Best Things To Do While Visiting Hanoi
Completely different from South Vietnam, the city of Hanoi is incredibly magical, even amid the frenzy of cars and motorbikes passing by. Locally, it's known as the city of love and you can feel the romance in the air, from the French-influenced buildings with hanging flower baskets, to the old town and the streets.
This French colonial city is a cultural mix of Eastern and Western influences, reflected in Hanoi's many jewel-like architectural styles. This mystical city is also known for its cuisine, silk, vibrant nightlife, and cultural diversity. It is home to a large community of Chinese, French, and Russian influences.
If you're planning to visit Hanoi, here are a few of our recommended things to do that you can add to your itinerary or bucket list.
1 – Have Fun in The Sun at West Lake Water Park
Right near West Lake in the Tay Ho district is West Lake Water Park, the city's only true outdoor water park. Escape the Hanoi heat and spend the day water skiing, sliding through dark tunnels, or overcoming obstacles that a sliding hand will send you back to the pool. Take a tube down the park's lazy river, or relax on picnic benches under the shade of trees.
West Lake Water Park is very crowded, especially in the summer. It also gets very crowded from 4 pm when schools end for the day. Arrive early and take advantage of shorter routes to ride and buy tickets.
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2 – Dive Into The Past at The Vietnam Military History Museum
You don't have to be a history buff to appreciate the Vietnam Military History Museum, and the area surrounding the attraction is one of the most beautiful in the city. Inside the open-air museum, you feel like you've stepped back in time with real weapons and artillery lining the courtyard.
It is incredible to see war artifacts first-hand, and the museum is an opportunity to learn about the Vietnamese military and the wars they participated in throughout its history. Surrounded by a terracotta wall, the road paralleling the museum is beautiful, with tall trees curving both sides of the road.
3 – Visit the Famous Dance Cave
Go to Mua Cave, if the scene sounds familiar to you, it's because this place frequently appears. Climbing 500 mountain steps, when you reach the top of the mountain, you will have a panoramic view of the incomparable country of Vietnam. There are dragon statues in the air to pose with, the ruins of ancient buildings once built on top of the mountain, and endless views of hills and lakes stretching out before your eyes. After your boat ride at Tam Coc, your next stop is Dancing Cave, just 5 km from the jetty. Hang Mua means "dancing cave". This site was established earlier than the Tran Kings used to come to enjoy the dancing and singing shows that took place in this cave.
Conquering the cave starts with a hard trek of over 500 steps with a lot of elevation change (very steep), And sometimes these are uneven. So support yourself! Standing at the top, the stunning panoramic views show that it is worth coming here. One side gives you an overview of the local temples and houses and the other side is the Tam Coc boat ride you enjoyed. But look at it from a different angle and you'll see how amazing Mother Nature has brought us to this.
4 – Exit The Tourist Area And go Towards West Lake
Right in the middle of the Tay Ho area is the beautiful West Lake – home to some of the best sunsets in Hanoi. Considered the home of Hanoi's ex-pat community, Tay Ho is packed with great restaurants, epic bars, shops, parks, temples, yoga studios, and lakeside cafes. Grab a bike or your walking shoes and start an adventure around West Lake.
You can start at the beginning of Tay Ho and venture to the Ba Dinh area on the other side. Two famous pagodas are found on West Lake, Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda floating on the water.
5 – Find Peace in Nature in Hanoi Parks
Hanoi is famous for being a bustling city, so if you need a break among the trees, here are some of the best parks to relax in. Cau Giay Park is one of the most modern parks in Hanoi, with an excellent playground for children and a pleasant atmosphere for exercising or jogging.
The large Thong Nhat Park (also known as Thong Nhat Park) was built around Bay Mau Lake, surrounded by many walking paths. Bring a picnic, hang out under the tall trees, or admire the ornamental flowers. , or other types of orchids that grow.
Visit Hoa Binh Park (Hoa Binh Park) and discover its fascinating park layout and structure, or visit Hanoi's largest urban park, Yen So Park. A little out of the city, head to Eco Park and spend the afternoon at Swan Park, also known as Swan Lake Park. Home to the black swan, there are restaurants, cafes, and other activities to enjoy, such as kayaking on the lake.
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6 – Discover Hoa Lu's Ancient Capital
Once the capital of Vietnam from the 10th to the early 11th centuries, visit Hoa Lu, now known as the ancient capital. 90 km from Hanoi, it is located in Ninh Binh province and a day trip here is the perfect amount of time to explore the ancient lands.
As you go up the steps, compare the Temple of Dinh Tien Hoang (Ding Dynasty) and the Temple of Le Hoan (Le Dynasty), both of which were built only in the 17th century. Spot the floating One Pillar Pagoda. ie Nhat Tru Pagoda inside the complex and if you want a challenge, hike to the top of Ma Yen mountain from here. Hoa Lu is quite beautiful with boats passing through the Emerald lake and the Green hills surrounding you.
7 – Empowering Women, Explore Vietnamese Women's Museum
Dedicated to Vietnam's working women through the ages, the Vietnam Women's Museum highlights their influence in society. There are permanent and temporary exhibitions to explore, showcasing topics such as women in history, women in the family, and women's fashion. Read personal stories from real women, and some even tell of wartime. You will find about ten different temporary exhibitions with works of art in various forms. Home to more than 30,000 artifacts, browse the museum's various collections, including propaganda posters aimed at female soldiers, traditional jewelry, letters, and books.
It serves as a gender museum and research center that imparts knowledge on the historical and cultural heritage of Vietnamese women in the country's 54 ethnic communities. highlights the important role and contribution of Vietnamese women in social development. The museum also provides a platform for cross-cultural exchanges between Vietnamese women and the global community with the aim of "promoting equality, development, and peace"
8– Imagine the Jungle of Hanoi Hundreds of Years Ago in Trang An
It looks like a scene from Jurassic Park when you first see Trang An… Located on the Red River Delta, sail on the deep blue waters, surrounded by thick limestone mountains jutting out of the water. Navigate caves, explore historic caves with examples of prehistoric life and spend time kayaking. Officially, the area is known as Trang An Scenic Complex, and it includes not only river cruises but other nearby sites as well. Located near the southern tip of the Red River Delta, the Trang An landscape complex is a spectacular landscape dotted with limestone karst peaks, many of which are partially submerged and surrounded by sheer near-vertical cliffs. increase.
Surveys of caves at various elevations have revealed archaeological evidence of uninterrupted human activity for more than 30,000 years. They demonstrate the settlement of these mountains by seasonal hunter-gatherers and their adaptation to major climatic and environmental changes, particularly the repeated flooding of the landscape by the sea after the last ice age. The history of human habitation continues through the Neolithic and Bronze Ages into the Prehistoric Age. Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam, was strategically built here from the 10th century to the 11th century. The property also includes temples, pagodas, rice fields, and small villages.
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9 – Visit a local Village Dedicated to Ceramics at Bat Trang Pottery Village
Catch a taxi, take a local bus, or if you have rented a scooter, head to Bat Trang pottery village, 30 minutes from the city center. This pottery village is not too big and as soon as you enter, you will see vases and other pottery everywhere from the entrance to the house to the roadside. As you turn towards the center, there is a daily pottery market where you can buy all kinds of vases, plates, bowls, ashtrays, mugs, key chains, sculptures, and souvenirs. another concept. Villages located in clay-rich areas have the materials to make fine pottery.
In addition, Bat Trang's ceramics continued to flourish thanks to Japanese, Chinese, and Western merchant ships along the Red River between Thang Long and Pho Hien, two of his ancient trading centers in northern Vietnam from the 15th century to the 17th century. It was a popular product not only in the domestic market but also overseas. A man who has driven for centuries.
10 – Training at Ho Chi Minh Museum
Around the mausoleum is the Ho Chi Minh Museum and which is dedicated to the life and work of Ho Chi Minh. Consisting of a collection of artifacts, artifacts, and exhibits divided into eight time periods, learn about his first life from 1890 to his last in 1969. Beginning in his youth, explore his growth during his time as a young man in The Stranger.
Learn about the years of research and establishment of the Communist Party of Vietnam from 1920 to 1945. Fighting for the country's independence, Uncle Ho held the position of President of Vietnam from 1945 until his death, and He was born in 1969.
Conclusion:
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is also one of the oldest capital cities in the world. Its history is rich, devastating, and full of legends. There are also many places where you can learn about interesting Vietnamese history. Hanoi gives you the chance to adventure, get lost in the labyrinthine Old Quarter, find delicious cuisines on a small roadside stool, sip cocktails in trendy restaurants, and taste fusion cuisine.
How you choose to visit Hanoi is up to you, but you'll quickly discover that no matter how long you spend in this charming city, there's always something to discover. For an escape from the hustle and bustle of the ever-busy city life, you are just a short drive from the quiet countryside, surrounded by lush parks, mountains, and traditional villages.