Hanoi Landmarks and Monuments

(Hanoi, Vietnam)



Hanoi is loaded with landmarks and monuments - more so than any other Vietnam city. There are temples galore here, including the stunning Ngoc Son Temple and the Temple of Literature, plus a decent selection of parks and gardens.

Those with an affinity for Russian leaders should check out the Lenin Statue and Park. The Hoan Kiem Lake, meanwhile, is beautiful and a popular place in Hanoi for strolling, jogging and general recreation.


Hoan Kiem Lake

Address: Old Quarter, Hanoi, Vietnam, VN
Hoan Kiem Lake is one of Hanoi's main landmarks - a small lake in the centre of town that is just a few hundred metres across. The shores of the lake adjoin the Old Quarter and this is an especially popular spot for walking and practicing Tai Chi. At the top end of the lake, on a small island, is the Ngoc Son Temple. The bridge over really is picture-postcard stuff, set about with boughs of bamboo. If you are really lucky, you might spot the hundred year old turtle that resides in the lake as a spiritual guardian steeped in mystery and myth, but he only surfaces once every few years!
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Ngoc Son Temple

Address: Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam, VN
Ngoc Son Temple is a landmark that can be seen on the island in the northern part of Hoan Kiem Lake. It is highly photogenic from all angles and can be visited by walking across a bridge at the north-eastern edge of the lake. This 18th-century temple is especially known for its Buddhist inscriptions.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Quan Thanh Temple

Address: Hanoi, Vietnam, VN
This pretty temple is located just outside the realm of the Old Quarter and on the banks of the expansive Truc Bach Lake. The Quan Thanh Temple boasts a fine setting and was built way back in the 11th century. Although the building is noteworthy, the four-tonne, 300-plus year old Huyen Thien Tran Vo statue is without question the main sight here.
Open hours: daily - 05:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge

Temple of Literature

Address: Quoc Tu Giam Street, Hanoi, Vietnam, VN
Tel: +84 04 824 3011
Located near to the mausoleum and the Fine Arts Museum, the Temple of Literature is well worth a visit and is known locally as the 'Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam'. It hails from 1070, after which it was intended to be a university, and has a fine courtyard crammed with stone tablets mounted on tortoises. There are several fine buildings in the lovely grounds and many of the exhibits have descriptions in English.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 08:30 to 11:30 and 13:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge; extra for brochure guide

Lenin Statue and Park

Address: Dien Bien Phu Street, Hanoi, Vietnam, VN
The Lenin Statue and Park lies between the Old Quarter and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where it is especially popular with outdoor types. A pleasant retreat from the relative bustle nearby, it has large trees and winding paths and features a huge statue of Lenin. The park is particularly busy during the afternoon.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free