Tran Quoc Pagoda

This temple is very peaceful and calming. It is a historical site as well. The pagoda looks smaller in real life than I imagined. However, it is with a trip since you will see the lake as well so it is very convenient. It is not that far from the old quarter and you can take the bus there. Expect heavy foot traffic as this is a top tourist site in Hanoi.

One of the oldest temples in Hanoi. The pagoda is rather small though. There is also a Sacred Fig tree reported transplanted from India where Buddha attained enlightenment. People who would like to make wishes can circle the tree in clockwise direction. Do odd number rounds. 3, 5, or 7. Plan to spend about an hour there.

A beautiful spiritual place near Old Quarter. The towering pagoda can be admired even outside the temple. There is no entrance fee but they accept donations. There is also a dress code so make sure you are wearing a proper attire when entering (no shorts, sleeveless shirts and slippers) Since this is a temple, be mindful of the place and do not make loud noise so you won’t interrupt the locals praying. This place is a must visit when going to Hanoi.

Lovely lake with great walks or running around the perimeter and a lovely red bridge. We came during the Hanoi 70 year celebration so it was busy but a lovely place to visit and enjoy / relax

I hope that you are reading this before your visit ! It is important to know that shoulders should be covered if you would like to enter the temple. It is a sign of respect for the temple and the buddhist religion. Stunning temple. Highly recommend the visit. I would warn everyone that you will be bombarded with people trying to make a quick buck off of you if you show up not covering your shoulders. We got there at 2PM on Friday. No wait. Walking in was flowing easily and there was a prayer session happening during our visit.

Must must must for breakfast. Despite the chaos they’ll work with you through the language barrier on your order. And whatever you wind up with will be delicious. Sit in the ubiquitous tinychairs of the cafe next door and order a coffee.

You can visit this place for free. There is a scooter parking for 10000 VND. The pagoda itself is beautiful and well maintained but can say the same about the pavement, lake and road. The pagoda could be crowded at times, depending upon the tour buses. The other reviews mention pushy sellers/hawkers, i personally did not encounter them.

One of the popular temples for tourists. There were many foreign tourists with their guides at the time of my visit. It looks unique and it’s not so large, so you probably only need 20 to 30 minutes max here, but it’s still worth checking out.