Must-see destinations when visiting Hanoi during the SEA Games 31.

Preparations for the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi are in full swing. The city streets are brightly decorated with billboards, posters, and banners, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.

Besides its significant importance to national sports, the event also presents a favorable opportunity to promote the recovery of the tourism industry, especially for the international tourist market.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Hanoi, the capital city – a land with timeless beauty – is donning a new, colorful attire with many exciting destinations that visitors simply cannot miss when they set foot here.

Ba Dinh Square - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

If you've ever set foot in this land of thousand-year-old culture, then Ba Dinh Square and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum are must-see tourist destinations.

As the largest square in Vietnam, Ba Dinh Square is located on Hung Vuong Street, in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It marks many significant events in the country's history and has become an important part of Vietnamese history.

Typically, not only tourists but also Hanoi residents enjoy going to Ba Dinh Square to watch the flag-raising and flag-lowering ceremonies. The flag-raising ceremony takes place at 6:00 AM (summer) or 6:30 AM (winter), and the flag-lowering ceremony, with similar rituals, takes place at 9:00 PM on the same day.

In addition, visitors can also visit many other places within the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex such as the One Pillar Pagoda, President Ho Chi Minh's fish pond, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Presidential Palace historical site, etc.

Hanoi Old Quarter

Also known as "Hanoi's 36 streets," Hanoi's Old Quarter captivates countless people with its old-world charm and refined beauty, shaped by the culture, life, and people of the ancient capital.

Visiting the Old Quarter, tourists can enjoy the ancient atmosphere, steeped in the colors of time, with its low-rise houses, tiled roofs, and moss-covered walls. This is where streets specializing in specific crafts were formed, creating a unique cultural tradition deeply rooted in history. In addition, the street food in the Old Quarter is also a very special charm, contributing to Hanoi's distinctive character.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Often referred to as the heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is a must-visit destination for everyone. In its tranquil setting, the lake's surface shimmers like a mirror, reflecting ancient trees, venerable temples and pagodas, and moss-covered old towers.

A delightful experience for tourists is to leisurely stroll around the lake while enjoying the charming blend of ancient and modern beauty of the city. Around the lake are other attractions such as the Pen Tower, the Inkstone Monument, the The Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple, the Temple of King Le Thai To, and the Hoa Phong Tower…

Cathedral

Located at 40 Nha Chung Street, Hang Trong Ward, the Grand Cathedral is not only a place of prayer for believers but also a popular check-in spot for young people and tourists from all over.

The church is designed in the style of medieval European Gothic architecture, with a symmetrical facade, high ceilings, and a lack of excessive ornamentation, along with a bell tower, domes, and numerous windows.

Temple of Literature and National University

As a leading cultural architectural complex and a source of pride for the people of Hanoi when mentioning the thousand-year-old cultural tradition of Thang Long - Dong Do - Hanoi, the Temple of Literature is considered a symbol of knowledge and Vietnamese education. It is a place of worship for the sages and masters of Confucianism and for Chu Van An, the headmaster of the National Academy – a quintessential teacher of high moral character and virtue in Vietnamese education.

West Lake

West Lake, formerly known as Fox Corpse Lake or Golden Ox Lake, is the largest natural lake in Hanoi. It attracts young people with its romantic, poetic, and peaceful atmosphere.

Visitors can enjoy the fresh, tranquil atmosphere of West Lake at quiet cafes along the lakeside. Additionally, West Lake is one of the best places to capture stunning moments as the sun sets.

In addition, tourists can also visit many famous landmarks around West Lake such as Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple or Tay Ho Palace.

Long Bien Bridge

Becoming a historical and cultural symbol of Hanoi, the Long Bien Bridge attracts tourists with its serene and profound beauty. Built in 1898, the bridge fully inherits the technical and artistic elements of contemporary European science.

To fully explore Long Bien Bridge, visitors should choose a motorbike as their mode of transportation due to its flexibility and convenience. Visitors can also enjoy a panoramic view of Long Bien Bridge from cafes near the bridge. Watching the crowds pass by while relaxing and appreciating the unique architecture of Long Bien Bridge will provide a delightful experience.

Bat Trang Ceramic Museum

The Rotating Ceramic Museum in Bat Trang, located in Hamlet 5, Bat Trang Commune, Gia Lam District, Hanoi, has become a popular destination for tourists due to its unique architectural style. The building is considered a traditional house of Bat Trang village, preserving all the cultural values ​​for visitors to explore and admire.

The Bat Trang Ceramic Museum has many complex areas such as: a check-in area, an exhibition area showcasing famous Bat Trang ceramic products, a museum area introducing the formation and development of this famous Vietnamese craft village, a resort area, and an outdoor restaurant and cafe area.

Ba Vi

With its pristine and picturesque beauty, Ba Vi has become a popular tourist destination. Located about 60 km northwest of Hanoi, it is blessed with many beautiful and famous tourist attractions such as: Ba Vi National Park, Khoang Xanh - Suoi Tien tourist area, Ao Vua tourist area, Thien Son - Suoi Nga tourist area, K9 historical site...

In 2022, Ba Vi made a strong comeback with many attractive eco-tourism, cultural-spiritual, and agricultural tourism products that visitors can explore.here.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao