1. Taste Vietnamese Food: Hanoi cuisine is known for its flavors that blend French, Japanese, and Vietnamese influences. Be sure to try the "Green Hanoi Farewell" noodle soup! It's made with tender beef broth and rice noodles, with added ingredients like jute, shrimp, mushrooms, and bean sprouts. Other favorites include Bun cha (grilled pork on noodles), Caution Cao (stir-fried rice cakes), and Chao Bay (Vietnamese omelette).
2. The Water Puppet Theater in the Trong Xuan Historic District offers a rare cultural experience. Featuring lifelike characters who manipulate real puppets on a carefully arranged paper stage, the puppet stories are rooted in a thousand years of ancient refinement and craftsmanship.
3. Calligraphy - One of the most advanced art forms in any country, calligraphy can be learned at places like the Hue National Museum and the Academy of Fine Arts. Viewers can follow skilled calligraphers at work and discover the various calligraphy styles and techniques of the Vietnamese script. A close-up view provides a preview of these amazing works of art, which are sold as simple memories for a lifetime.
It’s a good idea to experience water puppetry at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre and watch a unique Vietnamese art form that depicts rural life and legends.
Ancient Hanoi itself remains emblematic of the woven quilt of history and culture for every era through which it passed. Here is a primer of everything that you can attempt when within the vicinity of the city.
1. Walk along the Old Quarter: Drool down through the old quarter, packed with cafes, colonial buildings, winding streets, and Vietnamese food stalls run by local people.
2. Hoan Kiem Lake and Visit the Temple of Ngoc Son: Intermittently stuttering, walk around the quiet waters of Hoan Kiem Lake and clear font. The NgocSon Temple lies upon an island located upon the middle of the lake.
3. Visit the Temple of Literature: Dedicated to Confucius-the first National University of Vietnam-is located here. This provides an excellent opportunity to learn how education and culture made their way into Vietnam.
4. Water Puppet Show: Prepare to be carried back in time at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre with its classic water puppet show. The shows are a riot of colors and stories that cannot be repeated, coupled with live music.
5. Street Food: Street food earned an aggressive reputation and it's very much true. Introduce yourself to at least pho, bun cha, and egg coffee before you bid goodbye to Hanoi.
6.Cyclo Tour: The Old Quarter will nut you while you are riding around with the cyclo tour and stunning spots in and around Hanoi.
7. Visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has remained the political center of Vietnam for 13 centuries. Step around the ruins and uncover some of the history of this ancient citadel.
8. The Dong Xuan Market: This very large indoor market is great for predictable local food, other textiles, and souvenirs. There' a lot of street food current in there as well.
9. Day Cruise to Halong Bay: Day cruise to the pretty Halong Bay while round that Hanoi-one thing not to miss; even though it daresn't reside in Hanoi; some shall enjoy cruising over turquoise blue waters whilst witnessing stupendous limestone islands.
Set yourself free by immersing into the profound history paved with hues of Hanoian culture! Enjoy a pleasant journey!