French Quarter Hanoi features the beautiful French architecture with several quaint temples, traditional Vietnamese art and leafy boulevards and modern boutiques. So, when you travel to Hanoi, you don't pass up to visit it. 

French Quarter Hanoi Overview

The French Quarter in Hanoi is situated on the southeast of Hoan Kiem Lake. This is a busy hub in the Hanoi capital, as the same as the Old Quarter with 36 streets.

This place appears from the late 19th century when the French occupied Hanoi and built many old Vietnamese buildings with impressive and stunning French style houses. So, this is called the French Quarter. 

The yellow building on Hanoi French Quarter

Tourists can attract unique traits in architecture and a wide range of fresh food and refreshing drinks. You can stroll along the streets in this area and visit the house painted in yellow. Travel will feel like traveling to France's capital.

French Quarter, Hanoi is the most luxurious street in the city, surrounded by many 5 star hotels and high class restaurants. In addition, there are various shops, bookstores and boutiques in this corner. 

The woman sells fruit from a small bicycle.

Many famous constructions of the city are located in the French Quarter such as St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hoa Lo Prison, and the Hanoi Opera House located in  Hoan Kiem. Besides, you can see some centers for some  embassies like Ireland and Italian embassies, government buildings, and  residential neighborhoods. 

Some well-known destinations in Hanoi

There are many French restaurants and luxurious hotels in the French Quarter Hanoi. Especially, visiting this street, you can explore some stunning building to explore, includes:

Hanoi Opera House

• Address: N0.01 Trang Thi, Hanoi
• Opening hours: 10:30 am to 0:30 pm
• Entrance fee: 400.000 VND - 2.000.000 VND. 

One of the most captivating in Hanoi is Hanoi Opera House, features with a yell-painted architectural. This building plays an important role in historical and architectural landmarks in the city.

Hanoi Opera House

The Opera House was designed with style of the Paris Opera House and classical Greek architecture heavily, blending Indochinese architecture due to its creamy and yellow exterior paints.

In these days of opening, classical performance was hosted. However, today,  the opera house hosts many music shows from traditional folk music shows, concerts, press conferences, and national meetings

Hoa Lo Prison

• Address: N0.01 Hoa Lo, Hanoi
• Opening hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Entrance fee: VND 50,000 for adults & VND 25,000 for students and the elderly

Nestled in French Quarter Hanoi, you should visit Hoa Lo prison, known  as  "Hell on Earth". The prison describes the fierce life and struggle in the war. Hoa Lo prison was constructed in 1886, used to imprison thousands of Vietnamese revolutionaries. 

Hoa Lo Prison

Nowadays, the prison is one of the best tourists in Hanoi, serving the journey of students, learning more about Vietnamese history. Tourists will admire the  artifacts, and exhibits of whips, shackles, and other instruments, conveying the brutality and violence of this prison in the past.

St. Joseph's Cathedral

• Address: No. 40 Nha Chung, Hanoi
• Opening Hours: During ceremony hours
• Ticket Price: Free

St.Joseph’s Cathedral is the oldest church in the capital of Hanoi, located in the French Quarter. This church is the first French building in Indochina with neo-Gothic architecture, drawing inspiration from Paris Notre Dame. 

St. Joseph's Cathedral

The cathedral attracts tourists due to its  striking stained-glass windows, pointed arches, and hollow spaces. Entering the church, you will see two 31.5-meter bell towers with a stone cross atop the church and a metal statue of Mother Maria in the garden.

Vietnam National Museum of History

Location: 

• No. 216 Tran Quang Khai, Hanoi
• No. 01 Trang Tien, Hanoi

Opening Hours: Morning: 8:00 am - 12:00 am; Afternoon: 1:30 pm - 5:00pm

Ticket Price: From 20.000 VND to 40.000 VND

Don't forget to visit Vietnam National Museum of History when strolling around Hanoi French Quarter. You can visit one of two places to explore the museum. The museum at No. 01 Trang Tien was designed with the style of Asian-European architecture and the museum at No.216 Tran Quang Khai showcases the architecture of Vietnamese. 

Vietnam National Museum of History

If you want to explore ancient artifacts from prehistory to the end of the Nguyen Dynasty (1945), visit at No. 01 Trang Tien. Besides, tourists can see the collection of Oc Eo - Phu Nam cultural relics and arts by  Indochina Fine Arts students during the French colonial period.

Visiting the museum at 216 Tran Quang Street, you can learn more about the history of Vietnam from 1858 to 1975, as well as the life of those who fought, worked during war times. 

Vietnamese Women's Museum

• Address: No. 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi
• Opening Hours: Every day, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Ticket Price: 10.000 VND to 40.000 VND

The Vietnamese Women's Museum honors the beauty of Vietnamese women from historical times to the present day through Vietnam's cultural and historical legacy. 

Vietnamese Women's Museum

Today, the museum stores the history of Vietnamese women from the country's 54 ethnic groups with artifacts, photographs from the hardships of war to the modern day. The Vietnamese Women's Museum celebrates the sacrifice of Vietnamese women to society, culture and history. 

Hanoi French Quarter Vs Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi French Quarter and Hanoi Old Quarter are two different destinations. The Quarter is located around Hoan Kiem lake but on two different sides. 

Old Quarter in Hanoi is the busiest destination in Hanoi with a Vietnamese vibe with ancient houses and traditional food. 

Hanoi French Quarter is peaceful, wider pavements and less traffic, featuring well-preserved colonial buildings and grand boulevards. The architecture of French Quarter is the style of French with well-preserved colonial buildings and grand boulevards.

If you visit to Hanoi, you should spend time to explore these 2 quarter by walking due to they are closer. You can book a 1 day tour of Hanoi by car with Vietnam Trust Car Rental Company to offer the memorable experience. 

Hanoi French Quarter provides a glimpse into the historical and cultural of the city. Admire the architecture of Asia and Europe, explore  iconic landmarks, museums, and galleries. If you want to learn more about architecture and the life of Hanoi people, don't forget to take French Quarter Hanoi on your itinerary.