Place · Hoàn Kiếm Lake & French Quarter
Ngọc Sơn TempleĐền Ngọc Sơn
Cross the red Thê Húc bridge at opening, before the tour groups; 20–30 minutes; pair it with the lake loop at sunrise.
Key facts
- Time on site
- 20–30 min
- p95 45 min
- Price
- about ₫30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2)
- bring cash
- Hours
- 07:00–18:007:00 AM–6:00 PM
- typical, check
- Best time
- at opening
- quietest window
- 28″ bags
- Painful
- Hoàn Kiếm Lake & French Quarter: painful
- Getting there
- Đinh Tiên Hoàng street, north-east shore of Hoàn Kiếm Lake
- Red Thê Húc bridge
- Best at opening
- Go at opening
- Bring cash
- Works with kids
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
Rules in force · 9Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…Old Quarter pavements are blocked by parked motorbikes an…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Vietnam ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Vietnam ↗Crossing streets: walk slowly and steadily; motorbikes flow around you — do not stop or run.
- Vietnam ↗Carry Vietnamese đồng in small notes; many stalls and taxis are cash-only.
- North Vietnam ↗Dec–Feb in the north is cool and damp (10–18°C): pack a warm layer.
- North Vietnam ↗Sa Pa and Hà Giang can drop near freezing in December–January and fog in for days; keep a spare night and do not plan a single-day summit.
- Hanoi ↗Old Quarter pavements are blocked by parked motorbikes and stalls: large suitcases go from the car to the door, never on a walk.
- Hanoi ↗Around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, streets close to cars on Friday–Sunday evenings; taxis drop you at the edge.
Map & directions
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Plan
Open now, what it costs, what to know, how long it takes
Go now?
hours and prices: check on the day- Open
- Usually 07:00–18:00Usually 7:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Crowds
Go at opening
MonTueWedThuFriSatSunQuietest Mon–Thu · busiest Sat, Sun · desk estimate
- Tickets
- Adult: about ₫30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2) (2026 estimate)
check (reduced rate for children)
- Time to spend
- 20–30 min · up to 45 min if you linger
Weather here, next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Time on site
Minimum
15min
Worthwhile
20min
Typical
30min
p95
45min
Opening hours not printed until verified.
Tickets & entry
- Where to buy
- Buy at the entrance on the day.
- Buy from the official site or the ticket desk; resellers add a fee for the same ticket.
- Bring cash; cards may not be taken (check).
- Free days
Free entry days in Hanoi (pick Hanoi in the tool; check)
- Photos
- Allowed; not of people praying up close.
- What's closed
- WeeklyOpen daily.
- Tết and full-moon dayscheckHeavy crowds and incense on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month.
“Check” dates move year to year: confirm on the official page for your date.
| Ticket | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult entry | about ₫30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2) (2026 estimate) | Buy at the booth before the red bridge; cash. |
On the ground
Getting in, crowds, and where to go if it does not work
Getting in
- Stop
- Đinh Tiên Hoàng street, north-east shore of Hoàn Kiếm Lake
- Exit
- —
- Ticket
- on site · official site · bring cash
- Stairs
- bridge: arched bridge with low steps
- Shoes
- Shoes on.
Crowds and switching
- Crowd clock
- Quiet at opening; groups from 09:00; very busy on weekend evenings.Quiet at opening; groups from 9:00 AM; very busy on weekend evenings.
- Sensory load
- 3/5
- Exposure
- medium
Bailouts
heat
Tràng Tiền Plaza (AC)
rain
Café on the lake's west side
Nearest rescue anchor: A — Lake north: Ngọc Sơn gate benches
Step-free check
- Step-free entrance: partly · partlybridge: arched bridge with low steps
- Lifts: no · no
- Accessible toilet: check · check
The red Thê Húc bridge has low steps up and down; the island shrine has thresholds.
Combine with
- 3 minThăng Long Water Puppet Theatre
- 5 minHàng Đào into the Old Quarter
- 10 minSt Joseph's Cathedral
- —Hoàn Kiếm Lake loop
Walk the Hoàn Kiếm Lake & French Quarter area · the cluster page has the walking order, rescue stops and after-dark notes
Best photo time today
Sun times for today load in your browser.
Red lines
- Dress modestly; lower your voice at the altar.
More on the groundRules on site · With kids
Rules on site
- altar
- Lower your voice and do not point your feet at the altar if you sit.
With kids
- with kids
- The bridge and the preserved giant turtle are the draw; hold hands on the bridge steps.
- child price
- check (reduced rate for children)
Deep dive
Questions, what is nearby, photos and sources
Questions and answers
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, a small fee at the bridge gate; bring cash (check the posted price).
Checked 2026-09-28 · Voykit desk
How long do I need?
20–30 minutes, then carry on around the lake.
Checked 2026-09-28 · Voykit desk
Nearby
Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.
Sources
- officialHanoi Department of Tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage — Hanoi