Minh complex, visitors will know more about the life of Ho Chi Minh president and his dedication in Vietnam war. Especially you will have a chance to see his body which was served from he passed away and express your admiration for him.
4. Hoa Lo Prison

         The Hoa Lo Prison, later known to American prisoners of war as the "Hanoi Hilton", was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for prisoners of war during the Vietnam War.
Located in downtown Hanoi, the infamous Hoa Lo Prison or the Hanoi Hilton was built by the French administration in 1896 when Vietnam was still part of French Indochina. The French called the prison Maison Centrale - a traditional euphemism to denote prisons in France. Most exhibits relate to the prison’s use up to the mid-1950s, focusing on the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France. A gruesome relic is the ominous French guillotine, used to behead Vietnamese revolutionaries. There are also displays focusing on the American pilots who were incarcerated at Hoa Lo during the American War.
The majority of the exhibits here include a horrifying array of shackles, whips, and other instruments of torture, as well as tiny solitary confinement cells, which date from the French-colonial period. Also on display is part of the old, narrow more than 100 prisoners escaped in August 1945. A smaller section of the museum is devoted to the American period and, predictably enough, contrives to show how well US prisoners fared in contrast to the brutality shown to the Vietnamese by the French. At the back of the museum is the guillotine. A surprisingly small, simple yet terrifyingly.
5. Vietnam Museum Of  Ethnology

         This is the most recent yet probably the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting Museums in Hanoi and Vietnam.  Vietnam Museum Of  Ethnology focuses on the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam. It is located on a 3.27-acre (13,200 m2) property in the Cầu Giấy District, about 8 km from the city center. This fabulous collection relating to Vietnam's ethnic minorities features well-presented tribal art, artefacts and everyday objects gathered from across the nation, and examples of traditional village houses.
The museum is packed full of information detailing traditional Vietnamese ways of life, from religious events to the symbolic rituals of all the Vietnamese ethnic groups, providing a rich tapestry of the culture melting pot existing in Vietnam. The exhibition hall features everyday objects representing each group, a research centre, library and auditorium. The outdoor display area exhibits a variety of Vietnamese homes as full-scale replicas, with great attention paid to the varying architectural styles set within the authentic and tranquil gardens. In addition, there are also leisure pursuits on display including traditional water puppet theatre and calligraphy. The future aim of the museum is to also showcase the many cultural
practices and civilizations across southeast Asia.
One of the main features of the museum is to present the artefacts in a simple manner so that visitors can enjoy them without being overwhelmed by detail.
6. Vietnamese Women’s Museum

          Despite being a patriarchal society, Viet Nam still reserves a special, if not sacred, place to honour Vietnamese women. Not only is October 20th is made Vietnam’s Women day but there also exists a museum dedicated to women.
The museum has three main galleries and these present three main themes: Women in Family, Women in History and Women’s Fashion. Visitors have the opportunity to learn and understand traditional culture, marriage customs, childbirth and family life, traditional women’s clothing and the role of women in the defense of the nation.
Inside the museum there is lots of narrative as women of the rice paddy fields, service workers, street vendors, female business leaders, academics and mothers are all well represented. Additionally there is plenty of information on everyday life including marriage, family life, fashion and life changing rituals. Interestingly, there are also exhibits on the part women played in Vietnam’s wars. Displays are very well presented in a storytelling format with signs also in English and French. Historic documentation including Taoist books of the Dao people and wedding cards from the Kinh community will give visitors an in-depth insight into better understanding the women of Vietnam. Photographs and film footage documenting the life of heroic mothers during wartime are moving exhibits that shouldn’t be missed. The Vietnam Women’s Museum is definitely worth a few hour visit, especially for those keen on learning about culture and gender.
7. National Museum of Vietnamese History

         The National Museum of Vietnamese History is housed in a magnificent example of Indochinese architecture, which was, until 1910, the French consulate and residence of the governor general. Although the museum is only 2,000m2 in total, it provides a great overview of the history of Vietnam thanks to chronological sequence. The site has two floors, among which Vietnam’s history is divided into 10 different sections, from the prehistoric era to the day when President Ho Chi Minh read out the Declaration of Independence giving birth to Vietnam.
In here preserving more than 7,000 precious objects, some aged thousand years old which represent the cultural diversity of the country. Historic objects exhibited here are not only Vietnamese origin but also consists other culture like China, Japan, Thailand and especially Champ with more than 50 stone-engraved back to 7th-13th centuries.
8. Quoc Tu Giam (Hanoi Temple of Literature)

          Hanoi Temple of Literature is situated at the south of Thang Long citadel, is on top of the historical and beautiful sightseeings of the beautiful capital of Vietnam.   was constructed in 1070 under Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty, first to honor Confucius and nowadays to celebrate the doctorates and high rank scholars of Vietnam. In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong continued the work and built Quoc Tu Giam as the first university of Vietnam.
The size of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam is 54,331m2 including: Van Lake, Giam garden, inner self surrounded by brick walls. The inner self is divided into 5 zones. The first zone begins with the main entrance to the Great Chinese ports. The port gate has unique architecture of two storeys with stylized double dragon Le; inside it has a double dragon of the Nguyen dynasty. The second zone features with Khue Van Cac - a unique architecture built in 1085 (Nguyen dynasty), including 2 floors, 8 roots. Khue Van Cac usually organizes the poetic competition. Today, Khue Van Cac is taken as the symbol of Hanoi capital. The third zone has a square lake called Thien Quang Tinh. Two sides along the lake is two stele garden which store 82 stelae established from 1484 to 1780 in which name, hometown of the doctorate of 82 examination were sculpted. Step through the door into the Great to the Fourth named Bai Duong Van Mieu which has name of outstanding pupils of Confucius along with other famous culture of VietNam.  The fifth zone is the old Temple of Literature - the location for the talent selection competitions in the past.
If you are keen on architecture, Temple of literature has one of the most typical architecture style for centuries in Vietnam, composed of wood and tiles. Along the pass way is hundred-year-old trees that have witnessed ups and downs of history.
9. Ho Tay (West lake)

          Hanoi’s largest freshwater lake, West Lake has a circumference of 17km and houses many of the city’s historic places of interest around its perimeter – including Vietnam’s oldest pagoda and one of Vietnam’s four sacred temples. The lake attracts many locals and tourists seeking respite from the busy city, providing a sanctuary of great natural beauty with plenty of quiet spots in the sizeable lush gardens surrounding the lake.
Visiting West Lake, tourists should visit some old and beautiful pagodas here:
Tran Quoc Pagoda:  Located on a island in the south of Ho Tay (West lake), Tran Quoc pagoda is one of the best destinations of Thang Long citadel (the old name of Hanoi capital) under Le dynasty. In the past, it is the place Vietnamese Kings usually visit to relax and pray on lunar new year or on 1st and 15th of lunar month. Tran Quoc pagoda is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi and considered one of 16 the most beautiful pagodas in the world. Tran Quoc Pagoda is not only worth visiting as a sacred sanctuary of Buddhism attracting countless Buddhist believers; but also an indispensible destination for cultural explorers to Vietnam.
Quan Thanh temple: Located in Thanh Nien street, near West lake. Quan Thanh Temple was built during the reign of King Ly Thai To (1010-1028) and renovated many times, the temple is also called Tran Vu temple, since it is dedicated to Huyen Thien Tran Vu (Guardian of the North of the Country) whose symbols of power are the serpent and turtle. It is one of the Four Sacred Temples that were built in four directions to protect the capital from malevolent spirits. . During its long history, Quan Thanh Temple has been renovated several times, most recently in 1893 when the principal gate and the shrine were redone, so the architecture is a mixture of the many different styles of the imperial era. The main features of Quan Thanh Temple are a large yard shaded by a giant banyan tree and a shrine that contains the famous bronze statue of Tran Vu built in 1677.
Quan Thanh temple attracts visitors for its famous special and beautiful structure and religious cultural place.
Kim Liem Temple: Located in Quang An Village, near Ho Tay, Hanoi. According to history fact, the Ly Than Tong King had a daughter called Princess Tu Hoa. He commanded to build a place which was named his own daughter, Tu Hoa and let Tu Hoa and her imperial maids stay in this palace in order to give her a lesson of understanding and respecting their social positions. Kim Lien was designed with the combination of three pavilions, each of which has 2 roof layers. These pavilions were also built in the slight curved shapes. In addition of its nice disposition, the gate of Kim Lien Pagoda is also a symbol of the sophisticated and
Elegant architecture.
Among the temples and pagodas in Hanoi, Kim Lien Pagoda is considered one of the magnificent pagoda retaining intact the ancient architecture.
Tay Ho Temple: Located near West lake, in Quang An village, Tay Ho district, Hanoi. The temple worships Ms. Princess Lieu Hanh, one of the immortality quartet of Vietnam (Son Tinh, Thanh Giong, Chu Dong Tu, Lieu Hanh). Legend has it that she is Quynh Hoa - second daughter of the Jade Emperor, banished to earth for the crime of breaking glass jewel. Down to earth, she traveled, exploring all parts. Across the island of West Lake, she discovered this holy land. She decided to open up shop and lived here. She helped people to settle, eradicate evil, and punish bribery. Under the Nguyen dynasty, she was named ‘Mau Nghi Thien Ha” (Mother of the whole world), being one of the four gods "Immortals Quartet" of Vietnam.
Many people come here, not only to worship Thanh Mau in the hope that she will offer them good things and good luck, but also to admire the beautiful landscape of the capital city.
10. Long Bien bridge

         Long Bien bridge is seen as the symbol of courageous capital in wars. Though the bridge was designed by French, it was built directly by Vietnamese workers with indigenous construction materials like woods from Phu Tho, Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa province, cement from Hai Phong, Long Tho lime from Hue.
More than 100 years with decades of war, Long Bien Bridge was bombed many times by air attacks by American army in 1967, 1972; and many spans of the bridge were destroyed. The left spans still remaining today remind us of an unforgettable past. The bridge, hence, is not only a traffic construction, a nice architecture, but also a living historical relic.
Today, Long Bien is only one of the five bridges crossing the Red river of Hanoi. However, it may be the most special bridge with unique historic, architectural, and cultural value. It is the only bridge in Hanoi where all the riders have to go in the left hand side, where tourists can take a walk and taste mouthwatering desserts offered by vendors, where Hanoians can buy fresh vegetable or fish for the dinner from the small afternoon market on the bridge.
Many people living and visiting Hanoi said that Long Bien Bridge is the best place to look at the sunrise or the sunset and taking nice photos of alluvial patch.
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TOP TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS BEFORE VISITING HANOI, VIETNAM

          Ha Noi is a beautiful, peaceful capital and one of a paradise of street food in the world. There are many destinations which you should visit in Hanoi. Tourists are attracted by Hanoi beauty, friendly people and Hanoi cuisine. If it is the first time you visit here, you shouldn’t miss some highlight destinations such as Ho Chi Minh complex, Hoan Kiem lake, Hanoi Temple of Literature, Long Bien bridge, etc as well as try Hanoi street food in local small restaurant. About the time to travel in Hanoi, it depends on your destination. Hanoi is also a place to take buses to all of provinces in the north of Vietnam.
To explore Hanoi, you can travel by yourself or book a tour which is offered by tour companies or free tour clubs in Hanoi. I will give you some information and top tips to explore Hanoi in the best way!

1. Travel around Hanoi by yourself
        Travel around Hanoi is easy, you can go around by foot, bus, taxi, motortaxi, bicycle, etc. In Vietnam street, we walk on the right side and sometimes you have to walk on the street because the sidewalk is small and full of motorbikes so it doesn’t have any space to walk.
Some tourists feel scary when they across the street in Hanoi but don’t worry, you won’t have any accident here with it. Just move, vehicles will turn around you although they won’t stop when you across the street. Don’t be surprised when you see some motorbikes run into the red light!
You can spend your specious time to visit Hanoi Old Quarter (Hanoi 36 streets) : Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son temple, white horse temple, Vietnamese ancient house, Dong Xuan market, Quan Chuong gate, Long Bien bridge, etc. Especially you shouldn’t miss to try Vietnam cuisine in Hanoi Old Quarter such as “Pho”, “Bun cha”, “Banh mi”, “Banh cuon”, “egg coffee”, etc.
Beside Hanoi Old Quarter, you should visit some tourists attractions in Hanoi such as Ho Chi Minh complex, Hanoi Temple of  Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, Vietnamese woman museum, etc. Some old pagodas near West lake: Tran Quoc pagoda, Tay Ho temple, Quan Thanh pagoda.
You just download google map or use Hanoi map find your destination. In Hanoi, we just have free wifi near Hoan Kiem lake and some streets in Hanoi Old Quarter. If you have any problem, feel free to ask locals, they’re very friendly and help you will all their heart.
Some things for tourists to avoid:
- With some taxi brands, driver will take you to your destination by a further distance so they can charge you more money. Therefore you should check your google map to make sure driver is going with the right way or pick some good taxi companies such as mai linh taxi; thanh cong taxi; group taxi; etc. In Hanoi, uber and grab taxi are very popular so if you have Vietnamese sim card and have internet outside, you can book a car or motorbike in uber or grab taxi. They’re cheaper and you can see the price before you decide to book a taxi.
- Vietnamese money is complicated with a lot of zero: The smallest Vietnamese money now is 500 VND and the biggest one is 500.000 VND so when you pay for something, be careful to make sure you take a right money because there are some bad sellers know that you don’t know about Vietnamese money and take you a bigger money.
- Some street hawkers or street vendors who sell pineapple or banana on 2 baskets, they carry baskets by a bamboo stick and carry on their shoulder, if you see them try to give baskets and bamboo stick on your shoulder to advise you take some photos with it, don’t do it because then you will have to buy fruits for them with expensive prices, they won’t let you go until you buy one for them.
- When you buy something in Vietnam, you should bargain especially if you buy it from street vendors.
- Keep your valuable things carefully such as wallet, mobile phone, camera, etc. Wearing bag and always have to keep your eyes on it because when you walk in crowded street, pickpockets will crack your bag and take your valuable things. Or don’t go too late at night in empty street to avoid meeting bad person, robber or someone drive motorbike and take your bag suddenly.
- You should respect Vietnamese political rules.
Before you visit Vietnam, you should read some travel blog or travel website to know good attractions or restaurants and try to learn some basic Vietnamese words .
2. Travel around Hanoi with a tour company

         It is much more easier for you to explore Hanoi. With a day tour in Hanoi, they will guide you to some famous historical places in Hanoi, introduce you about Vietnamese history and culture. It depends on your budget, you will go with a big group, small group or a private tour. It will be a fix itinerary and move around  by bus, van or motorbike. In Hanoi Old Quarter, there are cyclo tour or electric car tour to guide you go around Hanoi old quarter but they don’t have tour guide.
Book a tour with a big group, you won’t have chance to talk with tour guide or locals. Just see, listen and remember.
There are some good tour company which offer Hanoi city tour such as APT travel, Vietnam Eco Travel, Wati travel, etc.
3. Travel around Hanoi with a Hanoi free tour club

          Nowadays, more and more Hanoi free tour clubs are established. They are non –profit organizations and members of them are students from universities of Hanoi who can speak English fluently and have a passion to be a tour guide.
Tourists coming to Vietnam will have the chance to talk, make friends with locals so you could have a deep understanding of our country. it is also useful for you who first visit Vietnam to travel around Hanoi without worrying about getting overcharged, lost. Locals from universities in Hanoi need to be more fluent in English, have multi-national thinking. So they start to learn more about our history, culture… to gain more knowledge to explain many tough questions from tourists. So it will bring tourists and locals together.
Especially they love sharing all things about Vietnam through young’s eyes so it will be great when you can talk with Vietnamese young people and know more about vietnam as well as their life.
They will offer you a private tour and guide you to your favorite places so their itinerary will be flexible. Although they’re unprofessional tour guide, they’re very friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiasm. You will have more time to talk with them and have a good Hanoi trip. They do the tour for free but you will pay for the entrance ticket, food or transfer and if you enjoy your tour, you can tip for them a little to donate for their free tour club in the end of tour.
Some good Hanoi free tour club: Hanoi kids, Hanoi free local tours, Hanoi free walking tour, etc.
            I hope that some my tips can help you a little bit to have a wonderful trip in Hanoi and get unforgettable experiences here!
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TOP PAGODAS AND TEMPLES YOU SHOULD VISIT IN HANOI OLD QUARTER

        Packed with charming colonial architecture, Buddhist temples and pagodas, the Old Quarter, located near Hoan Kiem Lake in Hoan Kiem District, is Hanoi’s major commercial district. Its heart and soul is exposed in the ancient commercial streets which are named after their original businesses dating back about 1,000 years. Hanoi old quarter is not only a busy town but also a place has a lot of old temples and pagodas. Hanoi old quarter is a small town with plenty of constructions so temples and pagodas here are not really large but besides the busy of the town, inside each temple and pagoda are very quiet, Buddhists will feel comfortable and peaceful to come here for praying. Vietnam Eco Travel will introduces for you top pagodas and temples in Hanoi Old Quarter which you should visit below:
1. Ba Da pagoda

           Located in No.3 Nha Tho street, near ST.Joseph’s Cathedral, Ba Da pagoda is about 1000 years old. In legendary, Ba Da pagoda had another name’s Linh Quang pagoda or Sung Khanh pagoda, was built in 1056. Now Ba Da pagoda is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi old quarter and near Hoan Kiem lake. It is the headquarters of Municipal Buddhist Association.
In the 20th century, Ho Ch Minh president is said to have visited the pagoda successfully engaging the monks in his independence struggles against the French. Ba Da pagoda remains one of Hanoi’s most important Buddhist sights. It’s beautifully decorated and most times, serene – a great place to spend time during a walk in Hanoi
Going through the entrance arch and along a narrow passage you come to a courtyard. An elderly monk, the keeper of the pagoda, presides at a stall selling Buddhist books. He took us into the pagoda, after lighting incense sticks and praying at the stone incense burner. In the courtyard are stupas, with the names of past monks and religious symbols written in Hanoi script and formed with ceramic pieces.
The pagoda consists of one large chamber, dominated by the six statues of Buddha, the hindmost and most sizable of which reaches to the ceiling. Though many of the ancient decorations were lost in the fire, the two bronze bells, cast in 1873 and 1881, and a crescent gong from 1842 survived. The first bronze bell can be seen at the entrance of the pagoda on the right-hand side, while on the left-hand side is a modern bell.
Written on the brass panel outside of the pagoda is a short poem. This uses the name Linh Quang for the pagoda and the old name for Hanoi:

                                   Linh Quang pagoda is in the heart of Thang Long.
                                   The way of truth is both visible and invisible,
                                   The magic of the stone was sent from heaven to earth,
                                   This majestic place stands near the beautiful Sword Lake.
2. Ly Quoc Su pagoda

          Ly Quoc Su temple is far away from Ba Da pagoda about 100m, located in 50 Ly Quoc Su street. It was built in 1131 under Ly Than Tong King dynasty. Its name’s Ly Quoc Su pagoda to worships a Buddhist Monk of the Ly Dynasty, his really name is Nguyen Chi Thanh.
In 1077, at the age of 11, Nguyen Chi Thanh began practicing for the Buddhist monkhood and was taught by Tu Dao Hanh, a well-known monk. As the legend says, Monk Tu Dao Hanh was erudite in Buddhism and excellent in healing. He admired and respected Nguyen Chi Thanh's talent and virtue. In 1138, in his seventies, Monk Nguyen Chi Thanh cured King Ly Than Tong of a disease that many famous doctors had failed to do. For his respectful virtue and talent, he was given the title Ly Quoc Su by the King, which meant Great Monk and Merit Teacher of the nation. That is why when he died at the age of 75 at Giao Thuy Pagoda in Nam Dinh in 1141, King Ly Anh Tong (holding power from 1138 to 1175) had a temple erected right on the ground of the residential quarter where Ly Quoc Su had lived.
Nowadays, Ly Quoc Su Pagoda is a popular worshipping place for the local on the first and fifteenth day of every month in Lunar Calendar.
3. Bach Ma temple

          In the heart of the Old Quarter, the small Bach Ma Temple is said to be the oldest temple in the city, though much of the current structure dates from the 18th century and a shrine to Confucius was added in 1839. It was originally built by Emperor Ly Thai To in the 11th century to honour a white horse that guided him to this site, where he chose to construct his city walls.
One day, when the king was praying, a white horse suddenly appeared in his dream and pointed to an area with its hoof prints. King Ly Thai To understood that the white horse was indicating a good site for the construction of the citadel, so he immediately chose such area to build his wall. Surprisingly, the wall no longer collapsed afterwards and the citadel was thus successfully constructed. Therefore, Bach Ma Temple, which is located around the center of Ha Noi Old Quarter, was built to honor the white horse that gave him such important guidance
Pass through the wonderful old wooden doors of the pagoda to see a statue of the legendary white horse, as well as beautiful red-lacquered funeral palankeen.
4. Ngoc Son temple (Temple of the Jade mountain)
       

          Located at the northern end of Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son ("Jade Mountain") Temple is one of the most famous temples in Hanoi. Tourists in Vietnam Tourism who travel to Hoan Kiem Lake should not ignore this special temple.
when Ngoc Son Temple was built on an island in the 19th century. The temple was constructed during the 19th century as a memorial towards famous Vietnamese and Chinese legends who contributed to the country’s welfare. The commemorated heroes at the temple include the military general Tran Hung Dao, the scholar Saint Van Xuong and the Confucian artist Nguyen Van Sieu. To access this famous tourist attraction in Hanoi, visitors will have to pass through the colourful Huc Bridge. The Ngoc Son Temple surroundings are extremely peaceful and are ideal to relax in and enjoy natural beauty.
Within the temple, visitors will see a sculpture of a tortoise that is believed by many to be the legendary tortoise that used to dwell in the Hoan Kiem Lake. Folklore speaks of how Emperor Le Thai To was cruising along the lake, when a large tortoise appeared out of the waters and captured his sword which he had used in battle to secure a victory against Chinese opposition. It is said that the lake acquired its current name as a result of this legendary event.
5. Huyen Thien pagoda

           Located in 54 Hang Khoai street, near Dong Xuan market. It was buit in Ly dynasty. Although Huyen Thien pagoda is opposite Dong Xuan market which is busy and noisy all day time, come inside the pagoda, it’s very quiet and sacred for Buddhists to pray and visit.
This pagoda design had been restored and repaired many times, and it was fixed again in the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945). Its main hall is solemnly arranged. It has preserved many artistic wooden statue such as the statues of Bồ Tát Quan Âm, Thế Chí, Văn Thù, Phổ Hiền, Hộ Pháp (each standing 3m high). Huyen Thien Pagoda  also has the statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu. Pagodas are places of ancient Thang Long citadel.
Religious visitor often come to Huyen Thien Pagoda at the Lunar New Year, on the first and fifteenth day of the Lunar month, and to workship and pray for health , luck and happiness.
6. Dong Huong Temple

         Located in 82 Hang Trong street. Dong Huong Temple was built to worship a Ca Tru singer (Ca Tru is Vietnam’s unique form of singing poetry, recognized as a UNESCO heritage in 2009) who helped fighting invaders in the 15th century. According to the story, under the Le dynasty, Ming aggressors brought a lot of soldiers to occupy the country. Then a beautiful singer lured many of the invaders with her voice and tricked them into sleeping in sleeping bags. Then she and others threw those bags carrying those invaders into the river to kill them. After the country regained its peace and independence, her patriotism and bravery were recognized by the king and the temple was built to honor her as a result. Dong Huong Temple modestly lies inside Ha Noi Old Quarter, representing the local’s pride in their vigorous patriotic tradition.
7. Cau Dong temple

           Located in Hang Duong street, Cau Dong temple  is the only place in the city paying homage to Grand Chancellor Tran Thu Do, founder of the Tran Dynasty (1225 to 1400). Compared with other ancient pagodas in Hanoi, Cau Dong Pagoda is known for preserving nearly 60 valuable ancient statues of Buddha. The most important antiques of the Pagoda are the statues of present, past and future, all of which were carved in the first half of the 18th century. These are rare, precious and beautiful statues with high artistic value, which are shown with ornamental items, such as the necklaces and female facial features with all standards of statues in the 17th – 18th centuries in Vietnam. In the great shrine dedicated to the kings of hell there is a Tuyet Son statue with beautiful carvings which is also a rare and precious statue.
Moved and inspired by the merits and activities of Grand Chancellor Tran Thu Do and his wife, Tran Thi Dung, the local people around Cua Dong Pagoda erected their statues and worship them, creating a unique feature of this ancient pagoda in the heart of Thang Long – Hanoi.
8. Nam Huong temple

The pagoda is located upstairs, with the ground floor on Hang Trong street rented out. The next house is the home of an elderly lady who is the keeper of the temple, refreshing the flowers and offerings and cleaning the temple. Nam Huong is also the dinh (community center) of the ‘village’ of Hang Trong.
In the dinh are accoutrements typical of many pagodas. There are wooden gourds and brass pots in front of the altars with wooden sticks for beating time when meditating – 5, 10 or 15 times on the wooden pot but only once on the brass one. There are several low lecterns for placing books, and wooden beads for counting to help concentration while meditating.
Inside the temple, visitors can have a look at many works of art dating from the 18th century.
9. Phu Ung temple

Phu Ung temple is located in 25 Ly Quoc Su street. It was built in 18th century by immigrants who were from Phu Ung village, Hung Yen province and moved to Hanoi. Phu Ung temple was built to worship Pham Ngu Lao, the national hero , he was born in Phu Yen village. Visitors experience a peaceful, sacred atmosphere inside the temple and have the opportunities to admire beautiful Buddhist statues inside the temple.
10. Hoe Nhai pagoda

         Located in 19 Hang Than street. Hoe Nhai Pagoda, also called Hong Phuc Tu (Pagoda of Immense Beatitude), was one of the large ancient pagodas in the ancient Thang Long Citadel. The pagoda was built under the Ly Dynasty (1010-1225) on a large area. The pagoda consists of two worshiping houses, each having five compartments, a sanctum with three compartments and an ancestor-worshipping chamber with seven compartments.
 The pagoda has now retained a bronze plaque, 1m high and 1.5m wide cast in the Year of the Tiger dated to the 3rd Long Duc Year (1631) under the reign of King Le Than Tong (1619-1643), a bronze drum cast in the Dynasty of King Tu Duc (1848-1883) and a series of statues made from precious woods and fumigated bronze.
With its artistic, ancient and religious value, Hoe Nhai Pagoda attracts a large number of visitors.
Each statue has its own artistic value, lively depicting the portraits of new-born Sakyamuni, Amitabha Buddha and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, particularly Senior Monk Thich Duc Nhuan who glorified the Vietnamese Buddhism in the 20th century. However, the most salient characteristic of the pagoda is the statue of Buddha sitting on the back of a prostrating king.
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THINGS TO DO IN HANOI OLD QUARTER IN ONE DAY

        As the oldest continuously developed area of Vietnam, Hanoi's Old Quarter has a history that spans 2,000 years and represents the eternal soul of the city. Located between the Lake of the Restored Sword, the Long Bien Bridge, a former city rampart, and a citadel wall, the Old Quarter started as a snake and alligator-infested swamp. Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a destination that you shouldn’t miss when you visit Hanoi. Being here, you will have chance to know more about Hanoians’s typical lifestyle, culture, Hanoians. Moreover you also can try Hanoi cuisine with mouth – watering dishes. In this article, Vietnam Eco Travel will guide you how to travel around the old quarter in one day and explore tourist attractions in this old quarter.

Hanoi has 36 streets and guilds – Silver Street, Jam Street, Peach Street, etc. each bears the name of the goods that was specifically traded there such as Hang Bac (Silver Product), Hang Ma (Paper Product), Hang Go (Wood Product), just to name a few. Inside a modern and dynamic city, there appears an antique quarter, the Hanoi Old Quarter – the represented eternal soul of the city. These days, most Vietnamese and Westerners are familiar with the phrase “Ha Noi - Ba mươi sáu phố phường” (translated as “Hanoi – 36 Old Streets”), or “Phố cổ Hà Nội” (translated as “Hanoi’s Old Quarter”), the top special historical vestige and sight-seeing of the capital, luring international visitors thanks to their mostly original state. As a result, many of the streets were named after the crafts sold at that individual street. Pho Hang Bun (Rice noodles product), Pho Hang Ma (Paper Product), Pho Hang Bac (Silver), etc. are examples of the streets carrying the name of the products sold there. The old quarter is a highlight destination in Hanoi. So how to travel around the old quarter in one day, what should you eat and where to go?.
How to get to hanoi old quarter
You can walk from your hotel or go by bus to go to there.
 If you go there by foot, you can take a look in this map:

If you go there by bus, we will recommend for you some buses from other bus stop and they’ll get you to a street in the old quarter:
- Take the bus: 09, 14, 36 to go to Hoan Kiem lake and then start to visit Hanoi old quarter from here
- Take the bus: 03, 11, 14, 22, 18, 34, 40 and stop in the bus stop in 81 Tran Nhat Duat. Starting to visit the old quarter from Quan Chuong gate.
- Take the bus 31 and stop in the bus stop in 22C Comb street (Hang luoc).
Hotel and hostel in the old quarter: There is many hotels and hostels in the old quarter from cheap hotel to luxury hotel. It depends on your requirement and your choice to choose a suitable hostel or hotel here. You should book online a hotel before visiting here in some trustful booking websites such as agoda.com or booking.com, etc to see the price or the quality of rooms in each hotel or hostel.
We will recommend for you some hostels and hotels in Hanoi old quarter:

- Highlight hostels in the old quarter:
• Hanoi Rock Hostel in 54-56, Hang Duong street (Sugar street), Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. The price from 3,45 USD.
• Hanoi Youth Hostel in 05 Luong Ngoc Quyen street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. The price from 3,52 USD.
• Hanoi Blue Sky 2 hostel in 34 Hang Ga street (Chicken street), Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. The price from 4,54 USD.
- Highlight cheap hotels in the old quarter:
• Camellia 5 Hotel in 81 Thuoc Bac street (Chinese medicine street), Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. The price from 10,6 USD.
• Hotel du Centre ville in 47 Luong Ngoc Quyen street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. The price from 11,56 USD.
• Hanoi Hoa Duong hotel: 01 Hang Mam street (Fish sauce street), Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. The price from 12,76 USD.
- Highlight luxury hotels in the old quarter:
• Apricot Hotel in 136 Hang Trong street (Drum street), Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. The price from 113,45 USD.
• Hanoi Romance Hotel in 19 Trung Yen, Dinh Liet street, Hoan Kiem district Hanoi. The price from 87,38 USD.
• Centre Point Hanoi in 25 Hang Manh street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. The price from 86,69 USD.

Tourist attractions in Hanoi old quarter

- Ngoc Son Temple: Located in a small island in Hoan Kiem lake (Returned Sword Lake). To reach Ngoc Son temple, you have to go across a red bridge, its name’s The Huc bridge. Visiting Ngoc Son temple, you will know about Hoan Kiem Lake’s legend and see Hoan Kiem lake and Turtle Towel. They’re destinations which you shouldn’t miss when you travel to Hanoi old quarter.
- Hoan Kiem Lake (Returned Sword Lake): Located in the center of Hanoi capital. In the middle of Hoan Kiem lake, there is Turtle Tower which stands on a small island and be a sacred symbol of Hanoi. Nearby Hoan Kiem lake, there is Pen Tower, Ink Slab, The Huc bridge, etc.
- Dong Xuan market: Dong Xuan Market, or Cho Dong Xuan, is the oldest and largest market in Hanoi. It is located at Dong Xuan Street, at the end of Hang Dao Street, on the northern part of the Old Quarters. This large multi- storied market sells anything and everything. From fresh foods to home appliances, you will have it all here. But, what is more fascinating about this market is its historical significance which you still can experience if you visit this place. It witnessed fierce battle between the Vietnamese resistance units and the French. Dong Xuan Market is also a historical place where there was a combat of soldiers of “Quyết tử quân” (“Deciding to die”) against the French attack to the heroic zone I, in February 1947. Being the biggest market and locating in the downtown, Dong Xuan Market is a crowded and bustling exchanging, tracsaction, business place of the capital.
- Vietnamese Traditional house in Ma May street: Located within Hanoi Old Quarter, the ancient house at 87 Ma May street which was built at the late of the 20th century, is quite intact with typical architecture of ancient houses. The house consists of two main blocks linked together by a square yard in the middle on the ground floor, and a small balcony on the 1st floor. The yard is included at the centre of the building to moderate the air, provide the house with sunlight and cool winds. The balcony above is an ideal place to put small plants, flower pots for the owner’s interest and relaxation. All of the walls in this house were painted with typical yellow color like other ancient Hanoi houses, and all furniture, decoration items are reserved in good condition. Though being restored in 1999, this house still remains real and ancient beauty of itself. The price is 10.000 VND per person.
- Another historical sites such as Quan Chuong gate, Bach Ma temple, etc.
Hanoi cuisine in the old quarter

Besides tourist attractions, Hanoi old quarter is considered as the heaven of Hanoi cuisine. Tourists shouldn’t miss delicious feature dishes and addresses for food here.
• Dong Xuan alley cuisine: Enjoy famous and good dishes here such as musk duck noodles soup, snail noodles soup, crab noodles soup, Ma Thay “Che” (Vietnamese dessert), etc.
• Beef noodles soup: Pho Bat Dan in 49 Bat Dan street, Pho Suong in Trung Yen, Dinh Liet street, Pho Ly Quoc Su in Ly Quoc Su street,etc
• Grilled pork with rice noodles in Hang Buom street, Dac Kim restaurant in No.1 Hang Manh street, Hang Quat street
• Lemon Tea in Cho Gao street, Nha Tho street near St.Joseph’s Cathedral,   “Che” (Vietnamese dessert) in Dong Thai street
• Egg coffee:  Giang coffee (39 Nguyen Huu Huan street), Ca phe pho co (old quarter coffee) in 11 Hang Gia street
• Beer in Luong Ngoc Quyen street, Ta Hien street
• Salted dry apricot and sugared dry apricot in Hong Lam shop, no.1 Hang Duong street
• Bolted snails in Dinh Liet street
• Stir fried noodles and crab noodles soup in Nguyen Sieu street
• Banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich): Banh mi 25 in 25 Cha Ca street, Banh mi Pi in 12 Hang Buom street, banh mi pho co in Dinh Liet street, etc
How to travel around Hanoi old quarter?
You can walk or take a cyclo or an electric car to travel around here.
Recommendation to visit Hanoi old quarter in one day by foot or a vehicle. 
Morning:
• Walk to Dong Xuan area to have breakfast
• Visit Dong Xuan market and Quan Chuong gate
• Visit Bach Ma temple and have grilled pork and rice noodles in Hang Buom street
Afternoon:
• Visit Vietnamese traditional house in 87 Ma May street
• Visit Kim Ngan dinh in 42-44 Hang Bac street
• Enjoy local food such as fried tofu with rice noodles and shrimp sauce in Phat Loc street.
• Take a rest in Giang Coffee to try egg coffee
• Late afternoon
• Visit Ngoc Son temple and Hoan Kiem lake
• Watch Water Puppet Show in  Thang Long water puppet theatre in 57B Dinh Tien Hoan street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
• Buying some souvenirs, eat boil snail in Dinh Liet street or drink beer in Luong Ngoc Quyen street or Ta Hien street
Evening
• Try stir fried noodles in Nguyen Sieu street
• Drink lemon tea in Cho Gao street or Nha Tho street near St.Joseph’s Cathedral.
We hope these advices can help you to make a good itinerary when you travel to Hanoi old quarter. Have a nice trip!
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