Top 4 Attractions in Hanoi Old Quarter

Colonial buildings dating back to a century ago on the streets and the alley ways are the evidences of the historical significance Hanoi Old Quarter holds.

While it's a major commercial district amongst modern architecture, old shop-houses, Buddhist temples and pagodas, many of the attractions and historical sites are located within Old Quarter.

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1, Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

There is a legendary story …..

Hoan Kiem Lake - "Lake of the Returned Sword"

Emperor Le Loi was on a boat in 1428 when a golden turtle surfaced to reclaim his magic sword which hand been given to the emperor by a local god, the Dragon King.  After the sword was used to defeat the Chinese Ming Dynasty, the emperor returned it to the turtle and commemorated the event of the day.

Ngoc Son Temple sits on a small island (also known as Jade Island) in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake.  It was built in the 18th century in the honor of the 13th century military leader Tran Hung Dao who fought against the Chinese Yuan Dynasty.

The lake is a peaceful escape from the busy city.  Locals and visitors hang out under the trees, practice Tai-Chi and exercise.It's also a nice place to run - one lap around the lake is about one mile.

2, Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)

The french called it "Maison Centrale", a colonial prison.

After opening in 1886, many Vietnamese political activists and revolutionaries were imprisoned, tortured and executed. "Hoa Lo" in Vietnamese means furnace - describes the hellish treatment the prisoners received.

During the Vietnam War, American POWs were imprisoned and the remnants of the relics such as their belongings and Senator John McCain's flight suit are in exhibition.

What remains of present-day prison is only the small southern section of the original prison complex.

3, Temple of Literature

It was built  in 1070 honoring Confucius, sages and scholars. As a first national university and an imperial academy in Vietnam, it remained open from 1076 to 1779.

In 1802, the Nguyen Dynasty established a capital in Hue and a new imperial academy therefore resulting in losing its prominence.

The temple ground is picturesque with three courtyards, ponds, statues, relics and stelae of doctors.  It covers more than 54,000 square meters which includes Ho Van Lake across the road.

4, St. Joseph's Cathedral

Resembling Notre Dame of Paris, the Roman catholic church was constructed and opened in 1886 during the French colonial occupation.

After Viet Minh took control of the North, it suffered decades of persecution; priests were arrested and the church property was seized.  It was closed down and finally reopened in 1990 and now is the headquarters of Archdiocese of Vietnam.