Hanoi in 1996: Photos from Western Tourists
Cyclo on Quoc Tu Giam street, Le Duan street seen from Dong Loi hotel, people cycling through Ba Dinh Square... these are the nostalgic scenes of Hanoi in 1996.
Not being modern, crowded or bustling as present, Hanoi in 1996 has a its own unique appearance. Keep on reading to see the photos depicting Hanoi that make us feel nostalgic.
 |
| Quoc Tu Giam Street seen from the sidewalk in front of the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam, Hanoi) in 1996. Photo: Linda Tobey |
 |
| Cyclo on Quoc Tu Giam street. Today, this vehicle can only operate in the area around Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter. Photo: Linda Tobey |
 |
| A corner of Le Duan street near Hanoi station seen from Dong Loi hotel (99 Ly Thuong Kiet). Photo: Linda Tobey |
 |
| Laborers are riding bicycles on a road in Hanoi. Photo: Linda Tobey |
 |
| People cycling on Hung Vuong Street, Ba Dinh Square area. Photo: Linda Tobey |
 |
| People cycling on Hung Vuong Street, Ba Dinh Square area. Photo: Linda Tobey |
 |
| A corner of the Military Museum, now it is the Vietnam Military History Museum. Photo: Linda Tobey |
 |
| Tourists are watching the MiG-21 aircraft number 4324 at the Vietnam Military History Museum. Photo: Linda Tobey |
 |
| A tank T-54B No. 985 at the Vietnam Military History Museum. Photo: Linda Tobey |
 |
| The bus "Hai Au" PAZ 672U with license plate number 29C-24-99, made in the Soviet Union, was photographed at Gia Lam bus station, Hanoi in 1996. Photo: Ian Lynas |
 |
| A corner of Giap Bat bus station in 1996. Photo: Ian Lynas |
 |
| A Map of bus routes at Giap Bat bus station. Photo: Ian Lynas |
 | Vietnam News Today (Jun 8): Hanoi to Inoculate Vulnerable Adults with Fourth Dose of Covid-19 Vaccines Vietnam News Today (Jun 8): Vietnam reports 960 new Covid-19 cases, over 9,300 recoveries on June 7; Hanoi to inoculate vulnerable adults with fourth dose ... |
 | Canadian Writer: "Tra Da" is A Vietnam's Unsung Hero Loving Vietnam's most common beverage, "tra da" - iced green tea, Canadian writer Matthew Mike believes this drink has a superpower. |
 | The 12th European-Vietnamese Documentary Film Festival Kicks Off in Hanoi (and How to Watch) The 12th European – Vietnamese Documentary Film Festival will take place in Hanoi from June 3-12 after one year of suspension due to the Covid-19 ... |
Related Stories
Friendship
Focus on Training Officials to Boost Hanoi People-to-people Diplomacy
This was the direction given by Phan Anh Son, Party Committee Secretary and President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, at the conference on the implementation of people-to-people diplomacy tasks for 2026, held by the Ha Noi Union of Friendship Organizations on December 25.
December 27, 2025 | 16:19
National
Hanoi Seeks Japan’s Experience to Support Its Long-Term Development Vision
On December 17, as part of activities to strengthen Vietnam-Japan relations, Hanoi Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc received a delegation from the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, led by Japanese Ambassador to Hanoi Ito Naoki, to exchange views on strategic cooperation orientations in the new phase and to share experience in long-term development.
December 19, 2025 | 15:12
Recommended
Viet's Home
Zhi Shan Foundation Expands Medical Care for Disadvantaged Children and Mothers
In 2025, Zhi Shan Foundation continued to implement its free reconstructive surgery project for children with disabilities in Ha Tinh and Nghe An, while maintaining therapy activities for children with autism and developmental disorders and preparing a maternal and newborn health care project in Hue City.
January 10, 2026 | 16:28
Viet's Home
Rebuilding Homes in Storm-hit Areas to be Completed Before January 15, 2026
Along with repairing and rebuilding houses, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested support to ensure the provision of essential services and basic necessities for households whose homes were collapsed, damaged, or swept away by floods.
January 10, 2026 | 08:15
Viet's Home
COV/United States Supports Students Affected By Storms And Floods in Dak Lak
The Dak Lak Union of Friendship Organizations has coordinated with Children of Vietnam (COV/United States) to present 75 gift packages to students of Phu Yen Vocational College whose families were affected by storms and floods in the province.
January 01, 2026 | 08:12
Viet's Home
Comprehensive Review of Overseas Vietnamese Affairs To Takes Place on December 25
On December 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will assign and coordinate with departments, ministries, branches and localities to organize a national conference to summarize the implementation of Resolution 36-NQ/TW on overseas Vietnamese affairs.
December 24, 2025 | 16:55
Viet's Home
US Government Aid Supports Natural Disasters Recovery in Gia Lai Province
On December 23, the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention and Control (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) in collaboration with the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and CRS in Vietnam held a ceremony to hand over the disaster recovery aid to the people of Gia Lai province.
December 24, 2025 | 15:17
Viet's Home
Launch of “Student-Friendly Health Corner” In Vietnam
On December 19, 2025, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, in coordination with Plan International Vietnam and AstraZeneca Vietnam, officially launched the Student-Friendly Health Corner - a healthcare space designed to be approachable, private, and tailored to the practical needs of students.
December 23, 2025 | 13:43
Viet's Home
Handover of First House Under “Quang Trung Campaign”
The Naval Region 4 Command held a ceremony to inaugurate and hand over a house to the family of Cao Ca Yen, a Raglai ethnic minority resident of Ta Giang 2 Hamlet, Tay Khanh Son Commune, on December 22. This is the first house completed after 17 days of urgent construction under the “Quang Trung Campaign”.
December 23, 2025 | 11:16
Viet's Home
Room to Read Helps Spread Reading Culture to Over 3.2 Million Students
The Ministry of Education and Training, in coordination with Room to Read Viet Nam, held the Conference to Review the Library Quality Improvement Program for developing reading habits and a reading culture for the 2021-2025 period on December 19 in Gia Lai province. The program recorded notable results, benefiting more than 3.2 million primary school students nationwide, while setting orientations for sustainable, digital, and equitable development of school libraries in the next phase.
December 23, 2025 | 10:08