A complete guide to Hanoi, Vietnam, including introduction, attractions, transportation, accommodation, food/restaurants and other tourist information

Looking at the streets of Hanoi, the mighty "army of cavalry" makes people a little scared. You need to walk into the streets and alleys of Hanoi to discover the quiet and elegant beauty of this thousand-year-old city. On one side are noisy motorcycles speeding by, on the other side are the quietly flowing Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake; on one side are the Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Temple of Literature with oriental charm, on the other side are the St. Joseph's Cathedral and Hanoi Opera House full of French style; whether it is Ba Dinh Square that witnessed Vietnam's independence or the National Convention Center that witnessed Vietnam's economic take-off, Hanoi's charm is like Vietnamese food, with a light taste and the delicious fish sauce that embellishes it is endless.



1. Introduction to Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the second largest city and political center of the country, and a famous historical city. Hanoi is located in the northwest of the Red River Delta in Vietnam, on the right bank of the Red River and at the confluence of the Red River and the Suli River. Whether from the south to the north or from the inland to the coast, it is a must-go place. Its geographical location is very important. It has the largest river port in the north, and several railways are connected here. It is the main hub of the northern highway. There are Noi Bai Airport and Gia Lam Airport in the suburbs, and water, land and air transportation are convenient. The city is located in the subtropics. Because it is close to the ocean (Beibu Gulf), the climate is pleasant, the four seasons are like spring, the rainfall is abundant, the flowers and trees are lush, and the flowers are in full bloom. It is known as the "City of Flowers in Spring".

Hanoi is divided into two parts: the inner city (urban area) and the outer city (suburban area). The inner city is divided into three parts: the forbidden city, the imperial city and the capital city. In today's Hanoi, many streets still use the old names, such as Leather, Copper, Cotton, Sugar, Hemp, Peach, and Sail. Some streets still maintain the old professional traditions, such as Leather Street specializing in leather goods and Copper Street specializing in copperware.

Best time to Travel in Hanoi

November to April of the following year is the best. Vietnam's climate is characterized by obvious dry and rainy seasons. November to April of the following year is the dry season, and May to October is the rainy season. The rainy season is humid and hot, with strong sunshine at noon and rain in the evening. The time suitable for playing during the day is very limited, and it is not recommended to go there during the rainy season. Vietnam's dry season can also be divided into hot season and cool season. Roughly November to February of the following year is the cool season, and March to April is the hot season. In the cool season, the city is sunny and the sky is clear. The mountains and fields are green and beautiful, and the flowers are blooming. It is the most beautiful season in Vietnam and the most suitable season to travel to Vietnam. In the hot season, I advise everyone not to go, it will really be hot to death.



2. Hanoi Attractions

1) Hoan Kiem Lake

The most popular area in Hanoi is Hoan Kiem Lake, which is also one of the famous attractions in Hanoi. The lake itself is not outstanding, and it is far from the West Lake, but the houses by the lake are very graceful, and there are many old trees. Walking along the lake, you will feel very happy. There are many young people riding motorcycles, and many girls sit on the back seat. Some of them are wearing masks, or Mickey Mouse-shaped ears, or a big bow, which is very fashionable. Both men and women are smiling happily. Suddenly, a sound of speeding past, that kind of youthful smile will make you sigh for a long time.

Transportation: Take bus No. 9, 31, 36 and get off at Nga 3 Le Thai To- Hang Trong; take bus No. 14 and get off at BDX Bo Ho; take bus No. 8 and get off at Buu dien Thanh pho Ha Noi - Dinh Tien Hoang.



2) Hanoi Cathedral

Hanoi Cathedral, also known as Saint Joseph's Cathedral, is the oldest church in Hanoi. It is said to be built in imitation of Notre Dame de Paris. It has a medieval style and is also a very representative French building in Hanoi. Although the exterior looks a bit mottled, the intricately decorated main altar, stained glass windows, and square towers inside the church are all worth seeing. The door of the church is only opened during mass. At other times, Tourists need to enter from the side, which is located in the alley on the left side facing the church. This is a gathering area for emerging boutiques and cafes in Hanoi. Coupled with traditional French buildings and big trees, shopping here is both leisurely and romantic.

Transportation: It takes about 10 minutes to walk from Hoan Kiem Lake.



3) 36 Pho Phuong Street

The various handicrafts and tourist souvenirs in 36 Pho Phuong are almost the cheapest in Vietnam, and the varieties are also very complete. Small handicraft shops can be found on every street. An A4-sized "The Adventures of Tintin" lacquer painting is priced at US$3. The quality of other handicrafts varies greatly, so you should compare prices. There are many studios of local artists on the street. Although the facades are simple, the works are very unique.

Transportation: Take bus No. 3, 11, 14, 18, 23, 34, 40 and get off at 81 Tran Nhat Duat.



4) Ba Dinh Square and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

Ba Dinh Square is located in the center of Hanoi, northwest of Hoan Kiem Lake. It is a landmark building in Hanoi and a place where Vietnam holds major celebrations and gatherings. It was once the place where Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945. On the west side of Ba Dinh Square is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the father of Vietnam's independence. The mausoleum is magnificent, and Ho Chi Minh's body is kept in a crystal coffin in the central hall, guarded by a military honor guard. Local people and tourists from all over the world come to pay their respects, but there will be long queues on major holidays such as Labor Day and National Day, so it is best to avoid these times when visiting. To the northwest is Ho Chi Minh's former residence and the Presidential Palace, to the southwest is the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and in front of the museum is the One Pillar Pagoda.

Transportation: Get off at Le Hong Phong Station on bus No. 9 or 18 and walk to the destination. The ticket is 5,000 VND; a taxi costs about 60,000 VND.



5) Dong Xuan Market

Dong Xuan Market is a three-story small commodity market where you can do wholesale and retail. Many people buy shoes, clothes, spices, etc. wholesale from here and then go to other places to do business. You can find a lot of Vietnamese-style things here, but remember to bargain.

Transportation: It is recommended to take a taxi/motorcycle/rickshaw or other means of transportation.

3. Transportation in Hanoi (How to get to Hanoi? Transportation in Hanoi)

How to get to Hanoi?

1) Airplane

Currently, the airlines flying to Hanoi include China Southern Airlines (Beijing, Guangzhou), Hong Kong Airlines (Hong Kong), Dragonair (Hong Kong), EVA Air (Taipei), China Airlines (Taipei), and UNI Air (Kaohsiung).



2) Trains

Hanoi has several train stations, namely Hanoi Railway Station, Gia Lam Railway Station, Tran Quy Cap Railway Station and Long Bien Railway Station. Among them, Hanoi Railway Station and Gia Lam Railway Station are often used by tourists.

3) Long-distance buses

Hanoi has several major bus stations, the largest of which is My Dinh Station, and there are also Gia Ba Station, Groundwater Station, Gia Lam Station and Nam Thang Long Station. Each bus station has a specific destination area, and tourists are advised to arrange their itinerary one or two days before departure. Gia Lam Long-distance Bus Station is located in the northeast of the city, near Gia Lam Railway Station. The buses here are mainly sent to the north and northeast of Hanoi, and there are buses to Haiphong and Halong Bay.

4.Transportation in Hanoi

The main transportation in Hanoi is buses, taxis, motorcycles and human-powered tricycles. In areas where scenic spots are concentrated, it is very convenient to walk.

1) Buses

Bus routes basically cover all areas in the city, and the ticket price is 7,000-9,000 dong per ticket, but due to language barriers and unfamiliarity with station names, it is not convenient for tourists who have just arrived in Hanoi to take them. If you want to know the detailed bus schedule and time, you can buy a "Hanoi Bus Map" in a bookstore in Hanoi, the price is about 5,000 dong.

2) Taxi

It is easy to be ripped off when taking a taxi in the local area. Common ways to rip off tourists include: taking advantage of tourists' unfamiliarity with the denomination of Vietnamese dong to charge more money and take more detours; tampering with the meter to make it jump particularly fast; asking for a high price when bargaining, or agreeing on a price when getting on the bus but raising the price when getting off the bus, or agreeing on a price in Vietnamese dong but being asked to pay in US dollars when checking out.

There are many taxi companies in Hanoi, and choosing a more formal car will reduce the chance of being ripped off. In addition, if you take a taxi near Hoan Kiem Lake, try to stop a taxi running on the road, and it is best not to take a car parked on the side of the road, because it is likely to be an illegal taxi. The taxi prices and starting mileage of different companies in Hanoi are different. The starting price is roughly between 6,000-14,000 dong, and the price per kilometer is about 11,000 dong. Mai Linh's taxis are relatively recognized as legitimate, with green and white body logos. Other legitimate companies include Thanh Nga, Sao Ha Noi, Thanh Cong and Thang Long.

3) Motorcycles

You can also take motorcycles and rickshaws in Hanoi. You can negotiate the price directly with the driver, but you must pay attention to safety.

The army of motorcycles on the streets of Hanoi is a city scene, but there are no traffic lights and zebra crossings here, and the motorcyclists are all moving fast, so it is inevitable to be scared when you want to cross the road. You might as well wait for the locals to cross the road and follow them a few times, so you can learn some tricks.

Keep a certain pace when crossing the road, but don't run. Don't stop in the middle of the road, drivers will use their own speed to bypass pedestrians; sudden stops will disrupt the driver's judgment and easily cause accidents. Pay attention to vehicles from all directions, and it is not enough to just look left and right. During peak traffic hours, some sidewalks will become lanes, so be careful.



5. Accommodation in Hanoi

1) Apricot Hotel

Hotel Introduction: The neoclassical luxury-designed Apricot Hotel is located by the Hoan Kiem Lake and offers modern and luxurious accommodation with free Wi-Fi throughout the property. The hotel features a rooftop swimming pool and a panoramic fitness center, offering panoramic views of the city and the lake. Free parking is available on site.

Hotel Address: 136 Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hotel Transportation: The hotel is 300 metres from Thang Long Water Puppet Theater and St. Joseph Cathedral, and about 21 km from Noi Bai International Airport.

Hotel Price: From 787 yuan

2) Spring Flower Hotel

Hotel Introduction: Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a minibar. The en suite bathroom comes with shower facilities, toiletries and a hairdryer.

Staff at the 24-hour front desk can arrange massages, late check-out or airport shuttle services upon request. The hotel also provides luggage storage, laundry and ironing services. Travel arrangements can be made at the tour desk.

Hotel Address: 45 Hang Bo - Hoan Kiem, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hotel Transportation: Spring Flower Hotel is about 400 metres from Dong Xuan Market, 700 metres from Hoan Kiem Lake and 1 km from West Lake. Attractions such as the National Museum of Vietnam History, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda are 1.5 km away. Noi Bai International Airport is 21 km from the hotel.

Hotel Price: From CNY 200

3) Golden Sun Moment Hotel

Hotel Introduction: Golden Sun Moment Hotel's air-conditioned rooms feature modern furnishings, satellite TV, ironing facilities and a minibar. Private bathrooms come with toiletries and a hairdryer.

Hotel Address: 15 Hang Can, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hotel Transportation: Guests can walk to Hoan Kiem Lake and Cho Dem Night Market.

Hotel price: From 311 yuan

4) Lotte Hotel Hanoi

Hotel Introduction: Lotte Hotel Hanoi is ideally located in Hanoi and offers modern and luxurious rooms. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. The hotel features an outdoor pool, indoor pool, fitness center, sauna facilities and free parking.

Hotel address: 54 Lieu Giai Street, Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hotel transportation: The non-smoking hotel is only 1.2 km from Giang Vo Exhibition Center, 1.8 km from Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, 2.2 km from the famous One Pillar Pagoda, and less than 20 km drive from Noi Bai International Airport.

Hotel price: From 842 yuan



6. Hanoi Food/Restaurants

Hanoi has a wide variety of food, some of which have a strong rural flavor, such as flat glutinous rice, mold cakes, and sticky nests. Some are very particular, such as the New Year's Eve dinner must have four bowls and eight dishes. Hanoi has seasonal food all year round, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. There are glutinous rice balls in March, moon cakes in August, and flat glutinous rice in Wangcun in autumn. For Hanoians, different seasons have different seasonal food. Unlike Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Malaysia, which are keen on heavy tastes, Vietnamese people prefer light tastes and pay attention to the original flavor of food, mainly using steaming, cold mixing, roasting, and stewing as cooking methods. Even if seasonings are added, they are limited to a small amount of fish sauce, lime, and vanilla, so Chinese tourists, especially those from the south, can quickly adapt to the local food taste.

1) Quan An Ngon Restaurant

When you come to Hanoi, you must try Vietnamese food. If you want to find a restaurant that is both delicious and environmentally friendly, Quan An Ngon Restaurant is undoubtedly the first choice. The restaurant has more than 300 dishes, including food from northern, central and southern Vietnam: seafood, meat, snacks, staple food and soup, enough to satisfy everyone's taste. Each dish has Vietnamese characteristics, with good color, aroma and taste. Maybe many dishes are the first time you see them. If you don't know how to eat them, you can ask the waiter. All the waiters here can speak English. The restaurant won the title of "Top Ten Vietnamese Restaurants" and receives thousands of diners every day. The restaurant's menu is only in Vietnamese and English. If you don't know what to order, you can look at the dishes on other tables. If you want to eat something, take a picture with your mobile phone and show it to the waiter. This is the most convenient and quickest way to order.

Per capita: 60RMB

Specialty food: Fried spring rolls

Address: Quan An Ngon, 18 Phan Boi Chau Street, Hoan Kiem District

Opening hours: 11:00 —21:00



2) Gia Vien Restaurant

Located on a busy street in Hanoi, it is a modern yet warm and elegant space. The restaurant offers more than 200 dishes, including unique traditional Vietnamese cuisine and a variety of Asian cuisine, bringing diners a unique dining experience. When you come here, you can eat Hanoi's daily specialties, such as beef noodles, fish fried cakes, sweet and sour salad, steamed native chicken, roll noodles, shell sour soup, etc. You can also try some complex and exquisite dishes, such as steamed glutinous rice with pork ribs, steamed seafood rice with coconut fruit, honey roasted lean pork, etc. Each delicacy can make you feel a special taste bud enjoyment.

Per capita: 60RMB

Specialties: Shrimp spring rolls, roasted chicken, frog bamboo shoot hot pot

Address: 228 Ba Trieu Street, Hoan Kiem District

Opening hours: 08:00~24:00

3) Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant

The first traditional fried fish restaurant in Hanoi, famous both at home and abroad. In the past, there was a family named Duan in the residence at No. 14 Pho Cha Ca Road. They cooked fried fish with coriander and fish. Many people liked it very much after eating it, so the Duan family opened a restaurant. Since then, the traditional fried fish has gradually become famous, and Pho Cha Ca Road has also been changed to Fried Fish Road. The restaurant is very small, with only two floors and a total of dozens of square meters, but no matter how long the queue is, it can't stop everyone from coming to taste the delicious food.

Per capita: 50RMB

Specialty food: Traditional fried fish

Address: 14 Pho Cha Ca, Hanoi, Vietnam

Business hours: 10:00 ~ 22:00



4) Pho Ly Quoc Su

One of the best noodles in Hanoi. Each bowl of pho contains vermicelli, fresh beef or chicken slices, onions and fragrant soup without MSG, and is served with a plate of lemon and some chili peppers. There is also a bottle of vinegar, a small box of salt and chili peppers on the table. You can add them according to your taste. Order a fried dough stick to eat with the noodles, the taste is amazing. Although the price of noodles here is relatively high, the fact that it is full every day can only mean that the taste here is really great.

Per capita: 35RMB

Specialty food: beef noodles

Address: N2A Hoang Minh Giam Street

Business hours: 8:00-21:00

A complete guide to Traveling in Hanoi, Vietnam, covering introduction, attractions, transportation, accommodation, food/restaurants and other tourist information