Top 10 'Most Surprising' Facts About Hanoi That You Might Not Know

Long Bien Bridge is the first steel bridge to span the Red River, connecting the Hoan Kiem and Long Bien districts of Hanoi. Built by the French between 1898 and 1902, it is the oldest bridge in the capital. Long Bien Bridge has stood as a historical witness, surviving through many of the nation’s turbulent moments and transformations.

Today, while no longer a key traffic artery, Long Bien Bridge still stands proudly, observing the construction of modern, majestic bridges, and witnessing the rapid development of Hanoi with each passing day and hour.

Thanh Tri Bridge is the largest bridge in the set of seven bridges spanning the Red River in Hanoi. It connects the Hoang Mai and Long Bien districts, with the main bridge measuring 3,084 meters in length and a total structure length of over 12,000 meters. The bridge is 33.10 meters wide and includes six traffic lanes, four of which are dedicated to expressway traffic.

Once completed, it will significantly alleviate traffic congestion in Hanoi. Thanh Tri Bridge is currently the largest bridge project in Indochina.

West Lake is considered the largest lake in Hanoi, located in the northwest part of the capital, covering an area of around 500 hectares with a circumference of 17 kilometers. It is also known by other names such as Foggy Lake, Golden Buffalo Lake, and Fox Tomb Pond, each associated with a legendary tale. West Lake is the most romantic corner in Hanoi’s vibrant landscape, a world of gentle, fresh breezes, and an endless source of inspiration for poets visiting the capital.

West Lake is also a popular tourist destination, attracting numerous visitors both domestic and international. Around the lake, there are many temples, shrines, and historical sites, with significant cultural relics including 102 stone steles, 165 couplets, 140 horizontal boards, 18 ancient bells, 60 royal decrees, and over 300 statues made of bronze, wood, and stone. To the west of West Lake, there are many villages, each with its own historical significance and connection to famous landmarks in the region.

Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, with a history spanning over 1500 years. Located on the southern peninsula of West Lake, near the end of Thanh Nien Road in Yen Phu Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, the pagoda combines an impressive and ancient architectural style with serene, peaceful surroundings.

Built during the reign of Ly Nam De (541-547), when Buddhism first arrived in Vietnam, it was originally named Khai Quoc. During the reign of Le Thanh Tong (1440-1442), it was renamed An Quoc. The name Tran Quoc came into use during the reign of Le Hy Tong (1680-1705). Tran Quoc Pagoda is renowned for being a sacred place of worship, attracting numerous Buddhist devotees and tourists from both within Vietnam and abroad.

Keangnam Hanoi is the tallest building in Hanoi and the tallest modern building in Vietnam, standing at 72 stories. It ranks 5th in the world for the total area of a single architectural structure. The most famous feature of Keangnam is the observation deck on its rooftop, located 350 meters above the ground.

This space is a mini entertainment and art hub, featuring an art gallery, 3D photo zones, a 3D technology world, and a 5D cinema. The highlight, however, is the breathtaking view from the 72nd floor, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the entire Hanoi city. It is truly a remarkable experience at Vietnam’s tallest building.

87 Ma May Old House was built in the early 19th century with a total area of 157.6 square meters. The house is aligned perpendicular to the street, with a land length of 28 meters, a 5-meter wide frontage, and a 6-meter wide back. It is considered the oldest house in Hanoi. The house is a traditional example, recreating the lifestyle and architecture of ancient Hanoi.

This house has been carefully restored as a historical landmark of Hanoi’s 36 old streets. On February 16, 2004, 87 Ma May Old House was recognized as a national heritage site. Today, it serves as a point of introduction for locals and tourists alike, offering insight into the traditional Vietnamese urban house in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Visitors can learn about the lifestyle of ancient Hanoians and enjoy traditional Ca Tru music performed on select evenings. The house also showcases architectural conservation and restoration techniques for old buildings.

Thang Long Bridge is a monumental symbol of Vietnam-Soviet friendship and the only two-level bridge in Hanoi. Spanning the Red River at kilometer 6+300 on the Ring Road 3, it connects Dong Anh district with Bac Tu Liem district in Hanoi. The bridge is 3,500 meters long and 21 meters wide, featuring two levels. It has 25 main bridge spans and 46 spans for the approach roads for rail and pedestrian traffic.

The first level includes two separate lanes, each meters wide (one lane per side) for non-motorized vehicles. The center of the first level is dedicated to a railroad track running from Van Dien to Bac Hong, with a width of 11 meters. The second level is for motorized vehicles, 21 meters wide, with a concrete surface and two pedestrian lanes for visitors to enjoy the view.

Hoan Kiem Street is an exceptionally short street, measuring only 52 meters in length, making it the shortest street in Hanoi. This is roughly the length of two streetlights. It runs from Cau Go Street to Dinh Tien Hoang Street, adjacent to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater and near Hoan Kiem Lake.

This street is also known as Che Street in the past, and during the French colonial era, it was named Philharmonique Street. It wasn't until 1945 that it was renamed Hoan Kiem Street. The street is famous for its many delicious shops selling pickled salads, particularly dried beef salad, which has become a specialty of Hanoi.

Thuy Khue Street is arguably the longest street in central Hanoi, stretching from the beginning of Quan Thanh Street to the entrance of Buoi Market, with a length of over 3,200 meters. Originally called Thuy Chuong, the street was renamed after Emperor Thieu Tu, also known as Emperor Chuong Hoang, and became Thuy Khue Street.

The street passes through the Thuy Khue, Yen Thai, and Ho Khau wards, all of which are ancient villages by the West Lake. This area is famous for its beautiful landscapes and numerous historic temples and pagodas in Hanoi.

Hoa Lo Street is known as the street with the fewest addresses, as it has just one address—the famous Hoa Lo Prison. One side of the street houses the historic Hoa Lo Prison, while the other side is bordered by the walls of the Hanoi People's Court. Hoa Lo Street is named after the prison located in the city's heart, dating back to the pre-colonial period.

This quiet, short street has no shops or businesses along its path. It's so discreet that if you're not paying attention, you might easily pass by without even noticing you're in a different part of the city.