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Jan
10
Hanoi Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Vietnam
A trip to Hanoi
Situated in Vietnam’s north on the bank of the Red River, Hanoi is the capital of the country and a bustling but charming city. Boasting a 1,000-year-old history, Hanoi features innumerable significant attractions including temples, pagodas, museums, French-style colonial buildings and several beautiful lakes. The focal point is Hoan Kiem Lake around which plenty of popular eating, shopping and accommodation areas are scattered. Hanoi’s international airport welcomes visitors from all over to experience this captivating city which is gradually expanding and enhancing its tourist infrastructure.
Flights to Hanoi
Hanoi can be accessed most conveniently by air if you are arriving here from another destination in Asia. Located about 25 miles from the city centre, Hanoi Noi Bai Airport (HAN) is the biggest airport in the country and a relatively new facility compared with Vietnam’s two other international airports. Flights from an array of Asian cities are handled by the airport including those from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Seoul, Vientiane and Siem Reap. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Hanoi try Ebookers. Plentiful taxis are available outside Arrivals, and if you fly with Vietnam Airlines there is a free minibus service into the city.
Hanoi
To get around Hanoi, visitors will find various options depending on their budget and desire for comfort. These include public buses for hardcore travellers as well as motorbike taxis, cyclos, bicycles and regular taxis.
Sightseeing in Hanoi
Hanoi’s fascinating Old Quarter consists of a vast, confusing network of winding streets in which countless old-fashioned tradesmen are placed. The Temple of Literature originates from the 11th century and was the abode of the disciples of Confucius, while the One Pillar Pagoda is one of the city’s most appealing structures where the locals pray for fertility and pregnancy. Sited in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple is one of Hanoi’s most photographed landmarks dating to the 18th century.
With its long and mesmerising history and distinctive culture, Hanoi is also considered Vietnam’s cultural capital which is reflected by the city’s impressive selection of museums. Visitors to the eerie Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the city’s most popular attraction, should definitely not miss out on the corresponding museum which is probably the highlight of Hanoi’s museum facilities. Another must-see is the famous Hanoi Water Puppet Theatre, one of the city’s top indoor attractions.
Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Hanoi offers a unique selection of delectable dishes with a distinctly northern influence. Eating places and food vendors present a great variety of culinary delights from a simple noodle soup at the pavement to a three-course meal in a high-class establishment. The French influence becomes obvious with baguettes commonly available at the roadside and eateries offering a Vietnamese sandwich containing pâté.
The city’s nightlife hasn’t gained any reputation yet however there are plenty of bars aimed at Hanoi’s residents and visiting westerners that can easily be found. Particularly popular are the Bia Hoi bars serving up locally brewed beer at the roadside. Nightclubs are spread near the lake and draw a mixed crowd. Due to the communist imposed values, the locals are rather conservative therefore the city is not renowned for karaoke bars and discos.
Fun by day – shopping and activities
Hanoi offers a wide range of daytrips to various places of interest within passable driving distance from the city, above all to the spectacular Halong Bay. There are superb shopping opportunities in Hanoi, especially in the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake. With the city becoming increasingly upmarket, you will find more and more designer outlets popping up near the city’s five-star hotels.
Daytrips
Ha Long Bay is the big attraction in this region of Vietnam. It is one of natural beauty in the form of hundreds of karst rocks and islets scattered across the bay. Cruises of the area go from Hanoi daily, leaving the city in the morning and then taking in a five-hour cruise of the bay. You can also do daytrip kayaking tours of Ha Long Bay.
Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas are popular daytrips from Hanoi and lie amid the city’s delectable surrounding countryside. Thay is a fine series of small temples while the Phuong Pagodas famously feature a collection of wooden Buddha icons and date back to the 18th century.
Ba Vi National Park is another big Hanoi daytrip, taking in the Red River Delta, which comes complete with a huge variety of flora and fauna. While you’re at it, have a look at the multitude of neighbouring ancient and traditional villages.
Must-see attractions
Hanoi’s old quarter is the most interesting part of the city, with its network of interconnecting alleys featuring shops, markets, hawker stalls, and chilled cafés.
The old quarter is set just back from Hoan Kiem Lake and is perfect for whiling away the day people-watching or sipping coffee or Beer Hoi at one of the cafés.
The 11th century Quan Thanh Temple features a couple of must-see attributes, including the large black-bronze statue of Tran Vu Quan and a three-foot tall bronze bell. Another must-see temple in Hanoi is Ngoc Son Temple, which is located right in the centre of Hoan Kiem Lake. Built in the 18th century, it is Hanoi’s most photographed sight. A causeway provides access.
Another fine architectural gem in Hanoi is the aptly named One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda balances on top of a pillar in the middle of a pond and is said to bless visitors with fertility.
Best time to go
As with just about anywhere in Southeast Asia, the best time to go is during the winter. December to February is the dry season with warm and dry days and nights. If you prefer to see fewer tourists in Hanoi and are willing to forfeit on the predictability of the weather, then April to September has fewer crowds and quieter hotels but is hot, rainy and humid.
Rainy day suggestions
There are several popular tourist attractions in Hanoi for rainy season days. The Hanoi Fine Arts Museum tells the story of Vietnam’s second city through art and contains everything from sculpture to traditional Buddhist icons. The highlight is the Buddha statue with its 1000 eyes and arms.
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