Old Quarter
The ancient meandering streets of the Old Quarter are each named
after the crafts and speciality trades traditionally practised by
the original artisan's guilds in the 13th century. Each guild was
grouped around a temple, or dinh, dedicated to the particular
beliefs of the village from where the guild originated, and many of
these temples are open to the public today.
The early merchant's quarter affords an intriguing glimpse into
life centuries ago with covered markets, and the ancient narrow
buildings that still line the streets, known as tube or tunnel
houses that contained shops. Businesses were taxed according to the
width of their storefront and resulted in shops only seven foot
(2m) wide with a series of storerooms, workshops and living
quarters extending behind to a length of up to 197ft (60m). Many
streets are still devoted to a predominant trade such as silks,
religious objects or textiles, silver jewellery, antiques, and
there are numerous art galleries and craft stores, as well as cafes
and pavement restaurants lining the streets.
Traffic within the Old Quarter is a chaotic mix of bicycles,
motorbikes and pedestrians passing noisily down the narrow streets
and shady alleyways.
Address:
Hoan Kiem District
Old Quarter Hanoi
yeowatzup
Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum
Ba Dinh Square was where Ho Chi Minh read out the Declaration of
Independence in 1945, and is the site of annual national
celebrations today. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum dominates the site's
west side and is where the embalmed body of the beloved public
figure, 'father of the modern state', and 'liberator of the
Vietnamese people' is displayed.
The body of Ho Chi Minh is enclosed in a glass case, the
traditional way to honour famous communist leaders. Security is
tight, there is a strict dress code and it is imperative to
maintain a respectful demeanour while inside; this also means no
photographs. Nearby is the Ho Chi Minh Museum that commemorates his
life, housing a collection of military orders, correspondence,
manifestos and photographs that illustrates the crucial role he had
in the country's history.
Address:
Hung Vuong and Le Hong Phong Streets, Ba Dinh
Square.
Opening time:
Open from Tuesday to Thursday from 7.30-10.30 and
weekends from 8am-11pm. Closed on Mondays and Fridays. The
mausoleum is closed for two months of the year, usually from 4
September to 4 November, when the body of Ho Chi Minh goes to
Russia for maintenance.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Chris Yunker
One Pillar Pagoda
One Pillar Pagoda was constructed to celebrate the tale of the
heirless Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who dreamt about receiving a son
from the Buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion, seated on a
lotus flower. He married shortly after and had a son, and the
pagoda was built to honour the event.
It is the most interesting of the city's numerous pagodas, and
beneath the ornate curved roof people come to pray for fertility
and well-being, with allegedly miraculous effects. The unique
wooden structure was designed to resemble a lotus flower, the
Buddhist representation of enlightenment, emerging out of the
water, with the single stone pillar its symbolic stalk. It was
destroyed by the French during the first Indochina War and was
subsequently rebuilt.
Address:
Chua Mot Cot, Doi Can, Ba Dinh
Transport:
The One Pillar Pagoda is a 15 minute walk, or short taxi
ride away from Hanoi City Centre.
Opening time:
Daily from 8am-11.30am, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
and Sunday from 2pm-4pm.
One Pillar Pagoda
Francesco Paroni Sterbini
Temple of Literature (Van Mieu)
The Temple of Literature is Vietnam's historical seat of
learning and is the most sacred place for the disciples of
Confucius. It is one of the few remaining buildings from the
original city founded by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in the 11th century
and is a well-preserved example of Vietnamese architecture.
It became the site of the country's first university in 1076.
Consisting of a complex of small buildings and five walled
courtyards, it was an exclusive establishment teaching the
principles of Confucius. In the third courtyard is a pond, the Well
of Heavenly Clarity, and beside it are 82 stone stelae, mounted on
tortoises and engraved with the names of successful graduates.
Over a period of 900 years thousands of Vietnamese scholars
graduated from the university. In honour of their teacher's legacy,
there is also a temple dedicated to Confucius, a place where the
king and his mandarins would make sacrifices.
Address:
Between Ton Duc Thang Street and Van Mieu
Street.
Opening time:
Monday to Friday, 8am t0 6pm; Saturday, 8am to 9pm;
Sunday, 8am to 6pm.
Temple of Literature
Andrea Schaffer
Halong Bay
The natural wonder of Halong Bay has been declared a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Renowned for its spectacular scenery and
limestone grottos and caves, the bay is peppered with over 1,600
inlets and tiny islands emerging almost mystically out of the
emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Wind and wave erosion have
scored the site to form dramatic rock shapes, many of which contain
caves.
Many of the islands have been named for their astonishing
resemblance to their namesakes, such as Dragon, Incense Burner,
Pair of Roosters and Man's Head Islands. The weird protuberances
have been at the source of several local legends, particularly
about a dragon whose thrashing tail created the bay and its
islands. The name Vinh Ha Long means 'where the dragon descended
into the sea'.
The most impressive cave is the Hang Dau Go (Grotto of the
Wooden Stakes), an extensive grotto with rock formations presenting
various eerie images in the mysterious light. It was named from the
Battle of 1288 when General Tran Hung Dao prepared hundreds of
stakes to be planted in the riverbed of the largest chamber to
counter a boat attack. Nearby the beautiful Hang Thien Cung cave is
famous for its sparkling stalagmites and stalactites. When booking
a cruise in advance, travellers should consider reserving a night
or two, to experience Halong Bay at its most picturesque; sunrise,
sunset and star-scattered night.
Transport:
Local bus or tour from Hanoi. Boats can be arranged from
Hanoi or in Halong City. Overnight tours are the easiest way to see
the bay and are arranged from traveller's cafes in Hanoi; otherwise
it’s a four-hour bus journey from Hanoi.
Ha Long Bay
Lawrence Murray
Sapa and Bac Ha
The old hill station of Sapa sits high on the edge of a plateau
surrounded by spectacular scenery and the Hoang Lien Mountains,
which boast Vietnam's highest peak, Fan Si Pan. Sapa functions as a
market town and a gathering spot for local tribes who come into
town to trade every weekend.
The market is excellent for buying handicrafts and people
watching. Colourful tunics of the Dao and Giay people mix with the
black and blue clothing and silver ornamentation of the Black Hmong
tribe, while bright red scarves cover the heads of the Red Hmong
who carry large woven baskets on their backs brimming with
goods.
Nearly 75 miles (140 km) from Sapa is the small town of Bac Ha.
Situated in a valley, Bac Ha is famous for its Sunday market. Much
less touristy than Sapa, the market is a riot of colour and noise,
a place not only for trade but also for socialising. All paths
leading into town are filled with people going to market, some
riding horses or water buffalo, and the square is a mix of
different minorities, buying and selling, or gathered in groups
around a central pot of food. The Flower Hmong are the most vivid,
with richly coloured clothes of bright red, blue and pink, and
skirts embroidered with delicate flowers.
The markets have become a major tourist attraction and it is
important that visitors to the region are sensitive to local
culture and traditions, particularly when taking photographs of
people.
Address:
Lao Cai sits between Sapa and Bac Ha.
Transport:
A three to four day tour is good enough to get the feel
of the Sapa-Bac Ha region, easily arranged at any travellers’ cafe
in Hanoi. Otherwise a train runs from Hanoi to Lao Cai (approx. 10
hrs) from where bus transfers are available.
Sa Pa
Konstantin Krismer
Cat Ba island
For most, a trip in Halong Bay means at least a night on Cat Ba
Island. Many enlist for a package tour of one night on the island
and one on a boat, but Cat Ba is worth investing extra time in.
This 54 sq mile (140 sq km) island houses equally impressive beach
relaxation and hardcore outdoor activities including kayaking,
trekking and world-class rock climbing.
For those wishing to relax, there are three beaches within
walking distance of town. Each is spacious and all are protected
inlets with views of Halong islands. Beaches one and three are the
most secluded and offer beautiful views from the short walks along
surrounding cliff lines. For those looking for something more
rugged, the many limestone cliffs dotting the island are ideal for
rock climbing and hotels located on the town's main strip offer
guides and gear. Various treks range in length but most are fairly
steep. However, the reward is well worth it, as they give a
bird's-eye-view of the island's national park, which is also home
to the rare Cat Ba Langur.
All hotels can arrange excellent boat tours of the surrounding
islands. This includes visits to deep caves with stalagmites and
stalactites, secluded swimming holes, floating fish farms and
kayaking. The tour is the same regardless of who it's booked
through, so the cheaper the better. Whether it has been a relaxing
day of sun and sea or one of thrilling adventure, it must end at
the bay's floating restaurant, which has some of the best seafood
in Vietnam.
Cat Ba resort
yunguyen666
Although Hanoi can seem like a chaotic metropolis to navigate
with children, it is a very kid-friendly city for locals and
visitors alike. Children's Park at the top end of Lenin Park is
cleverly segmented into different attractions based on age groups.
There are rides, boats, swings and plenty of space to run around
in. It's also a popular hangout for expat families.
Another must see is the Museum of Ethnology with a huge and
colourful selection of arts and crafts, plus lifestyle
reproductions of different traditional homes used by ethnic
minorities. In the evenings, head to Hoan Kiem Lake to see the
traditional Vietnamese art form of water puppetry. The vignettes
are performed quickly and with great energy and musical fanfare so
kids don't have time to get bored.
When things get desperate, or if the rain keeps falling,
families can go to Vincom Tower, the most modern and action-packed
of the city's modern shopping malls. They'll find cinemas,
including family movies on Sunday mornings, arcade game parlours
and kid's rides.
The other truly kid-friendly destination in Hanoi is the Old
Quarter, with its ancient traditions, evocative old buildings and
rich sensory experience. This is a slice of Hanoi as it was when
founded a millennia ago.
Finally, on hot days in Hanoi - and that's most days -
travellers can take a taxi out to Ho Tay Lake Water Park, which has
thrilling slides and other aquatic attractions. Visitors shouldn't
expect the water to be crystal clear, although staff offer their
assurances it is hygienic.
Hanoi has a humid tropical climate, characterised by monsoons,
like most of northern Vietnam. Summers (between May and September)
are very hot with plenty of rain and average temperatures between
76°F (24°C) and 91°F (33°C); while winters (from November to March)
are cool and relatively dry, averaging between 57°F (14°C) and 72°F
(22°C). Anything is possible during the transitional months of
April and October, and spring often brings light rain. The hottest
month of the year is June. January is the coolest month, usually
beset with a cold north-easterly wind.
Hanoi, like most of Vietnam, is a bountiful spot for culinary
exploration. Vietnamese cuisine is defined by its fresh
ingredients, use of herbs and fast cooking times. It is unlike any
other Asian cuisine, and sampling its many variations is one of the
true pleasures of visiting Hanoi. The ubiquitous pho noodle soup
served with slices of beef (bo) or chicken (ga), fresh bean
sprouts, and various spices is available everywhere around the
city.
Although there are many fine-dining eateries, a more democratic
and authentic way to dine is to eat at the many street-side
restaurants, sitting on tiny plastic stools. Here travellers can
sample inexpensive classic dishes like banh cuon, steamed rice
pancakes filled with finely chopped pork; nem ran, fried spring
rolls, and bun cha, flame-cooked pork often served in a noodle
soup. A well-known street-food establishment is Cha Ca La Vong on
Cha Ca Street. Here patrons can find the iconic North Vietnamese
dish cha ca, which is fried fish and dill patties with noodles.
A lot of these restaurants only serve one dish, which they've
perfected. So travellers should put aside their expectations of
good service, pleasing décor and a varied menu, and try a different
spot every day. Afterwards, they can visit a café for some ca fe
(coffee) and a pastry, or a bia hoi (draft beer) tavern for some
low alcohol lager.
Noi Bai International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 18 miles (29km) north of
Hanoi.
Time: Local time is GMT +7.
Transfer Between Terminals:
Passengers can use a shuttle bus, which is free of charge for
transit passengers, to commute between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
The shuttle operates from 6am to midnight and departs every 10 to
15 minutes.
Getting to the city:
City bus Routes 7 and 17 run to Hanoi from the airport, stopping
on the right side of the terminal exit. Buses run every 15 to 20
minutes between 5am and 10pm, and the journey takes approximately
one hour. Route 7 goes to the Kim Ma Bus Station, while Route 17
connects to the Long Bien Station. The bus fare is about VDN 5,000.
Airport minibuses offer direct transportation to hotels.
Car Rental:
Car rental agencies at the airport include Avis, Budget, Hertz,
Europcar and Sixt. Cars must normally be hired with drivers, since
travellers without a Vietnamese driver's licence may not drive
rental cars.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available outside the terminal; rides to the city
centre take approximately 30 minutes, and cost about VDN
320,000.
Facilities:
The airport has currency exchange and ATMs, a VIP lounge,
massage services, shops, and restaurants.
Parking
Short and long-term parking is available at the airport.
Hanoi is a city with an abundance of choices for night-time
entertainment. After dark the Old Quarter takes on a new life, and
is where visitors can find crowded sidewalk spots to sip on cheap
draughts of beer while perched on a stool. Bia Hoi Junction has a
mixed patronage of locals and tourists who congregate around drinks
for prices as low as 5,000 VND. The Old Quarter is also a prime
location to devour street food by night, providing a wealth of
tasty, quickly prepared options. For more experienced culinary
navigation through the countless options, travellers can sign up
for a night-time street food tour.
Hanoi has no shortage of nightclubs, trendy bars and live music
venues scattered around the West Lake area and Hoan Kiem district.
For a more cultural experience, travellers can head to legendary
Binh Minh's Jazz Club, located in the French Quarter or visit the
historic Hanoi Opera House, which still hosts live performances
every so often. Visitors can also tap into Hanoi's growing
contemporary art scene with a visit to Manzi Cafe and Art Space.
Local art exhibitions and film festivals are also quite common
around the city.
Public transport is limited to buses, which are
extremely cheap, but slow, crowded, and a challenge for
non-Vietnamese speakers. There are plenty of taxis to be hired and
this is the safest and easiest way to get across the city, though
travellers should make sure the meter is switched on and change is
given.
Motorbike taxis are also a cheap and easy way to get
around, but the driving can be nerve-wracking. Renting a car or a
motorbike are also popular options; all cars come with a
driver/guide, which is a good idea considering the chaotic nature
of the streets.
Visitors should be cautious about renting a
self-drive motorbike, bearing in mind the primary cause of injury
and death among foreigners in Vietnam is motorcycle accidents.
Two-seater cyclos (cycle rickshaws) are plentiful and can be
flagged down anywhere, but should be avoided at night. Fares should
be negotiated beforehand and a map is useful, as many drivers don't
speak English.
The bustling nature of this city seamlessly synchronises with
its old-world feel. This combination is the reason it is so
attractive to backpackers and luxury holidaymakers alike. As if
this wasn't enough, its rich history has been steeped in a mythic
aura due to its relatively recent introduction to the tourist
landscape.
Hanoi is as much a romantically charming city as Ho Chi Minh
City is a hive of commercial interest and big-city living. Its
lively merchant quarters and bar districts host tourists until
first light, where cheap accommodation and drinks make the fun that
much more enjoyable. During the day, museums, temples, memorials
and the famous Old Quarter of Hanoi provide a myriad of cultural
experiences unique to the city.
Within Hanoi's busy streets lie some of Vietnam's most tranquil
cloisters and sanctuaries, tucked away from the daily flurry.
If the city lights become too bright, Sapa and Bac Ha are two
nearby country getaways that offer an opportunity to experience
rural Vietnam. In addition, no trip to Hanoi would be complete
without a foray into Halong Bay, often accompanied by a stay at Cat
Ba Island. These emerald waters are famous for their adventure
activities, set in a bay littered with thousands of small islands
and inlets - the product of a giant dragon who stormed through the
bay aeons ago, according to legend.