1.820.3345.33
Contact@TravelTourWP.com
- Home
- City
- Best Tours 2020
- Where to stay
- Things to do
- Food
- Travel Tips
- About Us
This capital city of Vietnam once served as the headquarters of the North Vietnamese communist army. Today, it provides a beautiful and educational window into a country that is most often visited through the Southern, tropical Ho Chi Minh City, once called Saigon. Where the South is palm trees and beaches, the North is tall, sharp rocky mountains full of waterfalls, deep emerald waters with pearl farms, and a culture that is as unique as it is beautiful.
A visit to Hanoi provides travelers with a fascinating blend of East and West. There are bustling streets full of bicycles, motorbikes and cars; an elegant blend of Asian Pagodas, communist block buildings and French Colonial relics; and there are a host of fun and unique attractions in Hanoi for the adventurous traveler.
The first one appears in top 10 is Hoan Kiem lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Situated in the heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem is a symbol of Hanoi capital. It is a wonderful place for people wanting to get away from the noise and frenetic pace of the city. Hoan Kiem Lake attracts tourists through its peaceful and quiet atmosphere and fresh air. The lake surrounds Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, Pen Tower and the Turtle Tower standing on a small island near the center of the lake. The temple was built in commemoration of the 13th-century military leader Tran Hung Dao who was renowned for his bravery in the battle against the Yuan Dynasty.
The lake and the temple offer plenty of trees and shaded spots make a sparkling colorful natural picture. Beautiful sights of Hoan Kiem Lake give people the chance to escape busy streets and relax after hard working times.
The Old Quarter of Hanoi is the place to be for every traveler. It’s the top choice when it comes to exploring what is the real Hanoi, from cultural and historical landmarks to hidden spots of savory local street foods.
Old Quarter of Hanoi has its history dated back to even more than 1000 years ago when it started as a collective hub for handicraft guilds from all surrounding areas. As time went by, the quarter developed into a gigantic network of streets and markets where a huge number of handicrafts products were made and sold.
The common appearance of old houses in Old Quarter is a combination of a narrow front and 2-storey long body.
The streets of Old Quarter were named after the product the store-owners sell. ‘Hang Bac Street” is the street of ‘silverware’ or ‘Hang Duong Street’ is the street that sells ‘candies’, dried fruits (o mai).
There are about 34 streets starting with the word “Hang” which indicates their specialization in selling a distinctive kind of product.
Come to Old Quarter, don’t forget to visit the Heritage House at 87 Ma May and Bach Ma Temple to appreciate the traditional Vietnamese architecture.
Recommended Tours in the Old Quater
This walking food tour takes you around the best places in Hanoi’s Old Quarter where you can sample loads of local dishes. Another tour we can recommend is the Hanoi Walking and Cyclo Tour– This tour takes you around Hanoi Old Quarter by cyclo, allowing you to really get a feel of the local culture. During this tour, a local guide will show you where to find the best markets and cafes.
Recommended Hotel in the Old Quater
The Hanoi Opera House is among the best Hanoi attractions owing to its elegant infrastructure and Parisian charm. Modelled after its Paris counterpart, Hanoi Opera House is famed for its ivory-toned columns, ornate balustrades, and Gothic domes. When here, guests can comfortably enjoy classical ballet performances, Vietnamese opera, dance shows, and even music concerts by world-renowned artists.
Location: 1 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
The world-famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi has its roots in an art form that dates back to the 11th century. The tradition of water puppet theatre stems from a time when rice paddy fields were flooded and villagers would make entertainment by standing in the waist-deep water with the puppets performing over the water.
This tradition is unique to North Vietnam but has recently found fame on stages all over the world; so it’s a rare treat to see the puppets perform in their original location at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
Here you will find a theatre that features a waist high pool of water that the puppeteers stand in.They then operate puppets which are fixed to long bamboo canes and it looks as if they are dancing on the surface of the water.
The shows here usually tell you the story of local legends and farming stories or Vietnamese myths are also common.
The average ticket price of this show is about $11.
You can book the Skip the line ticket here or buy a Hanoi Cyclo City Tour Including Water Puppet Show and Hotel Pickup.
The Imperial Citadel in Hanoi used to be the seat of military power in Vietnam and would have been an important spot during the Vietnam War.
This is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you can enjoy some 1,000 years of history here.
One of the signature elements of the citadel is the archaeological treasures which were uncovered such as the foundations of ancient palaces.
You will also find bunkers here which date from the time of the Vietnam War and you can browse collections of weaponry and even see military maps.
The city’s most interesting religious building is this beautiful and incredibly peaceful Confucian temple, originally built as a university in the 11th century. Today, the Temple of Literature stands as a tribute to the nation’s scholars. It was here, in the medieval era, that the philosophy of Confucianism and literature was taught, and near the entranceway, you can still see the names of students who studied here, etched into a series of pillars. Inside, a series of manicured gardens lead to pavilions and a well-preserved pagoda where a statue of Confucius sits.
A place of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a sprawling complex set within the city’s gardens that contains the tomb of Ho Chi Minh as well as various museums and monuments. The actual mausoleum itself is an austere marble building where Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body sits in a glass case. Also within the complex is the Ho Chi Minh Museum, which has an eclectic collection containing Ho Chi Minh’s personal memorabilia as well as plenty of information on the history of the Vietnamese Revolution. Also worth a visit is the stilt house, once home to Ho Chi Minh, which is excellently preserved, and the One Pillar Pagoda. This pagoda is a reconstruction of the original 11th-century temple, which was destroyed by French colonial troops.
Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest of its kind in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty (544 – 548). The Buddhist shrine has undergone several changes throughout the years, particularly its renaming from An Quoc to Tran Quoc (protecting the country) by Emperor Le Huy Tong in the 17th century. Although it’s now set on an islet within West Lake, the pagoda was originally located on banks of Red River before it’s relocated in 1615due to the river’s encroachment. Surrounded by lush greenery, Tran Quoc Pagoda was a favourite amongst the kings and royal families for festivals, full moons, and Tet Festival.
Open daily from 07:30 onwards, Tran Quoc Pagoda is free to enter all year long, though it gets packed with devotees during annual festivities such as Tet and Buddha’s Birthday. As it’s a place of worship, visitors are advised to dress conservatively out of respect for the monks and locals.
Built by the French colonial government in the late 19th century, Hoa Lo Prison Museum was originally used to harbor Vietnamese revolutionaries and any dissidents of the French rule. For many foreign visitors though, it’s better known as the prison where American POWs were held during the Vietnam War. The most famous foreign ex-resident of the prison is John McCain. The prison grounds contain the communal jail cells, solitary cells, and courtyard, and the guillotine used by the French is also on display. There is a plethora of information here on Vietnam’s long battle against France’s colonial rule that details the brutal regime prisoners here were kept under. Two rooms also tell the story of the American POWs held here, with a video documenting their imprisonment and eventual release along with personal mementos of the prisoners.
Address: Hoa Lo Street
Hanoi West Lake is the largest natural lake in Hanoi, with an area of over 500ha and a circumference of 18km. It is located in the northwest of the capital.
West Lake is one of the famous destinations in Hanoi capital, where many historical and cultural relics associated with the development of Hanoi. The beauty of West Lake is a romantic, poetic charm in colorful paintings of Hanoi. You can truly find the peace when walking around the lake.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology has become an attractive destination not only for domestic tourists but also for international travelers. When visiting the museum, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of 54 ethnic minority brothers in Vietnam with a variety of cultural features.
The museum is divided into three main galleries. There are two spaces, one space for the temporary exhibition on the second floor, and one for the first floor to display the identity of 54 ethnic groups. The second exhibit area is the outdoor gallery. This is a green garden in which there are 10 folk works with different types of architecture. Finally, the Southeast Asian exhibit hall was built in 2008, which displays artifacts and images of Southeast Asian art.
An Neo-Gothic Cathedral located in the heart of Hanoi Capital, Saint Joseph Cathedral is the representative evidence of the French colonial architecture.
Want to see some European construction?
You must go to St.Joseph’s Cathedral!
The church was built by the French in December 1886. It is the oldest church in Hanoi.
Information:
Bat Trang – the seven-century traditional ceramic village in Hanoi, is an interesting place attracts both domestic and international tourists. Visiting Bat Trang, tourists will have a chance to know how to produce ceramic products like bow, cup, bottle, pot,… and decorate it. Besides, visitors can make a handmade ceramic gift to bring back their home. The shopkeeper will provide a rotating table and a tray of clay and guide how to create a ceramic product. Finally, you can feel free to shape and decorate your product. Besides, tourists can buy souvenirs such as necklaces, bracelets, key chains, piggy banks, etc… with a reasonable price. Moreover, tourists have a chance to join many entertainment activities such as riding buffalo vehicle to visit the village.
Bat Trang belongs to Gia Lam District, you can take the bus 47 ( Long Bien – Bat Trang) that stops just a few step from Dong Xuan market. The bus runs every 20 minutes every day. Also, you can rent a motorbike and takes around 40 minutes to get there.
The temple has the unique architecture in Asia, shaped like a stylized lotus rising from the water. The temple was built by Emperor Lý Thái Tông, who ruled from 1028 to 1054. According to the court records, Lý Thái Tông was childless. He dreamt that he met the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who handed him a baby son while seated on a lotus flower. Lý Thái Tông then married a peasant girl that he had met and she bore him a son. The emperor constructed the temple in gratitude for this in 1049, by erecting a pillar in the middle of a lotus pond, similar to the one he saw in the dream.
One Pillar Pagoda is one of the longest historical and cultural relics, the symbol of the capital of Hanoi. The temple is built of wood on a single stone pillar 1.25 m in diameter. One Pillar Pagoda has a unique structure with a square structure, located on a stone pillar like a lotus flower rising straight from the lake. Although the scale of the temple is not large, it carries a unique beauty and stands still through time challenges.
The largest of its kind in Hanoi, the sprawling complex of Dong Xuan Market is established within a four-storey Soviet-style building and offers a staggering collection of fashion, apparels, and souvenirs at rock bottom rates. Everything from printed T-shirts, cheap sunglasses, to exotic handicrafts are available here. Without a doubt, Dong Xuan Market is your one-stop shopping destination and one of the finest Hanoi points of interest.
A nature reserve with unimaginable beauty till where the eyes can see, Ba Vi National Park provides as a great relief from the hustle and bustle of the otherwise frolic city of Hanoi. The park is famed for its cloud-kissed Famous three-peaked mountain that juts steeply out into the striking blue sky and bestows travelers and hikers with dramatic views and a diverse range of flora and fauna. A prominent part of all Hanoi tours is a visit to the 11th century temple here that offers mesmerising vistas of the surrounding countryside as well as natural hot springs for a healing dip.
