Top 10 of the best things to do and to visit in Hanoi

With a rich history, culture and cuisine, Hanoi has a contemplative and unique beauty, ancient mixed with modernity, which makes Hanoi an alluring tourist destination that anyone lingers even once. Here are some suggestions for the must-see attractions in Hanoi-the Capital of thousand years of civilization. 

 

=> Some excursions from Hanoi to consult

 

Once setting foot in Ha Noi, Vietnam's oldest capital city, tourists are impossible to ignore one of the most historic tourist attractions, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, located in Ba Dinh Square in Central Hanoi. This destination is extremely renowned for the magnificent historical values of Vietnamese people.  Ho Chi Minh is the beloved Great Father of Vietnamese, who brought Vietnam to Independence and now has been the symbol of Vietnam’s unification and liberation. Reaching there, not only tourists  can express the gratefulness and sincere gratitude to Uncle Ho, and discover more about his private life  but foreign visitors also broaden their knowledge about Vietnam’s history through thousands years of colonization and invasion.

 

Another fabulous tourist destination for history lover is Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where Vietnamese Government constructed to preserve and present the valuable cultural heritages of 54 ethnic groups. Starting the construction since 1987 and completing after 10 years, the Museum is established with the purpose of accumulating, displaying, researching and preserving the precious historical and cultural inheritance of the nation’s ethnic minorities such as various exhibits and beautiful artifacts. With divergent and colorful culture and traditions, Vietnam Ethnology Museum is an absolutely perfect choice for exploring the diverse culture and broadening horizon on Vietnamese ethnic communities. Once contemplating the vivid and lively pictures of peaceful daily life of these ethnic groups, perhaps no foreign tourist can be able to refuse to visit Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. 

 

Hoan Kiem Lake (Guom Lake) is a favorite tourist destination and iconic landscape for both domestic and foreign visitors as it is the perfect rendezvous all year round with pleasant and gorgeous natural scenery. Located in the central area of the thousand-year city, Hoan Kiem Lake is regarded as the heart, also the historical and cultural symbol of the Capital of thousand years of civilization. In the center of Hoan Kiem Lake, Thap Rua (Turtle Tower) was built from 1884 to 1886 on the Turtle Mound with a great combination of two different architectural styles, French and local architecture, which creates the unique and charming beauty of Turtle Tower. Around the Tower are a variety of renowned heritages such as Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge leading to Dac Nguyet Floor, Dai Nghien and Thap But (Pen Tower). Thanks to fresh atmosphere and cool space, Hoan Kiem Lake becomes the popular place for young couple to make a date, hold important events, take weeding photo, or simply go sightseeing for relaxation. 

 

Long Bien Bridge is another destination which can’t be missed when travelling to Ha Noi. Its original name was Paul Doumer Bridge, crosses the Red River. Long Bien Bridge is one of the most famous historical bridges in Vietnam since this bridge was designed and constructed with harmonious and impressive architecture by the French’s company, Daydé & Pillé, in 1903. Seen from far, Long Bien Bridge looks like a enormous dragon that is imposing, brave and strong, standing in the giant Red River. Long Bien Bridge is a pivotal historic witness that has observed multiple significant milestones through Vietnamese history, from the French colonialists to the US imperialists and the present independence of the Vietnamese nation.

 

During the stay in Hanoi, visitors can not miss the trip to visit the traditional silk-making industry in Van Phuc Silk Village, which is extremely known as the most ancient silk village. Located on the bank of Nhue River, exactly 8 kilometers southwest of Hanoi Old Quarter, the village has been producing a variety of traditional silk products which used to be regarded as very precious handwork to make dress for royal members in the past. Up to now, the luxurious, sumptuous and unique beauty of Van Phuc silk is an endless source of inspiration in the great number of Vietnamese poems, movies, plays and songs. Especially, foreign visitors coming here will be certainly lured by various high qualified silk products such as ties, dresses, shirts, and crafts. Nowadays, Van Phuc Silk Village has been special tourist attraction to exchange unique historical and cultural values through typical handicraft products and the village simultaneously becomes a commercial place that draws both domestic and foreign tourists to purchase silk products, buy them as a gift or souvenir with reasonable price and outstanding quality.

 

Wandering around the thousand-year city, it is impossible to not mention Hanoi Opera House, which is a stunning, appealing and charming colonial architectural artwork in the heart of the capital. Hanoi Opera House was constructed by the French colonial authority during their time in Indochina, and its construction took place for 10 years, from 1901 to 1911. The idea for erection was taken inspiration from Paris’s Opera House and classical Greek Architecture, which makes Hanoi Opera House the most outstanding, unique, specific and artistic buildings in Asian area. With the area of 2600 square meters and the height of 34 meters, it is like a masterpiece of neo-classical French architectural work, perfectly depicting Gothic themes with shuttered windows, classic roof, tall pillars, and balconies. In the past, Hanoi opera House was a luxurious and academic art place where art performances of ballets, musicals, and concerts were organized for the French administration to enjoy and entertain; at the same time, to spread French culture to Vietnamese. After 1945, Hanoi Opera House became an important place for holding integral historical and political events and the formal meeting place of the National Assembly, the Government and military parades. Up to now, visitor can come to contemplate music, from classical types to traditional art work and folk music of the Vietnamese people. It can be said that Hanoi Opera house witnessed Vietnam’s initial approach to Western art and brings the paramount importance of the historical, cultural, political, architectural and artistic worth. For those enjoy exchanging cultural activities, contemplate musical art and admire the sophisticated architectural landmark designed as French style, Hanoi Opera House is certainly the most wonderful tourist destination. 

Another stunning art work from French colonists is St Joseph’s Cathedral Hanoi or Hanoi Cathedral. The architecture has lasted more than one hundred years, from 1884 to 1887 and it is the first building erected by the French colonial administration in Indochina. The architecture of Hanoi Cathedral is so special and ancient as the building style was based the model of Medieval Gothic architecture but there was great combination with Eastern and Western architectural features. With the length of 64,5 meters and the width of 20,5 meters, the structure contains two square bell towers (31,5 meters in height) and a big clock at the middle, looks like Notre Dame de Paris. There is a big statue of Mother Maria made of copper and flowers, trees and iron fences are decorated surroundings. From exterior side, the wall brings an ancient beauty of historical marks through ups and downs during hundreds years.  However, the interior design is decorated in Vietnamese style and very modern architecture, with two main typical colors, yellow and red, which makes the inside sparkling, brilliant atmosphere with domes, gold-plated wooden patterns and doorways. Hanoi Cathedral is the most charming tourist attraction for not only the local and foreign Catholics, but also for all visitors as a whole to explore the ancient beauty and the remarkable architectural style of the oldest church in the center of the bustling capital.

 

For those who are fond of studying, Temple of Literature cannot be missed. It is the most long-lasting Imperial Academy and the first National University of Vietnam. The temple characterizes Vietnamese antique architectural style and traditional high affection for studying. Firstly constructed in 1070 in the Ly dynasty and many reconstructed during 1225 – 1400 in Tran Kings, Temple of Literature went through centuries of historical changes, conflicts and colonization, fierce wars, severe disasters, and many restorations.  With the entire campus of 54,331 square meters, the structure of Temple of Literature is divided into two areas, the Exterior (Lake of Literature & Giam Garden), and Interior Area which is contains five different sections. Lake of Literature is to worship Confucius and the influential Confucians while Giam Garden is the place to venerate the teacher, Chu Van An, a virtuous man who made significant contributions to Vietnam’s national education. The atmosphere inside is still quiet, solemn and peaceful. Up to now, Temple of Literature reserves its gravely ancient beauty which reflects Vietnamese architectural artwork of many dynasties and plays a spiritual significance of education through generations. On special occasions such as holidays, pre important exams, Tet, and weekends, a great number of visitors come here to visit and wish for luck, success in their academic career.

 

It is believed that everyone, even international tourists, should contemplate Water Puppetry once in the life, a stunning and amazing show in Vietnam. With the main purpose of preserve and develop Vietnamese traditional theatrical arts, Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre is a perfect place for visitors to deepen into Vietnam puppetry and skillful arts of performance. Water puppetry is a kind of traditional art form which depicts farmers in annual rice harvest in Vietnam’s Red River Delta region are singing, dancing and enjoying their harvest. In the Lý Dynasty, the most excellent water puppetry shows were chosen to perform for the loyalty such as the king and guests to entertain and relax. At present, after many renovations to match the development pace of the recent society, the performance has three stages, including one for stage puppet shows and two for water puppet shows. Now, the art programs are successfully performed with new format, with great combination of traditional and contemporary, which draws interest and attraction to both domestic and international audience. In a water puppet show, there is a small pond in the stage and skillful artists will hide behind a bamboo curtain to control the puppet and perform scenes on the water surface. Buy watching a water puppet show or program, audience will open a window into local culture in Vietnam, widen knowledge about festivals and traditions and deeply understand Vietnamese personalities by characters and daily activities performed in the show. A water puppet show will certainly bring Vietnam to your heart by understand Vietnamese cultural identity and Vietnamese people. 

Hanoi Old Quarter is famous for another name “Hanoi – 36 Old Streets”, which is regarded as the heart and soul of the thousand-year capital. Hanoi Old Quarter is a mixture of ancient, proudly-preserved cultural values with diversity, yet a bustling commercial place in Vietnam. Located in the Northeast of Hanoi, it is central area for entertainment, tourist and trading development so tourist can travel easily and conveniently by private vehicles or any means of public transport. At Hanoi Old Quarter, resident flock together and run their business on the same street, making the streets special and homogenous. All the streets are called “Hang”, meaning merchandise or store, followed by the specific name of their goods. To exemplify, Hang Bac (Silver product) sells silver, Hang Duong (Sugar) sell sugar, Hang Muoi (Salt) provides salt and etc. Reaching to Hanoi Old Quarter, Tourist will be surprised as it looks like small valleys where you may get lost in everything, from bars, art galleries, boutique shops, to street foods, restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries. There are numerous awesome things or activities visitors should not miss once coming to Hanoi old Quarter. For example, tourists can visit Dong Xuan Market, the oldest markets with more than 200 years of establishment. Tourists will certainly be stunned by wide arrays of products such as souvenirs, foods, clothes, appliances, and Hanoi’s specialties, with reasonable price. Furthermore, tasting street foods is a fantastic thing as it is so difficult to wander in Hanoi without smelling the attractive flavor of Vietnamese food from streets. In Hanoi Old Quarter, food choices are so diverse at cheap to reasonable price such as “Pho”, “Bun cha”, “Cha ca”, “Bun thang”. Tasting a new cuisine is not just simply trying a new food, but it is the cultural heritage and typical features. Last but not least, hopping on a cyclo around Hanoi Old Quarter is the wonderful experience to witness old-styled narrow streets, lines of ancient brick houses and enjoy the fresh and cool atmosphere of a modern city.  A tour to Hanoi Old Quarter will certainly make your adventure unforgettable and rewarding.

Ha Noi has various beautiful places for entertainment and recreation; however, the mentioned-above destinations are the most famous tourist attractions. Once spending time to visit these must-see destinations, tourist will certainly have incredible experience, fantastic adventure and appreciate every single moment during the trip.