The Ncog Son temple stands on an island of the Hoan Kiem Lake. There was a temple at the location from the 14th century. The present structure was built in the 18th century. A three passage gate called the Tam Quan stands at one end of a red wooden bridge called The Huc (Rising Sun bridge). The Huc connects the Island with the mainland.

The Ncog Son temple is dedicated to many heroes. The main altar is dedicated to the hero Tran Hung Dao, who defeated and army of 300,000 invaders from the Chinese Yuan dynasty. Other altars are dedicated to La To, the patron saint of physicians, the scholar Van Xuong and Nguyen Van Sieu, a Confucian scholar who voluntarily restored the temple and its surroundings in 1864.

Nguyen Van Sieu added the Thap But, a 30 foot stone obelisk with a tip that resembles a paintbrush found to the left of the gates and Dai Nghien, a hollowed rock in the shape of a peach called the writing pad to the temple complex.

The temple has a pavilion in front of the altars and many souvenir shops for tourists. Elderly Vietnamese gather at the courtyard of the temple to play danh co tuong or Chinese Chess.

Hoàn Kiếm Lake holds a storied place at the heart of Hanoi. Also known as Sword Lake, this 12-hectare freshwater lake is a central feature of the city's public and historical life. Located in Hanoi's historical center, the lake is not only a major scenic spot but also a focal point for the city's public life, surrounded by vibrant streets and bustling local markets.

Originally named Green Water Lake (Hồ Lục Thủy) for its distinctive watercolor, the lake's present name, which means "Lake of the Returned Sword," is derived from a legendary event. The tale recounts that Emperor Lê Lợi, after defeating Ming China, was approached by a Golden Turtle God (Kim Qui) while boating on the lake. The turtle god requested the return of a magical sword, Heaven's Will, given to Lợi by the Dragon King (Long Vương) to aid in his battle against the Chinese. Acknowledging that his mission was accomplished, Lợi returned the sword to the turtle. This pivotal event led to the renaming of the lake to commemorate the sword's return.

The Turtle Tower (Tháp Rùa), situated on a small island near the center of the lake, is a prominent landmark associated with this legend. It stands as a silent reminder of the lake's mythological past. The lake was once home to the large soft-shell turtle species Rafetus leloi, named in honor of the emperor. Although the last known specimen was found deceased in 2016, the species remains emblematic of the lake's rich biodiversity.

To the north, the Jade Islet is connected to the lake's shore by the striking vermilion-red Thê Húc Bridge, which means "Perch of the Morning Sunlight". Atop the islet sits the Temple of the Jade Mountain (Ngoc Son), erected in the 18th century. This temple honors notable historical figures such as Tran Hung Dao, a military leader known for his victories over Mongol invaders; Van Xuong, a revered scholar; and Nguyen Van Sieu, a renowned writer who refurbished the temple in 1864, lending it its current appearance.

Today, Hoàn Kiếm Lake remains a vital part of Hanoi’s cultural fabric, attracting visitors with its serene beauty and rich history, encapsulating a blend of natural charm and cultural significance.

Set on the edge of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, near Hoan Kiem Lake, Hang Gai or Silk Street is one of the most bustling commercial destinations in the capital, specialized in silk. The entirety of this 300 meter-long street is lined with more than a hundred stores trading in silk or related products and services. The vast majority of the local fashion boutiques and tailor shops have been in business for decades, offering ready-to-wear and made-to-measure garments.

Back in the times of the Le Dynasty (1428-1789), Hang Gai (literally “Hemp Street”) was the middle section of the road that linked the Nhi Ha river shore to the Southern Gate of Thang Long imperial citadel, and was the place were ropes and hammocks were sold. The word “Gai” in Vietnamese means hemp that was used in making of the hammocks. Similarly, during the French colonial era, Hang Gai was known as Rue de Chanvre (chanvre is the French for hemp, too).

Generally renowned for its quality, the area has a number of firm favourites among the clientele, such as the Khai Silk and Tan My Design shops whose craftsmen are perfect if you’re too pressed for time to get a tailor-made outfit during your stay in Hanoi. They can make you a suit within 24 hours, though it’s best to allow more time for a second fitting to make sure that it fits perfectly.

Most stores in Hang Gai Street accept cards and it pays to go to a better quality store and avoid street vendors to ensure the best buy. As with most retailers throughout Vietnam, bargaining is also welcome – you can start at 50% off the asking price and pay no more than 70%.

Aside from boutiques and tailor shops, Hang Gai Street also hosts a number of souvenir outlets selling notebooks, lamps and postcards, as well as prominent art galleries such as Thang Long Art Gallery and Green Palm Gallery.

Hàng Bông (French: Rue du Coton) is an ancient street running for about 932 meters from the crossroad Hàng Bông - Hàng Gai - Hàng Trong - Hàng Hom to the former city gate Cửa Nam (South Gate). Once populated by cotton dealers and makers of clothes and winter blankets (hence the name), today's Hàng Bông is one of the busiest shopping streets in Hanoi, lined with art galleries, silk and clothing shops.

Formerly this street consisted of various sections, each with its own name, such as Hang Hai (aka Hang Bong Hai), Hang Manh (packed with shops selling comedy shoes, hats, and paper worship items), Hang Bong Dem (inhabited by sellers of cotton balls, cotton- and other blankets), Hang Bong Banyan Tree Cua Quyen (home to a small temple worshiping Co Quyen, with a banyan tree nearby), Hang Bong Lo (where all kinds of fish were sold), Hang Bong Tho Nhuom (back in the early 20th century this was home to the dyers of silk fabrics), and Hang Bong Alley (known during the French colonial era as Rue Lhonde).

Also, during the French period, Old Hang Bong Street was a home to many print houses, bookstores, and journalists. Notorious for many traffic accidents involving trams (prior to 1991), Hang Bong Street, since the turn of the 21st century, has been gradually associated with luxurious fashion, largely surpassing the rival destinations of Hang Dao, Luong Van Can and Tran Nhan Tong streets. Today, this street also accommodates the fancy Silk Path hotel where once used to be the music tea rooms, popular haunt for artists and other creative folk.

At night, Hang Bong Street is a popular gathering spot for youngsters and students, in large part due to the cheap fried and grilled spring rolls sold on the corner of Hang Bong junction and Tam Thuong alley. At the end of the street, on the right-hand (even-numbered) side is a pastry shop very famous with backpackers. On festive occasions, this street is also teeming with sellers of flags and T-shirts.

The Temple of Literature, dedicated to the Chinese Philosopher is one of Hanoi’s oldest structures. There are many temples of literature across Vietnam but the Hanoi temple is the oldest and the most important among them. It is also the venue of the country’s earliest university.

The Temple of Literature was founded by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in 1070 a few years after the establishment of the city of Hanoi. The University established six years later admitted children from the royal family and students from the families of Mandarins. In 1484, Emperor Le Thanh Tong erected steles to record the achievements of students who were awarded doctorates by the university. It ceased to function in 1802 when it was shifted to a new venue.

The temple has five courtyards with boundary walls. Two courtyards have trees, some of which are over a hundred years old. One courtyard has a pond surrounded by sheltered pavilions and steles with details of students who earned doctorates at the university. The Courtyard of the Sage Sanctuary has a building called the Great House of Ceremonies. The house has a large red lacquer figure of Confucius. The last courtyard called the Thai Hoc has a two storey building honoring the founders of the university. There are two square structures on either side of the building to house a drum and a bell.

The Temple of Literature is open from Tuesdays to Sundays and visitors can find mementoes to take home at the souvenir and craft shops near the Great House of Ceremonies.

Ngõ 224 Lê Duẩn, situated within Hanoi’s Old Quarter, is famously dubbed as "The Train Street". This narrow alley witnesses a speeding train passing by twice a day, perilously close to the buildings flanking the tracks, which almost entirely occupy the alley. Constructed by the French in 1902, this railway line remains operational as of 2019.

The train whizzes through at 3 pm and 7 pm daily, traversing the route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to the south. Due to the alley's cramped dimensions, residents are compelled to clear away their personal belongings, including bicycles and even children, before the train's passage. It's a common sight to see locals leisurely seated on the tracks, savoring tea and engaging in games of checkers.

This peculiar street has garnered attention as a tourist attraction in Hanoi. However, in October 2019, local authorities, citing safety concerns and the potential for grave accidents, barred tourists from accessing the area. Tourists frequently halted to capture photographs for social media amidst the narrow confines of the alley. Over time, the street had become a residence for squatters and a haunt for drug addicts, alongside the presence of numerous cafes and residential buildings. The congestion eventually led to the rerouting of a local train on October 6, 2019, prompting the closure of the alley.

To cater to the bustling tourist influx, local cafes have flourished along the street. Owners fret over the impending loss of business due to the closure. According to the VN Express newspaper, a train driver recounted three near-misses with tourists on the tracks, narrowly averting catastrophe, with one incident involving a woman engrossed in photographing the passing train.

For tourists seeking a safe vantage point, outdoor seating areas of the local cafes offer a secure option. Cafe proprietors typically shift their stools closer to the walls and advise patrons to do the same as the train approaches. Many cafes also display train schedules on chalkboards for the convenience of their customers.

Đồng Xuân Market is a historic and bustling market situated in the Hoàn Kiếm district of Hanoi. Established by the French administration in 1889, the market has undergone several renovations, with the most significant in 1994 following a devastating fire. Today, it stands as the largest covered market in Hanoi, offering a vast array of goods from clothes and household items to a variety of foodstuffs.

In the late 19th century, Hanoi's Old Quarter had two main marketplaces at Hang Duong and Hang Ma streets. These were replaced by Đồng Xuân Market, built in 1889 by the French along with the nearby Long Biên Bridge. The market, close to Hoàn Kiếm Lake, covered 6,500 square meters, featuring a distinctive 5-arch entrance and five 19-meter high domes. During the First Indochina War, it became a battleground on February 14, 1947. A memorial near the main gate was erected in 2005 to honor this event.

Today, the market spans three stories, each filled with stalls selling a diverse range of products. From wholesale traders to small vendors, shoppers can find clothing, household goods, fresh vegetables, and various Vietnamese dishes. However, the market also faces challenges such as counterfeit goods and pollution, which pose health risks to the local community.

In 2003, the Đồng Xuân night market was launched, transforming the area into a vibrant tourist attraction. The night market, which operates every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening, features souvenirs, handicrafts, traditional foods, and cultural performances. This initiative not only boosts tourism but also helps preserve and promote Vietnam's traditional culture.