Hanoi French Quarter: Coffee and Stories

Address: 40 Nha Chung street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi

St Joseph Cathedral Hanoi is considered to be one of the symbols of Hanoi. It’s a late 19th-century Gothic Revival (Neo-Gothic style) church that serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi to nearly 4 million Catholics in the country. The architecture of St Joseph Cathedral Hanoi is designed in the style of medieval Gothic Europe.

The church and colonization are inseparable and the church has played an outsize role in Vietnam’s modern history. It is not only a regular place of worship activities of the Archdiocese of Hanoi, but St Joseph cathedral Hanoi is also a popular tourist destination in Hanoi, attracting a large number of tourists inside and outside to visit.

There is nothing better to learn about the history by trying the iconic "Ca phe sua da"- Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk in a hidden French villa. There are so many interesting stories to tell you.

A very hidden pogoda at one of the busiest streets in Hanoi

Address: 15 Ngo Quyen street

Standing the test of time and being considered the most beautiful colonial era hotel, Hotel Sofitel Legend Metropole is recognized as Hanoi’s legendary landmark for its contribution to the city’s heritage.

The hotel has been a prominent fixture in the heart of Hanoi since 1901 when it opened as the first official luxury residence and hotel in the city during the French colonial period. It boasts a rich history, was constructed with a French Colonial architectural style by two talented designers.

Address: no 1 Trang Tien, Phan Chu Trinh, Hoan Kiem

Hanoi Opera House was a historical evidence of Vietnamese social and cultural development under French rule, a vestige for an architectural development stage dating back to the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries in Vietnam. The theatre has seen many significant historical events associated to the August Revolution and the early years of Vietnam

Hanoi Opera House embraces the European architectural style under the Renaissance period with the Italian-made marble floor, copper chandeliers and exquisite French murals on the ceiling, thus making the place one of Hanoi’s singular architectural landmarks.

For a long time, Hanoi Opera House has been a rendezvous for those who love theatrical performance and traditional songs and music, symphonies, opera and classical opera. It is also a tourist attraction for local and foreign visitors.

Trang Tien street are familiar to most of Hanoian, which was known as a beautiful street and has the development from the early days of Hanoi through the French period to the present time. Trang Tien is a busy shopping area, featuring bookshops, galleries and boutiques. On this street, Trang Tien Plaza, which was elaborated in elegant French style of architecture, is the first high-end luxury shopping center in Hanoi with various popular international authentic brands under one roof.

Located on 35 Trang Tien street, Trang Tien ice cream can be seen as the most popular ice cream brands in Hanoi, which is a great treat for everyone to enjoy, especially in hot summer days in tropical countries like Vietnam. Ice cream was introduced by the French during the First Indochina War, and this brand was opened in 1958, not long after the French left Vietnam.

Turtle Tower is one of Hanoi’s most iconic attractions, symbolizing the patriotic pride of the local population. The tower is a combination of European and Asian architecture – with gothic arches at its first two storeys combined with the hip roof of Vietnam architecture.

During the French colonial period, on the top of the Turtle Tower, a version of the Statue of Liberty (1890-1896), was placed by the French. However, it was removed when the Tran Trong Kim regime gained control of the city in 1945. During the French rule, the local people would often hang Vietnam’s revolutionary flag from the tower in order to show their defiant spirit.

The very first modern university built by the French