INTRODUCTION
Hanoi – a dash of old and new, it seems blend in naturally with each other and makes Hanoi become a city to remember.
MUST SEE
If this is your first time in Hanoi, these are the places that you should spend your time with.
Hoan Kiem LakeThe name “Hoan Kiem lake” which means “lake of the restored sword” came from a famous legend about Emperor Lê Lợi returning the magic sword to the Golden Turtle after having defeated the enemy invasion. Considered the historical center of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem lake is a famous destination for passengers due to its beautiful scenery.
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Hanoi Old QuarterFew steps away from Hoan Kiem lake, Old Quarter is a comlex network of streets where you might be immerse into the old theme of Hanoi. Traveling around on "xích lô" (cyclo) or electric cars are great choices but walking is more preferable.
Direction from HMU |
Ho Chi Minh MausoleumComing to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, passengers can feel a silence and solemn atmosphere paying respect to the great president of Vietnam. The place is also a ideal sight for jogging and cycling.
Direction from HMU |
Vietnam Museum of EthnologyA fantastic destination for people who want to understand the people and culture of Vietnam. Throughout the year, the museum also holds many cultural events that also relating to other South East Asia countries.
Direction from HMU |
Temple of literatureBuilt in the 11th centuries to worship Confucius, the Temple of Literature have also been known as the first university of Viet Nam. Nowadays, people visit the temple of literature to see the botanical garden, and sometimes, wishing success for career study.
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RELAXING
The best way to relax in Hanoi is walking around to feel the heartbeat of Hanoi street life or just taking a seat and watching the world go by.
No one can deny that Old Quarter is the best place to enjoy those things: sitting on a corner, sip on a cheap beer or a cup of coffee and making new friends. It’s so easy to start up a conversation with a local. Old Quarter haves the same original street layout as the old Hanoi. In every corner you can easily find a bar or restaurant and even just walking around the area is entertaining enough. And the best thing is that Old Quarter always welcomes you whether it's early in the morning or getting midnight.
At the center of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is a major scenic location. The area around the lake is home to many great restaurants though, so having a coffee and enjoy the view is perfect for you.
No one can deny that Old Quarter is the best place to enjoy those things: sitting on a corner, sip on a cheap beer or a cup of coffee and making new friends. It’s so easy to start up a conversation with a local. Old Quarter haves the same original street layout as the old Hanoi. In every corner you can easily find a bar or restaurant and even just walking around the area is entertaining enough. And the best thing is that Old Quarter always welcomes you whether it's early in the morning or getting midnight.
At the center of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is a major scenic location. The area around the lake is home to many great restaurants though, so having a coffee and enjoy the view is perfect for you.
You can spend your weekend to know more about Vietnam history and culture by visiting museums in Hanoi. Some recommendations include Vietnam Ethnology Museum that gives a charming insight into the culture of Vietnam and all of South East Asia. In Vietnam Military History Museum, you can get an exciting experience with collections of military vehicles and equipment, and stories that remind about the horror of the war.
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Music is a spectacular way for entertainment, coming to Vietnam, you can enjoy the variations of Vietnamese tradition : Chèo, Cải Lương, Chầu Văn, Quan Họ… which are in Intangible Cultural Heritage lists of UNESCO. You can enjoy it at home with your PC, coming out to the theater or joining our traditional festivals, it’s worth to spend your time on it. Chèo is also used in Water Puppetry which you can see at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater.
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Besides that, you still can enjoy regular activities in your free time like watching movies at CGV Cinemas, Platinum Cineplex...; go shopping at shopping centers; play bowling, ice-skate, visit the aquarium at Times City, Royal City; listen to Western music at Hanoi Opera House . That will show you a young, modern side of Hanoi. These services are available for the whole week, but be sure to check the schedule first.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND TRAVELING
Physical activity is an essential for a healthy body and productive work. Every morning, you can start your day by jogging around Hoan Kiem Lake, Thanh Cong Lake, Bay Mau Lake (in Thong Nhat Park) or simply just somewhere around your living. In the weekend, to push it a little further, you can call your friends, making a team to run around the largest lake in Hanoi - West Lake (about 17km). Also, renting bicycle and take a trip around Hanoi is a great option. Furthermore, other activities include team sports like football, basketball… or individual training such as hitting the gym and indoor rock climbing.
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For travel lovers, you can spend your weekends to go outside of Ha Noi. Looking for traditional villages? The places should be put on the list inculude: Bat Trang, Van Phuc and Duong Lam. When you go to Bat Trang, you can buy lots of pottery products to decorate your home and even have the chance to make one yourself. But what if you want to become one with nature? Cuc Phuong national park, Trang An, Ham Lon mountain, Yen Tu mountain are the places for you. You can easily get to these destinations by bus or motorcycle and come back within a day, for travel in more than a day, click: …
Traveling outside Hanoi (Image 1: Đường Lâm Ancient Village, Image 2: Bát Tràng Ceramic Village, Image 3: Cuc Phuong National Forest