Uncovering The Districts Of Hanoi
Hanoi is a beautiful city with so much to see and do!
So I thought a guide would help get you prioritizing your activities
The city itself is 1000 years old with fantastic shops, markets, parks, churches, restaurants, and even dog meat (Joking)
The city is expanding rapidly with bustling, energetic, and transforming areas! Always changing!
Hanoi means “City inside rivers,” Giving a paradisical feel and adds uniqueness. The traffic is mind-blowing! Without doubt, memorable!
Remember Hanoi is densely populated, with 7.82 million living here with 12 city center districts.
An Outline of Hanoi’s Districts
Tay Ho District
Tay Ho is away from the hustle and bustle. An area which holds “West lake,” the most significant lake in Hanoi with stunning green spaces and spots to kick back and chill.
Excellent restaurants, cafes, five-star hotels, nightlife venues, and ancient temples all over Tay Ho
Things to do around Westlake
Heading south of the lake, you find high-quality seafood restaurants
In Westlake you find five-star hotels with high-class neighborhoods & Locals with money.
One restaurant I recommend is Hemispheres Steak & Seafood grill (Sheraton Hanoi Hotel K5 Tam,11 Xuan Dieu Road, Tay Ho, Hanoi 10000) Excellent steaks, seafood, and world-class wine.
Temples
Quoc Pagoda Vietnams oldest temple was built 6th century and is a native Buddhist style to Vietnam. Fantastic place for phtographs during sunsets
Quan Thanh Temple, West of the lake, is one of Vietnam’s most sacred temples. This temple has comprehensive woodwork and are considered lucky to pray for happiness.
Hai Ba Trung District
An affluent area with old-world meeting a modern city.
5 Star hotels, Trendy retail Shops, Coffee Shops, and some of Hanoi’s most expensive real estate.
Ha Ba Trung has some French colonial influences with buildings like Hanoi Theatre, located outside the district. This beautiful building has a 600 capacity showing ballet, singers, and dancers.
Check out Blanc Restaurant. The cuisine is east meets western fusion with Michelin star standards.
Address: Lane 178/180D Hai Ba Trung Dakao District 1
Hai Ba Trung Temple is a quiet temple that is good for a brief visit
Shopping is excellent here, with selections of street vendors selling merchandise
Dong Da District
Dong Da District hosts old communists style buildings with a natural and modern vibe.
Everything is here from tropical cafes to craft beers pubs! Vietnam moves in the right direction, and Dong Da is a social hub.
Need some peace and quiet? Then get to Thong Nat Park. Hanoi’s traffic is crazy, so this is a great get away.
You also find quirky second-hand clothing markets like Linh ha, Ngo 6, Ton that Thung
At night checkout Evenstar craft pub! All drinks are local tap and bottle. Craft beers are expanding in Asia, especially Vietnam!
After, Go for live music at Hub Café! Easily in the top three venues for live music in Hanoi. Hub Café is a bar & coffee shop. Alternative evenings have poetry and dancing.
Temple of literature is worth a mention with lush gardens, ponds, and relaxing atmosphere. Entrance fee 30,000 VND
Gau Giay District
Gau Giay is a buzzing area with so much going on! This highly populated area is only 12 Kilometers, so it’s populated.
There is a great museum, probably one of the most popular in Hanoi, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
The Museum glances a look at old Vietnamese civilizations and ways with a well-maintained look. You can find the venue at Nguyen Van Huyen, Quan Hoa, Cau Giay District VND 40,000 entrance fee.
Cau Giay Park
This district is slap bang in the center of the community. It offers a fresh air, exercise, and a scenic view to get away from over-flowing urban life. If you have kids, this place could work for you with child apparatus in the park.
Vong Village offers “Com,” which is commonly known as infant rice. The taste is sweet and compliments tea/coffee. You can also buy gifts from the site shop.
While you are in the area, check out Hieu Street loads of food available, from burgers to local dishes, all at great prices!
Need food? Check out 3 Spoons international cuisine offering seafood buffets, Meat & Vegan! A five* establishment.
Hai Ba Trung District
An affluent area with old-world meeting modern.
5 Star hotels, Trendy retail Shops, Coffee Shops, and some of Hanoi’s most expensive real estate.
Ha Ba Trung has some French colonial influences with buildings like Hanoi Theatre, located outside the district. This beautiful building has a 600 capacity showing ballet, singers, and dancers.
Check out Blanc Restaurant. The cuisine is east meets western fusion with Michelin star standards.
Address: Lane 178/180D Hai Ba Trung Dakao District 1
Hai Ba Trung Temple is a quiet temple that is good for a brief visit
Shopping is excellent here, with selections of street vendors selling merchandise
Dong Da District
Dong Da District hosts old communists style buildings with a natural and modern vibe.
Everything is here from tropical cafes to craft beers pubs! Vietnam moves in the right direction, and Dong Da is a social hub.
Need some peace and quiet? Then get to Thong Nat Park. Hanoi’s traffic is crazy, so go to a park.
In the evening checkout Evenstar craft pub! All drinks on selection are from the local area Talinh ha, Ngo 6, Ton That Thungp and bottle. Craft beers are expanding in Asia, especially Vietnam!
After, why not go for some live music at Hub café! Probably in the top three best venues for live music in Hanoi. Hub Café is a bar as well as a coffee shop. Also as an alternative, they have poetry and dancing.
Temple of literature is also worth a mention with its lush gardens, pond, and relaxing atmosphere. Entrance fee 30,000 VND
Gau Giay District
Gau Giay is a buzzing area with so much going on! This highly populated area is only 12 Kilometers, so it’s packed!
There is a great museum, probably one of the most popular in Hanoi, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
The Museum glances a look at old Vietnamese civilizations and ways with a well-maintained look. You can find the venue at Nguyen Van Huyen, Quan Hoa, Cau Giay District VND 40,000 entrance fee.
Cau Giay Park
This district is slap bang in the center of the community. It offers a fresh air, exercise, and a scenic view to get away from over-flowing urban life. If you have kids, this place could work for you with children apparatus with-in the park.
Vong Village offers “Com,” which is commonly known as infant rice. The taste is sweet and compliments a hot beverage. You can also buy gifts from the site shop.
While you are in the area, check out Hieu Street loads of food available, from burgers to local dishes, all at great prices!
Need food? Check out 3 Spoons international cuisine offering seafood buffets, Meat & Vegan! A five* establishment all ro
Ba Dinh District
Probably the most significant districts in Hanoi for its beautiful monuments and enriching history.
The most famous monument is the Mausoleum, where Ho Chi Minh is buried. The communist leader of the Viet Cong in the 1960’s war against America.
One of the first quotes you will see states, “nothing is more important than the independence of freedom.” Which is a beautiful statement after such a complicated Vietnamese history.
Please wear well-covered clothing if you are going inside out of respect.
The entrance fee is free, but please watch out for the limited opening times.
One of the other sites to recommend is the Temple of Literature in Vietnam. This temple has a connection to Confucius China and has some pristine courtyards and lush lawns to view. You find the temple on Quoc Tu Giam. Entry fee VND 30,000
You also have the Miltary Museum, which gives you a historical view of the French Colonial/American wars. There is also a statue of Lenin
If you are after food, I recommend TPP Cigar Lounge! Serving French, Japanese, and American Cuisine with consistently good service! You can find TPP on 10A Khuc Hao Ba Dinh, Hanoi 10000 Vietnam
Hoan Kiem District
Perhaps the most congested part of Hanoi. Here you will find the majority of restaurants, bars, eateries vendors, coffee shops, monuments, and shopping hubs
Why not wake up early and head to Hoan Kiem Lake? This place has beautiful scenery with runners, Tai Chi, and chess players
When all the flowers are blooming, get out and lift your spirits at the lake
A must-see is St Josephs Cathedral. This gothic design cathedral was built in the 1880s and one of the first buildings constructed by the French Occupation of Vietnam
The exterior is a little jaded, but inside, the Cathedral is still in good knick!
During Mass, the doors open to many people who go into sing hymns and pray. Nearby there are plenty of cafes for coffee and cake in a beautiful part of the city.
Statue Of King Ly Thai To If your heading south-east, you may stumble across this statue. The fonder of Hanoi King Ly Thai To. The statue was built in 2004 to mark the Millenium in 2010
At night you may see break dancers take advantage of this space.
After a bite to eat, look at Met Vietnamese Restaurant & Vegan serving in Vietnamese, Asian, Vegetarian, and Vegan options. You can find Met on 29 Hang Trong Hoan Kiem, Hanoi 100000
Any questions? I’d love to hear from you!
Please comments below
All the best
Ian
