Revealing the most detailed experience of things to do when traveling to Hanoi, Vietnam. Ancient Hanoi with 36 streets and a bit of modernity always urges and attracts tourists everywhere. A trip to Hanoi takes you to a capital with 4 colorful seasons and familiar, simple and beautiful scenes.
The old French architectural works, the sidewalk shops selling local specialties, the motorbikes weaving through the crowded streets… are the first impressions of tourists about Hanoi. For many people, Hanoi has all the interesting things to discover here in their own way.
What is the best season to travel to Hanoi?
– September to the first half of November is the time when Hanoi enters autumn, Hanoi’s autumn is romantic, captivatingly beautiful and this time is also the most ideal time to travel to Hanoi.
– Hanoi’s winter lasts from November to the first half of February, in early winter, Hanoi’s weather is cold in the early morning and at night. If you like to enjoy the cold winter in Hanoi, don’t miss a trip to Hanoi during this time.
– The rest of the year, Hanoi’s weather is hot, the temperature is quite high, making you feel uncomfortable. So if you want to travel to Hanoi during this time, you can consider it.
What to bring when traveling to Hanoi?
With experience traveling to Hanoi, we reveal to you that you cannot forget to bring your personal documents when traveling to Hanoi as well as on any trip. Personal documents will be necessary for you when checking in at a hotel in Hanoi, traveling by means of transport to Hanoi.
When traveling to Hanoi, you also do not need to bring a lot of cash, the best way is to use an ATM card or credit card to avoid losing money during your time traveling.
As for clothes and personal items, depending on the time of traveling to Hanoi, you can choose the appropriate outfits. Traveling to Hanoi in the cold winter days, remember to prepare warm clothes, scarves, gloves to keep warm during your time in Hanoi. Coming to Hanoi in the cool summer and autumn days, you should choose thin, airy clothes.
In addition, do not forget to bring train and bus tickets, plane tickets to Hanoi, hotel reservation information and necessary documents for the trip.
Experience in choosing means of transportation in Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi is considered the heart of Vietnam, so visitors can easily travel to the capital by plane, train, bus, private car or motorbike from other provinces.
To move around the city, you can go by car, motorbike or bicycle. But the experience will be more poetic if you sit on a cyclo to see the 36 streets, take a three-wheeled motorbike tour or an old vespa.
Another suggestion worth considering is the double-decker bus, with ticket prices ranging from 130,000 – 599,000 VND.
Motorbike: Renting a motorbike in Hanoi is very simple. You can contact the hotel or call the rental service directly. The price of a motorbike is about 100,000 – 150,000 VND/day.
Taxi: For a comfortable trip, you can choose to travel by taxi. Popular taxi companies in Hanoi are XanhSM, you can download the app and call a car using this app, it is very convenient and the price is clear.
Cyclo: A typical image of the old town is the cyclo that is still kept to serve tourism. You can easily catch a cyclo when in the old town, go around the small streets while listening to interesting stories from the cyclo driver.
Electric car: Another interesting way to visit the old town is the electric car. Tickets are sold in the Hoan Kiem Lake area for 15,000 VND/15-minute trip.
Experience in choosing accommodation when traveling to Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi has many accommodation options for tourists such as budget motels, homestays, hotels, resorts… to suit your budget and preferences. If you walk around the old town, you can rent from “Western backpacker” style beds with dorm rooms for about 100,000 VND per night, to high-end hotels for 3,000,000 – 5,000,000 VND per night.
Some special hotels include Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi with French colonial architecture, just a few steps from the Opera House is Hilton Hanoi Opera, Apricot Hotel right on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake, famous hotels with views of West Lake are Sheraton Hanoi and InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, Lotte Hotel Hanoi on the top floor of the 65-storey Lotte Center building…
Things to do when traveling to Hanoi that you cannot miss
1. Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake
If you have only seen Hoan Kiem Lake through movies and books, then this time when traveling to Hanoi, stop by to see the beautiful scenery on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake. As a symbol of the capital Hanoi, no matter where you go, Hanoians cannot forget the romantic and charming scenery of Hoan Kiem Lake.
2. Visiting President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum
When you come to the capital Hanoi, you cannot miss visiting Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum – the greatest hero of the nation. When visiting Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum, you should prepare proper clothes and are only allowed to enter the mausoleum on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.
3. One Pillar Pagoda
Built from the Ly Dynasty to the present (about 1000 years ago), One Pillar Pagoda has always been a symbol of a thousand-year-old capital. The architecture of One Pillar Pagoda reflects the cultural values of the Vietnamese people in feudal society.
4. Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy
The Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy is one of the impressive tourist attractions in Hanoi, leaving many memories for visitors. Coming to the Temple of Literature, you can not only visit the architecture, learn about the history of Vietnamese intellectuals in the feudal period, but also have unique check-in photos in Hanoi.
5. Hanoi Cathedral
When you come to Hanoi, you cannot miss visiting Hanoi Cathedral. If you have ever admired the unique architecture, both ancient and modern, of Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City, then when you come to Hanoi Cathedral, you will see an ancient architectural work built by the French in the 19th century. The Cathedral is located quite close to Hoan Kiem Lake, you can walk from Hoan Kiem Lake to the church to take photos and check-in!
6. Explore the 36 ancient streets
The capital Hanoi is famous for its 36 streets, the old quarters not only have ancient houses but also have delicious restaurants with rich Hanoi flavor. Coming to the 36 streets of Hanoi, you can also buy gifts for your relatives to remember your trip to Hanoi forever.
7. West Lake and Thanh Nien Street
Not only Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi also has West Lake and the dreamy Thanh Nien Street that separates West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. Walking on Thanh Nien Street in the afternoon, you can watch the romantic sunset on the famous West Lake of Hanoi.
8. Thang Long Imperial Citadel
Thang Long Imperial Citadel is one of the most prominent historical relics of Vietnam’s feudal history. The Imperial Citadel is associated with many historical events of Vietnam. Although not as grand and large as the Imperial Palace in Hue, Thang Long Imperial Citadel still takes you back to the glorious history of Vietnam’s feudal dynasties.
9. Hanoi Opera House
The theater is a small “version” of the Opéra Garnier in Paris, located on Trang Tien, a major street in the city. The Opera House is the venue for many important events of the country.
10. Long Bien Bridge
Not only is it a witness to heroic history, connecting the two banks of the Red River, but Long Bien Bridge is also a bridge between the quiet, peaceful life of the people of Bai Giua Song Hong River and the bustling, noisy life of the city.
11. Duong Lam Ancient Village
Located in the suburbs of Hanoi, from the center of Hanoi you can choose a bus to travel to the ancient village. The entrance fee is only 25,000 VND/person, coming to Duong Lam you will have the opportunity to learn about the architecture, culture, and lifestyle of the ancient Hanoi people more than 300 years ago.
12. Ba Vi National Park
Ba Vi National Park is a complex of entertainment, sightseeing and resort areas. Coming to Ba Vi National Park, you will visit ancient French-era architecture, the cactus greenhouse and the large national park.
13. Bat Trang Pottery Village
Located next to the Red River, about 20km from Hanoi, is the famous Bat Trang Pottery Village. For a long time, Bat Trang Pottery Village has been the leading place for producing quality ceramics in the country.
Visitors will have many interesting experiences here such as getting close to the pottery workshops, sophisticated products or creating their own favorite ceramic products or painting ceramic souvenirs as gifts for relatives and friends.
Must-Try Dishes When Traveling in Hanoi, Vietnam
1. Hanoi Pho
It is impossible to forget the rich flavor of Hanoi Pho. Unlike Southern Pho, which is often served with herbs such as basil and coriander, Hanoi Pho is served with a lot of onions and is not served with herbs. Some addresses for Hanoi Pho that are both delicious and attractive: Pho Ly Quoc Su (No. 10 Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem), Pho Bat Dan (No. 49 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem), Pho Thin Lo Duc (No. 13 Lo Duc, Hai Ba Trung) …
2. Bun Cha Ha Noi
How can you forget the rich flavor of Bun Cha Ha Noi, the way to eat is very simple, the minced meat patties are grilled until golden brown, crispy and delicious, served with vermicelli and raw vegetables. The sweet and sour dipping sauce helps make Bun Cha Ha Noi more flavorful and attractive. Some famous Bun Cha addresses in Hanoi are: Bun Cha Huong Lien (24 Le Van Huu, Hai Ba Trung), (Bun Cha Dac Kim No. 1 Hang Manh, Hoan Kiem), Bun Cha Kep Tre (intersection of Nguyen Du – Ba Trieu) …
3. Bun thang
The broth is fragrant, with the smell of shrimp paste, the broth must be clear to make the bun thang more delicious. Bun thang is served with shredded chicken, fried eggs, sliced pork roll and is a familiar dish of Hanoians.
4. Cha Ca La Vong
If you travel to Hanoi and forget to enjoy the famous Cha Ca La Vong, you will feel very regretful.
Cha Ca La Vong is made from fresh catfish or snakehead fish, marinated with spices and grilled over charcoal until both sides are golden brown. Locals eat Cha Ca with grilled rice paper, vermicelli, herbs, lard and shrimp paste.
In addition, when you travel to Hanoi, don’t forget to enjoy famous dishes such as: Trang Tien ice cream, jackfruit yogurt, grilled sour sausage, rice rolls, fried intestines, vermicelli with tofu and shrimp paste…
What to buy as gifts when traveling to Hanoi?
1. Banh Com Hang Than
The fragrant aroma of green rice combined with the rich green bean filling gives Hang Than Banh Com a special flavor. Banh Com is considered an impressive hometown gift every time you visit Hanoi.
2. O Mai
The sweet and sour O Mai flavor is a favorite snack of many girls. Among the types of O Mai, the sour apricot flavor is the most chosen gift by many people on trips to Hanoi.
3. Van Phuc Silk
The soft silk, bright colors, diverse materials, cool, impressive patterns of Van Phuc silk are the most meaningful gifts for relatives. You can buy Van Phuc silk in Van Phuc weaving village (Ha Dong) or Ha Silk (Thuy Khue, Tay Ho).
Some important notes when traveling to Hanoi
– If you go shopping early in the morning, you should avoid bargaining or asking without buying because this is taboo for people doing business in Hanoi.
– When using services in Hanoi, you should ask the price first to avoid being ripped off.
Summary
Hanoi plays the role of the capital of Vietnam and is also a city with a long and diverse cultural history of great importance to the whole country. The capital Hanoi has a thousand years of civilization and is the pride of the entire Vietnamese people.
If tourists have ever booked a tour to Hanoi, they will surely never forget the city’s unique atmosphere, the peaceful and slow pace of life with the image of Hoan Kiem Lake, the poetic West Lake, the small, quiet shops, the winding roads, the street vendors rushing back and forth with their lives to make a living…
Hanoi is ancient, beautiful and one of the largest cities in the country, increasingly attracting tourists. If you find this article useful, please Like and share. Thank you very much.
