Hanoi french quarter walking tour | Route Map & Top Attractions

This is the fantastic combination of colonial buildings, hip cultural attractions, and modern attitude that epitomizes Hanoi's French Quarter.

The area is situated southeast of Hoan Kiem Lake and should be a point of interest for any historian or keen observer.

If you are someone who is a party animal then maybe this is not a tour for you although you can always sit on a roadside cafe/bar to have a local beer called Hanoi Beer and have make acquaintance with friendly Vietnamese sitting on those famous tiny chairs, it's pretty fun tbh, we promise :)

Now, let's enter into a self-guided walking tour of discovery of the hidden treasures and famous areas!

Start from Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is the pulsar of Hanoi, so start your adventure here. This lovely body of water, surrounded by well-shaded pathways, ranks among the most favorite places both with the locals and visitors. The Ngoc Son Temple, reachable by a bright red bridge, is particularly picturesque.

If you are a social media addict who is always on the lookout for that trending clip on tik tok, then this is the place to shoot your shot!

We have made the map of the French Quarter walking tour for you so you can have a bird eye view of the entire route. Here is the google Maps link.

Walk to the Hanoi Opera House

The famous Hanoi Opera House can be reached from Hoan Kiem Lake and is a symbol of French colonial splendor. This 1911 edifice has taken much of its architectural inspiration from the Palais Garnier in Paris. It is also a place of cultural activity, and traditional Vietnamese arts and western classics will find performances quite often here.

Explore Trang Tien Street

Hey, when you stroll down Trang Tien Street, you’ll come across Hanoi’s fancy shopping spot, Trang Tien Plaza. It’s got this classy French vibe, and inside, you’ll see all the luxury brands. Plus, it’s a cool place to check out how colonial influences blend with the modern Vietnamese lifestyle.

Visit the Vietnam National Museum of History

The nearby walking radius offers the Vietnam National Museum of History, which narrates the story of Vietnam from pre-historic times up to 1945. It is contained in a building with fantastic French architectural ornamentation and contains some artefacts relating to the ancient cultures of Champa and Dong Son.

Chill Out at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel

Other than that, a tour to the historic and posh Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel is done, containing huge amounts of history. Many famous people have stayed here, including Charlie Chaplin. Not to be missed: a cup of coffee in its courtyard café or a guided tour down to its wartime bunker.

Admire St. Joseph's Cathedral

Head toward St. Joseph's Cathedral, which is the oldest church in Hanoi. The neo-Gothic structure bears an uncanny resemblance to Notre Dame in Paris. This is a great place to experience some of Hanoi's street culture: purchase a glass of refreshing lemon tea from one of the café stalls and take in the lively atmosphere.

Galleries of Wandering Through

Hanoi's French Quarter holds a number of hip art galleries, like the Red Moon Gallery and the Thanh Binh Gallery. Both of these houses work by Vietnamese artists in different forms, from traditional lacquer paintings to modern ones that give you a peek into local art.

Indulge in Local Food

The French Quarter is not only historical but also a food haven; be it very authentic Vietnamese eateries or French-inspired patisseries, everything's in it. Everything is found on the way from banh mi to pho to sweets sold by the local vendors.

We personally loved the Le Beaulieu Restaurant (it's quite costly though) which is four minutes from Hanoi Opera House. They have outside sitting which gives authentic European restaurant vibes and if we are being honest you can capture some nice evening shots for instagram!

Ending with Hoa Lo Prison

End your walking tour at Hoa Lo Prison - better known to the locals as "Hanoi Hilton." The museum will give one a novelty-like insight into the history related to the colonization and wartime in Vietnam. It was used by French colonists, and it survived through most of the Vietnam War.

Tips for Your Walking Tour

• Wear comfortable shoes as the French Quarter is enormous, and you will do a great amount of walking. Bring a water bottle or you can always buy from many street vendors available there.

• Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon, because of the coolest temperature with excellent photo light.

If you want a better sense of the history and culture, book up for a guided tour!

FAQs

1. How long does the walking tour of Hanoi French quarter take?

Typically 2 to 3 hours, depending on stops and your pace.

2. Is it a completely walkable French Quarter?

Yes, the French Quarter is very pedestrian-friendly, complete with wide sidewalks and shaded streets.

3. When would be a good time to visit?

Spring can be the best weather (March to April), as can fall (September to November).

If you go in summer, avoid afternoons at all costs due to high daytime temperatures which can suck the fun out of ya!

4. Are there free walking tours in Hanoi?

Yeah, many places around Hanoi organize these free or really cheap walking tours led by locals.

This free walking tour combines both Old quarter and french quarter in half a day. Although it's a free walking tour, it's run by volunteers (usually students) so a small tip is expected although not mandatory and they never ask you explicitly.

We do recommend (if you can afford) to tip generously as a nice gesture! 
Or you can just do a self guided walking tour following our guide.

5. Can it be combined with the Old Quarter tour?

Of course, the Hanoi Old Quarter stands next to the French Quarter and totally completes your experience with a cool traditional Vietnamese feeling.

If you ask us, we would take it slow and do only one tour at a time to avoid burnout. If you really want to do both, we would suggest you do the French quarter tour in the early morning and Old quarter tour in late evening so you avoid the hot weather and get to catch the vibes of morning and evening both.

Oh and if you like to do crowd-watching, then what's the best way then to just sit on a roadside bar/cafe and sip on a chilled beer or hot coffee based on the time of day :)

6. What should I wear?

Comfortable, breathable clothing and shoes are best; scarf for shoulder covering when visiting religious sites. In the rainy season, bring a small raincoat or buy it from any local shops (they are pretty cheap!) because Hanoi is famous for sudden rain when you least expect it!