HaNoi
Ha Noi Province
Founded more than 1000 years ago, Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, located in the north of the country on the banks of the Red River Delta, is famous for its centuries-old architecture and for the richness of its history, culture, mixture of influences from Southeast Asia, China and France. Named Thang Long, “the city of the dragon which rises” for 800 years, definitively became Hanoi in 1831, “the city below the rain”.
At its heart is the chaotic and rambling old quarter, dating back to the 14th century, where the narrow streets are more or less grouped together by type of trade. Strolling through these tree-lined lanes past crumbling colonial facades will transport you back in time.
However, the Hanoi of today is much more than the past. The ancient city is reinvigorated with modern cafes, world-class restaurants and cool art galleries. When the sun goes down, there are watering holes to choose from, from sophisticated rooftop bars to lively bia hoi.
The best time to visit Ha Noi
Hanoi has a mild tropical climate typical of northern Vietnam with a dry season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October. The months of June to August are generally the hottest and most humid.
Hanoi is most welcoming from April to June, but the capital is particularly beautiful in May when the trees suddenly bloom. September and October are also excellent months to visit as the temperatures cool down and the skies clear up.
From the end of March to mid-May, it’s spring with temperatures rising from 20°C to 27°C with clear skies and generous sunshine.
What to see, what to do…?
Hanoi has remained authentically Vietnamese, although part of its history has been imposed on it from outside by force, cunning and seduction: more than 1,000 years of Chinese civilization and nearly a century of French presence.
Hanoi is actually over 1000 years old with the wealth of history: temples, ancient citadels, unique theater and stunning wilderness just outside the city.
Top 25 things to do in Ha Noi:
- Tasting of street food.
- Get lost in the old quarter of the 36 corporations.
- Exploration of Hanoi coffee culture (egg coffee, coconut coffee, avocado coffee…).
- Join the people of Hoan Kiem Lake early in the morning for Tai Chi or Laughter Yoga.
- Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake (lake of the restored sword and its jade temple).
- Take a pedicab ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
- Visit the Ethnographic Museum of Vietnam (outside the city but well worth it).
- Visit to the Temple of Literature.
- Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda on the shore of West Lake.
- Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his house on stilts and the nearby One Pillar Pagoda.
- Drink a coffee on the rue du train, while waiting for the train to pass.
- Take a walk or bike ride and watch the sunset over West Lake (Tay Ho).
- Cross the Long Bien bridge (ex Paul Doumer) and admire the sunset.
- Visit of St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
- Explore the night market on weekends, from Friday evening to Sunday evening.
- Attend a performance at the Hanoi Opera House.
- Attend the water puppet show (2 theaters on the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake offer this show).
- Visit the city differently with the double-decker bus.
- Go to Dong Xuan market.
- Visit the many museums (eg Vietnamese women’s museum, Hoa Lo prison museum, etc.), pagodas, temples and historical monuments.
- Admire the view of Hanoi from the Lotte Tower.
- Get your hair done in the street (for men, I specify) and/or get a traditional massage.
- Immerse yourself in history by having a tea party at the Hôtel Métropole.
- Take a moto-taxi during rush hour.
- Visit the royal citadel of Thanh Long.