Hanoi – a “must-visit” destination in Vietnam

Hanoi is famous for its thousand years of history and culture with many ancient architectures. If you have visited the capital, you surely cannot forget the beautiful and unique of it such as, Hoan Kiem and West lakes, peaceful coffee shops, small streets and vendors…

How to travel to Hanoi and from Hanoi ?

Flight: because Hanoi is the capital so there are many daily flights from other cities to Hanoi. You can check the tickets of flights such as, Vietnam airlines, Jetstar Pacific or Vietjet Air.

Travel from Noi Bai international airport to central city

Taxi: to travel from the airport to the center, you can take a taxi which costs you around US $15 to $25. Another option is that you can join shuttle buses or car of other taxi companies whose price is about US$5 to $15.

Bus: Currently, there are 4 buses from Hanoi to Noi Bai, including three cheap buses and a high quality bus. You can check out information here:

Shuttle bus of airlines

All domestic flights offer transfer services from Noi Bai to Hanoi’s center including Vietnam airlines, Jetstar or Vietjet air. For more information, please check-out here:

Train

The price for the Reunification train (or North-South train) is from US$50 to US$60 per way. Hanoi railway station is located on Le Duan street and it takes about 5 to 10 minutes to the center.

Hanoi travel: one of the most unique feature of Hanoi is cyclo riding around the old quarter. There are many visitors to Hanoi often choose this type of transport to explore the ancient beauty of every corner. If the cyclo brings the traditional beauty, electrical car is considered as the “green” transport. On these transports, you will explore a beautiful but bustling city.

What to see in Hanoi ?

1. Hoan Kiem Lake: 

The special feature of city terrain is that there are many inner lakes as well as rivers enclosing the city. Hoan Kiem lake is located right at the central city with the ancient turtle tower on a small island. There are significant heritage architectures surrounding the lake, such as the pen tower, the ink-slab, the Moon contemplation pavilion, morning sunlight bridge or Pavilion against Waves…leading to the Temple of the Jade Mountain.

2. One pillar pagoda: 

Hanoi is the center of Taoism and Buddhism of Vietnam so there are many hundred years old pagodas and temples. The most famous pagoda is One Pillar which is in the lotus-shaped architecture and is considered as the most unique one in Vietnam. Besides, Tran Quoc pagoda is also “must-visit” place in Hanoi which was built under the Ly dynasty in the 6^th century.

The temple of Literature:

The place for worshipping Confucius, doctorate steles and also was the first university of Vietnam. Now, the temple of Literature is a famous destination in Hanoi and is place to honor excellent students. Students often come here to ask for good luck before examination.

Hanoi St. Joseph’s cathedral: 

An iconic building of Hanoi. The scenery is tranquil and beautiful which is attractive the locals as well as visitors.

The old quarter: 

the significance of Hanoi is this area. Hanoi is famous for its 36 streets with old house and small streets which have still remained their features since the 19^th century. Visitors can walk along the old quarter to explore its tranquil and simplicity. To this place, you will find the beauty and friendly Hanoian.

Hanoi opera house: 

A smaller copy of Opera Garnier in Paris, Hanoi opera house is located on a central street. This place is the place for many important events of Vietnam.

Ba Dinh square and Ho Chi Minh mausoleum: 

Tourists cannot miss visiting the national assembly building, President palace, Ba Dinh Square or Ho Chi Minh museum when visiting this place. Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is the place to keep the body of Ho Chi Minh. The mausoleum opens five days per week in the morning, except for Monday and Friday. The visitors have to follow the instructions such as, correct clothing, not to bring any cameras or recorders and keeping quiet.

President palace’s area: 

There is a small and simple house of Ho Chi Minh behind the palace where was the house and working place of Ho Chi Minh during 1960s. This stilt house has a traditional architecture of the rural region in Vietnam. In this area, there is a President palace built for the French governor in the French colony. This building currently is used to welcome the international VIPs and do not open publically.

Tran Quoc pagoda:

An architecture of blooming lotus, this pagoda is located on the island to the East of the West lake which was built in the Ly dynasty. In the pagoda, there are many valuably cultural items such as, statues in Thuong Dien, especially the statue of Buddha entering nirvana. The pagoda is an attractive destination to Buddhists and visitors.

West Lake: 

Located not far from the center, the west lake is a quite large one. You can rent a bike or a kayak to explore the lake. The best time to visit the west lake is at sunset. Next to the lake is Nghi Tam ancient village where has still remained growing Bonsai. Nghi Tam is also famous for its flowers. During the new year, Nghi Tam is dip into the colorful flowers. Near the west lake, there are also the village of Ngu Xa which was known for bronze casting or Yen Phu – famous for its incense making.

Thang Long royal citadel

The citadel is a large complex built by kings over period and has become the most important in the vestige system of Hanoi. The vestige is about 18 hectares including archeological area in 18 Hoang Dieu street and remained vestiges in this complex such as, Hanoi flag tower, Doan Mon gate, Kinh Thien palace, Hau Lau, Bac Mon, 8 royal step-over places from Nguyen dynasty.

Thang Long water puppet theatre

To Hanoi, one of “cannot-miss” places for domestic and international visitors are Thang Long water puppet which is situated close to Hoan Kiem Lake. The water puppet is controlled by the artisan behind the curtain. The historical stories which are about the Vietnamese life and culture will be presented through the puppet.

The museum of Vietnamese Ethology

When visiting this place, visitors will get deeper understanding about the religious rituals from 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. The museum currently offers three main areas: an area for displaying, office and researching foundation and library; another offering outdoor displaying, and the last one offering foreign cultures, almost from South East Asia.

Hanoi's surroundings 

Bat Trang pottery village: is located about 20km from the center on the left of the Red river, visitors can take motorbikes or buses to here. Bat Trang is a very famous place for producing high-quality pottery products which are sold to not only in Vietnam but also all over the world. Visitors can see many pottery workshops, unique-shaped statues and old houses. In this place, visitors can have a great chance to ride buffalo carts around the village. In the small workshops, visitors can make pottery items by themselves. The price for a product here is just from VND 10,000 (US$0.5) to VND 30,000 (US$1.5).

Duong Lam ancient village: 

The ancient Vietnamese village has still remained the tangible and intangible values about their traditional activities. To the village, visitors can enjoy the traditional foods on the yard of an ancient house or see the moss-covered walled. The most wonderful activity is renting a bike to explore the village.

Thanh Chuong Viet Palace: 

Located beneath the Soc Son mountain in Hien Ninh, the Thanh Chuong Viet Palace is the destination for a short trip. This is the complex of ancient houses which retraces the traditional space of Vietnamese. The climate here is totally different with the busy streets in Hanoi. To this place, you will dip into the fresh nature and beautiful mountain. There is no item of the modern life, but all will bring visitors to the old space. There are some interesting places here such as, Son Tinh tower or Thien Huong precious tower…

Ba Vi national park: 

The first wonderful thing of this place is the fresh environment and natural beauty. Visitors can see cactus park, the small tree conversation or buildings built by the French. Visitors can also climb up the top of Vong Canh to enjoy the panoramic view of the area.

Vietnam national village for Ethnic culture: 

If you want to get more experiences about the Vietnamese culture, you should visit this village in Dong Mo. The village has a special terrain including mountain, valley, hill or lakes with the square of over 198 hectares. There are models of traditional villages of ethnic groups to present the natural and culture frameworks of four groups of ethnic village in all over Vietnam. In this place, you will be guided by the ethnic persons who will introduce the culture and their normal life in details.

Quan Son Lake: 

Located 50 km from Hanoi, Quan Son lake is loved by many visitors. This lake is locally known as Halong Bay on land with the square of 850 hectares and 100 small and large mountains reflecting on the lake. You should arrive this place in the early morning to enjoy the fresh air. You can take boats to explore the landscape here such as, Hon Me, Mom Nghe, Da Bac, Hoa Qua Son or gate of Thung Voi Nuoc…Besides, you can climb up to the mountain’s top to have a wonderful panoramic view.

What to eat in Hanoi ?

Hanoi is always famous for its distinctive dishes which you cannot miss when traveling to this place.

1. Pho

Pho is the dish which cannot be missed in Hanoi. A Pho stall in Hang Trong is quite famous for the locals and visitors as well. People eating here will not be served with tables, but just having small chairs. The special thing of this stall is that it is only opened in the afternoon, the price has not changed in the past years – only VND 15,000 (US$0.7) per bowl. Another famous Pho with beef is at Ly Quoc Su street and it is also the name of this street restaurant. If you want to have a bowl of Pho with chicken, let’s go to Hanh restaurant in Lan Ong Street or small restaurant in Luong Van Can.

2. Fried fish La Vong

Fish is fried on a small oil oven; each table will be served with a small coal stove. Fish is eaten with the baked rice pancake, fresh noodle, peanut, herbs and shrimp sauce…The shrimp sauce will be prepared with lemon, chili, some drops of wine, oil and sugar. The taste is very great.

3. Bun Cha (grilled pork with vermicelli)

The meatballs will be grilled on the burning coal. We cannot forget the flavor of spices such as, garlic, chili, pepper or sauce...all of which will be mixed with slices of papaya.

4. Bun Thang (Vietnamese noodle soup with chicken)

is the dish containing countersense of Hanoi food. Vietnamese noodle soup with chicken includes many ingredients such as, shredded chicken, fried chicken’s eggs, lean pork sausage…The broth has to be made of pork’s bone and shrimp and a little shrimp sauce.

5. Green rice flake cake

The best green rice flake cake is sold at Nguyen Ninh shop on 11 Hang Than. Until now, Nguyen Ninh green rice flake cake has been stilled remained the traditional making process.  The cake is colorized in the fresh green, the flavor of green rice and the greasy coconut and green bean making the cake tasty.

Where to stay in Hanoi ?

There are many hotels for your stay in Hanoi from the standard to luxury. However, for the best stay, we only suggest to stay at 2-star to 5-star hotels which are loved and chosen by many visitors to Vietnam.

2-star:            

• Icon 36 hotel and residence: 35 Bat Su, Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem

• Rising Dragon: 24 Hang Ga, Hoan Kiem
• Hanoi Charming: 15 Yen Thai, Hoan Kiem

3-star:

• Essence Hanoi Hotel & Spa: 22 Ta Hien Street, Hoan Kiem

• Hanoi Holiday Diamond Hotel: 5 Nguyen Sieu Street, Hoan Kiem,
• Oriental Central Hotel: No. 39 Hang Bac Str, Hoan Kiem

4-star:

• Hilton Hanoi Opera: 1 Le Thanh Tong St., Hoan Kiem
• Oriental Suites Hotel & Spa: 58 Hang Dao Street, Hoan Kiem
• Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa: 94 Ma May St., Hoan Kiem

5-star:

• Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi - MGallery Collection: 29 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem

• InterContinental Hanoi Westlake: 5 Tu Hoa street, Tay Ho District
• Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi: 15 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem

The best places for coffee 

Tadioto: was opened in 2008, the coffee shop and bar club in Tong Dan street near Hanoi Opera House and Metropole hotel has become the favorite place for many domestic and foreign visitors because of wonderful combination of a coffee shop and bar in a warm space.

Tranquil: like its name of “Tranquil”, the coffee shop is located in a small alley which has a separated space with the busy streets of Hanoi. There are many interesting books so if you want to find a place for enjoying coffee and reading books, this is an ideal one.

Cong coffee: this is a chain of coffee shops, but one of the best shops is Cong on Trang Tien street which is right at the center. This shop only opens until 10 PM. It is really great to enjoy the coffee on the 1^st floor with the great view of city and the Opera House.

Cabine Hanoi: is located in Hang Ga street which is loyal to the simple style and do not focus on modern style of furniture and has stilled remained the flowered enameled tiles of the old house in the subsidized period.

=> Excursion from Hanoi