Hanoi Districts Overview

Hanoi is the largest central city in the country since the merge of Ha Tay Province. However, international visitors mainly choose to stay in central districts, and only a few get to experience what this great city has to offer fully. Here is our Hanoi Districts Overview with a suggestion for places that you should not miss.

Hanoi Districts Overview: City Map

Hanoi is divided into 12 urban districts, 1 district-leveled town, and 17 suburban districts.

Get bus tickets to travel from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi's main districts:

Hanoi Districts Overview: Urban Districts

Hoan Kiem District

Location: 28 kilometers from Noi Bai International Airport
Neighboring Districts: Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Hai Ba Trung, Long Bien

Named after the famous Lake, Hoan Kiem District is the downtown and business center of Hanoi. Major state-owned corporations and bank’s headquarters are located here. The district now serves a focal point of the Hanoi life and home to the majority of the city’s tourist attractions.

The St. Joseph's Cathedral in the Hanoi Old Quarter

Places to visit in Hoan Kiem District:

• Attractions: Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hanoi Old Quarter, Hanoi Opera House, Tonkin Palace, Museum of Vietnamese History, Hoa Lo Prison Memorials, etc.
• Shopping: Trang Tien Plaza

A corner of Hanoi Old Quarter

Hoa Lo Prison

Hai Ba Trung District

Location: 5 kilometers from Hoan Kiem District
Neighboring Districts: Long Bien, Dong Da, Thanh Xuan, Hoang Mai, Hoan Kiem

The district is named after the legendary heroines in Vietnamese history: the Trung Sisters. Established in 1981, it was one of the first four central districts of Hanoi. Hai Ba Trung District is also home to some of Vietnam’s Top Universities, such as Hanoi University of Technology, Hanoi National Economic University, and Hanoi University of Civil Engineering.

Places to visit in Hai Ba Trung District:

• Attractions: Thien Quang Lake, Ham Long Pagoda, Thong Nhat Park
  
• Shopping: Vincom City Towers, Times City, Ruby Plaza

Thong Nhat Park

Ba Dinh District

Location: 6 kilometers from Hoan Kiem District
Neighboring Districts: Long Bien, Hoan Kiem, Cau Giay, Dong Da, Tay Ho

Ba Dinh District is the political center in Vietnam, with the majority of government offices and embassies situated here. The district used to be called the "French Quarter" because of a high concentration of French-style villas and government buildings date back to the French Colonization.

The ancient Hanoi Flag Tower

Places to visit in Ba Dinh District:

• Attractions: Vietnam Military History Museum, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Thang Long Citadel, Hanoi Flag Tower
• Shopping: Lotte Center

Thang Long Citadel

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Dong Da District

Location: 5 kilometers from Hai Ba Trung District
Neighboring Districts: Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung, Thanh Xuan, Cau Giay

Dong Da is the most densely populated area and one of the four original districts in Hanoi. It was named after the Dong Da Mound, where witnessed the end of the Ngoc Hoi battle between the Nguyen Dynasty and the Manchu Qing Army.

The Temple of Literature - the first university in Vietnam

Places to visit in Dong Da District:

• Attractions: Temple of Literature, Dong Da Mound, Hanoi Station, Hang Day Stadium
• Shopping: Pham Ngoc Thach Vincom Center

Tay Ho District

Location: 15 kilometers to the north of Hanoi’s city center
Neighboring Districts: Long Bien, Bac Tu Liem, Ba Dinh, Cau Giay, Dong Anh

Tay Ho District surrounds West Lake, one of the largest bodies of freshwater in all of Vietnam. The proximity to Hanoi’s Downtown, together with the breath-taking scenery of West Lake, makes Tay Ho District a hotspot for high-end living and home to the majority of expatriates living and working in the Capital City of Vietnam.

The lovely sun-setting scene in Tay Ho

Places to visit in Tay Ho District:

• Attractions: West Lake, Nghi Tam Flower Village, Nhat Tan Peach Blossom Village, Phu Tay Ho, Tay Ho Waterpark, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple
• Shopping: Lac Long Quan Street

Tran Quoc Pagoda is recognized as one of the most beautiful pagodas in the world

Cau Giay District

Location: 8 kilometers to the west of the city center
Neighboring Districts: Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Nam Tu Liem, Bac Tu Liem, Thanh Xuan, Tay Ho

Despite being established only 23 years ago, Cau Giay now emerges as the new commercial center of Hanoi. The district is named after the famous bridge where the battle of Cau Giay took place in the 19th century. Well-known educational institutions and the Hanoi National University can be found here.

The fancy Keangnam Tower

Places to visit in Cau Giay District:

• Attractions: Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower 72, Cau Giay Park, Nghia Do Park, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, etc.
• Shopping: Indochina Plaza Hanoi, Keangnam Hanoi Landmark 72

The outdoor exhibition at Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Nam Tu Liem District and Bac Tu Liem District

Location: 20 kilometers to the East of the city center
Neighboring Districts: Tay Ho, Cau Giay, Dan Phuong, Hoai Duc, Dong Anh

In 2013, the Hanoi Government decided to divide the rural district of Tu Liem into two new urban districts: Nam Tu Liem (the southern part) and Bac Tu Liem (the northern part). Since then, these districts saw a significant development of the facility and high-end apartments.

Places to visit in Nam Tu Liem and Bac Tu Liem Districts:

• Attractions: Hanoi Museum, National Convention Center, My Dinh National Stadium
• Shopping: The Garden Shopping Mall

Thanh Xuan District

Location: 15 kilometers to the South-West of Hanoi center
Neighboring Districts: Dong Da, Hoang Mai, Ha Dong, Nam Tu Liem, and Cau Giay

Established in 1996, Thanh Xuan is one of Hanoi’s new districts with a high concentration of modern residential areas and population. Several major universities are located here, namely VNU University of Science, Hanoi University, Hanoi Architectural University.

Places to visit in Thanh Xuan District:

• Attractions: Phuong Liet Temple
• Shopping: Ho Guom Plaza

Hoang Mai District

Location: To the south of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: Gia Lam, Long Bien, Thanh Tri, Thanh Xuan, Hai Ba Trung

Hoang Mai was established as an urban district of Hanoi on 6 November 2003. It has the highest population in all of Hanoi’s districts. Most of the city’s major routes run through here.

Places to visit in Hoang Mai District:

• Attractions: Yen So Park, Giap Bat Cathedral, Nam Du Cathedral
• Shopping: Hoang Mai Metro Supermarket

Yen So Park in Hoang Mai District

Long Bien District

Location: 5 kilometers to the east of Hoan Kiem District
Neighboring Districts: Gia Lam, Ba Dinh, Tay Ho, Hoang Mai, Dong Anh

Long Bien District was incorporated as an urban district of Hanoi in 2003 from the northwestern section of Gia Lam district adjacent to the city center.

The icon of Hanoi history - The Long bien Bridge

Places to visit in Long Bien District:

• Attractions: Long Bien Bridge, Long Bien Station, Long Bien Flower Park
• Shopping: Aeon Shopping Mall

Ha Dong District

Location: 12 kilometers to the South-West of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: Thanh Tri, Thanh Xuan, Nam Tu Liem, Hoai Duc, Chuong My, Thanh Oai

Ha Dong was formerly a city of Ha Tay Province that was incorporated as an urban district of Hanoi after the merge of Ha Tay into Hanoi’s territory in 2009. It is a land rich in cultural traditions and is one of the localities with the fastest socio-economic development rates of Vietnam’s Capital.

Places to visit in Ha Dong District:

Attractions: Van Phuc Silk Village, Dien Khanh Pagoda
Shopping: Ha Dong Big C Supermarket, Ha Dong Market, Ha Dong AeonMall

Van Phuc Slik Village is one of the oldest traditional handicraft villages in Vietnam.

Hanoi Districts Overview: Suburban Districts

Son Tay District-Leveled Town

Location: 35 kilometers to the west of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: Ba Vi, Thach That

Son Tay was incorporated into Hanoi in 2009 to become the city’s only district-leveled town. It enjoys the beautiful scenery and connects the city center with the neighboring regions.

Places to visit in Son Tay District:

Duong Lam Ancient Village, Dong Mo, Va Temple

Duong Lam Ancient Village is a hidden gem in Hanoi

Ba Vi District

Location: the north-westernmost district of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: Son Tay, Thach That, Hoa Binh Province, Phu Tho Province

The beautiful town boasts a landscape of scenic mountains, streams, lakes, and farms.

Places to visit in Ba Vi District:

Ba Vi National Park, Dong Mo Resort

Ba Vi National Park is regarded as the best green space in Vietnam

Chuong My District

Location: in the middle of the south-western border of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: Thanh Oai, Ha Dong, My Duc

Chuong My is a rural district of Hanoi, located in the Red River Delta Region.

Places to visit in Chuong My District:

Phuong Ban Temple

Dan Phuong District

Location: To the north-west of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: Dong Anh, Bac Tu Liem, Me Linh

The district lies at the junction of three rivers, giving it fertile soil for agricultural development.

Places to visit in Dan Phuong District:

Lien Ha and Lien Trung Carpentry Villages

Dong Anh District

Location: To the north of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: Bac Ninh Province, Long Bien, Gia Lam, Tay Ho, Bac Tu Liem

The area used to be the capital city of the former Kingdom of Au Lac and the Ngo Dynasty with beautiful rice-fields.

Places to visit in Dong Anh:

Co Loa Remnants

Remnants of the ancient capital of Vietnam

Gia Lam District

Location: 3 kilometers away from Long Bien District
Neighboring Districts: Hoang Mai, Long Bien, Dong Anh, Hung Yen Province, Bac Ninh Province

Gia Lam boasts rich culture and traditions with a variety of temples, pagodas, and handicraft villages.

Places to visit in Gia Lam District:

Bat Trang Pottery Village, Phu Dong Village, Ninh Hiep Village

Hoai Duc District

Location: To the east of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: Dan Phuong, Bac Tu Liem, Nam Tu Liem, Ha Dong

Hoai Duc is situated in an ancient land, with a long history of culture and traditions, giving it a diverse collection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

Places to visit in Hoai Duc District:

Son Dong Sculpture Village, Tong La Phu Pagoda, Yen So Temple

Me Linh District

Location: to the north of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: Soc Son, Dan Phuong

Me Linh is a place associated with Trung’s Sisters and was formerly a northernmost district of the city from 1979 to 1991.

Places to visit in Me Linh District:

Chi Dong Town

My Duc District

Location: 52 kilometers to the south of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: Ung Hoa, Chuong My, Hoa Binh Province

Incorporated into Hanoi since 2008, the district is located in a semi-mountainous area in the south of the Northern Delta.

Places to visit in My Duc District:

Huong Pagoda, Quan Son Lake

Phu Xuyen District

Location: 40 kilometers to the south of Hanoi’s center
Neighboring Districts: Thuong Tin, Ung Hoa

This is a region of sparse population density and vast unexploited land.

Places to visit in Phu Xuyen District:

Quang Lang National Heritage

Phuc Tho District

Location: 35 kilometers to the west of Hanoi’s center
Neighboring Districts: Son Tay, Thach That, Quoc Oai

With a long-standing history, generations of Phuc Tho residents have contributed to the formation of the Red River civilization as well as the Thang Long-Hanoi’s 1000-year old culture.

Places to visit in Phuc Tho District:

Hat Mon Temple, The Trung Sisters’ Temple

Quoc Oai District

Location: 20 kilometers from the city center
Neighboring Districts: Chuong My, Thach That, Phuc Tho

The neighborhood is known for its beautiful, peaceful and poetic scenery.

Places to visit in Quoc Oai District:

Thay Pagoda, So Temple

Soc Son District

Location: to the north of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: Me Linh, Dong Anh

Soc Son is a beautiful rural district of Hanoi. Noi Bai International Airport is located here.

Places to visit in Soc Son District:

Ham Lon Lake, Soc Temple, Non Nuoc Pagoda

The second-largest international airport in Vietnam

Thach That District

Location: To the west of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: Phuc Tho, Quoc Oai, Ba Vi

Thach That District is known for various traditional villages, where annual celebrations are still celebrated.

Places to visit in Thach That District:

Chang Son Carpentry Village, Huu Bang Weaving Village, Phu Hoa Water Puppet Village

Thanh Oai District

Location: to the south-west of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: Ha Dong, Thanh Tri

Thanh Oai boasts characteristics of the traditional Northern Delta culture with many ancient pagodas and long-standing craft villages.

Places to visit in Thanh Oai District:

Chuong Village, Vac Village, Boi Khe Pagoda

Thanh Tri District

Location: on the southeastern side of Hanoi, on the western bank of the Red River
Neighboring Districts: Thanh Xuan, Hoang Mai, Gia Lam, Ha Dong

Located on an ancient land in the south of the capital, Thanh Tri has a rich development and unique cultural tradition. The district is now witnessing a rapid increase in population.

Places to visit in Thanh Tri District:

Van Dien Market, Mega Plaza Thanh Tri

Thuong Tin District

Location: To the south of Thanh Tri District
Neighboring Districts: Thanh Tri, Phu Xuyen, Thanh Oai

Thuong Tin is a beautiful rural district with a series of famous historical sites.

Places to visit in Thuong Tin District:

Dai Minh Pagoda, Phap Van Pagoda, Nguyen Trai’s Temple

Ung Hoa District

Location: to the south of Hanoi
Neighboring Districts: My Duc, Chuong My, Thanh Oai, Phu Xuyen

Ung Hoa is a rural district of Hanoi, whose economy mostly relies on agriculture.

Places to visit in Ung Hoa District:

Trach Xa Temple, Bach Linh Temple

Look for the best hotels to stay in Hanoi:

Hanoi Districts Overview

We hope that our Hanoi Districts Overview above is of great help to you when planning to visit our beautiful capital city. If you’re interested in Hanoi or Vietnam travel, don’t hesitate to contact our team here to get up-to-date information and insightful Hanoi Travel Guides.

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