Hanoi Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

 Hanoi Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and one of the most fascinating destinations in Southeast Asia. With a history of over 1000 years, Hanoi has a rich and diverse culture, reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and people. Whether you are looking for historical monuments, natural scenery, or modern entertainment, Hanoi has something for everyone.

In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about traveling to Hanoi, including when to go, how to get there, where to stay, what to see, what to eat, and what to do. Let's get started!

## When to go

Hanoi has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season has its own beauty and charm, so you can visit Hanoi at any time of the year. However, according to many travelers, the best time to visit Hanoi is in the autumn, from September to November, when the weather is cool and dry, and the city is filled with the fragrance of milk flowers and the yellow leaves of the old trees.

## How to get there

The easiest and fastest way to get to Hanoi is by plane. Hanoi has an international airport, Noi Bai, which is about 30 km from the city center. You can find direct flights to Hanoi from many countries in Asia, Europe, and Australia, as well as domestic flights from other cities in Vietnam. The flight time from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi is about 2 hours, and from Da Nang to Hanoi is about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

From the airport, you can take a taxi, a bus, or a shuttle to the city center. A taxi will cost you around 350,000 to 450,000 VND, depending on the traffic and the distance. A bus will cost you only 9,000 to 40,000 VND, depending on the route and the type of bus. A shuttle will cost you around 40,000 to 60,000 VND, and will drop you off at a specific location in the city.

## Where to stay

Hanoi has a wide range of accommodation options, from budget hostels and guesthouses to luxury hotels and resorts. You can find a place to stay that suits your taste and budget in any area of the city. However, the most popular and convenient area to stay in Hanoi is the Old Quarter, where you can find many attractions, restaurants, shops, and nightlife venues within walking distance.

The Old Quarter is also where you can experience the authentic and lively atmosphere of Hanoi, with its narrow streets, old houses, street vendors, and motorbikes. Some of the best hotels in the Old Quarter are:

- Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa: A cozy and elegant hotel with a rooftop bar and a spa, located in the heart of the Old Quarter. The hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and a delicious breakfast. The price ranges from 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 VND per night.

- Hanoi Marvellous Hotel & Spa: A charming and modern hotel with a spa and a restaurant, located in a quiet street in the Old Quarter. The hotel offers stylish and clean rooms, helpful staff, and a varied breakfast. The price ranges from 800,000 to 2,000,000 VND per night.

- Hanoi Old Quarter Hostel: A budget and friendly hostel with a bar and a terrace, located in a lively street in the Old Quarter. The hostel offers dorms and private rooms, free breakfast, and free beer in the evening. The price ranges from 100,000 to 400,000 VND per night.

## What to see

Hanoi has many attractions that showcase its history, culture, and beauty. You can spend days exploring the city and still find something new and interesting to see. Here are some of the must-see attractions in Hanoi:

- Hoan Kiem Lake: The heart and soul of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is a serene and scenic lake in the center of the city, where you can see the Turtle Tower, the Ngoc Son Temple, and the Huc Bridge. The lake is a popular spot for locals and tourists to relax, exercise, and enjoy the view.

- Temple of Literature: The first university of Vietnam, founded in 1070, the Temple of Literature is a complex of courtyards, pavilions, and shrines dedicated to Confucius and the ancient scholars. You can see the stone steles of the scholars, the bronze statues of the sages, and the well-preserved architecture.

- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: The final resting place of the national hero and leader of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, the mausoleum is a solemn and impressive monument, where you can see the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh in a glass case. You can also visit the nearby Ho Chi Minh Museum, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Presidential Palace.

- Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a historical and archaeological site, where you can see the remains of the royal palace and the administrative buildings of the former dynasties. You can also visit the National Flag Tower, the Military History Museum, and the Hanoi Citadel.

- Hanoi Opera House: A stunning example of French colonial architecture, the Hanoi Opera House is a cultural and artistic venue, where you can watch performances of opera, ballet, music, and drama. The opera house is also a historical site, where many important events took place, such as the August Revolution and the first session of the National Assembly.

- Museum of Ethnology: A fascinating and informative museum that displays the culture and diversity of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam, the Museum of Ethnology has indoor and outdoor exhibitions, where you can see the artifacts, costumes, houses, and lifestyles of the different ethnic groups. You can also watch cultural performances and join workshops at the museum.

## What to eat

Hanoi is a paradise for food lovers, as it offers a variety of dishes and cuisines that reflect the history and culture of the city. You can find street food stalls, local restaurants, and fine dining venues in every corner of the city, serving delicious and affordable food. Here are some of the must-eat dishes in Hanoi:

- Pho: The most famous dish of Vietnam, pho is a noodle soup with beef or chicken, herbs, and spices. You can find pho everywhere in Hanoi, but some of the best places to try it are Pho Thin, Pho Bat Dan, and Pho Gia Truyen.

- Bun cha: A specialty of Hanoi, bun cha is a dish of grilled pork, rice noodles, herbs, and dipping sauce. You can find bun cha in many places in Hanoi, but the most famous one is Bun Cha Huong Lien, where former US President Barack Obama ate with celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain.

- Cha ca: Another specialty of Hanoi, cha ca is a dish of fried fish, rice noodles, herbs, and peanuts, served with a special sauce. You can find cha ca in many places in Hanoi, but the oldest and most famous one is Cha Ca La Vong, which has been serving the dish for over a century.

- Banh mi: A popular snack and breakfast in Vietnam, banh mi is a sandwich made of a baguette, filled with various ingredients, such as pate, ham, cheese, eggs, vegetables, and sauces. You can find banh mi in many places in Hanoi, but some of the best ones are Banh Mi 25, Banh Mi Ngon, and Banh Mi Pho Co.

- Egg coffee: A unique and delicious drink in Hanoi, egg coffee is a coffee with whipped egg yolk and condensed milk on top. You can find egg coffee in many cafes in Hanoi, but some of the best ones are Giang Cafe, Dinh Cafe, and Cafe Pho Co.

## What to do

Hanoi has many activities and experiences that will make your trip memorable and fun. You can enjoy the culture, nature, and nightlife of the city, and discover its hidden gems and secrets. Here are some of the must-do things in Hanoi:

- Watch a water puppet show: A traditional and unique art form of Vietnam, water puppetry is a performance of puppets on a water stage, accompanied by music and narration. You can watch a water puppet show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, the Lotus Water Puppet Theater, or the Vietnam National Puppetry Theater.

- Explore the Old Quarter: The oldest and most lively area of Hanoi, the Old Quarter is a maze of streets, each named after a different craft or product. You can wander around the Old Quarter, admire the ancient houses, shop for souvenirs, and taste the street food of Hanoi.

- Visit the Hoa Lo Prison Museum: A thought-provoking and eye-opening site, the Hoa Lo Prison Museum is all that remains of the former prison, where many Vietnamese revolutionaries and American prisoners of war were held and tortured. You can see the cells, the guillotine, the exhibits, and the stories of the prisoners at the museum.