Hoan Kiem District: A guide to discovering the historic heart of Hanoi

From the ancient Hoan Kiem Lake to the vibrant Ta Hien beer street, discover unmissable cultural, culinary and historical experiences in the heart of the capital.

Discover the heart of the capital

Located in the center of Hanoi , Hoan Kiem district is where the historical and cultural values ​​and vibrant life of the thousand-year-old city converge. With an area of ​​only 5.29 km², this is the smallest district but owns many iconic landmarks, attracting domestic and foreign tourists to visit and experience.

Hoan Kiem Lake is the symbol of Hanoi, a destination not to be missed.

Unique historical and cultural experiences

A journey to explore Hoan Kiem district is a trip back in time, where every street corner and every building tells its own story.

Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake, or Sword Lake, is the emerald gem of Hanoi. Visitors can stroll around the lake to enjoy the fresh air, admire the ancient Turtle Tower and the red The Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple. On weekend evenings, this area turns into a bustling pedestrian street with many attractive cultural activities and street art.

Lost in the maze of Hanoi Old Quarter

Known as “Hanoi 36 streets”, the Old Quarter is a maze of small alleys, ancient houses and bustling shops. Each street is associated with a traditional craft such as Hang Bac, Hang Ma, Hang Thiec, creating a unique cultural space.

Hanoi Cathedral is a typical French architectural work in the capital.

Admire ancient French architecture

The imprint of French architecture is still strongly retained through symbolic works. Hanoi Cathedral stands out with its medieval Gothic style, while Hanoi Opera House has a splendid beauty, built according to the model of Opéra Garnier in Paris. These are all check-in and sightseeing locations that cannot be missed.

Hanoi Opera House, an architectural masterpiece and center of classical arts.

Serene at Hoa Lo Prison relic

Built by the French colonialists in 1896, Hoa Lo Prison was once a place to detain many Vietnamese revolutionaries. Today, this relic is open to visitors to learn about a difficult but heroic period of history through artifacts and stories that are faithfully recreated.

Hoa Lo Prison is an important historical witness of Hanoi.

Art and creative meeting place

Hoan Kiem District is also a space for contemporary art and peaceful corners for book-loving and creative souls.

Check-in at Phung Hung Mural Street

Under the ancient arches, Phung Hung Mural Street recreates an old Hanoi through vivid murals. This is a community art project that has turned an ordinary street into a unique check-in spot, attracting young people and tourists.

Phung Hung Mural Street offers a unique public art space.

Discover the art of water puppetry

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, located near Hoan Kiem Lake, is where visitors can enjoy this unique Vietnamese folk art form. The plays recreate fairy tales, legends and rural life in a humorous and engaging way, appealing to both adults and children.

Find a quiet space at Book Street 19/12

Nestled between two bustling streets, 19/12 Book Street is a quiet oasis for book lovers. With many stalls from major publishers, outdoor reading spaces and cute little cafes, this is the ideal destination to relax and find good books.

December 19 Book Street is a familiar meeting place for book lovers in Hanoi.

Hoan Kiem District Cuisine: A Journey of Taste

Exploring Hoan Kiem cannot be complete without a culinary journey. This place gathers the quintessence of Hanoi cuisine.

• Pho Hanoi: Enjoying a hot bowl of pho with sweet and clear broth at famous restaurants such as Pho Bat Dan (49 Bat Dan) or Pho Ly Quoc Su (61 Dinh Tien Hoang) is an experience not to be missed.
• Bun Cha: This dish of vermicelli, grilled pork and sweet and sour sauce has won over many diners, including former US President Barack Obama. Some suggested places are Bun Cha Hang Quat (74 Hang Quat) and Bun Cha Cua Dong (41 Cua Dong).
• Bun Dau Mam Tom: A full plate of Bun Dau with fresh noodles, fried tofu, green rice sausage, boiled meat and flavorful shrimp paste is a rustic yet very attractive dish. Famous restaurants include Bun Dau Hang Khay (31P Hang Khay) or Bun Dau Trung Huong (49 Ngo Phat Loc).
• Egg coffee: This unique drink is a rich combination of whipped egg yolk and strong coffee. Giang Cafe (39 Nguyen Huu Huan) and Cafe Dinh (13 Dinh Tien Hoang) are long-standing places to enjoy this drink.

Pho is a specialty dish not to be missed when coming to Hanoi.

Nightlife and other experiences

When the city lights up, Hoan Kiem district takes on a different beauty, vibrant and bustling.

Lively with Ta Hien Beer Street

Known as the "international crossroads", Ta Hien is a familiar gathering place for young people and tourists. The bustling atmosphere, cool glasses of draft beer and attractive snacks create a unique street culture.

Ta Hien Beer Street is the center of nightlife in Hanoi's Old Quarter.

View Hanoi from a double-decker bus

For a new perspective on the city, visitors can experience a double-decker bus tour. The route passes through most of the famous landmarks of Hoan Kiem district and surrounding areas, providing a panoramic view of the beauty of the capital.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/quan-hoan-kiem-cam-nang-kham-pha-trai-tim-lich-su-ha-noi-402412.html