Attractions in Hanoi

The popularity of travel in Southeast Asia often brings tourists to Hanoi, but what to see and where to go in the capital of Vietnam, not everyone knows. The guidebooks have information about the city’s sights, but it is better to get acquainted with them in the company of an experienced guide.

History of Hanoi

After the annexation of the suburbs and part of the surrounding areas to Hanoi in 2008, the main city of SRV became one of the top 20 largest metropolitan areas in the world. Now it occupies 3.344 thousand km². There are 8.25 million people living here.

The first mentions of the city

First learned of Hanoi by another name, Thang Long. In the local vernacular, it meant “Dragon flying into the sky. Thus, in 2010. named the new capital of the Vietnamese royal dynasty Ly.

By whom was it erected

The order to begin construction was given by Emperor Ly Thai Tho. He and his entourage saw a dragon emerge from the river and fly into the sky.

The modern name was given to Hanoi by the ruler Minh Mang in 1931.

Where is it

The city is located in the delta of the Hongha (Red) River. Its geographic coordinates:

• latitude is 21.0245 or 21°1.47′ N;
• longitude – 105.841 or 105°50.46′ E.

How to get to Hanoi

There are several ways to get to Hanoi.

From China

The most popular flights to the capital of Vietnam from China are as follows:

1. From Beijing International Airport by Cathay Pacific or Philippine Airlines. The flight takes 7 hours and 50 minutes.
2. From Hong Kong. The fastest trip is the Cathay Pacific liner, which takes 2 hours and 50 minutes. There are connecting flights on China Airlines, Korean Air, Thai AirAsia, and others.
3. From Shenzhen. Fly with HK Express to Da Nang, then take VietJet Air to Hanoi. Travel time is 5 hours and 15 minutes.

Every 3 days, a train leaves from Beijing Western Railway Station to Jia Lam Station in the capital city of SRV. The train passes through Nanning and arrives at its destination in 36 hours.

From Laos

Planes from Laos to Hanoi fly from Vattay Airport in Vientiane, the capital. The fastest flight is made by Lao Airlines machines. They take passengers to Noibay International Airport in 1 hour and 10 minutes.

The route by bus takes about 20 hours. It is operated by Huyen Chau from Vientiane South Bus Station to Nuoc Ngam Beach Bus Station. Most administrative centers in Laos have their own routes to the Vietnamese capital.

From Russia

From Moscow to Hanoi, there are non-stop flights by Vietnam Airlines twice a week. They stay in the air for nine hours.

Qatar Airways and Emirates flights change planes in Doha and Dubai.

There is an option of traveling between the two capitals by train. From Yaroslavsky station 2 times a week trains leave, overcoming for 140 hours a way with a length of 6.735 thousand km.

Photos of the city

Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to Hanoi all year round. They want to see all the best places in the city and leave the memory of them in photos.

What sights are in Hanoi

In a city whose history goes back more than 1 thousand years, it is difficult to find a place without a monument to this or that era. Here are the historical, natural and cultural attractions of Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

In the tomb in Hanoi’s main square lies the leader of Communist Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, which means “Illuminator.” On this spot in 1945 he promulgated the Declaration of Independence of the country. Under his leadership, the southern part of the state, occupied by foreign troops, was liberated.

Construction of the mausoleum began in 1973 and was inaugurated on 28.08.1975. Despite Ho Chi Minh’s own wish (he wanted to be cremated after his death), his follower ordered that the politician’s body be mummified and placed in a sarcophagus.

There are three tiers inside the structure:

• room for solemn occasions;
• mourning room;
• the inscription of the leader’s name, lined with precious stones.

The mausoleum is open every day except Monday and Friday. Office hours:

• 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. April 1 through October 31;
• 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. in winter time.

On Ho Chi Minh’s birthday (May 19) and the anniversary of independence (September 2), the complex is open any day of the week.

Lake of the Returned Sword

In the center of Hanoi there is a place that is mentioned in the legends of the past, imbued with the atmosphere of ancient times. This is Hoan Kiem Lake, which means “Returned Sword.

The Vietnamese believe that this sword was given to Emperor Le Luy by a wise turtle with a shell of precious stones. The ruler defeated the Chinese conquerors with these weapons. Residents of the capital believe that this amphibian now lives in the Ngoc Son (Jade Mountain) temple.

You can see around the lake:

• the gateway to Happiness and Prosperity;
• The neo-Gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral of Nha Tho Lon;
• the statue of Emperor Le Loi;
• a platform for tai chi gymnastics.

There are restaurants and cafes on the shore. The guests are entertained by musicians, actors of the show of life-size figures. Collectors arrange book exhibitions.

Puppet theater on the water

Puppet shows on the water appeared among peasants more than 1,000 years ago. This is how they amused themselves during the rainy season. Masters took sung wood and carved figures of animals, people and mythological creatures. The flooded rice fields, marshes or lakes served as the scene.

Now such performances are staged by a troupe that has revived the ancient art. She performs in the evenings on Lake of the Returned Sword. The dolls are made to order in one of the nearby villages. Because of the dampness, props are good to use for no more than 4 months.

There are 11 actors in the show. They control puppets tied to poles with ropes. People themselves are waist-deep in water at this time. The performance is accompanied by music played on flutes, tambourines, drums and dan bau.

The Temple of Literature

The Confucian Temple of Wang Mieu, or Temple of Literature, was erected in 1070 by Emperor Li Nyan Tong in honor of the great philosopher. During the wars and other cataclysms here managed to preserve the ancient artifacts, scrolls, architecture of different dynasties and styles.

All exhibits were placed in the pavilions for viewing by all comers. In addition, there are classrooms on the temple grounds where classes are held for schoolchildren, ceremonies are performed, and examinations are taken.

On the territory of the complex are:

• the gates of Acquired Talent and Perfect Virtue;
• Giam Park;
• Dai-Tan sanctuary;
• Imperial Academy;
• doctors’ stelae.

Old Quarter

To feel the atmosphere of the city, feel the national spirit and see the local color, visitors to Hanoi go to the Old Quarter. This shopping area of the city has a second name “36 Streets,” and all regular and tourist buses pass by it.

Once upon a time there were swamps with alligators and snakes. Later there was a settlement where government officials built houses with fortifications. In the 11th century the village became an artisan quarter, and in the 13th century Emperor Li Tai To built himself a palace.

By the early 15th century, there were 36 guilds of craftsmen in the neighborhood, which gave rise to the name. There are now 70 streets, all of which are of interest to visitors to the city. It is most curious to walk through such of them:

• Hang Kuat, where they sell religious clothing, paraphernalia, and flags;
• Hang Lan Ong, where the salons of traditional Vietnamese medicine are concentrated;
• Hang Thanh, where woodcarvers exhibit their work;
• Hang Gai with silver jewelry stores;
• Hang Dow with shoe shops and stalls;
• Hang Tiek, where tinsmiths sell their wares.

In the Old Quarter of Hanoi is the largest market in the capital – Dong Xuan.

Badin Square

The heart of the country and the center of the city was Badin Square. The most important event in the modern history of the republic occurred here – the declaration of independence.

The square is next to the western gate of the ancient fortress of Thang Long. In the early 20th century, the French authorities have created a square here and built cottages, where before there were bogs. In 1902, the Governor-General of Indochina ordered the erection of a residence, and in 1919 the building housed a college. Now the president of the SRV has moved here.

The square was named by the first socialist mayor of Hanoi, Tran Van Ly, in honor of the heroic defense of Badinh Place in Ngachon District, Thanh Hoa Province from the French army. Now located here:

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum;
• MFA;
• Ministry of Investment and Planning.

The area is divided into 240 rectangular areas planted with grass. Between the lawns are laid paths paved with tiles.

Quan Thanh Temple

The building of this Taoist religious structure, formerly called Tran Vu, was built in the 11th century. The temple is located on the shore of West Lake and is among the most visited religious buildings in Hanoi.

According to legend, it was ordered built by Emperor Ly Thai To in honor of a Vietnamese deity whose symbols were a tortoise and a snake. The structure was intended to protect the fortress from evil forces.

Gradually the temple found itself in the center of the capital. In 1677, the ruler of Le Hui Tong ordered sculptors to create a statue of Tran Wu. It decorates the halls to this day.

The last reconstruction touched the structure in 1893, when a new gate was built. The appearance of the temple did not change again. There are now martial arts schools here, and Vietnamese people pray for the new lunar year.

Hanoi Opera House

During the French colonization an opera house was built in Hanoi. The process took place between 1901 and 1911. The architects François Lagisquieu and Broer W. Harley took the Grand Opéra de Paris as their model.

Before work could begin, we had to drain the area from the swamps. It required pipes, and a 3 thousand bamboo drain was hammered in place of the foundation to a depth of 1 m. Despite the regular cheapening of the project, it cost 3 million francs to build.

The audience, mostly composed of members of the French diaspora, had to appreciate the luxurious interior, which included:

• marble staircases;
• A large crystal chandelier;
• giant mirrors, etc.

After Vietnamese independence, the theater began to host ceremonial meetings, conventions, and productions by Vietnamese directors.

The main hall seats 600 spectators. In addition to it, the opera has conference rooms and two courtyards. The area of each of them is 4 thousand square meters, which allows to organize vernissages, exhibitions, etc.

In 1997, the theater underwent modernization and renovation. The chandelier and mirrors remain from earlier times. The building has lost its purpose and turned into a business center. The Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel opened next door in 1999.

Le Mat Snake Village

If you go 10 km from Hanoi to Gia Lam province, you can find Le Mat village in Viet Hung commune. The main occupation of its inhabitants for over 900 years is catching and breeding snakes:

• cobras;
• vipers;
• Aspids, etc.

In each house the traveler will see souvenirs of them and be able to buy them.

The guide will tell the local legend about the young man who saved the princess from the monster. It flipped the boat over and was getting ready to kill the beauty. Killing the monster relieved the villagers of their fear of the serpent. In honor of this event, there is an annual carnival on March 23 according to the lunar calendar.

Locals supply snake meat to Hanoi restaurants. The deadly poison is used to make Vietnamese folk medicine. Hides are used to make shoes, belts, and other haberdashery.

Current Hanoi tours and prices

Among the popular tours of the capital of Vietnam are the most interesting and informative. For example, the program sightseeing tour of evening Hanoi will offer tourists to see:

• Jade Temple;
• The Bridge of Morning Sunshine;
• Lake of the Returned Sword;
• the block of 36 guilds;
• St. Joseph’s Church.

The program includes a visit to a performance of the Water Puppet Theater, dinner at the restaurant.

Cost of maintenance:

The tour “Ho Chi Minh City for a whole day” involves sightseeing:

• Colonial Quarterly;
• Hanoi Opera;
• Notre Dame Cathedral;
• Independence Palace;
• central post office;
• War Remains Museum;
• Ngoc Hoang Pagoda;
• Chinatown;
• Ben Thanh market.

During the break tourists will be offered lunch in a restaurant (for a fee).

Cost of the tour:

When is the best time to go

The best time to go to Hanoi is April or September to October. At this time in the capital of Vietnam is not hot – +27 ° C. It rains more often than it does in the spring, but it is not piercing and ends quickly. But travelers will see how nature blooms after winter, will plunge into a world of Asian fragrances.