Top tourist attractions in Hanoi - Historical sites

Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam is both an ancient and modern city. There are so many places that are elegant and contain interesting stories throughout the length of history. If you visit this city for the first time, you definitely should not ignore the following places. Most attractions are located quite close to each other. You can easily plan a walking tour or a tour by a motorbike or bike to explore all of the tourist attractions in Hanoi listed below.

Temple of Literature – the first university in Vietnam

Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam, Dong Da District, about 2km west from Hoan Kiem Lake
Operating hours: 08:00 – 18:00
Entrance fee: 20,000 VND/adult and 10,000VND/children

Temple of Literature – the first university in Vietnam was built in 1070. This is the place to hold competitions to find outstanding talented people from all over the country. In the Temple of Literature there are also a teaching area and stone turtles having a list of scholars and successful doctoral talents’ names during the feudal dynasties engraved on the top.

A list of scholars and doctors' names is engraved on each stone turtle — *A list of scholars and doctors’ names is engraved on each stone turtle*

The layout of the temple is based upon the birthplace of Confucius. Temple of Literature has an area of 55.027m2, divided into 5 separate zones. The architecture structure of this attraction from the entrance is the main entrance, Dai Trung Mon, Khue Van Cac, Dai Thanh and Thai Hoc.

The Temple of Literature is the first university in Vietnam - Top tourist attractions in Hanoi — *The Temple of Literature is the first university in Vietnam*

Sometimes, there are water puppet shows tell about the history of Vietnam in Van Mieu. If you coming to the Temple of Literature at that time, you can buy water puppets, stamps and wooden masks as gifts at the souvenir stores. This historic and cultural site is one of the most favorite tourist attractions in Hanoi to visit.

Hanoi Opera House – In the heart of the capital of Vietnam

Address: 01 Trang Tien, Chuong Duong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. Located on the August Revolution Square, not very far from Hoan Kiem Lake and the National Museum of Vietnamese History.
Operating hours for tourists: 10:30 – 12:00 (Monday to Friday)
Tour price for foreigners: 400,000VND/ticket/person

Hanoi Opera House is located in a prime location, facing Trang Tien Street – the busiest and most crowded street in the city. On the right of the Opera House is the Hilton Opera – a hotel with ancient and unique French architecture. From the location of this attraction, you can admire the many sights of Hanoi.

Hanoi Opera House - in the heart of the capital of vietnam — *Hanoi Opera House is sparkling in the evening from above*

In general, Hanoi Opera House is 87m long, 30m horizontal, the highest peak roof is 34m. The theater is on the campus of about 2.600m2. Being in a renovation for once but Hanoi Opera House still retains many ancient architectural features.

The Opera House is not only a place for performing arts shows but also one of the most visited tourist attractions in Hanoi. For more information about booking ticket, you can contact to the number: (024) 3933 0131.

Hoa Lo Prison – One of the most visited tourist attractions in Hanoi

Address: 1 Hoa Lo, Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. 1.3km from the Temple of Literature, 850m from St. Joseph’s Cathedral and 1.1km from Hoan Kiem Lake.
Operating hours: 8:00 – 17:00 daily
Entrance fee: 30,000VND/person

Hoa Lo Prison, formerly known as Maison Centrale was built in 1896 by the French on Hoa Lo Street, Hanoi. The purpose of this prison is mainly to detain political prisoners. and patriotic anti-colonialists.

The entrance of Hoa Lo Prison - One of most famous tourist attractions in Hanoi — *The entrance of Hoa Lo Prison – One of the most famous tourist attractions in Hanoi*

Under French domination, Hoa Lo Prison consists of 4m high stone walls, 0.5m thick reinforced with steel wire. The prison area has four zones: A, B, C, D, in which:

Zone A, B: for offenders who were being investigated, unimportant offenders or offenders for violating the prison rules.
The C Zone: for French or foreign prisoners
Zone D: for prisoners awaiting the death penalty

The outline of visiting route in Hoa Lo Prison - Hanoi tourist attractions — *The outline of visiting route in Hoa Lo Prison*

View fullsize image here.

The total area of the former prison complex has expanded to over 12,000 square meters. However, today only 2.434m2 is preserved as a relic for the tourists to come and witness the scene of the colonial prison – one of the “hells on earth”.

This is only the first 3 highlights that you should visit when coming to Hanoi. Click here to read more about other tourist attractions in Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam.