| 5 mins read
Standing tall in the northern region of the country is Vietnam’s proud capital, Hanoi. Though the city recently celebrated its 1,000th birthday, history shows that Hanoi has been inhabited for much longer than that. With culture and rich heritage lingering heavy in every street, and a much more all-around Vietnamese “feel” that sometimes borders on the Parisian, Hanoi is one of the country’s most memorable visits.
The top things to do in Hanoi!
Early Morning Sojourn at the HoanKiem Lake
One of the most memorable and unique experiences in Hanoi is found around Hoan Kiem Lake. If visitors can rouse themselves up at 5-6 AM, they’ll be able to catch the daily morning exercise routine. Locals who live in the area grab their exercise partners and do everything from tai chi, traditional fan dances, blaring music-guided aerobics to ballroom dancing. Get some exercise of your own joining the fast-walkers scooting around the lake, and maybe grab a quick photo or two as well.
Break your Fast
Touring the Old Quarter
Hanoi’s biggest attraction for tourists is simply wandering around the maze of streets in the Old Quarter. Many a foreigner has gotten entirely lost in the Hang Ga’s, Hang Ma’s, Hang Be’s and Hang Bo’s… but this is all part of the experience! Each street in this part of town specializes in selling one specific item: flowers, plastic home goods, funeral accessories, bamboo ladders, zippers/buttons and so on, and the closer you get to HoanKiem Lake, the more touristic the items become. Soak in the tight alleys, iconic architecture, spider web-like electrical wires, bustling beeping streets and occasional patches of green of this mind boggling quarter than can literally last you days.
And there’s so much more to see and do!
Located just northwest from HoanKiem, is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the body of Vietnam’s first president Ho Chi Minh lies in state. Visiting is free, but the mausoleum is only open in the morning on specific days; no cameras or electronic devices are allowed inside.To learn more about Ho Chi Minh’s life, pay a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Museum on site, or take a tour around his home that is also on display inside the compound.
From the mausoleum, head south to the famous Temple of Literature, which is Vietnam’s first university. For a real walk back in time (and some amazing photographs), stroll through the numerous courtyards, ancient wells, academic halls and religious altars tucked inside. Though tickets are required, it’s well worth the time and money.
A more fun filled approach to Vietnamese tradition can be had at the Water puppet theatre where traditional legends broadly form the story outline to an art form that dates back to the 11th century.For a more laid back, local feel to the city, head north to the giant West Lake area, away from the buzzing Hanoi atmosphere.A local and expatriate favorite, this lakefront has some beautiful walkways, temples, restaurants and cafés that aren’t cramped with tourists and hawkers.
These, and so many more tourist sites in the city make it imperative to explore Hanoi with a local tour guide. Learn all about its history and culture, uncover some hidden gems of the capital and discover the range of local cuisine as well, making your Hanoi holiday an unforgettable experience!