Al-Noor Mosque Hanoi: Visitor Guide to the Only Mosque in Hanoi (2026)
By Jimmy Nguyen, Founder & Director of Asia Travel Expert Co., Ltd.Is there a mosque in Hanoi? Yes, one. The Al-Noor Mosque (Masjid Al-Noor) at 12 Hang Luoc Street in the Old Quarter is the only mosque in Hanoi and in the whole of northern Vietnam. Built by Indian Muslim merchants and opened in 1890, it holds the five daily prayers and Friday Jumu’ah, has a separate area for women, and is surrounded by halal restaurants. This guide covers everything a Muslim visitor needs: how to get there, when to go, what to wear and where to pray when you are elsewhere in the north.
Al-Noor Mosque at a Glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Al-Noor Mosque (Masjid Al-Noor), Hanoi |
| Address | 12 Hang Luoc Street, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi |
| Opened | 1890 (construction began in 1885) |
| Built by | Indian Muslim merchants living in Hanoi |
| Capacity | About 200–300 worshippers |
| Prayers | Five daily prayers and Friday Jumu’ah |
| Women | Separate prayer area; prayer garments available |
| Visitors | Non-Muslim visitors welcome outside prayer times, with modest dress |
| Entrance fee | Free (donations welcome) |
| Map | Open Al-Noor Mosque in Google Maps |
History of the Al-Noor Mosque
In the late 19th century a small community of Indian Muslim traders, many with roots in Mumbai, settled in Hanoi’s merchant quarter. They began building a mosque on Hang Luoc Street in 1885 and opened it in 1890, making Al-Noor (“the light”) one of the oldest surviving religious buildings of the French colonial era in the Old Quarter. Its whitewashed walls, arched windows, small domes and slender minaret show a mix of Indian and Islamic styles, and the prayer hall is oriented west towards Makkah.
The mosque was closed for a period during the war years and later restored with help from Hanoi’s Muslim residents, foreign embassies and donors from Muslim countries. Since 2011 it has been run by an officially recognised management board, one of the five Islamic organisations recognised by the Vietnamese state. Read more on Wikipedia.
Who Prays at Al-Noor Today
Unlike southern Vietnam, where most Muslims are ethnic Cham, Hanoi’s Muslim community is small and largely international: diplomats from Muslim countries, business people, students, a few Vietnamese Muslim families and a steady stream of travellers from Malaysia, Indonesia, India, the Middle East and Europe. On Fridays the hall fills quickly and worshippers sometimes overflow into the lane outside. The mosque also hosts Eid prayers and community iftars during Ramadan.
Friday Prayer and Prayer Times in Hanoi
Jumu’ah starts around midday; arrive 20–30 minutes early to find space, especially in the main tourist seasons (October–April). Prayer times in Hanoi shift noticeably through the year:
| Prayer | Summer (June) | Winter (December) |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | around 04:00 | around 05:10 |
| Dhuhr / Jumu’ah | around 11:50 | around 11:50 |
| Maghrib | around 18:45 | around 17:20 |
These times are approximate. Use a prayer-time app set to Hanoi, or check the timetable posted at the mosque on the day.
Visiting the Mosque: Dress Code and Etiquette
- Dress modestly: men in long trousers, women with arms, legs and hair covered. Volunteers sometimes lend a sarong or prayer garment.
- Shoes off before the prayer hall; there is space for ablution (wudu) on site.
- Non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside prayer times. Ask before taking photos inside, and never photograph people praying.
- Groups: if you come with a tour group, let the caretaker know; the mosque regularly receives visiting groups.
- Donations: there is no fee, but a donation helps maintain the building.
How to Get to Al-Noor Mosque
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hoan Kiem Lake | Walk north through Hang Dao and Hang Ngang, or take a taxi | 15 minutes on foot |
| Dong Xuan Market | Walk west along Hang Chieu / Hang Luoc | 5 minutes on foot |
| West Lake (Tay Ho) | Grab or taxi | 15–20 minutes |
| Noi Bai Airport | Taxi, Grab or airport bus 86 to the Old Quarter | 40–60 minutes |
Halal Food Next to the Mosque
Hang Luoc and the streets around it form Hanoi’s halal food corner. Zaynab is inside the mosque grounds (lunch only), Halal Banh Mi Raja Express is opposite at No. 29, RK Spice is at No. 6, and Halal Food Station, Kachi Kitchen and Pho Muslim are all within five minutes’ walk. See our full guide to halal restaurants in Hanoi with maps and opening hours.
Where Else to Pray in Northern Vietnam
- Noi Bai International Airport: a prayer room with separate areas for men and women is located near boarding gate 37, Level 2, in the international departures area of Terminal 2 (after security). Noi Bai Airport information.
- Hotels: several international hotels in Hanoi can provide a prayer mat and qibla direction on request.
- Halong Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa: there are no mosques; pray in your room or cabin, or at halal restaurants with prayer space such as those in our Sapa guide.
- Southern Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City and An Giang province have many mosques, including the Cham Muslim villages around Chau Doc.
Visit the Mosque on a Hanoi Muslim Tour
On our Hanoi City Muslim Tour and Hanoi Muslim tour packages, we can include a visit to Al-Noor Mosque and lunch at a halal restaurant on Hang Luoc. Read more about Muslim life in Hanoi, or contact Hanoi Muslim Tours for a free tailor-made itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mosque in Hanoi
1. How many mosques are there in Hanoi?
One. The Al-Noor Mosque at 12 Hang Luoc Street is the only mosque in Hanoi and in northern Vietnam.
2. When was the Al-Noor Mosque built?
Indian Muslim merchants began building it in 1885 and it opened in 1890.
3. Is there Friday prayer at Al-Noor Mosque?
Yes. Jumu’ah is held every Friday around midday. Arrive 20–30 minutes early, as the hall fills quickly.
4. Can women pray at the mosque in Hanoi?
Yes. There is a separate prayer area for women, and prayer garments are usually available.
5. Can non-Muslims visit the Al-Noor Mosque?
Yes, outside prayer times, with modest clothing and shoes removed. Ask before taking photos.
6. Is there a prayer room at Noi Bai Airport?
Yes. The prayer room at Terminal 2 is near gate 37 on Level 2 of the international departures area, with separate spaces for men and women.
7. Is there halal food near the mosque?
Yes. Zaynab (inside the grounds), Raja Express (opposite) and RK Spice (No. 6) are on Hang Luoc Street, with several more halal restaurants within five minutes’ walk.
8. Is there a mosque in Halong Bay, Ninh Binh or Sapa?
No. Outside Hanoi there are no mosques in northern Vietnam; travellers pray in hotels, cruise cabins or restaurants with prayer rooms.
9. Is the mosque open during Ramadan and Eid?
Yes. The mosque holds Tarawih prayers and community iftars during Ramadan and Eid prayers on both Eids; expect it to be very busy.
