1. French quarter history and changed
Since 1920, French colonial began to build public works, the first villas in the Western Quarter simultaneously with the first colonial exploitation in Indochina. Many houses, offices star built from this time.
French quarter changing
2. French quarter Hanoi map
French Quarter Hanoi map
3. What to do in French Quarter (French Quarter Hanoi attractions)
This is quite a large area. You may get confused about this area, let's Go Viet Trip introduce some highlight place you need to visit for you.
3.1. Hanoi Opera House
Hanoi opera house is one of the most important and a symbol of French architecture in capital. It was built in 1901 and completed in 1911. The theater is designed according to the Opéra Garnier Theater in Paris, but smaller and using materials suitable to the local climatic conditions.
This place has witnessed many historical events with the August Revolution Square. This is also the venue for the first parliamentary session of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, which hosts many art performances, significant of the whole country.
Overview of the opera house
3.2. National Museum of Vietnam History
The Museum located on Ton Dan Street is an excellent work of French architecture in Hanoi.
Built in 1926 and completed in 1932. It was officially opened to the public in 1958. With an area of more than 2.200 square meters and display more than 100.000 specimens and artifacts of different materials, including many rare and valuable items, some objects on display even date back a thousand years ago since the Ly and Le dynasties.
National Museum of Vietnam History
3.3. St. Joseph's Cathedral church, Hanoi
A place not to be missed in the journey to discover "France in the heart of Hanoi" is Hanoi Cathedral, also known as St. Joseph Cathedral, located at 40 Chung House. The church was built in 1886. This is a church with Gothic architecture, used as a meeting place for the Roman Catholic community in Hanoi.
St Joseph's Cathedral Hanoi
>>> Must read: St Joseph Cathedral Hanoi
3.4. Hoa Lo prison
Hoa Lo prison is one of the most popular attractions in the French Quarter. Also known as "Hanoi Hilton," which was built by the French colony in 1896, is a famous place because it held many Vietnamese revolutionaries in the Indochina War and American pilots in the Vietnam War.
Hoa lo prison
>>> Must read: Hoa Lo prison - Hell on the earth or Hanoi Hilton hotel
3.5. Long Bien Bridge
Long Bien Bridge (also known as Paul Doumer Bridge) is the first steel bridge to cross and connect two Red River banks. It's was built by the French from 1898 to 1902
One thing that few people know about it, with 2290 meters, is that it was the second-longest bridge in the world (just after the Brooklyn Bridge across East-River in the USA)
Long Bien Bridge Hanoi
>>> Must read: Long Bien Bridge - All you need to know
3.6. Trang Tien Plaza
Located right on Hoan Kiem Lake, it's one of Hanoi's most famous and high-end shopping malls with many favorite brands such as Dior, Channel, Louis Vuitton, etc.
4. Best things to do in the French Quarter
4.1. French quarter Hanoi walking tour
Discover "a corner of France in the East" by walking around is a great experience. The event's less bustling compared with the old quarter, but it still attracts many visitors. You may find some local travel agent organizers free walking tours with a friendly local guide, and they will show you a lot of helpful information.
4.2. Enjoy Trang Tien Ice – cream
Trang Tien Ice Cream is a famous ice cream company established in 1958 in Hanoi. Ice cream is called "Trang Tien" because ice cream is produced and sold on Trang Tien street. It has become a very familiar brand of Hanoi ice cream with many different flavors, such as chocolate, vanilla, nuggets, and coconut milk, etc. Ice cream has a delicious, fantastic taste and is a favorite food for Vietnamese and foreigners in general.
It's very cheap, just 10.000vnd ~ 50 cent/ 1 Ice cream.
Trang Tien ice cream Hanoi - Must try, especially in summer.
4.3. Wandering Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is considered the center of Hanoi, not only physically but also symbolically. This is not only a place for people to relax, take a walk, associate with the people of the capital in many aspects of cultural history, and go into poetry.
Nowadays, many local and foreign visitors like to walk around the lake because there are plenty of activities to join, such as traditional games, dancing, listening to Vietnamese traditional folk songs, etc. Especially on weekends.
Hoan Kiem Lake
>>> Hoan Kiem Lake - All you need to know
4.4. Visit Art Galleries and Jazz Club
Hanoi is the capital for politics and economy and the heart of contemporary arts and local culture.
Are you curious about the arts in Vietnam?
There are many art galleries in this area, such as Thanh Binh, Red Moon, and A Dong galleries with many kinds of paintings and portraits with various materials. If you are wondering about art, you should visit this area and find some good paintings for yourself. Besides that, if you are like Jazz can visit Binh Minh Jazz club – one of the most famous jazz clubs in Hanoi.
>>> Read more: Top 5 restaurant in French Quarter Hanoi
5. Hotels & Accommodation in the French quarter of Hanoi
There are many high-class hotels in the French Quarter for a stay and relaxation. Here are the top 5 hotels that have a high score, recommended by Booking.com
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5.1. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Rate: 9,4/10
Location: 15 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Price: from 200 USD
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5.2 Hanoi Emerald Waters Hotel Trendy
Rate: 9,4/10
Location: 38 Lò Sũ, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Price from 40 USD
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5.3 Apricot Hotel
Rate: 9/10
Location: 136 Hang Trong street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Price: from 130 USD
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5.4 Delicacy Central Hotel & Spa
Location:61 Hàng Bè, Str, Hoàn Kiếm - Hanoi
Rate: 9,6/10
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5.5 Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi – Mgallery
Rate: 8,7/10
Location: 29 Trang Tien street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
Price: from USD 119
Click here to check out Free walking tour with local students and visit the French quarter.
>>> Read more Hanoi tours with the best prices, services, and itinerary
We hope this article will help you understand more about Hanoi if you need any more help. Please feel free to contact us: Email: Goviettrip@gmail.com or hotline +84968667589. We are guarantee about quality and prices. Get a full refund if you do not feel happy with our services.
Author Hoan Nguyen
He has over 10 years of experience working in the tourism sector and operator. He has traveled to many places in Vietnam and around the world.
