Location : Đoan Môn (main gate): 19 Hoàng Diệu, Quận Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Việt Nam

Opening hours: 8am-11.30am, 2pm-4.30pm daily

Little now remains of the former royal citadel of Thăng Long (Hà Nội). A citadel existed at the site - originally known as Đại La - from at least the 7th century, but not until the 11th century did it become the capital of the Việt. In 1010 Lý Thái Tổ, the founder of the Lý dynasty, removed the court from Hoa Lư in present-day Ninh Bình Province to Đại La, which was subsequently expanded and renamed Thăng Long Citadel. It was to remain the royal capital until 1802, when Nguyễn Ánh took the throne as King Gia Long (1802-1819), transferring the royal seat of government to Huế, downgrading Thăng Long to the status of a provincial capital and changing its name to Thăng Tinh, removing the word 'Long', which was regarded as a royal symbol.

Location : Văn miếu-Quốc tử giám, Văn Miếu, Quận Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Việt Nam

Opening hours: 8am-5pm daily

Hà Nội’s largest and most important temple complex was founded in 1070 by the Lý dynasty in honour of Confucius. By the 15th century the temple had become an important centre for the training of the mandarin class and it remained the spiritual and intellectual centre of the kingdom until well into the 18th century. Despite the removal of the royal court to Huế in 1802, Confucian examinations continued at the temple until the early years of the 20th century, when they were stopped by the French in response to the emergence of the mandarins as an increasingly hostile force to colonialism.

Location : Đường Láng, Quận Đống Đa, Hà Nội, Việt Nam

Opening hours: 6am-5pm daily

Location : 1 Hỏa Lò, Quận Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Việt Nam

Opening hours: 8am-11.30am, 1.30pm-4.30pm Tue-Sun, closed Mon

Established by the French colonial government in 1896, Hoa Lo Prison was originally used to detain political prisoners and formed part of a Northern network of ‘unjust and cruel prisons’ which included Cao Bang, Son La, Lai Chau and Hai Phong. Ironically, The Americans called this prison “Hanoi Hilton” during the Second Indochina War.

Location : Quận Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Việt Nam

With the large area of 100 hectares, the Old Quarter in Hanoi has a very long history of thousand years of existing. When King Lý Thái Tổ moved his capital from Hoa Lư to Thăng Long in 1010 the Old Quarter was the trading hub of the new capital, and it was here in the 13th century that 36 guilds were established, each occupying a different street - hence the original name '36 Streets'.

Location : 105 Phùng Hưng, Quận Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Việt Nam

Opening hours: By prior appointment only - call 84 4 943 0398

Location : 90 Thợ Nhuộm street, Hoàn Kiếm street, Hà Nội city, Việt Nam

Opening hours: 8am-5pm daily

Location : 87 Mã Mây street, Hoàn Kiếm district, Hà Nội city, Việt Nam

Opening hours: 8.30am-4.30pm daily

Location : 48 Hàng Ngang street, Hoàn Kiếm district, Hà Nội city, Việt Nam

Opening hours: 8am-4.30pm daily Mon-Sat, closed Sun

Location : 38 Hàng Đào street, Hoàn Kiếm district, Hà Nội city, Việt Nam

Opening hours: 8.30am-4.30pm daily