Hanoi

What You Should Know More About Hanoi

• About the destination

  The capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi is the second largest metropolitan city in this country. This has oriental culture painted with a tint of French culture. You will find boulevards and lakes across this beautiful country that has been unscathed from many years of battles. Most of the buildings have an influence of Chinese and French architecture. You will find the markets sprawled with spices and condiments that are a home to this land. Food and other culinary delights are not to be missed when you visit this oriental land. There are many options for dining in the international cuisine. The street food is something you can gorge on safely.

  You can visit Hanoi for sightseeing, water sports and outdoor activities, nightlife, shopping, history, culture, and live events. Hanoi is a cultural odyssey of art, music, picturesque surroundings, rich heritage, and history. The best time to visit Hanoi is between October to December. You can take a family trip to this place as there are many tourist attractions sites for kids as well. There are umpteen places to see and things to do in Hanoi. You can plan at least a week stay to cover the city and enjoy its delights.

  
  

• Travel advice

  • Before travelling to Hanoi you can rearrange your visa online, instead of waiting for long hours at the airport after you reach there.

  • Book your flights only two to three weeks before travelling to this place.

  • To travel within the city, you can book taxis, take bus rides, or ride scooter taxis if you have international license.

  • Try learning basic Vietnamese phrases for greeting, and other local words, as most of the locals do not speak English.

  • Check for currency rates and money exchange places. Also, available are international ATMs available at this city.

  • Summers have an intolerable heat, so travel to this city only during the beginning of winter.

  • Check for the type of meat used in delicacies apart from chicken, as you may or may not like it. Things like cobra blood wine or dog meat can be avoided if it does not beckon your appetite.

  • You can drink at most of the bars and small joints till 8pm, as they are known to run out of drinks post this time.

  • You can get luxury as well as mid range hotels to stay in Hanoi.

  • You have umpteen options for shopping in fashion, souvenir, and other items in Hanoi.

  • Most of the hotels and cafes are well connected with Wi-Fi networks, so you can update pictures on your social media accounts.

  • Take photographs of the locals only after asking their permission to be photographed.

• Drinking law

  There is no restriction to drinking age in Hanoi. Most of the clubs and bars close at midnight. Drinks and alcohol are easily available throughout Hanoi.

• Our Recommendations: What you can’t afford to miss?

  Museums, temples, and sightseeing

  There are many temples and museums in Hanoi. You can visit the Vietnamese Women's Museum that has information about the heroic Vietnamese women in war. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum depicts all the artifacts and documents of soldiers in war, the Fine Arts Museum for its paintings and art done on prehistoric bronze drums, and many other museums depicting the history of Vietnam. The Ngoc Son Temple is picturesque and is adjoined by a lake, Bach Ma Temple, and the Hani Temple have a landscape view. You can also visit the Ba Dinh Square, and Ba Vi National Park that has bird watching and trekking sites.

  
  

  Outdoor activities and motorbike tours

  You can take cycling trips to many places around Hanoi. You can visit Ninh Binh, Dong Hoi, Kon Tum, and many other places in day tours by cycling. You can enjoy the view of limestone cliffs and serene lakes. You can also cycle to the Old Quarter and take cooking sessions here, and enjoy the view of the lush green nature. You can take private or motor bike tours to areas nearby Hanoi and learn about the authentic Vietnamese cuisine and cooking ingredients.

  
  

  Historical and war sites, cathedrals, and cruises

  You can take the Halong Bay cruise and enjoy sightseeing caves, heritage sites, historical monuments, and visit water sports sites for kayaking and boating activities. There are many colonial buildings and citadels that you can visit in Hanoi in your day tours. You can visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, which is an important site in Hanoi and also symbolizes this city. If you are not opting for a cruises, you can take day tours in rented cars and bikes and get a view of these historical and heritage sites. The Perfume Pagoda near Hanoi is one of the most sacred sites for Buddhists. The caves at this temple are said to bestow blessings to the visitors. The temple site also has clear water streams and a beautiful view. Visiting this site is said to bestow tourists with good luck.

  
  

• What you will like there?

  Shopping, sightseeing, and touring

  There are many places to shop for street shopping as well as shopping in malls for international brands. You can shop for artifacts, souvenirs, spices, jewelry, and any item you need at the local bazaars. Hanoi has a great drinking culture. You will find many swish bars and clubs that shut down at midnight. They stock international drink labels as well. Historical and war sites are a part of sightseeing tours.

  
  

  Spa, meditation, and cooking

  There are many massage parlors in Hanoi, where you can relax and get the best of spa experiences. You can also join yoga centers and learn Buddhist yoga and meditation techniques. You can also learn to take cooking classes that teach the three course meal of the Vietnamese cuisine. You can learn about the local condiments, spices, and other ingredients used in the Vietnamese cuisine. You can enjoy cooking in the scenic view of the lush greens in areas outside Hanoi.

  
  

• Recommended reads for destination

  Website

  http://www.vietnam-guide.com/hanoi/

  Forum

  http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/vietnam/hanoi/things-to-do/sights

  Books

  Hanoi & Northern Vietnam Handbook by David Lloyd