Ho Tay Lake Water Park

Ho Tay Lake Water Park

In summer the Ho Tay Lake Water Park is a great place to take the kids. The heat of Hanoi can be draining so it is comforting to know there is a place to relax, cool off and keep the kids happy. The park has an assortment of rides, pools, slides and even water games. It is a big attraction for the locals so if you are all about some fun in the sun then the Water Park is the place to be. Entry is from 30,000-50,000 VND depending on your height. There are snack foods available so it’s easy to make a day out of it.

Things to consider
It is fair to say the conditions are perhaps not up to western standards. The toilets are not the best and even though there are guards on watch I would keep an extra eye on the kids when they are in the water, especially if they are not strong swimmers.

Where
The Water Park sits on the cities West Lake and is about a 15 minute taxi ride from the centre of town.

When
The Park is only open in the hotter months from April to November with operating hours of 9am to 9pm.

Thu Le Park & Hanoi Zoo

The Hanoi Zoo, a small zoo, sits within the boundaries of the vast Thu Le Park. The zoo has a range of monkeys, big cats, birds and reptiles which will keep the kids interested. The animal cages are dotted throughout the park so you can wander around looking at different animals while enjoying the park at the same time.

The surrounding park is a great escape from the busy and polluted streets of Hanoi and you will feel you can breathe easier there. The kids can enjoy the pedal boats around the lake as well as the nearby fun park.

Admission is very cheap at 2,000 VND.

Things to consider
The cages are somewhat smaller than you might be used to, however the animals situations aren’t terrible as you can find in other Asian zoos. The rides in the fun park are quite run down in appearance but they generally look safe.

Where
The Hanoi Zoo & Thu Le Park is around 5km west of the city centre on Bach Thu Le and will take around 10 minutes in a taxi.

When
The Park and Zoo are open daily from before first light to around 10pm at night.

Megastar Complex

The Hanoi cinema is an extremely modern setup showing the latest films in the comfort we are used to back home. This is a great place to take the kids, giving them a break from the streets outside. The complex shows all the films in English with Vietnamese subtitles. There is the option of 2D and 3D viewing for some films and also plenty of drinks and snacks to choose from.

Prices are between 40,000-80,000 VND and for the quality you receive the cost is more than reasonable. Check the website for discount days and times if you want to save a few dollars. On the 5th floor of the complex is a massive games arcade which will leave the kids drooling. Before or after the film you can shop and eat in any of the up market shops found throughout the four floors of Vincom City Towers.

Things to consider
It is hard to find a problem here and my only issue is that the Vietnamese have no qualms in having a detailed conversation in the middle of the movie. I wouldn’t let this discourage you, as often there are plenty of free seats, and if they do start chatting away you can easily move to another area of the cinema.

Where
You can find the cinema at 191 Ba Trieu Street on the 4th floor of the Vincom City Towers, only a 5 minute taxi ride heading south from the city centre.

When
For viewing times I suggest you check out the Megastar website http://www.megastarmedia.net/index.aspx?visLang=2 which has an English translation option.

Hanoi Star Bowl

The Hanoi Star Bowl is the cities answer to ten pin bowling and can make for a fun few hours. There are plenty of lanes available as well as a range of snacks and drinks. Downstairs there are a bunch of video games the kids can play if they have had enough of the bowling. The price per game is from 15,000-25,000 VND.

Things to consider
The balls are not in great condition and it is sometimes hard to find the lighter weights which can be a problem for the little ones.

Where
The Hanoi Star Bowl is at 2B Pham Ngoc Trach Street in Dong Da District about 15 minutes by taxi, south west of the city centre.

When
The bowling opens from 10am everyday and closes late at night.

Water Puppet Theatre

If you are looking for something a little more authentic then you can’t go past the water puppet show. You won’t find this form of theatrical art anywhere else in the world so I suggest you add this to the list of musts while in Hanoi.

Tickets cost from 20,000-60,000 VND; a little more if you want to take in a camera.

Things to consider
The shows are very popular and can book out so save disappointment and book in advance.

Where
The best Water Puppet show in town is at 57B Ding Tien Hoang Street on the North-east side of Hoan Kiem Lake. For anyone staying in the Old Quarter you can make your way on foot.

When
Performances take place every day of the week. Starting times are 15:30 PM – 17:00 PM – 18:30 PM – 20:00 PM – 21:15 PM. For more information have a look at their website which has an English translation http://www.thanglongwaterpuppet.org/homepage.asp

Best of the Rest

Hanoi Central Circus: The circus runs Tuesday to Sunday (8-10pm) in a large tent on the northern side of Lenin Park. On Sunday morning at 9am there is a special performance for kids. It is around 40,000 VND per person.

Swan Pedal Boats: As well as Thu Le Park the swan pedal boats can also be found on the southern side of Ho Tay Lake and Truc Bach Lake. Prices are 30,000 VND for 30 minutes and 60,000 VND for one hour.

Fanny Ice Cream: For most kids there isn’t a better attraction than some tasty ice cream. Fanny’s ice cream is located on Le Thai To Street on the south-west side of Hoan Kiem Lake. Prices start from around 15,000 with an abundance of choice available. The first Friday of the month has an all you can eat buffet for 75,000 VND per person.

Street food at Hanoi: Food stalls in the small alley ways of the Old Town of Hanoi
Photo by kirksiang

From the early hours of the morning ladies begin preparing their specialty dishes on their allotted street corners waiting for the sun to rise and the customers to start flowing… and flow they do: rich and poor, young and old… street food is for everyone and its principle fits perfectly into the pace of the city.

Approaching the small plastic tables and chairs filled with buoyant locals can be a daunting prospect especially as the menu, usually written on a large board at the front of the restaurant, is only in Vietnamese. The locals will usually speak little to no English as well which begs the question “What are they going to bring me”? Fear not, as with a small bit of preparation and a general understanding of the street food in Hanoi you will soon be ordering and eating like a local.

Despite the variety of street food available most places will serve only one or two dishes. If the person sitting next to you is eating something that looks appealing, just point at their meal and the job is done. Nonetheless, I still think that knowing the words of the dishes you want to try is invaluable while quite easy to learn.

Below is a list of some of the popular street foods offered in Hanoi. You may find that once you start your street food adventure you will not want to stop and will happily skip on the western seats and air conditioned rooms for quick and tasty meals served on the sides of busy roads.

Phở

Photo by shok

Phở bò – beef noodle soup (Phở bò tái: half cooked beef, Phở bò chin: well done beef).
Phở gà – chicken noodle soup

Bún

Photo by nicole1980

Regarding bún dishes, you will be spoilt for choice in Hanoi and below are only some of the varieties you can choose from:

Bún chả – grilled pork noodle
Bún bò – beef noodle
Bún riêu – crab noodle
Bún ốc – snail noodle
Bún đậu – tofu noodle

Xôi

Photo by herethere

Xôi gà – sticky rice with chicken

Bánh cuốn

Photo by stylelab

Lẩu

Photo by superciliousness

BBQ

Photo by fireforge_photo

Bread and pâté

Photo by martywindle

Chè

Photo by jenmaiser

Costs

Street food as a whole is extremely inexpensive. Most dishes will not cost more than a few dollars. The hotpot and BBQ can cost a little more however with a few friends you won’t be paying much at all.

Where to go

Half the fun is trying any random place you come across and with stalls on virtually every street you will not have to look far to find them. If you don’t want to take the risk and are looking for some proven performers have a look at the below two blogs as they have some great suggestions:

Savour Asia
Sticky Rice

How you decide to eat in Hanoi can shape your memories of the place so my suggestion is ignore any inhibitions you might have and embrace the street food experience. You won’t regret it.

Halong Bay

Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, situated in the Golf of Tonkin, is without a doubt one of the main attractions in Vietnam. The sheer beauty of the thousands of limestone islands and islets makes this a scenic wonderland.

Tour operators offer day trips from Hanoi which includes all transfers to Halong Bay, access to the boat and a tasty seafood lunch. Depending on your tour you will get the option of spending your time kayaking or seeing the caves or possibly stopping at a small beach.

The Kangaroo café www.kangaroocafe.com offers some great small group options which don’t break the bank. You also have the choice to book a private tour for those romantics out there. For two people the all inclusive cost is around the US $120 mark. Each person after that drops around US $15 so if you have extras or are happy to join a group the price is very reasonable.

Things to consider
Halong Bay is a beautiful part of the country and you could find the return trip a bit on the lengthy side if done on the same day, so if you have the time you may consider a two day one night option. If however you only have the day, then you should definitely fit this trip into your plans.

Halong Bay
Photo by Andrew Hux

Competition for your money is rife amongst the tour operators and the end result is cheaper prices. The problem is that many operators can’t provide the service they advertise and do not offer any follow up service, often because they act purely as ticket sellers for other companies. I suggest paying a bit more and staying away from the budget options.

For those who don’t care about the service and just the end result will be plagued with choice in Hanoi’s Old Quarter as every couple of shops offer day trip tours to Halong Bay. Hunt around and you won’t pay much at all.

Buffalo tours www.buffalotours.com is another good choice which offer good trips to Halong Bay.

Jewel of the Delta

Travelling along the Red River on a private boat is definitely a good way to see the countryside of Northern Vietnam. After cruising down the river in the morning you make a stop and transfer onto bicycles giving you the chance to ride through the surrounding villages. The twisting roads will take you to some of the better known handicraft villages. Once back on board you are treated to a five course meal before stopping at Bat Trang Ceramic village, on your way back upriver.

Things to consider
The tour definitely allows a hassle free adventure along the Red River where everything is organised. Buffalo Tours sells this tour for around US $80 per person as a private option. If discovering the countryside is your main aim and you want a bit of adventure then I would recommend hiring a pushbike and making the trip yourself. Hiring a bike is no more than a few dollars and is a great way to escape the tourist path and feel a part of Vietnamese society. A trip from Hanoi to the ceramics village of Bat Trang is approximately 10km southeast from the centre, over Long Bien Bridge.

Ninh Binh

Travel a few hours south east of Hanoi and you will reach Ninh Binh. From there a 9 kilometre drive will take you to some of the most striking scenery in Northern Vietnam: Tam Coc. A stunning 2 hours boat ride takes you through the magical limestone landscapes often referred to as the Halong Bay on land. Also not far from Ninh Binh is Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Day trips to this region can also include stops at the Phat Diem cathedral and the Bich Dong pagoda.

Tam Coc Caves
Photo by TTVo

Things to consider
As with Halong Bay, decide what you want out of the experience and book a tour accordingly. There are private and group tours available for US $65 for which the service levels are high. You can pay half that and hope for the best.

Perfume Pagoda

Around 70km from Hanoi among the limestone rocks you will find a truly striking and spiritual setting. Here you will have the chance to view many of the pagodas and shrines of the area. The Perfume Pagoda is found within a cave built into the cliffs and you can only access by boat (90 minutes) followed by a steep mountain walk. There is now a cable car taking you to the top but if you can handle the walk it is worth it. The experience of getting to the pagoda is one in itself with the amazing landscape a wonder to enjoy.

Perfume Pagoda
Photo by alejandroglobal

Things to consider
The pagoda is not only a big tourist attraction but is extremely popular for the locals as well. For this the area can get very busy so check before booking a trip if the Buddhist pilgrims are there in numbers. This can make for an interesting experience but if you prefer some peace and quite out of Hanoi Ninh Binh might be a better option.

Surrounding Villages

Once you leave the busy streets of Hanoi you may be surprised to find the contrasting lifestyles of the people. Travel only 10-20km out of town and the city is replaced by the village. Here you will be surrounded by agriculture and usually for each village they have a specialty.

For Bat Trang, the area of expertise is ceramics and here you will find nothing else but ceramic shops. Once you reach the market you will find a mass of choice from giant vases to life size ceramic animals, tea sets, artworks and any kind of kitchenware. Bat Trang is approximately 10km southeast of Hanoi, over the Long Bien Bridge.

Van Phuc is everything silk so if you want to fill up the suitcase this is definitely an option. Many of the silk items sold in Hanoi were made in Van Phuc so if you are interested in finding the source of the many beautiful garments you see in town this short trip is worth it. Van Phuc is approximately 8km southwest of Hanoi.

Le Mat is a snake village and if you are game is a good place to try out snake cuisine. The snakes are prepared in a number of different ways and for the adventurous the village can be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Here you can watch the snake being killed by the handlers, drink its blood and for one person, usually the oldest male, swallow the heart. As you can imagine this is not for the faint hearted. Le Mat is approximately 8km northeast of Hanoi.

Things to consider
Many tour operators offer day trips including all villages. For Bat Trang and Le Mat there is the option of hiring a pushbike. The scenery over the Long Bien Bridge takes you away from everything Hanoi and cruising on two wheels can be fun. For Van Phuc the ride there is not so beautiful so if you are not on a tour grab a taxi or if you are up for the challenge hire a motorbike.

The above list is by no means exhaustive and some other alternatives are the Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum, Thay & Tay Phuong Pagoda and Ba Vi National Park.

Sights

With only 24 hours in Hanoi the best place to start is the Old Quarter. Clearly the heart of Hanoi, here you will find a mass of activity and great opportunities to cater all tastes. The web of narrow streets and alleys is bustling with traffic and the concept of navigating your way around can be daunting at first. Travelling by foot is the best way to view the countless small shops, cafes, restaurants and street vendors. Have a quick break at a café and try the Vietnamese coffee: it’s strong and will give you a boost for the rest of the morning. As you stroll the streets you will definitely find that gift you are after be it clothes, souvenirs or a traditional artwork. There are many art galleries in the Old Quarter and they are definitely worth a look inside. If wandering the busy streets is not your cup of tea then you can hire a cyclo driver to peddle you around the Old Quarter. They usually offer rides for one hour and will only cost a few dollars. Don’t worry about finding them; they will find you.

Old Quarter
Photo by Jared Kelly

After a walk around the Old Quarter the next stop on the agenda should be Hoan Kiem Lake. A stroll around the lake is a relaxing contrast to the hustle and bustle of the Old Quarter streets. At the northern side of the lake you will find the Ngoc Son Temple, situated on an island over the little red bridge. It is a picturesque setting so have your cameras ready.

Hoan Kiem Lake
Photo by Andrew Hux

Express Old Quarter visit: Allow a minimum of 1 hour
Old Quarter, take your time and shop away: 2-3 hours

Museums/Temples

Hanoi is full of history and if your time here is short the best way to learn about its past is to explore one of the many museums/temples on offer.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Photo by danaspencer

If there is one place to visit it is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a grand and powerful structure displaying the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh himself. It is the main attraction in Hanoi and the lines will curl around for hundreds of metres (although the waiting time shouldn’t exceed 20 minutes). The lines are in constant movement so you will be in and out within a minute. Security is on hand continually watching proceedings and they expect respect from those visiting. Wear long pants and cover your shoulders and don’t plan on taking any photos. Despite the constraints it is definitely worth the visit. The mausoleum is free and will only allow people in between 8am and around 10am so arrive early. It is a perfect next stop after visiting the Old Quarter. If you are travelling between October and December you will unfortunately have to leave this one off your list as the mausoleum is closed.

Nearby you will find the Ho Chi Minh Museum, Ho Chi Minh Stilt House and Presidential Palace as well as the One Pillar Pagoda.

Allow 2 hours

If you prefer the beauty of the Vietnamese architecture and are a bit of an art lover I would strongly suggest the combination of the Temple of Literature and the Fine Arts Museum. The temple is beautiful and the tranquil setting is a welcome change to life on the other side of the wall. As for the Fine Arts Museum you will find a mixture of sculptures, painting and ceramics from a range of periods. Usually one floor displays a collection of modern art which often impresses.

Temple of Literature: Quoc Tu Giam Street
Fine Arts Museum: 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street

Allow 1-2 hours

The Army Museum has a good display of weaponry with tanks, helicopters and downed aircraft from the war. The museum follows the history of the Vietnamese army concentrating on the French and American wars. There is a huge amount of information here and would be one of the better museums for the kids.

Allow 1 hour

Army Museum: Dien Bien Pho Street

If you’re interested in the Vietnamese minorities then the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is a must. Here you will find a great collection from the numerous minority tribes that situate Vietnam. You will find the typical objects from the village and the materials used to make them. The museum explains clearly the difference in location and culture of the many minority groups. Outside the museum you will find a number of full scale replica houses, typical of those found in tribal areas. If your next stop is to any of the villages in Vietnam then you should put this museum on your list.

Allow 1.5 hours

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: Nguyen Van Huyen Street

Nightlife/Entertainment

If your night is free go and check out the traditional Water Puppets show held daily at the Municipal Water Puppet Theatre. There are shows from late afternoon into the evening. The tickets are cheap and it will leave you with a truly authentic Vietnamese experience. Otherwise there is ample choice for bars and nightclubs; a vast supply throughout the Old Quarter. A famous hangout is the Bia Hoi Junction in the middle of the Old Quarter. Here you can sample the local microbrew beer on small plastic seats watching the world go by. This place is popular with the tourists and at 3,000 VND a glass it is easy to know why.

Water Puppets
Photo by richard vignola

The Puppeters
Photo by richard vignola

Water Puppets: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street
Bia Hoi Junction: Intersection of Ta Hien Street and Luong Ngoc Quyen Street

Eating

First and foremost you must try the traditional and famous Vietnamese dish pho. Pho is a noodle soup with either beef or chicken. Pho can be bought on the street for around 20,000 VND per bowl. You don’t have to go far to find a pho and the best way to try it is at one of the street stalls. If that doesn’t appeal to you or the tiny plastic chairs are not accommodating then most restaurants will serve the dish as well.

If you want to eat with the locals I would suggest trying the BBQ on the side of the street. Again you are sitting not far off the ground on small plastic chairs but the food is great and the experience not to be missed. There are many options but Ma May Street in the Old Quarter is a winner.

If you don’t want to go to the street food then let the street food come to you. Quan An Ngan is a large restaurant offering street food in a beautiful courtyard setting. The centralised menu means you can pick your dish from all the options and the waiters will order it from the relevant stall for you. It’s a three stars way to try what the locals eat everyday. This place is always busy with locals and travellers alike. You will find Quan An Ngan at 15 Phan Boi Chau Street.

Getting Around

By far the best way to get around the Old Quarter and surrounds is on foot. Hitting the streets at a slow pace gives you a great view of the culture and commerce around you. If walking the streets is a little too daunting or your legs need a rest you can grab a cyclo driver who are only to willing to show you their town.

Cyclo – Value for money!
Photo by Blue Barnacle

Taxis are in abundance and it is never too hard to find one in Hanoi. No city is without its shortcomings and for Hanoi it must be said that many of the taxi drivers will try to scam tourists on the fare. This is mainly done by rigged metres randomly jumping in price. I have had many friends tell me how they have been charged over 100,000 VND for a taxi fare that should cost around 40,000 VND. This can be frustrating and put a damper on your short time in Hanoi. My advice is to stick to the companies you can trust and for me they are Mai Linh Taxi (green emblem on the side of the car) and Hanoi Taxi. If you are pressed for time and need a taxi right away negotiate the price first and tell the driver not to use the metre. For short to medium trips the cost should be 20,000-60,000 VND. Any more than this would probably mean that the driver is being cheeky!

If you are feeling a bit more adventurous I suggest taking a xeom (motorbike taxi). They will take you anywhere you want to go starting from 20,000 VND. It is the next best way to driving the streets after driving a motorbike yourself (if you felt up for this, ask your hotel to organise you a motorbike rental for the day for approximately 100,000 VND) and it gives you the chance to experience the Hanoi traffic from within. The xeoms are amongst the fastest riders on the streets but I have not met anyone who hasn’t enjoyed themselves on one. As with the cyclos, the xe om are plentiful and drivers will offer their services on nearly every corner of the city.

Hanoi

Hanoi Travel Guide

• Why Not Go
• Why Go
• Best Time to Visit
• Where to Stay
• Where & What to Eat
• Nightlife
• To Do List
• Stay Away From
• Getting There

Hanoi is a rich cultural city with a history that goes back at least 1000 years although it had inhabitants long before that. In 1010 Ly Thai To King had recognized Hanoi or Thang Long (Ascending Dragon) as the capital of Vietnam, a status which has remained till today. In recent years, Hanoi has experienced the largest growth in its tourism sector compared to other cities in Vietnam and you just need to visit this beautiful place with friendly locals to know why.

Hanoi the capital of Vietnam, is a fascinating blend of East and West, with Chinese influence from centuries of dominance, and French design from its colonial past. Located on the bank of Red River, Hanoi still maintains traces of the Rivers that run through it last time in the form of famous lakes such as Ho Guom (Sword Lake), Ho Tay (West Lake), Ho Thien Quang (Halais Lake), Truc Bach Lake, Bay Mau Lake, Thu Le Lake (in the zoo) to name just a few. Hence sometimes people refer to Hanoi as the “City of Lakes”.

Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam: Hoan Kiem Lake – Right in the Middle of Hanoi – Vietnam.
The legendary “Excalibur” given to King Arthur by the Lady Of The Lake, is similar to the legend of Turtle Lake, where the keeper of the sword is a Giant Turtle. It is said that when danger threatens the country the keeper will surface on the Turtle Lake bearing the sword on its shell.
Photo by Andrew Hux

Sword Lake has been the symbol of Hanoi for ages where visitors can view the legendary Thap Rua (Turtle memorial) in the middle of the lake. Ngoc Son Bridge at the other side and the tranquil atmosphere in the morning are simple moments uniquely dear to Hanoians’ heart.

Why Not Go

Hanoi is a beautiful city to explore but if you’re looking for an adventurous trip or if you’re bored with the city atmosphere then you can consider going to other parts of Northern Vietnam like Sapa for trekking or Ha Long Bay for caves exploring and stunning sight-seeing.

Why Go

Hanoi is the convergence of thousand years of history through many dynasties till French colonized stage then American’s until now. Hanoi will celebrate its 1000 years of establishment in 2010 and now there is a count-down clock screen at the bank of Hoan Kiem lake in the centre of the city to count down towards that big day.

Authentic Hanoi
Photo by bartpogoda

Hanoi Evening
Photo by michaelfoleyphotography

Hanoi Sunset: After a long day in unbelievable heat, Jono and I sat and watched the sunset over a couple of beers and snapped a few shots.
Photo by damnthetorpedoes

Hanoi has many temples, pagodas and other places for sight-seeing where you can view many school of different architecture like classic French style to typical Chinese and Vietnamese architecture that have been built throughout the years. Among Hanoi’s attractiveness are Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword Lake which is the symbol of the city right at the heart of Hanoi), West Lake, Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, One Pillar Pagoda; Tran Quoc Pagoda (oldest pagoda in Vietnam from 541), Quan Thanh Temple (got a holy Tran Vu bronze black statue weight 3600 tons), Temple of Literature (Van Mieu, the oldest university in Vietnam), Old Quarter or Ancient City where visitors can spend hours or even days to explore depending on how through you want to be.

Besides being famous for its beautiful lakes, temples and pagodas, Hanoi is also where many well-known Vietnamese dishes such as Pho (Vietnamese noodle), Cha ca (Grill Fish), Springroll, banh cuon, banh xeo (fried egg paper wrapping beansprouts, beef…) or seafood can be found. Vietnamese dishes are famous for its fresh and healthiness with a lot of vegetables and herbs to make it aromatic coupled with tasty sauces(fish sauce) that are unforgettable for many visitors. A favourite dish for many tourists is the banh xeo (fried egg paper wrapping beansprouts, beef, salad…), and pho (Vietnamese noodle) as they have tasted it in Vietnamese town in Australia or in the US or elsewhere and so eagerly want to taste the original taste in Vietnam.

Traditional Trades
Photo by stickypix

Best Time to Visit

Hanoi has climate characteristics typical of Northern Vietnam area – tropical monsoon, hot and humid in the summer(May to September) and little rain, cold and dry in winter(November to March). It can get very hot if you visit Hanoi during summer as the temperature sometimes soars to 38c degree with high humidity that it’s really not advisable to wander in the streets. Towards the end of December to March, in winter the temperature sometimes can go as low as below 10 degrees. Poetry, songs and literature will tell you that the best time to visit is during Fall (September to December) and Spring (March to May) as these are the two most beautiful seasons in Hanoi when the weather is cool.

Monsoon Season: One of the streets in Hanoi. Vietnam. During the monsoon season.
Photo by bartpogoda

In terms of festivals in Vietnam, the most celebrated festivals would be Lunar New Year (or otherwise known as Chinese New Year this festival last for 7 to 10 days in Vietnam), Mid-autumn festival (according to Lunar calendar it falls on the 15th of the eight month and a favourite festival for children to celebrate Fullest Moon of the year) or April 30 (Southern Vietnam Liberation Day) combined with Labor Day making it a big holiday in Vietnam where you could see Vietnamese flags in almost every house, vehicles and all along the streets.

Where to Stay

HIGH END:
Sofitel Plaza, Sofitel Metropole and Melia are amongst the top hotels in Hanoi for visitors. Their 5-star services are guaranteed giving them their stable reputation over the years. For those looking a romantic stay Hanoi, these 3 places comes highly recommended.

- Sofitel Metropole locates at 15 Ngo Quyen street, Hanoi (+844 38266919)
- Melia Hanoi at 44 Ly Thuong Kiet street (+844 39343343)
Both are located at the city center where you can just walk to Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword lake) and visit the famous Old Quarter of the city.

- Sofitel Plaza at No.1 Thanh Nien street (+844 38238888)
Located at the other side of the city, you can walk along Thanh Nien street between the two beautiful lakes – West lake and Truc Bach lake.

AVERAGE:
If you have the time to scout and research, there are many value for money hotels due to stiff competition in Hanoi. Anis Hotel in Quan Thanh street starts with a reasonable price from USD 45 but still maintain a 3 star hotel standards. Or Elegance 1,2 or 3 Hotel located at Hang Bac street are also good hotel with price starting from USD 40.

BUDGET:
If you are on a budget, there are plenty of hotels in the Old Quarter in strategic location at more affordable price. Hostels for backpackers are mostly located here, especially in Luong Ngoc Quyen, Hang Bac, Ta Hien, Hang Bong and Hang Be streets. It is very easy to find a hostel with low price from USD 20-30. Old Quarter is near to Ho Guom lake and city center and just a short walk away you can start shopping for souvenir, clothes and enjoy authentic Vietnamese food.

Lantern Shop
Photo by redbettyblack

Where & What to Eat

Hanoi has a long-standing history of traditional cuisine with many famous delicacies. Food in Hanoi gathers quintessence of all food from other regions of Vietnam. People from other parts of Vietnam bring their hometown’s specialities to Hanoi and modify the taste to suit the taste of Hanoists. Culinary style of Hanoi food is influenced by Chinese, French and Thai.

There are various types of food in Hanoi but you should taste Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup served with beef or chicken, etc). Pho in Hanoi has a special taste that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. Some traditional Pho restaurants could be found in Bat Dan, Ly Quoc Su, Bo Ho, Luong Van Can Streets. Or you can try some modern high end Pho restaurant like Pho Vuong, Pho 24.

Visitors to Hanoi usually enjoy La Vong grill fish. There are a number of grill fish restaurants, you can either go to 14 Cha Ca street or 107 Nguyen Truong To street or Duong Thanh street to have a good one.

Or you can go to Hang Buom street to enjoy some banh xeo (fried egg paper wrapping beef, beansprouts, salad…) which is a mouth-watering sight for those who had a chance to eat it.

You also should try the spring-rolls, Banh Cuon Thanh Tri (steamed rolled rice pancake, dumplings, steamed rolls made of rice-flour), West Lake shrimp cakes, “com” (green rice flakes), Bun Thang (vermicelli and chicken soup, noodles in chicken broth)

There are some buffet restaurants which serve mostly traditional dishes: Quan Ngon (Delicious Restaurant at 18 Phan Boi Chau street nearby Melia Hotel, Moven Pick Hotel) or Nha hang Sen Tay Ho (West Lake Lotus Restaurant nearby West Lake Water Park, or Sheraton Hotel). It would cost you USD 15-20 for this one stop gastronomical feast. Sometimes the selection can go up to 200 varieties of Vietnamese traditional foods so it is a good way to try many dishes if pressed for time. Having tried many of the selections you will also know what you like and can order them the nest time you eat in another place.

Hanoi Market in Early Morning
Photo by phuongnguyen

Some restaurants which are unique in culinary style:
- Pho Ngoi at 9A Dao Tan street nearby Daewoo Hotel and Thu Le Zoo, specializing in natural mushroom steamboat, and other Vietnamese cuisine. Here you can have a good view of Thu Le Lake while enjoy the food.
- Pho Bien at 14 Tràng Thi street is a long standing restaurant specializing in seafood.
- Pho Nuong Hawaii at 126 Nguyen Khoai – Dam Trau, specializing in grilling foods.
- Ga Doi at 6B Thi Sach street is good at chicken dishes.
- De Nui at 126 Pham Hong Thai street is specialized in goat meat.
- Son Dong at 42 Kim Lien Moi street is good at trionychid turtle.
- Song Nui at 70 Le Van Huu street is specialized in mountainous dishes.

Also you can enjoy the local beer at an affordable price like Hanoi Beer which is brewed in a factory built by the French a century ago. It is a favorite drink of most Hanoians as it’s quite light and have a delightful taste – splendid choice for escaping the summer heat and especially after a long day of exploring the city and shopping.

Nightlife

Nightlife in Hanoi is divided into two categories. One is for those who likes to explore the night market and the delicious Vietnamese food that are abundant at these places. Another is for those who prefer to chill out a local bar or club for some local nightlife experience.

For those who like to taste Vietnamese food at night there’re a number of restaurants that specializes in night business. Cam Chi street is known for its night life eating and has received the title “Cuisine Street”. Or you can have a taste of Pho at Ly Quoc Su street or try Nom Bo Kho (beef sweet and sour grated salad) at Ho Guom Lake. During winter it is extremely nice to indulge in street food such grilled corn, grilled cuttlefish or grilled pork… The selection is just as abundant as the stall that sells them on the Old Quarter street.

The night market at Hang Dao street is opened every Saturday and Sunday night only. Located at Hang Dao street right at the heart of the Old Quarter nearby Ho Guom (Sword Lake). Here you can buy do some late night shopping and buy some more souvenirs.

In Vietnam, the industry of bars and pubs need to adhere to a strict law which prohibits all kinds of drug and other stimulants usage, no sex show and no prostitution are allowed. Quite a number of famous bars like New Century, Apocalypse have been closed down due to violation of law.

For backpackers, bars like Seventeen Saloon at 98B Tran Hung Dao street comes highly recommended. It is a music club for foreigners and white -collared. It opens at 8pm everyday and from 9.15pm to 10.45pm there’s in-house music and a Filipino band towards the end.

Another popular hangout is the Dragon Fly bar at Hang Buom street. It’s always packed with teens and backpackers because of its cheap price. Here dancing is at 1st floor and some girl shows at 2nd floor. For a one of a kind night out, try Solace bar – a bar in a boat in the Red river (need to board in Bach Dang or Chuong Duong Do street) with music playing all night long. Around Ho Guom (Sword lake) you can also go to Ho Guom Xanh (Blue Sword Lake) bar. This is more of a music club with nice stage view.

For a high-end bar, Funkey Monkey at Hang Thung street is a long-established bar. The soothing music complements the settings for a comfortable environment to talk and chill out. Nutz bar at Sheraton hotel is also famous for its high end service and is highly rated by many people as the music and the facilities are top notch. Other well known bars are The Wave Bar at Sofitel Plaza hotel near West Lake or Q Bar (sometimes refered to as Club Q) at Daewoo Hotel at 360 Kim Ma street.

My to do List

• Take a walk around Ho Guom (Sword Lake) to experience the tranquil atmosphere and appreciate why locals enjoy their activities around the lake.
• Old Quarter near Ho Guom is also a must visit place when in Hanoi. There are many small interesting streets which were named according to the trade that they’re specialized in sometimes referred to as “36 Hanoi streets”. Here you can find Hang Bac street (specialized in silver) or Hang Thiec street (specialized in steel). Although now you can hardly find a street selling the original commodities that the names come from, it still brings back the nostalgia of Old Hanoi long time ago.
• Go to Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in Dinh Tien Hoang street along Ho Guom lake to view the funny and unique puppet art that can only find here.
• Go to visit Hochiminh Mausoleum and Hochiminh Museum nearby, remember to wear appropriate clothing (no short skirts or short pant).
• Hoa Lo Prison is also a nice place to visit as you will be able to see how the old prison looks like.
• Museum of Ethnology should be also on the list as it offers a vivid experience whereby people can understand all 54 ethnics in Vietnam, how they live, their rituals and practices. Sometimes the museum has indigenous ethnic people showing their traditional clothings with their musical instruments making it an unforgettable experience.
• A trip to Hanoi would not be complete if one does not come to visit Temple of Literature located at Quoc Tu Giam street. This is the oldest university (1070) in Vietnam where you can see many stone turtles carved with “doctorate” degree holders’ name and their hometown.
• Tran Vu Pagoda in West Lake is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi (from 12nd century) which houses a big black copper statue made in 1667 weighing around 4 tons.
• From Hanoi, you can also take a one-day visit to some traditional handicraft villages like Ceramic Bat Trang Village, Van Phuc Silk village, or Ba Vi National Park or Huong Pagoda. They were Ha Tay famous tourist destinations before Ha Tay has been merged to Hanoi by end of 2008.

Sliding Boats: my duc river, august 1999 – it’s a river near Hanoi: water plants grow on its surface like a carpet
Photo by

There were around 1,160 trading villages in Hanoi 300-400 years ago. Those trading villages supplied all types of goods for the old imperial city called Thang Long, now Hanoi. Under industrialization and urbanization of nineteenth and twentieth centuries many trading village closed down and there remained only some villages which produce handicraft products. Except Hang Trong Drawing village, all trading villages are located in the suburban of Hanoi. You need to take a bus to go there.

- Hang Trong Drawing Village in Hang Trong, Hang Non Street, now at the center of the Old Quarter of Hanoi. There are two types of drawings, drawings for worshiping purpose and drawings for Tet (Lunar New Year festival). Many researchers believe that the art of Hang Trong drawings has appeared 400 years ago. This art has been influenced by various school of ideas, religions, cultures and regions. It is also a mix of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. You can go to Hang Trong and Hang Non Streets to purchase such drawings or just to see how craftsmen make them using the traditional methods.

- Bat Trang Ceramics is at Bat Trang Village, 15km Eastward from Ha Noi city center. You can go to Bat Trang village by road or boat along the Red River. The village was formed since the thirteenth centuries, specializing in ceramics products and pottery. Bat Trang products have been very famous and widely traded with China, India, Europe from 15-19th centuries up to now. When you reach Bat Trang you can book a tour visiting the village by buffalo cart. If you want to stop at a shop the cart will wait for you. You can also try your hands at pottery by kneading, drawing and coloring your customized product. It costs the same to buy an item off the rack.

• Tailor a suit or clothing at a local tailor. You’ll be surprised at the reasonable price and good quality. It has become a must do activity for many of the frequent business travelers to Vietnam. These tailor shops normally have its own fabrics for you to choose so there is no need to buy them beforehand although they will allow that also. One famous shop for suit tailoring is Cao Minh

• Enjoy local coffee the way locals do. Coffee is served in a filter cup and once the filtering process finishes, you presented with a freshly brewed aromatic coffee. It’s such a unique experience that many visitors list it as one of their favourite memories of Vitenam. Maybe it’s because of the taste, the flavor or the style combined together to make it such a pleasurable experience. You can find good coffee houses everywhere depending on the area that you stay. Or you can ask the hotel’s staff for recommendation for a good coffee house experience.

• Taste Pho (Vietnamese noodle), either Pho Ga (chicken noodle) or Pho Bo (Beef Noodle). Pho is a must-taste dish when you come to Vietnam. Although you can find Pho in almost all over Vietnam and even in other countries but it will not measure up to the Pho cooked in Hanoi by the Hanoian. This has been admitted by many visitors to Hanoi and you should try to decide for yourself. There are many Pho shop around, from the high end one like Pho Vuong, Pho 24 to the ones sitting on the sidewalk depending on your preferences.

• Taste other well-known Hanoi food like Cha ca La Vong (grill fish), banh xeo (fried egg paper wrapping beef, beansprouts, salad…), spring-rolls, Banh Cuon Thanh Tri (steamed rolled rice pancake, ravioli, steamed rolls made of rice-flour), West Lake shrimp cakes, “com” (green rice flakes), Bun Thang (vermicelli and chicken soup, noodles in chicken broth) etc…These are famous Vietnamese dishes that have left a lasting impression on the visitors to Vietnam.

Stay Away From

• It’s not advisable to drink tap water.
• Dress appropriately when visiting places of interest/worship like the Ho chi minh Mausoleum, temples, pagodas… (no short skirt, Bermudas, sleeveless top… )
• Do not carry your valuables with you, beware of pickpockets especially in crowded areas.
• When crossing the street, pay attention to traffic on both sides, walk slowly to allow the vehicle to avoid you. Do not run.
• Always check the price first before buying anything or using any service. You are expected to bargain.
• Hanoi can get very hot in summer with temperature sometimes soaring to 38 degrees, thus wear light clothes for comfort. Vice versa, Hanoi in winter is cold with temperature going below 10degrees hence it’s advisable to bring some warm clothes.
• Streets in Old Quarter is small and elusive, do bring a map to help in your navigation.
• Locals usually don’t go out after 2300 and the streets look deserted after 2400 with all shops closed. As a tourist, it’s not advisable to walk on the street at this hour.

Getting There

Hanoi is the transit hub for all the tours in Northern Vietnam. As such, visitors often make Hanoi their first stop before taking another tour to other destinations. In order to reach Hanoi, visitors normally drop at Noi Bai Airport then take a taxi or a bus to go to Hanoi. There are quite a number of taxi companies available at the airport but if you’re not familiar try the Noi Bai Airport taxi. It takes around 45 minutes to get to city centre and cost around VND300.000 (18USD)

Public buses is cheap costing only VND 5000 (30 cents) for a ride from Noi Bai airport to the city. You can take bus No.7 or No.17. Bear in mind that buses need to make many stops during the journey thus making the trip much longer (more than 1 hour) to go to the city. Also, bus won’t accept big baggage and more than one baggage, unless you bribe the driver. Generally, it’s not advisable to take the public bus to go to the city.

Another option would be the airport shuttle bus. This bus service only departs according to the airport schedule thus you should check the timing beforehand to avoid long waiting time or delays. The fare is around USD 2 one way.

If you are traveling by train or bus from other cities to Hanoi, they’ll drop you at the train station quite near to the city centre or other bus stops in Hanoi. In such cases, you can then take a taxi to go to your hotel. Trustworthy Taxi Companies are Mai Linh taxi (+8443 8222666) or Hanoi taxi (+84 43 8535353).