Hanoi, the charming capital of Vietnam, offers a rich blend of history and modernity with its vibrant districts centered around Hoan Kiem Lake which acts like the beating heart of what’s happening in the city.
The Old Quarter is located in the north and west of the lake, while the French Quarter is situated in the south and east. Both areas showcase Hanoi’s unique thousand-year-old civilisation. Here are some of my best experiences to enjoy in this captivating city.
Water puppet show
One of my favourite things to do in Hanoi is to attend a water puppet show. It is like stepping into a living storybook of Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage and it mesmerises me each time I watch this remarkable performance.
This centuries-old art form originated in the rice paddy fields of Northern Vietnam, where villagers used water as a stage to animate wooden puppets that dance and slide gracefully over the water. It is now performed in a pool as its stage in two theatres located around Hoan Kiem Lake.
Sitting on both sides of the stage is a musical ensemble comprising musicians and singers, who bring the stories to life using their voices and traditional instruments. From behind a screen invisible to the audience and wading around in waist-deep water, the puppeteers skilfully manoeuvre the lacquered wooden puppets with thin bamboo poles.
The one-hour show recreates daily village life including duck herding, fishing, rice planting, boat rowing and royal parades. The tales are easy to understand for foreign guests. Some shows come with English or French sub-titles. I did not want to be distracted by the sub-titles as it is so beautifully-performed and it speaks to my heart.
At the end of the show, the audience erupted with much applause for the puppeteers, musicians and singers. I was told it takes decades to become a master water puppeteer as it is a physically demanding craft. Kudos to the performers who have kept this traditional art form alive for over 1,000 years and may it be preserved for future generations.
Book your tickets in advance as the shows are always sold out especially during the weekends when the locals bring their families to watch the performances.
Hanoi Train Street
Just imagine the adrenaline of standing or sitting just inches away from a rumbling train with no passengers!
Originally constructed by the French colonial government, this train track along a narrow street has become a must-visit spot for Instagrammers. However, it was closed in 2022 as tourists were endangering their own safety just to take videos. One tourist was even run over by the train and lived to tell the tale.
Now in 2025, the Hanoi Train Street is open again, with many cafes, bars and shops popping up by the sides of the train track. The lanterns, lights and decorations along the track give the area a wonderful ambience and soft vibes in the evening when the lights are turned on.
You pick a spot to sit (I was recommended to sit on the upper tier) and order your drinks. The quiet buzz of the street suddenly turns into a wave of excitement when the train inspector comes by to check the track and during this time, the café staff will move stools that are too close to the track and advise patrons to stay clear.
Once you see this, the sense of anticipation and excitement builds up and I can almost feel the air vibrating with exhilaration as most everyone put up their selfie sticks!
Soon after, the sound of the horns signal that the train is approaching much to everyone’s delight. This was followed by the deafening roar of the train’s engine as it passes by, close enough to touch (but don’t try it). I timed it, the train took under one minute to whizz by!
Friends ask me why go see a train that goes by within one minute, but you will understand once you visit this famous street. The train is like the icing on the cake. You do not go there just to see the train but to enjoy the ambience whilst having a drink and some snacks. The entire scene felt surreal and cinematic to me.
Once the train goes by, everyone gets up and leave, creating a traffic jam! So do not rush out with other tourists, take some time to sit back and relax. Maybe even wait for the next train!
Check the train schedule with your hotel staff as it changes daily, there are 7 to 10 train crossings in a day from morning to night. If you are taking a taxi or Grab (the local version of Uber) there, the landmark is called Train Station Coffee.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is like a green lung, nestled in the core of urban Hanoi. It is an ideal hangout spot throughout the day, but especially in the early morning and evenings. Watch locals practise their daily exercise and Tai Chi routines in the gardens by the water’s edge which is dotted by ice cream stalls and quaint cafes.
I always make it a point to sit on the steps or bench around the lake, to enjoy the sights of locals going about their daily lives as well as tourists admiring the beauty of the lake.
On weekends, the lake is closed to vehicles in the evening and the street comes alive with a night market selling all sorts of knick-knacks and street food.
Visitors will not be able to miss seeing the Turtle Tower which is a small tower built on a floating mound in the middle of the lake. You can read about its history here. Also do not miss the red bridge, which is lit up at night, in red of course, hence its name.
Old Quarter
The Old Quarter consists of 36 streets, most of them narrow and oozing with old-world charm.
The Old Quarter which has a Vietnamese feel, with ancient houses and traditional local food sold along the sidewalks where locals and tourists sit perched on tiny plastic stools and sipping coffee or beer, watching the world go by.
Since the 15th century, each street has been home to artisans and craftsmen. Today, these shops allude ‘a step back in time’ feeling, all within a stone’s throw of each other. I enjoyed my walk around the streets, though I got lost a few times but the locals are so friendly and helpful in guiding me back to my hotel. The area offers many small boutique hotels in a great location.
French Quarter
In contrast, the spacious atmosphere and wider roads in the French Quarter make the area more serene as compared to the hectic nature of the Old Quarter. The French Quarter, built during the French colonial period, is an affluent neighbourhood famous for its elegant colonial buildings, some transformed into museums and government offices.
Perfect for leisurely exploration, a stroll along its tree-lined streets reveals a plethora of yellow-painted houses with charming Parisian street style and vendors peddling local snacks and drinks further add to its charm.
Located in the French Quarter is Saint Joseph’s Cathedral which was built by the French in the late 19th century, inspired by the Neo-Gothic style of the Notre Dame de Paris. This iconic cathedral is not only a remarkable architectural gem but also a symbol of Catholicism’s cultural influence in Vietnam. You can wander around its gardens and even catch newlyweds having their photos taken.
These are only but a handful of the best attractions in Hanoi. There is much more to explore in this dynamic city such as the Temple of Literature, Museum of Ethnology and Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural. I have been to ‘Hanoi Hotel’ which is the jail museum and the Women’s Museum which I will write about next time as well as Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, one of the Grand Dame hotels of the east.
All the photos featured here are provided by the writer except the photos of the Old Quarter which are courtesy of Vietnam Tourism.
