Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square: Experience Hanoi’s Uniqueness All in One Place

I only spent a day in Hanoi, yet it had enough energy and character to make my trip feel complete from the very start.

Yes, Hanoi was the first stop on my Vietnam trip, and I couldn’t have picked a better way to start. My visit happened to fall on the weekend, so I got to experience Hanoi Walking Street. That’s where I had some of the most memorable moments of the trip. 

But whether it was the weekend or Hanoi Walking Street wasn’t happening, I still would have enjoyed Hanoi. Wandering the streets of this ancient city was an experience in itself.

I saw Hanoi’s unique character only by wandering through the streets. 

The ladies with their bicycles loaded with flowers, Non La, or other goods? They were only one of the things that made Hanoi special to me. 

I will not forget the chaotic yet synchronized flow of motorbikes in the streets. It amazed me. 

And the street food culture, with vendors serving dishes on tiny plastic stools? It was everywhere, at every corner. 

Of course, the architecture deserves mention too. Vietnamese vernacular and French colonial buildings stood side by side.

Of all the places I’ve wandered through, one spot stood out the most to me. 

It’s the square or street north of Hoan Kiem Lake where the French Quarter and Old Quarter meet. Vietnamese people call it Quảng trường Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục. In English, it’s Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.

To be honest, my first impression was that this square wasn’t much different from the rest of the Old Quarter. Like the other streets there, Hanoi’s unique character was clear as I walked by. And that was it.

That said, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square has features that make it easy to recognize. There are two of them.

First is the size. 

Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc is open and spacious, which makes it a nice place to hang out. You can see a lot of locals here, doing all sorts of things. I especially enjoyed people-watching when I spotted some teens playing Sepak Takraw.

Second are the buildings around the square. 

They are some of the most iconic in the Old Quarter. They are also four to six stories high and house coffee shops, where you can try Hanoi’s famous egg coffee. 

But yeah, I’m pretty sure you won’t be able to resist snapping a photo or a selfie in front of them.

As someone who loves taking photos, the Shark Jaw building grabbed my attention the most. 

It’s right on the corner at the main intersection of the square. Even though it’s modern, its unique design makes it a real landmark in Hanoi. 

Its layered balconies wrapping around the building? Hard to miss, even from a distance. ALDO, Hanoi 1930 Bistro, and Highlands Coffee are its most recognizable establishments.

It was only later that day that I realized my first impression of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square was wrong. 

As I searched for a spot to sit and enjoy the view of Hoan Kiem Lake, I began to see why the square is more than a civic space. From the images I saw on Google Maps, I also figured out that it’s actually worth spending a little extra time there. 

Yep, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square is a must-see if you want to get the most out of your Hanoi trip.

So what are the photos that changed my first impression? 

They are the shots taken from the cafés on the upper floors of the buildings in the square. 

From these places, you can appreciate most of the things that make Hanoi unique, all at once. Remember the people and sights that form the character of the city I mentioned earlier? That’s exactly what I’m talking about. 

As for me, I decided to stop by Coffee Club Restaurant and Cafe. You can find it in the white building across from the Shark Jaw building. 

And guess what? I loved it! 

That afternoon, I not only got to relax with the BEST view of Hoan Kiem Lake, but I also enjoyed my egg coffee at the same time.

I also get to see the streets of Hanoi from a whole new angle. I must say, the crazy motorbike chaos looks even more fascinating from above. 

What’s remarkable is that it’s not only cars and motorbikes that use the street. There are fruit and Non-La vendors on their bikes. Cyclos weave through it all. They move in harmony with the street’s synchronized chaos.

I even saw pedestrians crossing the square. I couldn’t believe how they made it across without getting hit.

Cars and motorbikes were zooming past them from every direction, front, back, and sides. Yet somehow, those pedestrians still made it to the other side unscathed. It was pretty amazing.

Watch the timelapse below

In our country, the Philippines, streets are chaotic too. But I would never dare to try what I saw that day. 

And I must say, the Vietnamese who crossed the intersection impressed me. They didn’t even bother using the ‘hand stop sign.’ 

(That’s when you stick your palm out at drivers like you’re saying, “Hey, slow down, I’m crossing!”)

Back home, using the hand stop sign is a must if you want to get across the street without risking your life. It’s also a handy way to avoid hearing a symphony of honks and angry shouts from drivers.

I spent an hour or two relaxing at Coffee Club Restaurant and Café. They have this super cozy sofa out on the balcony that had me stuck there way longer than I planned. 

As for the coffee, from what I recall, their egg coffee didn’t disappoint. 

It was good, though I do wish I’d tried the egg coffee at Giang Café too, since that’s where it all started. It’s definitely worth a visit if you want the more authentic experience.

After my experience at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Cafe, even more fun happened, as I mentioned earlier. 

So I invite you to read my full story about my day in Hanoi. There, you can find more tips as I share my experiences, like I did in this post. 

See you there!

Finally, if you’re spending a few days or more in Hanoi, be sure to explore my list of top hotel picks. There’s something for every budget and taste:

Planning a Trip to Hanoi?

You may be amazed at how much more there is to explore in Hanoi.

Exploring Northern Vietnam?

Don’t stop at Hanoi! Northern Vietnam has SO MUCH to offer.