Although Van Mieu was built long ago, the architectural complexes in this area were erected much later. One of them was Khue Van Cac, or Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature, built under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). In 1802, Gia Long took the throne and built the capital in Hue. In 1805, the Commander of the Northern Citadel, Nguyen Van Thanh, ordered the construction of Khue Van Cac at Van Mieu. This project was carried out at the same time as the erection of the surrounding walls around Van Mieu in 1833.
       The pavilion was a two-storey complex made of wood and bricks, that is mirrored on the Thien Quang well. Located in the third courtyard (from the front gate), the pavilion's ground floor is empty, with four brick pillars of 85 cm x 85 cm engraved with designs of clouds. The pillars stand on a square base, 6.8 cm x 6.8 cm, which is covered with Bat Trang bricks. The upper floor, made of wooden frames, stands on four brick pillars, with four round windows facing the four directions and having rays like the sun. This floor is the symbol of the brilliant constellation that is shining. The Oriental people consider this star as a symbol of literature. On this floor, the balustrade is supported by engraved wooden pieces, and a gilt board with three letters of Khue Van Cac hangs on the wall.

Tran Quoc Pagoda:  Add: Thanh Nien - Tel : 84.4.829 3869 ( The oldest Buddhist pagoda in Vietnam )
   Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest of all pagodas in Hanoi. Located beside the dazzling West Lake in Hanoi, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism.
   It is said that, the pagoda was built under the reign of King Ly Nam De (544-548) under its original name of Khai Quoc (National Founder). It was originally built on the bank of the Red River (then West Lake and the Red River met). In the time of King Le Kinh Tong (1600-1618), the pagoda was removed to the Kim Ngu (Golden Fish) Islet due to the river bank crumbling and was renamed Tran Quoc (National Defence). 
   Unlike other ordinary pagodas, the Tran Quoc Pagoda was built intri­Behind the worshipping shrine is the Buddhist trinity followed by corridors, ten shrines and the belfry.
    In the pagoda, there are many valuable statues, such as the red lac­statue trimmed with gold of Sakyamouni Buddha's Parinirvana and many ancient stele, with the old- one made in 1639 by Doctoral lau- Nguyen Xuan Chinh recording the Pagoda's history.
    In 1959, on his visit to Vietnam, Indian Prime Minister Razendia Prasat offered the Pagoda a bodhi tree as a gift. The plant was grafted from the holy bodhi tree where Sakyamuni sat in zen (meditation) position 25 centuries ago. Now the bodhi tree is green and luxuriant, shading part of the pagoda's yard.
   As a religious relic among spectac­scenery, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a favourite stop-over of many foreign visitors and pilgrims.

Ba Da Pagoda:
    Located at 3 Nha Tho Street, where the village of Bao Thien once stood. An old superstition states that photographs taken inside the pagoda will never turn out.
   The official name of Ba Da pagoda is Linh Quang (Holy Light) but everyone calls the pagoda Ba Da (Stone Woman). According to legend, a peasant in Bao Thien village found the statue of a woman in his rice field. The villagers decided that the image represented a Bodhisattva, in whose honour they built a Buddhist shrine.
    Built in the 15th century under the Le dynasty, the pagoda is dedicated to Buddha. Unlike most pagodas, which have tam quan, or wide gates with three doors, Ba Da is fronted by a long, narrow lane. Unfortunately, the original stone statue has long since disappeared, but the pagoda houses other artifacts, including two bronze bells cast in 1823 and 1881.

Chua Kim Lien ( Kim Lien Pagoda ) :
      Legend has it that in the 12th century, Princess Tu Hoa, daughter of King Ly Than Ton, led her ladies-in-waiting to this area. They cultivated mulberry and silkworms to make silk. Later, a pagoda was built right on the site and by 1771, it was named Kim Lien (Golden Lotus).

Quan Su Pagoda:  Add: 73 Quan Su - Tel : 84.4.824 4633
Quan Su Pagoda was first built on the land of An Tap village, Tho Xuong district, on the southern gate of Thang Long capital.

In 1934, the pagoda was the headquarter of the Tonkin Buddhist Association.
Since 1942, the pagoda has been restored and expanded many times, with a larger and better architectural structure. Nowadays, this place acts as the headquarters of the Vietnam Central Buddhist Congregation, at 73 Quan Su Street, Tran Hung Dao ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.

Den Ngoc Son (Ngoc Son Temple) :
    Hoan Kiem Lake was already considered the most beautiful lake in Hanoi when Ngoc Son Temple was built on an island in the 19th century. Initially, the temple was called Ngoc Son Pagoda and was later renamed Ngoc Son Temple, since temples are dedicated to saints. Saint Van Suong, considered to be one of the brightest stars in Vietnam's literary and intellectual circles, was worshipped there. National hero Tran Hung Dao was also worshipped after he led the Vietnamese people to victory over the Nguyen aggressors.

Den Quan Thanh (Quan Thanh Temple) :
    Quan Thanh Temple is an important historical and cultural relic in Quan Thanh ward, Ba Dinh precinct, Hanoi. It was built during the reign of King Ly Thai To  (1010-1028). The temple was dedicated to Huyen Thien Tran Vo, or the God who guarded and administered the north of the country. That is why it is also known as the Tran Vo Temple or the Temple of Quan Thanh Tran Vo.
   Situated on a large and beautiful area by West Lake near the northern gate of old Thang Long capital, Quan Thanh Temple is one of the Four Guards of Old Thang Long.
   The existing constructions originate from the last renovations that were made in the 19th century; these renovations included the triple gate, the yard, the front and central worshipping chambers, and the shrine. A bronze statue, nearly 4 m in height and 4 tons in weight, was cast in 1677 and dedicated to the holy Huyen Thien Tran Vo.

Hanoi Flag Tower:
    Hanoi Flag Tower, also called Cot Co, is one of the rare architectural works in Hanoi that was fortunate enough  to not be destroyed by the French administration between 1894 and 1897. It was used by French troops as an observation tower and communication station between command headquarters and adjacent military posts. It was built in 1812 and is composed of three platforms and a tower.
      The words Nghenh Huc, meaning "to welcome dawn's sunlight," are inscribed on the eastern door. The western door bears the two words Hoi Quang, meaning "to reflect light," and the southern door, Huong Minh, meaning "directed to the sunlight."
     The tower receives sunlight through 36 flower-shaped and six fan-shaped windows.

Hanoi Cathedral:
     Hanoi Cathedral was built on the site of the former Bao Thien Tower, which was famous in the ancient capital of Thang Long under the Ly dynasty (11th and 12th centuries). Hanoi Cathedral, also known as Saint Joseph's Cathedral, was inaugurated on Christmas Day 1886, two years after its construction. Its design is similar to the architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
       Many catholic rituals have been held there. A ritual ceremony dedicated to Jesus Christ is held  in this cathedral every year on March 19.

Den Hai Ba Trung ( Hai Ba Trung Temple ): 
     Also called Dong Nhan Temple, because it is located in Dong Nhan village, Hai Ba Trung precinct. Built in 1142 under the reign of King Ly Anh Ton, it is dedicated to the two Vietnamese heroines Trung Trac and Trung Nhi. On the 5th and 6th days of the lunar second month , there is a grand festival at this temple to commemorate the two national heroines.