Old quarter of Hanoi

 Founded by the emperor Ly Thai To in 1010, the "city of the river" extends on the right bank of the Red River. The city developed around a citadel, now reduced to meager remains, which housed the courtyard. The artisans who responded to his needs settled nearby. In the sixteenth century, they had grouped by activity giving the old quarter the face it has preserved until today. Lively and colorful, Hanoi's oldest trading district began to take on its current form in the 13th century, when craftsmen settled on the Red River bank to meet the needs of the court. They are then grouped by activity. In the fifteenth century, the existence of 36 corporations each occupying a street was formalized and the neighborhood took the name of "neighborhood 36 Street". Its alleys lined with small shops, restaurants, and the tube house have retained a unique cachet. 

At the end of the 19th century, the French colonial administration decided to build a huge hall at the site of the East Bridge market. Ravaged by a fire in 1994, and rebuilt in 1996, the building has retained only its original facade, dating from 1889. It houses the oldest, largest and most important indoor market of Hanoi. Similar to most markets in Southeast Asia, Dong Xuan Market sells everything you want: clothes, souvenirs, T-shirts, fabrics, school uniforms, handbags, handicrafts, all of which are sold at wholesale prices. Surrounding Dong Xuan Market are many more shops where you can purchase traditional Dong Ho drawings, Bat Trang ceramics, Binh Da embroideries and laces, and sand paintings. You must go shopping in Dong Xuan at least one time because it’s the experience of the local lifestyle 
Temple of the White Horse

Founded by King Ly Thai To at the beginning of the 11th century, more than 1,000 years, The White Horse Temple is the oldest building in the heart of Old Quarter. This temple is attached with a legend that: When King Ly Thai To build his city in Thang Long, his city always dumped although it’s very firm. He sends people to prayed genie Long Do then a white horse went out from the temple. King Ly Thai To followed the horse step, drew the map to build his city and the palace stood steady. The White Horse temple brings the Nguyen period architecture. If you want to find a peaceful and slow life, Bach Ma temple is the place you are looking for.
Long Bien Bridge

As known as the oldest bridge in Hanoi, the Long Bien bridge was constructed from 1989 to 1902 by two designers in French. It is crossing the Red River. In spite of more than a hundred years, the bridge is still in use for trains, bicycle and motorcycle now and becomes one of the most impressive tourist attractions in Hanoi alluring numerous both domestic and international tourists to visit and discover. Your tour in Hanoi should not miss this attraction, let take a walk or grab your bicycle and camera and head out to Long Bien Bridge, feel the daily life of Hanoians, and enjoying peaceful moments and some appealing photo ops. Make sure that you will have a lot of beautiful pictures.
Hanoi Opera House
The building was completed in 1911 by two architecture in French. The Hanoi Opera House is the biggest theatre in Vietnam. The building is 34 meters above the ground and carried out in a total area of 2600 square meters with the 87-meter length and 30-meter width Visitors today will be entertained at this architectural landmark which features a range of events including local Vietnamese opera, traditional folk music, ballets, and many international concerts. The auditorium is three-seat floors that include 589 velvet seats. The second and third floor is dedicated to private box seats. You must watch a performance at the Hanoi Opera House.

Saint Joseph Cathedral
 

Saint Joseph located in 40 Nha Chung street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. It was built about 120 years ago by Bishop Puginier. It one of the most beautiful early Catholic buildings in Hanoi. With unique architecture, Hanoi Cathedral is a place to attract a lot of Hanoi people and tourists to visit, admire. In particular, at Christmas, the church became a popular pilgrimage place for Catholics and religious pilgrims. Besides, the couple often chooses the Cathedral of Hanoi as their wedding photography. One of the architectural features of the cathedral in Hanoi is designed in the Gothic style and simulated from the church of Notre Dame de Paris. If you visit Saint Joseph Cathedral, you will be overwhelmed by the architecture, vintage style. When you come here, you must try lemon tea with sunflower seeds- the famous drinks and snacks outside the church for young people

Hoa Lo Prison

 

The prison was built in Hanoi by the French. Hoa Lo  was a prison used by the French colonist when Vietnam was still a part of French Indochina. The name Hỏa Lò, commonly translated as "fiery furnace" or even "Hell's hole", also means "stove". The name originated from the street name phố Hỏa Lò, due to the concentration of stores selling wood stoves and coal-fire stoves along the street from pre-colonial times. The French called the prison Maison Centrale, 'Central House', which is still the designation of prisons for dangerous or long sentence detainees in France. It was intended to hold Vietnamese prisoners, particularly political prisoners agitating for independence who were often subject to torture and execution. It was often overcrowded, holding some 730 prisoners or more in a room that can contain 600 prisons, it had become a symbol of colonialist exploitation and the bitterness of the Vietnamese towards the French.
Water Puppet Theater

Located at 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang street, nearby Hoan Kiem Lake, Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is a familiar address for both domestic tourists and foreign ones, who want to enjoy water puppet shows and discovery the beauty of this unique Vietnam traditional art. Contain traditional content of water puppet performance like the daily life of Vietnamese farmers (cultivating, tending buffalo, catching fishes…), communal entertainment (swimming contest, dragon dancing…), or historical legends (Le Loi returns precious sword). However, the artists of Thang Long Water Puppet Theater want to renew the old puppet shows with the effect of light, music, and combination between people and puppets. Certainly, it will be much great if tourists can directly watch these shows in Thang Long Water Puppets Theater after enjoying a cup of coffee in the coffee lounge which is right in front of the theater and giving a nice view to Hoan Kiem Lake.
If you have a chance to visit Hanoi, we recommend you walking or you can go by cyclo to visit Old Quarter. Old Quarter do not disappoint you