Welcome to the thrilling capital metropolis of Vietnam. The place east meets west and outdated meets new. Hanoi, Vietnam is chaotic and interesting, overwhelming and intriguing. One factor is for certain, Hanoi will make an impression. From the unbelievable French colonial structure to the tantalizing Vietnamese delicacies, it’s a metropolis that can put all your senses to good use. Being the capital metropolis of Vietnam and one of many historical capitals of the world, there are plenty of issues to do in Hanoi that you’re not going to need to miss.
Positioned in northern Vietnam, Hanoi is the right place to make a base when visiting locations in Vietnam like Halong Bay and Sapa. However Hanoi must be explored for not less than a number of days to expertise its tradition, meals, historical past, and nightlife. So that will help you take advantage of your time, we’ve put collectively the most effective issues to do in Hanoi Vietnam on this easy-to-follow journey information.
High Issues to Do in Hanoi, Vietnam
Planning Your Journey To Hanoi Proper Now?
Under are among the high excursions in Hanoi, Vietnam. Don’t overlook to plan forward when visiting Hanoi!
High Actions and Excursions in Hanoi:
Check out the Old Quarter
The Old Quarter aka Hoan Kiem District is the business hub of Hanoi and the main tourist area of the city. This is where we spent most of our time in Hanoi. It is busy, to say the least. One of the most memorable things to do in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is simply crossing the street.
I’ll always remember Dave mentioning that crossing the road in Hanoi is like enjoying a human recreation of Frogger. The outdated quarter is full of colonial structure and remnants of its French previous. There are many issues to do within the outdated quarter, so as an alternative of itemizing them off in a fast paragraph, we’re going to break them down right here in part 1.
You may ebook this highly-rated biking tour of the Previous Quarter and Crimson River Delta that features hidden Hanoi sights just like the Tran Quoc pagoda, Royal Wall, and B52 lake. Then go to the Lengthy Bien Bridge and Banana Plantations of the Crimson River Delta.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem means Lake of the Returned Sword and obtained its title from the legend through which an emperor used a magical sword to defeat the Ming Dynasty from China. Upon victory, the Golden Turtle God returned the sword to the underside of the lake. As we speak, Turtle Tower stands guard commemorating the legend. Maintain a watch out for the endangered turtles which might be swimming within the lake.
Ngoc Son Temple
The primary attraction of this lake is Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain) positioned on an island within the heart of the lake. The Ngoc Son Pagoda is probably the most visited temple in Hanoi and sits on Jade Island. It’s devoted to Common Tran Hung Dao who defeated the Mongols within the thirteenth century and is among the greatest issues to do in Hanoi. To get to it you cross the stunning purple Huc Bridge or Rising Solar Bridge.
Shop at Dong Xuan Market
Let me warn you now, buying in Vietnam is a sport. It’s high-pressure contact with plenty of haggling, however it’s a should! Once you go to Hanoi make your solution to theDong Xuan Market to select up all of your souvenirs and any little nicknacks or clothes. Positioned within the Previous Quarter, theDong Xuan Market dates again to 1889, this four-story buying heart is large promoting all the pieces you may think about. There’s a meals market on the bottom flooring that’s bustling with exercise promoting fruit, greens, meat, and fish.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Positioned within the Previous Quarter, St. Joseph’s Cathedral aka The Large Church was one of many first buildings constructed by the French and remains to be standing. Constructed to resemble Notre Dame in Paris, St. Joseph’s Cathedral is price stopping to see the gorgeous gothic structure. Be sure to go inside
Hanoi Weekend Evening Market
When Visiting anyplace in Southeast Asia and Indo-China, a go to to an evening market is a should. If you’re on the lookout for issues to do in Hanoi at evening, the weekend market is abuzz with pleasure. From Friday to Sunday the market runs from 7 pm by way of Cling Dao Road to Dong Xuan Market. That is your probability to place your bartering abilities to the take a look at and to attempt some Vietnamese avenue meals.
Have a Drink on the Hanoi Social Membership
For some issues to do in Hanoi at evening, head out to the Hanoi Social Membership. Positioned in a Nineteen Twenties colonial villa the Hanoi Social Membership is a multi-level cafe that is among the hottest locations for drinks and meals for vacationers. There are nice vegetarian choices on the menu right here. It’s additionally a well-liked spot for breakfast.
Take a Free Strolling Tour
I believe we point out in almost each metropolis information to take a free strolling tour as quickly as you arrive. That is one of the simplest ways to get acquainted with a metropolis in Hanoi. Hanoi Free Strolling Excursions takes you thru the Hanoi Previous Quarter to Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. You’ll pattern ice cream and hit up the strolling avenue and evening market. It’s a nice introduction to Hanoi.
Take a Stroll By way of the French Quarter
Positioned south and east of Hoan Kiem Lake, the French Quarter is a beautiful stroll by way of early Twentieth-century structure, Artwork Deco designs, and a few Thirties modernism because of all of the influences. There are a number of Hanoi factors of curiosity to maintain a watch out for as you stroll by way of the French Quarter. Let’s have a look to see what there may be.
The Hoa lo Jail Museum
Maison Central, aka the Hao Lo Jail, was often called the Hanoi Hilton through the Vietnam Battle the place it housed American POWs together with Senator John McCain. Historical past Buffs will discover this an fascinating cease on their Hanoi go to. Earlier than the Vietnam Battle, it was used to incarcerate Vietnamese Revolutionaries by the French authorities.
There are galleries telling the ugly tales of the inmates together with the French guillotine and memorabilia from American pilots shot down through the conflict. So far as the American POWs, the jail promotes that opposite to well-liked perception, the inmates have been handled nicely.
Hanoi Opera Home
There’s plenty of French affect in Hanoi because of the French occupation, and the Hanoi Opera Home is Aptly positioned within the French Quarter. It was modeled after the Paris Opera Home, Palais Garnier, and is among the most stunning items of colonial structure in Hanoi. If you’re on the lookout for a little bit little bit of tradition whereas visiting Hanoi, ebook an evening on the opera to see Vietnamese Opera or the ballet.
The Nationwide Museum of Vietnamese Historical past
Housed in a former college from the French Colonial interval, the Nationwide Museum of Vietnamese Historical past can be price a cease within the French Quarter. This constructing showcases 5 completely different sections all through its architectural design paying homage to a French villa or Vietnamese palace. Items could be discovered from the stone age to the Vietnamese Revolution. There are greater than 200,000 items detailing Vietnamese historical past.
Vietnamese Girls’s Museum
TheVietnamese Girls’s Museum has turn out to be one in every of Hanoi’s hottest sights devoted to the historical past and lives of Vietnamese ladies. From showcasing the position that ladies performed in its wars to native life and household life and dealing on the streets as distributors. There are 30,000 items on show depicting ladies in household, ladies vogue and girls in historical past.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
No journey to Hanoi can be full with no go to to the tomb of Ho Chi Minh. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum homes president Ho Chi Minh in a glass tomb. Paying a go to to Uncle Ho is among the high sights in Hanoi. Opened in 1975, it was modeled after Lenin’s mausoleum in Russia. When visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum you need to costume accordingly in lengthy sleeves, and lengthy skirts or pants. There aren’t any photographs allowed contained in the mausoleum and baggage have to be checked on the door.
Positioned throughout the similar complicated is the Ho Chi Minh Museum which options his private results and memorabilia. The Ho Chi Minh museum provides a glimpse into the lifetime of this key determine in Vietnamese historical past with movies, paperwork, and objects depicting his revolutionary work and life.
Navy Historical past Museum
Spending extra time in museums, we now take you to the Navy Historical past Museum the place you’ll see army tools and transportation from the Vietnam Battle. This museum celebrates the Vietnamese victories over each the Individuals and the French. Right here you’ll see a tank, some outdated airplanes together with a Soviet MiG fighter airplane, and wreckage of a B52 Bomber.
There’s a mannequin of the Cu Chi Tunnels which have been an integral half in beating the Individuals through the Vietnam Battle and also you’ll see a show of the weaponry that was used throughout each wars.
Lotte Tower Remark Deck
Who doesn’t love going excessive in a metropolis for views? And a go to to Hanoi Vietnam isn’t any exception. The Lotte Tower Remark Deck is a slice of recent Vietnam taking you up 65 flooring for dazzling metropolis views from the observatory. The Skywalk takes you out over a glass flooring feeling as if you’re suspended within the air. There are interactive reveals, a lightweight pageant at evening, and a show that includes Vietnamese tradition and nature.
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Lengthy
The Imperial Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site that’s has been the middle of Vietnam’s political energy for greater than 1300 years till the capital was moved to Hue in 1810. After falling into disarray through the French colonial period, it was then used as a jail by the Japanese military in 1945, after which in 1954, it grew to become the headquarters for the Ministry of Imperial Protection.
The Citadel has been part of Vietnam’s historical past for hundreds of years and has been restored and excavated and you may tour its remaining buildings and gates probably the most notable being the Kinh Thien Palace, the North Gate and the Princess Pagoda.
Go to The Temple Of Literature
The Temple of Literature was Vietnam’s first college, the place college students have been educated within the ideas of Confucianism, literature, and poetry. As we speak, the temple and its monuments honor Vietnam’s biggest students, from poets to mathematicians and historians. Its conventional Vietnamese structure is gorgeous, the complicated is spacious, and has numerous fascinating issues to see: monuments, artifacts on show, and the most important gong ever (very tempting, I admit).
On a traditional day, strolling across the peaceable quiet courtyards and gardens, you’d overlook you’re in the midst of a bustling metropolis. We, nevertheless, visited the Temple of Literature on Commencement day, including fairly a little bit of colour to the expertise.
After your go to, make sure you pop into Koto throughout the road, it’s one in every of my favourite cafes/eating places in Hanoi. Koto is a not-for-profit program giving hospitality coaching to deprived children, all workers are graduates of this system. I really like the inside, the children can hang around on the purple sofas, the meals is superb, and the service is skilled and pleasant. And all whereas overlooking the temple of literature.
See a water puppet present
When visiting Hanoi, we noticed so many commercials for a water puppet present. It seems that seeing a Water Puppet Present is among the high issues to do in Hanoi, particularly for households. This historical artwork kind dates again 1000 years and was historically carried out in ponds or lakes.
The swish puppets gliding on water, the dwell music dramatizing their actions, the sounds of splashing water, and the darkish auditorium, all including as much as a magical expertise you may’t miss. Get your skip-the-line-tickets prematurely to safe the most effective seats and most well-liked timing.
As we speak, the stage consists of a giant water basin of murky water, hiding the secrets and techniques of the skillful puppeteers. The place marionettes are being delivered to life by way of strings from above, these picket puppets are operated from under by puppeteers submerged waist-deep within the water.
The Municipal Water Puppet Theatre gives 5 exhibits every day or you may Guide this Water Puppets Tour and luxuriate in some Vietnam Road meals with views of Hoan Kiem lake at evening.
Lake Tay Ho (West Lake)
Lake Tay Ho or West Lake is Hanoi’s Largest Lake that spans 15 km. It’s a quiet reprieve from the town the place locals observe tai chi, go biking, or for a stroll. There are two pagodas to go to at West Lake as nicely, Tay Ho Pagoda and Tran Quoc Pagoda. Tran Quoc Pagoda is a Buddhist temple that is among the oldest of its type. The primary pagoda stands 15 meters excessive (45 ft). The pagodas are free to enter, however ensure that to decorate conservatively as it’s an performing place of worship so ensure that to cowl your shoulders and knees.
Indulge on the street Meals
Southeast Asia is thought for its avenue meals and Hanoi isn’t any exception. Many individuals are cautious of consuming avenue meals and so they have purpose. If it’s not cooked correctly, you can get into bother. Our rule of thumb is to seek for distributors which might be busy and full of locals. The meals is sure to be recent. However if you’re involved, a terrific introduction is that this Street Food Tour by Motorbike.
This night tour will choose you up at your lodge, and take you to pattern staples resembling Bun Cha. Bun Cha is Noodle Soup with Porkpie and might be one of many extra widespread dishes you’ll discover in Hanoi. You’ll additionally pattern the Hanoi Shrimp Pancake, and coconut ice cream. Through the tour, you’ll additionally stroll across the Hanoi Previous Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and go to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum the place you’ll see the flag-lowering ceremony.
Vietnamese Meals Tour
One of the best ways to bask in native delicacies is to take a meals tour of Hanoi. We love hopping on a meals tour to find out about all of the completely different meals we must always order. We didn’t use to take excursions or cooking lessons, however as soon as we did, it modified the way in which we traveled. Studying of the native meals makes the remainder of your journey a lot extra fascinating and helps you department out from the standard Vietnamese Pho or spring roll dishes.
Take this Hanoi walking tour with an actual foodie. This 3-hour strolling tour takes you into the world of avenue distributors and allows you to pattern 10 completely different native dishes together with Bun Cha (grilled pork with noodles), Pho, Banh Mi (Vietnamese bread), Ban Cuon (steamed rice pancake), and Vietnamese desserts. This can be a nice solution to pattern Vietnamese meals.
Take a Cooking Class
If you wish to take a little bit little bit of Vietnam dwelling with you, ebook a cooking class to discover ways to make Vietnamese meals. It’s our favourite solution to re-visit a vacation spot after we are caught at dwelling. We begin cooking the native dishes and it takes us again to the vacation spot.
This Cooking Class with a go to to a neighborhood market is an immersive expertise in conventional tradition and Vietnamese meals. The tour begins with a neighborhood market tour the place you’ll store for recent substances and you then’ll make your individual meal which you’ll take pleasure in with a neighborhood glass of wine.
Vietnamese Egg Espresso
I’m not going to lie, Vietnamese Espresso took some getting used to, however after a number of cups, it grew to become a scrumptious morning deal with. Fortunate for me, I didn’t know I used to be ingesting egg yolks in my espresso on the time. Hey, at any time when I go to a spot, I immerse within the native tradition with out query. If that’s the espresso they provide me, that’s the espresso I’ll drink.
Ca Phe Trung aka Egg Espresso isn’t as unhealthy because it sounds. Egg espresso includes beating an egg yolk in condensed milk till it’s frothy and creamy. The sweetness is then poured over espresso and makes for a scrumptious brew. Egg espresso will also be made with iced espresso for a candy afternoon deal with. Once you go, give it a attempt, you might find yourself liking it. I do know we did!
Drink Bia Hello
Whereas we’re on the subject of foods and drinks I’ve to say Bia Hello. Hanoi’s well-known recent beer is tremendous low cost, mild and refreshing. When visiting Hanoi, pull up a chair at one of many avenue distributors and order a pitcher of beer. There are Bia Hello distributors all around the Previous Quarter of Hanoi and its a good way to rub shoulders with the locals.
In a single day tour to Halong Bay
A go to to Hanoi wouldn’t be full with out doing a day journey to Halong Bay. In actual fact, you must make it greater than a day journey! You may ebook in a single day excursions on a junk boat to Halong Bay from Hanoi and it really is a spotlight of any Vietnamese journey. Halong Bay is a gorgeous bay full of Karst formations.
There are greater than 15000 limestone islands jutting out of the bay creating a unprecedented scene. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and you must undoubtedly ebook not less than one in a single day cruise on the Bay.
Learn extra: Halong Bay or Bai Tu Lengthy Bay – The way to Select Your Cruise?
Go Trekking in Sapa
In the event you’re on the lookout for greater than a day journey from Hanoi, ensure that to go to Sapa. Sapa is a mountain city close to the Chinese language border and could be reached from Hanoi by prepare. Take a trek into the mountains to see the extraordinary rice terraces plunging down the cliffs. You’ll meet the hill tribes of the world as you keep in a homestay to immerse within the native tradition. That is really a visit you’ll always remember.
Earlier than going to Sapa, museum to go to in Hanoi is the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology which gives perception into the 54 ethnicities of Vietnam.
Fragrance Pagoda
day journey from Hanoi is a go to to Fragrance Pagoda or Chua Huong. It’s a maze of Buddhist temples constructed into limestone cliffs. The stalagmites and stalactites contained in the caves have been attracting pilgrims and vacationers searching for good luck. Contained in the cave are a number of Buddha statues. The journey to the pagoda is a little bit of a haul. It’s positioned 60 km from Hanoi and after arriving by automotive, it’s good to switch to a ship to achieve the temple complicated. It’s then a one-hour stroll uphill to Fragrance Pagoda.
Strive Your Hand At Pottery
Hanoi is surrounded by quite a few handicraft villages, every specializing in its personal craft. You’ll discover villages devoted to conventional furnishings, ceramics, copper, silk, and even snakes. Whereas the snake village undoubtedly gave the impression of a cool children attraction, I did journey to Vietnam to discover a crockery provider, not a snake catcher.
Bat Trang, often called ‘the ceramic village’, is positioned 13km southeast of Hanoi and is a real pleasure for any ceramic fanatic. Right here you’ll discover the potters working the clay, trimming and glazing pots, and filling the kiln. We obtained the warmest welcome from the non-English talking toothless craftsman. Professional Tip: Ceramic retailers dot the principle streets, however the hot button is to enterprise down the smaller back-alleys.
The place to Keep in Hanoi, Vietnam
Previous Quarter – Most vacationers keep within the Previous Quarter (Hoan Kiem) district of Hanoi. This can be a good spot for first-time guests to discover the preferred issues to do in Hanoi. That is the world the place you’ll discover backpacker hostels however there are additionally luxurious motels. With many eating places, bars and sights this can be a nice space to be within the coronary heart of the motion.
Ba Dinh district – That is one other good space to remain in Hanoi full of wealthy historical past and sights. Right here you’ll discover Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, the Navy Museum, and the Previous Citadel
Tay Ho – is the ex-pat neighborhood of Hanoi that will provide you with a western really feel. This can be a great spot for Hanoi nightlife and there are high-end motels and eating places.
The way to Get Round Hanoi
Hanoi is a really walkable metropolis and if you’re staying within the Hoan Kiem district which is the Previous Quarter and French Quarter or Ba Dinh District, you’ll be capable to stroll to lots of its high sights.
If you wish to get round, bike taxis are well-liked and really low cost.
Taxis are metered and one other good and secure solution to get round Hanoi.
As you may see, there are such a lot of issues to do in Hanoi, you want not less than three days within the metropolis. From museums to pagodas, and monuments to army historical past, a visit to Hanoi has one thing for everybody. When touring to Vietnam, ensure that to place Hanoi on our listing.
