Hoan Kiem Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Hoan Kiem which includes street scenes, a city and signage
Ngoc Son Temple which includes a bridge as well as an individual female
Hoan Kiem Lake showing a garden and a lake or waterhole
Hanoi featuring motorbike riding and street scenes
Hoan Kiem Lake which includes a monument, a lake or waterhole and heritage architecture
The historic centre of Hanoi, this maze of streets offers the city’s most traditional food, best souvenir shopping and lively nighttime entertainment.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a maze of traditional streets in the oldest part of the Vietnamese capital. The district is a unique mix of European and Asian architecture and culture, and is the most iconic neighbourhood in Hanoi. You can visit the bustling hub any time of day, or base yourself in one of its many hotels. Find cultural venues, cafés, shops and typical Vietnamese restaurants all in the one place. Prior to French colonialism in Vietnam, the city of Hanoi contained only 36 streets. The city has since expanded dramatically however, the original quarter remained the heart of Hanoi. Today, many of Hanoi’s major attractions can be found in the Old Quarter. These include the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre and Lake Hoan Kiem, with its temple and picturesque bridge.Listen to the calls of of hawkers, wearing conical hats made from leaves, balancing baskets on their shoulders. Breathe in the smell of exotic food and try the dishes and cooled drinks that hawkers sell on the road. Try Bia Hoi, Vietnam’s traditional home-made brew on Ta Hien, a street famous for beer venues and specialist craft shops. At night, visit the lively bars or enjoy traditional North Vietnamese food at one of the restaurants.Stay alert for passing traffic when you walk the crowded streets, as there don’t seem to be clear road rules here. Browse the Night Markets at weekend nights, or make your way into the Dong Xuan market hall during the week. For souvenirs, such as conical Vietnamese hats or personalised carved stamps, visit the craft shops that line the streets in the Old Quarter. Hanoi’s central Old Quarter is an excellent place to stay and there are many leading hotels and hostels, suiting all budgets.Hanoi’s Old Quarter is just north of Lake Hoan Kiem. The area is served by a number of bus lines, but the district is small enough to traverse on foot.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Hoan Kiem Hotel Deals

Hanoi Royal Palace Hotel 2
Hanoi Royal Palace Hotel 2
4 out of 5
95 Hang Bong Street, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
The price is AU$101 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
AU$101
includes taxes & fees
22 Mar - 23 Mar
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Hanoi. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3,858 reviews)
"Excellent service, attention to details from the staff. Jim has organized everything for us including a great trip to Ninh Binh. He has lots of experience and shown great flexibility and helped us beyond his tasks when we had visa problems."

Reviewed on 12 Mar. 2025

Hanoi Royal Palace Hotel 2
Hanoi Lotus Boutique Hotel
Hanoi Lotus Boutique Hotel
4 out of 5
2 Hoi Vu Street, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Hanoi
The price is AU$59 per night from 24 Mar to 25 Mar
AU$59
includes taxes & fees
24 Mar - 25 Mar
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Hanoi. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the WiFi in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,268 reviews)
"Classic style hotel, with interesting decorations and well kept. The location is perfect since it's inside old Hanoi but in a relatively calm street. The room is cozy and not much sound from the street can be heard."

Reviewed on 10 Mar. 2025

Hanoi Lotus Boutique Hotel
L’HÔTEL du LAC Hanoi
L’HÔTEL du LAC Hanoi
4 out of 5
35 - 37 Hang Trong, Hoàn Kiem, Hanoi, vietnam
The price is AU$147 per night from 24 Mar to 25 Mar
AU$147
includes taxes & fees
24 Mar - 25 Mar
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Hanoi. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (979 reviews)
"The staff was very attentive. Breakfast was excellent. I had an insode room very comfortable and quiet"

Reviewed on 12 Mar. 2025

L’HÔTEL du LAC Hanoi
Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel
Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel
5 out of 5
33 Duong Thanh, Hanoi
The price is AU$346 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
AU$346
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Hanoi. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (715 reviews)
"Stunning Hotel in a convenient location with excellent staff"

Reviewed on 13 Mar. 2025

Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel
GRAND HOTEL du LAC Hanoi
GRAND HOTEL du LAC Hanoi
5 out of 5
18-20-22-24 Nha Chung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
The price is AU$213 per night from 27 Mar to 28 Mar
AU$213
includes taxes & fees
27 Mar - 28 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Hanoi. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (359 reviews)
"Excellent location and helpful staff"

Reviewed on 10 Mar. 2025

GRAND HOTEL du LAC Hanoi
The Oriental Jade Hotel
The Oriental Jade Hotel
5 out of 5
No. 92-94 Hang Trong Str., Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Hanoi
The price is AU$274 per night from 27 Mar to 28 Mar
AU$274
includes taxes & fees
27 Mar - 28 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Hanoi. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
"My husband and I had the pleasure of staying at the Oriental Jade Hotel in Hanoi, and it absolutely exceeded all expectations! The hotel itself is beautiful, with a perfect blend of modern elegance and local charm. What truly made the experience exceptional, though, was the staff. They were incredibly ..."

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2025

The Oriental Jade Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Hoan Kiem

St. Joseph Cathedral showing a city, religious elements and a church or cathedral

Hang Trong

If you're spending some time in Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem Lake and St. Joseph's Cathedral of Hanoi are top sights worth seeing.

Hang Trong
Hanoi featuring street scenes

Old Quarter

Old Quarter is beloved for its panoramic lake views. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Hoan Kiem Lake and Hang Gai Street.

Old Quarter
Hanoi which includes dining out as well as a small group of people

Trang Tien

If you're spending some time in Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem Lake and Trang Tien Plaza are top sights worth seeing.

Trang Tien
Hanoi which includes street scenes, night scenes and signage

French Quarter

The ample dining options and fantastic lake views are top of the list for many visitors to French Quarter. A stop by Hoan Kiem Lake or Hanoi Municipal Party Committee might round out your trip.

French Quarter
Hoan Kiem which includes outdoor eating and markets

Hang Bac

While visiting Hang Bac, you might make a stop by sights like Hoan Kiem Lake and The Old Quarter Gallery.

Hang Bac
Hoan Kiem which includes outdoor eating and markets

Hang Dao

While visiting Hang Dao, you might make a stop by sights like Hanoi Old Town Night Market and Hoan Kiem Lake Weekend Walking Street.

Hang Dao

Hoan Kiem Travel Guide

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