City: Hanoi
Top Things to do in Hanoi
Top 10 Sacred & Religious Sites in Hanoi, Vietnam
The charming Vietnamese capital has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern developments alongside. Hanoi may have shrugged off several former names, including Thang Long, or "ascending dragon," but it hasn't forgotten its past, as sites such as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison attest. Lakes, parks, shady boulevards and more than 600 temples and pagodas add to the appeal of this city, which is easily explored by taxi.
Restaurants in Hanoi
1. Thien Tru Pagoda
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Nunngo
Thien Tru Pagoda is absolutely stunning. The pagoda itself is superb but the surrounds are equally as spectacular. It is positioned in a prime location with peaceful surrounds and the unique architecture of the pagoda contrasts against these surrounds. This pagoda is visited by local pilgrims and Buddhists, but also has international visitors aspiring to explore its surrounds and admire its beauty. It is known as "Heavens Kitchen Pagoda" but I am not sure why. Its unique architectural characteristics are amazing, the woodwork on the doors and drawings around the pagoda are masterpieces. Coming through the entrance gate, you will enter onto a courtyard with both sides having cottages which are used to house the pilgrims on festive days. Across the yard onto the next level of the pagoda is also another courtyard with its centre piece being a huge incensory which is 3 metres high for burning incense. Moving through this area you enter into another level with another courtyard through a three-gate entrance connecting to the space where Buddha is worshipped. The spaces are defined and each highly decorated with craved doors and elaborate interiors. There are so many facets within this pagoda to look at, the colours are intense and decorations incredible. It is easy enough to spend at least an hour looking around so allow enough time to really appreciate the exquisiteness and extensiveness of the entire area.
2. Pho Linh Temple
3. Temple of Literature & National University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,990 reviews
Reviewed By Eviltreelady
Beautiful historic site, walk through series of courtyards to arrive at temple shrine ,then a centre with plenty of interest and information.Definitely worth a visit. Craftlink near by with beautiful homemade crafts.
4. Thanh Chuong's Viet Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Vietnamese heritage preservation. Top Vietnamese cultural identical tour to the past within a few hours.
Reviewed By B9321CJbrigitteb
We have made a round trip trough Asia and saw a lot. This place is amazing and so beautiful and tasteful with a lot of art statues, historical building, bridge, beautiful trees surrounded by mountains in the mist. After the touristic old center of Hanoi this was defenately what we needed to get a better idea of Vietnam’s culture. We went to the HD Hotel nearby and then the host arranged a taxi for us (return). We went there for one hour and it was an amazing experience. Also the ride to the palace was better since it gives a better picture of Vietnam than all hose tourist destinations. Cash entrance only
5. Phuong Trach Pagoda
6. Hang Bac Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By 332anital - London, United Kingdom
Within the crowded scooter lined streets of Old Quarter Hanoi is a beautiful small temple! Hang Bac is an oasis of calm amongst backpacker shops, cheap street eats and French style colonial cafes... decked out for TET in January its beautiful grass beds depicted scenes from the rice fields including monks, oxen ploughing and musicians. Incense was burning and a few locals popped in to bless the buddhas good luck for the new lunar year! Be sure to find it if you can.
7. V'ancient
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
V’Ancient is a cultural center, dedicated to the preservation, development of cultural heritage, craft villages heritage and handicrafts through events, exhibitions, and other related services. Main activities: introduce old architectural structure, cultural heritage; introduce traditional tea and coffee, introduce folk arts and traditional handicrafts products and techniques.
8. Ambassador's Pagoda (Chua Quan Su)
9. Ngoc Son Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,146 reviews
This temple alongside Lake Hoan Kiem was built in the 19th century, and named after Saint Van Xuong. Confucian scholar Nguyen Van Sieu had a large pen-shaped tower built at the entrance of the temple in 1864, featuring three Chinese characters, Ta Thanh Thien, which literally means "to write on the blue sky is to imply the height of a genuine and righteous person's determination and will."
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
At the Northeastern part of "Hoàn Kiêm" (the "Lake of the Restored Sword") and after crossing a beautiful vermillion painted bridge ("Thê Hûc" - the "Welcoming Morning Sunlight Bridge"), you will find the "Jade" islet. Right there, on a small hill, stands "Ngoc Son" (the "Temple of the Jade Mountain"), dedicated to Confucian and Taoist philosophers and to Vietnam's national hero, Tràn Hung Dao. The temple was built between the 18th and 19th centuries and is one of the most visited and revered ones in Vietnam, combining both ancestors' worship and Buddhist practices. So, whenever around Hanoi's "Old Quarter", do not miss "Ngoc Son". Opens daily from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Enjoy!
10. Perfume Pagoda
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 636 reviews
Reviewed By Laughingbear - Wigan, United Kingdom
Ater the Cornoa virus menat closure of many attractions in Vietnam, somehow this stayed open and are we glad it did. After a car trip approx 1.5 hrs from HanOI, We arrived at what seemed to be the head of a river within a small village. Our guide took us to the boats were we boarded a typical s/e asian rowing boat. The rower was a middleaged lady and she rowed for about 45 mins up the river. The views, wildlife and ambiance of the place was fascinating. We saw exotic birds, butterfiles, dragonflies. Mystifying mountained in the background gave a unique bckdrop to this experience. On arrival at the pergodas, there is a bit of a walk which may be dificult for those who have mobility issues, even wheelchair users could have issues as the paths are mainly uneven broken slabs. However, once you see the temples, you will immediately see why this trip has to be done. The place is really spiritual and special. The pergodas are indeed impressive from outside (i didn't go into them as i wore shorts that day and there is a dress code in keeping with such places). My wife went into the pergodas and she was impressed with them. After this, we continued our walk UP the hill and steps towards the cable car. We went on the cable car for a 20 minute journey through the jungle type enviroment towards the top of the mountian. Once there we disembarked and had a short, easier walk, towards a huge cave. The cave too was spectacular in many ways. Within the cave there's a temple with many statues although again, there are quite a few steps to negotiate. We retraced our steps back to the river where our boat was waiting. On the way up (or down) there are many tourist stalls (maybe too many) with opporunities to buy reminders of your visit. The boats are very basic and seating can be a lillte uncomforatbalbe however, you are only on them for a short time so bear with it. The rowing ladies are magnificent in theri ability to row such distances with passengers and at a constant pace. Highly recommend this trip BUT only for those prepared for a bit of discomfort on the boat (single metal board seats) and walking over uneven paths up the hillside.
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