Hanoi is here.
Just one tap
to explore.
Heritage, architecture and nostalgic corners — a digital journey for you, wherever you are.
REAL HERITAGE / REAL STORIES / CONNECTION BEYOND DISTANCE
Discover heritage sites through real photographs.
Each short story opens up a new perspective.
Try the quiz and find your own way to explore.
Your compass for the future.
Your bridge to the past.
A nonprofit cultural project helping young people explore Hanoi through their screens. For those about to arrive in the capital, and those far away who miss its familiar streets.
Meet Hanoi.exe ↗One photograph. A place to begin.
Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy
Tiled roofs, brick courtyards and gateways in sequence: a corner of Hanoi for those who love a closer look.
Take a closer look
Look at the balance of the main gate. What gives this space its sense of solemnity?
Hoa Lo Prison Relic
Begin at the “Maison Centrale” gate, then discover the stories of the people behind its walls.
Take a closer look
Read the name above the gate, then open the story to discover where the name Hoa Lo comes from.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hanoi
Twin bell towers and pointed arches offer a way to read Hanoi through the forms of its buildings.
Take a closer look
Find three repeating details on the facade. Can you see the central axis of symmetry?
Read less. Look deeper.
Secret Files: The Closed Doors Beneath Hanoi
From Hoa Lo’s sewer to D67 Bunker: two underground spaces and two stories of human endurance.
Read the full article ↗
Where Time Meets: Hanoi’s Heritage in Contemporary Life
St Joseph’s Cathedral and Hoan Kiem Lake: century-old landmarks meet the rhythms of a younger generation.
Read the full article ↗
Decoding Van Mieu: An Ancient Centre of Learning Through Contemporary Eyes
Read the eighty-two doctoral steles as an archive of knowledge, and find yourself in the journey of earlier scholars.
Read the full article ↗Young people telling a city’s stories.
Hanoi.exe was built on the idea of connecting Gen Z with Hanoi’s heritage through digital content and interactive experiences.
Meet the project team ↗
Photo sources & licences
Photos are resized for faster loading and may be cropped to fit the layout. Capture dates follow the source; upload dates are not used as capture dates.
- Doan Mon Gate, Thang Long Imperial Citadel — Alex 69200 vx · CC BY-SA 4.0
- A corner of Hanoi’s Old Quarter — Alexkom000 · Captured: Taken on 3 November 2024, 10:31:16 · CC BY 4.0
- Khue Van Cac Pavilion, Temple of Literature — David Stanley · Captured: 15 January 2025, 09:57:18 (according to Exif data) · CC BY 2.0
- Hoa Lo Prison Relic entrance — Christophe95 · Captured: 3 August 2018, 15:27:19 · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Facade of St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hanoi — David Stanley · Captured: 15 January 2025, 12:01:42 (according to Exif data) · CC BY 4.0
- A detail of the Temple of Literature gate — Greg Willis · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Bowls, cups and chopsticks displayed at Hoa Lo — Gary Todd · CC0 1.0
- A corner of Hanoi’s Old Quarter — Alexkom000 · Captured: Taken on 3 November 2024, 11:08:04 · CC BY 4.0
- Turtle Tower, Hoan Kiem Lake — Jakub Hałun · Captured: 23 January 2024, 14:22:47 · CC BY 4.0