The central and historic district in the national capital city of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem is a major spot of traditional Vietnamese culture and one of the most significant commercial centres of the country, home to bank headquarters and corporate offices. It is named after the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake, a proud local and natural attraction that sits beside the district and is often considered to be the heart of Hanoi, holding a history tied up with the city and its ancient heritage. In fact, most of the landmarks of Hanoi can be found in the Hoan Kiem district as it is the centre of tradition and culture in the city, yet also contains a unique and local atmosphere that draws visitors to its streets.

One of the most appealing features of Hoan Kiem is its traditional architecture as the area is full of colonial buildings and Buddhist temples, offering a refreshingly unique cityscape that combines modern culture with ancient tradition. Some of these buildings contain stylish bars, independent boutiques and local bakeries, while others retain their traditional heritage in the form of markets, local restaurants and preserved religious sites like One Pillar Pagoda and Bach Ma Temple. Other cultural attractions include Hanoi Opera House and Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, which offer impressive and unique performances, the National Museum of Vietnamese History and the largest market in the city, Dong Xuan. One must-see feature of the area is Hoan Kiem Lake, a haven of peace and quiet with a central island housing Ngoc Son Temple, which visitors can reach via the red Huc Bridge, surrounded by still waters that contain endangered giant softshell turtles.

It is easy to reach Hoan Kiem due to its central location within Hanoi and visitors can travel from the district to Noi Bai Airport within 40 minutes. Drivers can reach the old quarter by taking the Yen Phu Road into the centre of the city, where there are numerous parking facilities.

Hoan Kiem has been the centre of Hanoi since the early days of the Ly Dynasty, when the empire settled on the land in 545 AD, although it was not an official settlement until 1831 when established by Emperor Mang Minh. In the mid 20th Century, Hoan Kiem was made up of a few main streets until the emergence of nearby adjacent roads in 1981 created the current district. Hoan Kiem Lake has a particularly interesting history as legends claim that the lake produced a magical sword for Le Loi, an ancient warrior and king, who was asked to return it to the turtles of the water after winning his battles.