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Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

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.

go at hour · at openingadmission: unknownNot field-verified
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Add to a day →

Key facts

Time on site
20–30 min
p95 45 min
Price
about ₫30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2)
bring cash
Hours
07:00–18:00
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.
Usually 07:00–18:00
Map & directions
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Directions
From where I am

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 07:00–18:00
Crowds

Go at opening

Quietest 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
Directions Add to a day →

Weather here, next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Time on site

minutes

Minimum

15min

Worthwhile

20min

Typical

30min

p95

45min

Opening hours not printed until verified.

How much time do you have?

from the time-on-site figures above

Enough for a typical visit (30 min).

Nothing else in our notes is a short enough walk from here for the time that is left.

Visit times are typical figures, not promises; queues and closing times can change them.

Tickets & entry

2026 estimate · check the posted board
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).

Official site ↗

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.

TicketPriceNote
Adult entryabout ₫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.
Sensory load
3/5
Exposure
medium

Which month is quietest

desk estimate · not counted
  1. Janheavy
  2. Febpacked
  3. Marbusy
  4. Aprbusy
  5. Maylight
  6. Junlight
  7. Jullight
  8. Auglight
  9. Sepbusy
  10. Octheavy
  11. Novheavy
  12. Decheavy

Quietest May–Aug · busiest Feb.

Estimate: desk reasoning from school-trip, weekend, season and holiday patterns; not counted. Holidays and events move these weeks.

Bailouts

  1. heat

    Tràng Tiền Plaza (AC)

  2. rain

    Café on the lake's west side

Nearest rescue anchor: A — Lake north: Ngọc Sơn gate benches

What to have on you

from the rules and facts on this page
  • CashThe ticket desk is likely to take cash only.

Rules and prices change: check the official site before you go.

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

nearest first
  1. 3 minThăng Long Water Puppet Theatre
  2. 5 minHàng Đào into the Old Quarter
  3. 10 minSt Joseph's Cathedral
  4. —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

enforced at the gate or by guards
altar
Lower your voice and do not point your feet at the altar if you sit.

With kids

kids: ok
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

answered by Voykit editors · dated
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

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Sources