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Here is an independent self-guided Hanoi city tour for 2026. We loved seeing and experiencing these attractions in Hanoi so we’re super excited to share this guide with you. Leave this page open as you tour around Hanoi. We have included a map with the route to help you follow this tour.
We absolutely loved exploring Hanoi and seeing these epic temples, pagodas and attractions. Best of all, this entire Hanoi city tour is pretty much FREE. If you take a taxi it will cost a little. You will also need to pay to go on Jade island and see the iconic water puppet show. But this should be a very cheap day overall. Oh yeah, and our Hanoi city tour finishes with an absolute highlight – pay a visit to Chewy Junior – a delicious cream puff dessert shop. More on that later.
ALSO, don’t miss our super useful guides to the best hotels in Hanoi: Whether you’re looking for a boutique hotel in the Old town, a family friendly hotel in Hanoi of a luxury 5 star hotel in Hanoi – there’s something for everyone. ALSO make sure you’re prepared for your trip with our genius Vietnam travel tips
Hanoi city tour in brief
The route is around 5km. If you walk this route expect it to take around 3 – 4 hours including stops and photos. It is possible to use taxis for some of the longer sections. Use the Gojek taxi app to get a good price for taxis in Vietnam. Alternatively consider renting a motorbike or bicycle to do this Hanoi city tour.
1 Tran Quoc Pagoda
2 Quan Thanh temple
3 Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
4 One Pillar Pagoda
5 Ho Chi Minh Museum
6 Train Street Hanoi
7 Jade island
8 Water puppet show
9 Chewy Junior
10 The Hanoi old town
Route map of the Hanoi City Tour
1 Tran Quoc Pagoda
The Tran Quoc Pagoda (Chùa Trấn Quốc) is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi and is a beautiful starting point for our Hanoi city tour. This beautiful Pagoda is located on a small island called Kim Ngư (or “Golden Fish island”) in Hồ Tây lake. You may want to get a taxi to this starting point.
The Tran Quoc Pagoda is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hanoi and has been a symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism since its construction in the 6th century. This is a significant temple for locals who can be seen bringing offerings and lighting incense. We found this temple quite busy but the crowds don’t detract from the ambiance of this beautiful place.
Tran Quoc Pagoda is known for its unique architecture, which combines traditional Vietnamese and Chinese themes. The main pagoda is a tall multi-level structure creating an impressive centre point. The temple has many ancient artifacts, including statues of Buddha, bells and artwork. You can explore the beautiful buildings and courtyards and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere amid the lush gardens surrounding it.Tran Quoc Pagoda is FREE to explore – although we do recommend that you dress conservatively. Knees and shoulders should be covered.
2 Quan Thanh temple
After visiting the Tran Quoc Pagoda walk south towards the centre of Hanoi. This section of the Hanoi city tour affords excellent views of the lake. After around 500m you will reach the end of the lake. On your left you will see the gate of the iconic Quan Thanh Temple.
The Quan Thanh Temple is a unique and beautiful Taoist temple. It is one of the sacred temples in the city and was built during the 11th century. The temple is dedicated to Tran Vo a Taoist deity. The temple is known for its unique architecture and artwork, with intricate carvings and sculptures. Quan Thanh Temple provides an insight into Vietnam’s culture and history and is an important part of Hanoi’s cultural heritage.
3 Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Now walk south along Hung Vuong street towards the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (just under 1km). When we visited there was a security checkpoint. Security guards check people’s bags.
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is an important landmark in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is a memorial to the late revolutionary leader of the country, President Ho Chi Minh. The mausoleum was built in 1975. It houses the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh and is visited by thousands of people every year who come to pay their respects to the man who played an instrumental role in Vietnamese independence.
The mausoleum also serves as a reminder of Vietnam’s history and its struggle for freedom from foreign rule. Visitors can learn about important events in Vietnam’s past, such as the French Indochina War and American War, while visiting the mausoleum.
4 One Pillar Pagoda
A short walk from the Ho Chi Minh Mausolem you can visit the One Pillar Pagoda. This was one of our favourite landmarks on this walking tour of Hanoi. The Pagoda has a lovely atmosphere. There are several small shops selling snacks and refreshing drinks.
The One Pillar Pagoda (also known as Dien Huu Pagoda) is a very unique temple. It is considered one of the most iconic landmarks in the city and is a popular tourist attraction. The pagoda was built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong in 1049 AD. Its unique design consists of a single stone pillar supporting a curved roof which symbolizes the lotus flower, a symbol of purity and enlightenment. The One Pillar Pagoda is an important part of Vietnamese culture and history.
5 Ho Chi Minh Museum
Next to the one pillar pagoda you can also visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum. This museum is dedicated to the life and legacy of Ho Chi Minh, the leader of Vietnam who led the country during its independence struggle against French colonial rule. The museum, located in Hanoi, Vietnam, contains artifacts and documents related to his life as well as displays about his role in the country’s history.
Visitors can learn about Ho Chi Minh’s early life, his political activism and leadership during the war for independence from France, and his subsequent role in governing Vietnam after it gained its freedom. The museum also features interactive exhibits which provide insight into Ho Chi Minh’s beliefs and philosophy. If you have time you may also wish to see the Temple of Literature nearby.
6 Train Street Hanoi (you may want to take a taxi here)
Now walk around 1.2km to visit the iconic Hanoi train street. This was another highlight for us.
Train Street Hanoi is a narrow street lined with coffee shops, cafes, and shops. It is located along the train tracks of Hanoi’s old railway line and has become a popular spot for locals and tourists. We love the atmosphere of this place. You can relax in small quaint cafes right next to the train tracks. This is not a busy train line so you don’t need to worry about dodging trains here.
The street has been around since the early 1900s and is known for its unique atmosphere. Train Street provides an interesting glimpse into Hanoi’s past and present. Oh yeah – we highly recommend getting a coconut coffee here – heaped with ice coconut they are a super tasty treat.
7 Ngoc Son Temple (you may want to take a taxi here)
Now walk towards the Hoan Kiem Lake which is around 1.2km east of the railway street. This lovely lake is right next to the Hanoi old town – the perfect place to enjoy awesome cheap street food and enjoy the Hanoi buzz.
At Hoan Kiem Lake make sure you check out the unique Ngoc Son Temple. This is an ancient temple located on a small island. The temple is also known as ‘Jade Mountain Temple’. This beautiful temple is dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao, who fought against the Mongol invaders. You can access the temple by taking a bridge from the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake. Inside the temple, you can find many interesting artifacts such as statues and murals depicting scenes from Vietnamese history and culture. There is a small entrance fee to cross the bridge to Ngoc Son Temple of 30,000 dong. This area has a lovely ambiance in the evening.
8 Water puppet show
This is one of the most strange and fascinating experiences in Hanoi. The water puppet theater is located just next to the Hoan Kiem Lake. Shows are held daily in the afternoon and evening.
Water puppet show Hanoi is a traditional performance art originating in Vietnam. It is performed at the Thang Long Theatre in Hanoi and has been entertaining audiences for centuries. The show features puppets made of wood, painted and decorated with intricate details, performing stories to traditional music. The puppets are controlled by hidden strings that are submerged in a pool of water. This allows the puppets to move gracefully across the stage and create an immersive experience for the audience. Water puppet show Hanoi is a unique form of entertainment that is sure to captivate audiences of all ages.
Shows start at 5.20pm and 6.30pm, with an additional 8pm show on fridays and saturdays. Shows take around 1 hour. There is also an early show on Sundays at 4.10pm. Tickets can be purchased from the office at the theater. Prices range between 100,000 – 200,000 dong depending on your choice of seat.
9 Chewy Junior
This Hanoi City tour finishes with a high. Why not check out chewy junior? This is a small dessert bakery that serves delicious cream puffs (various flavor creams encased in fresh choux pastry and coated in tempting toppings).
10 Explore the Hanoi old town
We also recommend that you walk up into the Old Town. The Hanoi old town is genuinely one of our favorite parts of the city. This area has a real buzz and there is plenty to see and do and taste! The Old Town is packed with beautiful old buildings, narrow streets, boutique coffee shops and plenty of amazing Hanoi street food.
Whether you’re looking for a fresh Bahn Mi or a filling Pho Soup – old town has it all. We love the style of the street side cafes with small stools at the side of the road and locals laughing and sharing food together. ALSO watch out for cultural performances and live music in the Hanoi old town.
What are the best places to stay in Hanoi?
Don’t forget to book an amazing place to stay in Hanoi…
Golden Time Hostel
This is one of the cheapest hostels located in Hanoi Old Quater. The Golden time hostel offers affordable, comfortable and secure accommodation. The rooms at The Golden Time Hostel are private with ensuite bathrooms. It is worth being aware that the rooms are pretty small but comfortable. Also, in order to get to the rooms you need to walk up a steep set of stairs. If you struggle with stairs we do not recommend this budget hostel.
Kingdom Hotel Hanoi
Kingdom hotel Hanoi offers excellent value for money. We are very impressed with this stylish and excellently located hotel. Rooms are well decorated and offer comfortable and secure accommodation.They also have a family room with two double beds. If your family is willing to bed share, you could sleep up to 4 people in this room.
Hanoi Saga Hotel
The Hanoi Saga hotel is a beautiful and stylish mid-range hotel located in the Hanoi Old Town. We are particularly impressed with the triple room at this hotel. They have a large double bed and a sofa bed. At a squeeze this triple room could sleep up to 4 people. There is also a private ensuite bathroom including a bathtub. Luxury!
Hotel Emerald Waters Classy
As the name says – this hotel is pretty classy. Hotel Emerald Waters is a beautiful 4 star hotel excellently located in the Hanoi old quarter. We love the elegant interior design and use of subtle art in this hotel. Rooms are stylish, spacious and very comfortable. They also offer a connecting Family Suite that can sleep up to 4 people. Keep an eye out for amazing deals and discounts at this awesome Hotel.
Royal Holiday Hanoi Hotel
The Royal Holiday Hanoi hotel is a decadent and regal hotel with grand and comfortable furniture. It is beautifully situated next to the Hoan Kiem Lake – some rooms offering a lake view. If you’re looking for a hotel with an aristocratic colonial vibe – then this is the choice for you.
The Oriental Jade Hotel
The Oriental Jade hotel in Hanoi is a luxurious 5-star hotel with a rooftop swimming pool. Having a swimming pool is a very unique feature in the Hanoi Old quarter, making this property a unique and desirable option. Rooms and suites at the Oriental Jade hotel are spacious, luxurious and well furnished. You can choose your view and select rooms with large outdoor terraces. This is genuinely one of the most impressive hotels in Hanoi.
Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique hotel
If you’re looking for exquisite luxury in Hanoi and check out the Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique hotel. This hotel has a fusion of regal, eclectic and classic design. There is also a rooftop swimming pool here, again this is a very unique feature for Hanoi. This is one of the most luxurious and decadent hotels around. We are amazed how far your money can go in Vietnam.
Looking for more inspiration?
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