Hanoi tourism: A guide from A to Z (Updated July 2022)

Hanoi is the capital of thousands of years of civilization with ancient relics and peaceful life. If you have ever traveled to Hanoi, you certainly cannot forget the typical atmosphere here, with Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, quiet cafes, small streets and street vendors.
Soon, Threeland will provide all the necessary information for your trip to discover Hanoi!

Transportation when traveling to Hanoi

Airplane

Because it is the capital of the country, there are many daily flights from other cities to Hanoi. You can refer to the fares of airlines such as Jetstar Pacific, Vietjet Air or Vietnam Airlines.

How to move from Noi Bai airport to the city center?

Taxi

To move from Noi Bai International Airport to Hanoi city center, you can choose a taxi. The reference price is from 350,000 VND to 450,000 VND. Some ways to join or other private taxi companies, the reference price for each route is also from 150,000 VND to 250,000 VND. You can find more information and rates on the company website.

Bus

Hanoi currently has 4 bus routes running from the city center to Noi Bai airport, including 3 routes with subsidized fares and a high-quality bus route.

Cars of airlines

Domestic airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar or Vietjet Air all have buses to transport passengers from the airport to Hanoi, usually 16-seat or 45-seat cars. Even if you don't fly with these airlines, you can still take the airline's bus. Cars are often parked at the airport door so that passengers can easily see them. You need to ask for prices and routes before going. Usually these vehicles will have fixed routes, but can be flexible depending on the passengers.

The price of these buses is usually 40,000 VND/person. The cars will have the last parking point in the city at 1 Quang Trung Street, Hoan Kiem District, 204 Tran Quang Khai, 69 Tran Nhan Tong (near the Central Circus).

Train

The ticket price of Thong Nhat North - South train ranges from 1,166,000 VND/way to 1,246,000 VND/way. From Hanoi station located on Le Duan street to the city center it takes about 10 to 15 minutes by taxi. 

In Hanoi: One of the unique features of Hanoi tourism is the old town cyclo. Many visitors to Hanoi choose this vehicle to visit and discover the ancient beauty on each street in the middle of a busy and bustling Hanoi. If cyclo brings ancient features, the tram is the means of modern and very new "green tourism" of Hanoi tourism. You will discover a civilized, polite Hanoi with a modern pace of life.

Places to visit and have fun when traveling to Hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake

A special feature of Hanoi's geography is that in the heart of the city there are many lakes and the city is surrounded by large rivers. Hoan Kiem Lake is located right in the heart of the city with an ancient turtle tower located on a small peninsula in the middle of the lake. Next to Hoan Kiem Lake are impressive architectural works and valuable heritage of the city: Pen tower, Nghien tower, The Huc bridge leading to Dac Nguyet floor or Tran Ba communal house... on the entrance to Ngoc Son temple.

One Pillar Pagoda

Hanoi is the center of religion and Buddhism of Vietnam, so in the inner city there are many temples and pagodas with hundreds of years old. The most famous is the One Pillar Pagoda with lotus-shaped architecture, which can be said to be the most unique in Vietnam, also a must-see attraction when traveling to Hanoi. There is also Tran Quoc Pagoda, a long-standing ancient temple built during the reign of King Ly Nam De (6th century).

Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam

This is a place to worship Confucius, place a doctorate stele and also the first university of Vietnam. Today, the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam has become a popular tourist destination in Hanoi, where certificates of merit are awarded to students with excellent achievements. The students before each exam often come here to pray for good luck.

Hanoi Cathedral

This is typical architectural works of Hanoi. The airy and pleasant scenery makes this place an attractive destination for young Hanoians as well as Hanoi tourists. In the morning, sitting at a typical sidewalk cafe enjoys the chilly weather of Hanoi. In the evening, gather with friends to chat with a cup of lemon tea.

Ba Dinh Square - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Hanoi tourism cannot ignore the political center of Vietnam with the National Assembly house, Presidential Palace, Ba Dinh Square - the history where Uncle Ho read the declaration Declaration of Independence gave birth to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, also known as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, is the place where his body is placed and kept.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is open 5 days a week, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Visitors are required to comply with requirements such as dressing neatly, not bringing electronic recording devices and maintaining order in the mausoleum.

Relics of the Presidential Palace

Behind the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a modest house on stilts where President Ho Chi Minh lived in the 1960s. The house on stilts has the appearance of a traditional country house, there is also an area. Lush garden as well as carp pond. In this complex of monuments is also the Presidential Palace, built for the French Governor during the colonial period in the early 1900s. This building today is used to receive important international delegations and is not open. Open to the public to visit.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

It has an architecture like a blooming lotus. The pagoda is located on the eastern peninsula of West Lake, Hanoi, built during the reign of King Ly Nam De. In the present temple, there are still many artifacts of cultural and historical value, such as a set of worshiping statues in the Upper Palace, especially the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha entering Nirvana. The temple is an attractive destination, attracting many Buddhists and tourists to visit.

West Lake

It located not far from the city center, West Lake is the largest lake in Hanoi. You can rent a water bike or take a cruise around West Lake. The best time to come here is at sunset to watch the sun set. Next to West Lake is the ancient village of Nghi Tam, which still retains the elegant hobbies of the people of Hanoi in the past, that is, the hobby of watching scenes and bonsai.

Nghi Tam - the road is known as the flower village, every New Year to spring, this village will be filled with fresh flowers. Near the West Lake area, there is also Ngu Xa village with the tradition of bronze casting, Yen Phu village with incense making, which are places to visit when traveling to Hanoi.

Thang Long Puppet Theater

Coming to Hanoi, one of the must-see destinations for many domestic and international tourists is the Thang Long Puppet Theater, right near Hoan Kiem Lake. The puppets perform on the water and are controlled by artisans behind the curtain. The stories in water puppetry clearly show the life and culture of Vietnamese people, especially loved by foreign tourists.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Visitors are welcome to visit and study ethnology from religious events to symbolic ceremonies of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. The museum currently has 3 main areas: One area includes galleries, offices and research facilities, a library… The second area is an outdoor exhibition area and the third area is to introduce ethnic cultures. foreigners, mainly the peoples of Southeast Asia.

The area around Hanoi

Bat Trang Pottery Village

It located 20km from the center of Hanoi city on the left bank of the Red River, you can take a motorbike or bus to get here. Since many generations, Bat Trang has been a place of famous ceramic production and famous quality throughout the country. You can go around the village, there are many pottery workshops, the roads around the village are unique coal drying walls or rustic old houses.

If you come here, you can walk to the riverside, there is a unique vehicle to help you explore Bat Trang that is the "buffalo cart". In small pottery workshops, you can manually create your favorite ceramic products or paint on cups and ceramic souvenirs to give to friends and relatives.

Duong Lam Ancient Village

The ancient Viet village still retains the tangible and intangible values ​​of the way of life of the ancients. Visitors here can also enjoy a traditional rustic lunch in the yard of an ancient house, or listen to stories, visit the moss-covered walls. The most interesting is to rent a bicycle and ride around the village. This is also the place where many extremely beautiful photos are born.

Thanh Chuong Viet Palace

Located at the foot of Soc Son Mountain in Hien Ninh Commune, Thanh Chuong Viet Palace is a destination you can go in one day. This is an ancient house complex, recreating the old space of the Vietnamese people. The world of Thanh Chuong Viet Government is the opposite of the noisy and bustling streets.

Here, you can immerse yourself in the fresh nature, sit and rest on the sofa or bamboo cot on the three-room porch. This place does not have the shadow of modern items but instead is a journey to find the old memories of each visitor.

Ba Vi National Park

The first plus point for this place is the fresh, fresh nature with shady trees. You can walk around the cactus park, small reserve or visit the ancient buildings built by the French. There is also a temple for President Ho Chi Minh and a temple for Saint Tan Vien. You can also climb to the top of Vong Canh for a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.

Tram mountain 

It is located in Phung Chau commune, Chuong My district, less than 30km from the center of Hanoi, it takes about 45 minutes - 1 hour if you ride a motorbike. This mountain is not too high, but has extremely beautiful terrain, with many caves, and trails winding in the flat valleys, where you can camp, organize BBQ parties. Nearby there are also a few temples that you can visit such as Tram pagoda, Vo Vi pagoda, Long Tien pagoda...

Ethnic Culture Village in Vietnam

If you want to experience many cultures without having to go far, there is no place like the Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village of Vietnam in Dong Mo. With an area of ​​198.61ha, the area of ​​ethnic villages has a topography of hills, mountains, valleys, lakes, and the model of traditional villages of ethnic minorities in order to recreate the natural and cultural scenery 4 clusters of villages across the country.

Coming here, you will be directly introduced by the "guides" of the ethnic people who are the cultural subjects themselves, introducing the traditional beauties and guiding to experience their cultural life.

Quan Son Lake

It located about 50 km from Hanoi, Quan Son Lake is a destination that many people pay attention to. With an area of ​​850 hectares and more than 100 large and small mountains leaning over the lake, this place is also known as Ha Long on land. You should start the tour early in the morning to enjoy the fresh and airy atmosphere. The boatman will take you to the mountains of Hon Me, Mum Nghe, Da Bac, Hoa Qua Son or Thung Voi Nuoc gate... At some mountains, you can even climb up to have a panoramic view of the vast Quan Son Lake. 

Eat: Food, snacks, specialties of Hanoi tourism

Hanoi cuisine is always attractive with its own unique dishes.
Some dishes not to be missed when traveling to Hanoi:

1. Pho

Pho is a dish not to be missed when traveling to Hanoi. Hang Trong Pho is a small restaurant on the sidewalk, customers come to eat without tables but just sit on small chairs, each person has a delicious bowl of pho. The special thing is that this pho restaurant only sells in the afternoon. The famous and delicious beef noodle soup restaurant is Pho Ly Quoc Su.

If you want to eat chicken noodle soup, go to the chicken pho restaurant located on Quan Thanh street. Strange mouth with sweet and sour mixed noodle soup at Pho Hanh, Lan Ong street or pho restaurant located on Luong Van Can street. Pan-fried Pho on Bat Dan Street. If you come to Hanoi and you do not enjoy Pho, it means you have never set foot here.

2. La Vong grilled fish

 Fish is fried on a small oil pan, each table will have a small charcoal stove with a fish pan placed on it. Fish is served with grilled rice paper, vermicelli, along with roasted peanuts, coriander, basil, dill, chopped fresh onion and dipped with shrimp paste. Shrimp paste must be made by squeezing fresh lemon, adding chili, stirring it up and then adding a little ca cuong essential oil, a few drops of white wine, a little fat and sugar. The dish is rich in sweetness and fat.

3. Bun Cha

A pretty small piece of fried rice that is slightly burnt with a strong aroma of marinated spices, served with sweet and sour fish sauce with vinegar, garlic, chili, fragrant pepper mixed with green papaya cut into pieces. small. Accompanied by a cool bar of vermicelli and other raw vegetables, especially eating vermicelli can not be without perilla vegetables.

4. Bun thang

It is a dish containing the quintessence of Ha Thanh cuisine. Bun thang includes many ingredients such as shredded chicken, fried eggs, thinly sliced ​​pork rolls… The broth must be the kind of water that is simmered from pork bones and shrimp, a good pot of broth must be clear and fragrant. Lightly, can't ignore a little spice, which is shrimp paste.

5. Com cake

The best rice cake sold at Nguyen Ninh shop, house No. 11 Hang Than. Up to now, Nguyen Ninh rice cake shop still sells rice cake with the ancient method of making handmade cakes. The rice nuggets with fresh green color, thin and light skin, you can even see the yellow green bean paste inside. The smell of fragrant nuggets blends with the sweet aroma of coconut and green beans, just smelling it is enchanting.

6. Banh cuon

Hanoi people often like elegant, low-fat dishes. Banh cuon is a typical delicious dish of Ha Thanh land. Rice for coating the cake must be selected very carefully, then ground into a powder mixed with water and then coated on the stove with thin layers of cake.

The owner quickly removed the still hot cake to a plate, then sprinkled roasted pork with shiitake mushrooms and rolled it up, and finally sprinkled a layer of shrimp paste on top. Served with fish sauce with ca cuong and cinnamon rolls.

7. Bun dau shrimp sauce

It seems to have become a dish that any Hanoi tourist wants to taste once. Vermicelli with shrimp paste with shrimp is suitable in any season, a dish that pleases everyone. Fried bean curd when eaten must be hot and cut into greasy white pieces with golden soybean flavor with fried outer layer.

The most important thing is shrimp paste, delicious shrimp paste is when squeezing the kumquats into the right cotton, drizzled with a little hot fat and dipped in beans and tangled vermicelli is really unmatched.

Beautiful places to take pictures in Hanoi

Nhat Tan Flower Garden

Located on Au Co street in Tay Ho district, not only during the New Year to spring, Nhat Tan Flower Garden attracts young people to take pictures and admire the vast colorful flower gardens, but any day of the year. This is also one of the beautiful photo spots that young people like very much.

Flowers in Nhat Tan flower garden bloom all year round. Young people are free to come here to pose, create charming photos with all kinds of flowers from cypress flowers, sunflowers, butterfly flowers...

West Lake lotus pond

Located at the end of To Ngoc Van street in Tay Ho district. The West Lake Lotus Lagoon is a photography location in Hanoi that is ideal for young people who come to mingle and take pictures every time the lotus season blooms.

Every time the lotus blooms, the young people, especially the girls, eagerly invite each other to the West Lake lotus pond to take beautiful pictures, bearing the nuances of the young women in the old days with the overalls. bare back or graceful long dresses.

Red river rocks

Red river rock beach is spacious and airy, located right on the banks of the Red River. The sandy beach is long and wide. This is a beautiful photography location in Hanoi that is ideal for lovers, especially newlyweds who come to take romantic wedding photos with horse carriages, hanging chairs, swings, bridges. wood, field of reed flowers…

On the way to the Red River Rock, you go to Lane 264 Au Co and then go straight through the gardens to reach the Red River Rock.

Quoc Tu Giam Temple

Temple of Literature is the first university of Vietnam and also the only feudal university still in existence in our country. This is a familiar beautiful photography place in Hanoi for students who want to save their impressive student life yearbook photos.

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

Located on Hoang Dieu Street, Thang Long Imperial Citadel along with Temple of Literature are the places in Hanoi that are often loved by many tourists.

With a spacious and airy space with green grass in front of the historical complex of Hanoi is a great setting for you to record beautiful moments in Hanoi.

Tay Tuu Flower Village

Located on the territory of Tu Liem district, Hanoi, near Hanoi University of Industry, Tay Tuu flower village is known as the largest flower village in Hanoi, this place is a beautiful photography spot in Hanoi famous for its beautiful flowers. vast field with all kinds of flowers such as roses, chrysanthemums, lilies… as picturesque. You will be free to take pictures without paying, as long as you don't damage the flowers of the households here.

Coming to Tay Tuu flower village, you will feel immersed in a fragrant air, colorful scenery full of vitality of countless flowers. Especially, the price of fresh flowers sold at the garden is very cheap, you can also buy them to plant or to decorate.

Long Bien Bridge

Not only is a historical witness, connecting the banks of the Red River, but Long Bien Bridge is also a bridge between the idyllic and peaceful life of the people living in the middle of the Red River with the hustle and bustle of the urban area.

With its ancient and idyllic features, Long Bien Bridge has become one of the most ideal places to take photos in Hanoi for young people, especially couples taking wedding photos.

Beach in the middle of the Red River

The middle bank of the Red River is a familiar name for the fertile alluvial soil that emerges from the bed of the Red River, the section of the river that flows through Hanoi. This place is a beautiful place to take pictures in Hanoi that is very popular with young people.

Looking down from Long Bien Bridge, you will see a completely different Hanoi from the hustle and bustle of the city. The middle beach of the Red River is blessed with long sandy beaches with white cotton reed fields gently swaying in the wind, green banana rows on the sidelines create a feeling of wild rustic but peaceful and fresh. 

Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter

Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter are both must-see places when it comes to beautiful photography locations in Hanoi.

Hoan Kiem Lake area is not only a famous tourist destination in Vietnam, at the same time, many young people both at home and abroad choose this place to save moments of the thousand-year-old capital of Hanoi. And there are also many couples who choose to take wedding photos.

The Old Quarter is not only a famous tourist destination in Hanoi with ancient stalls and handicraft products, but young people who come here also want to save pictures with ancient, rustic and gentle features. of Hanoi.

Yen Vien Station

Located less than 15km from the center of Hanoi, Yen Vien station is a beautiful photo spot in Hanoi that is ideal for young people…
The special thing of Yen Vien station is the track, and the long trains, creating a photo scene that is both romantic and personal.

Some Hanoi coffee shops

Giang Café

Besides countless similar cafes in Hanoi, Giang coffee brings an old space that makes visitors think they have found a treasure. The shop is located in a very small and deep alley on Nguyen Huu Huan Street, but is a special rendezvous for egg coffee lovers.

The Note Coffee

As the name suggests, The Note is covered with countless colorful rainbow-colored sticky notes. In particular, on each note, there are messages of love from tourists who have visited around the world. Thanks to that, visitors will have extremely colorful photos. More than just a cafe, The Note sends very meaningful messages through the way they decorate the shop. This cafe is famous for its lattes, especially egg coffee – a must try when coming to Hanoi.

Tranquil Books & Coffee

Like the name "Tranquil" (meaning peace), the shop is located in a small alley, separate from the bustling streets outside of Hanoi. Inside the shop on Nguyen Quang Bich Street, there are many books, suitable for those who want to find a place to read and enjoy drinks. If you want a fun, comfortable place, this shop is not necessarily the stop for you. 

Xofa Café & Bistro

Opened in mid-2015, Xofa has gradually gained a foothold in the cafe community in Hanoi, for young customers because of its youthful space and many art corners. Located in a large villa on Tong Duy Tan Street, the restaurant has a variety of seating options, from the outside balcony to the plush armchairs inside. A special feature is that the shop is open 24/7, bringing many interesting experiences for those who want to stay up with Hanoi.

Serein Cafe & Lounge

Owning a location in the center of Hanoi, facing the Long Bien bridge, Serein attracts a large number of young people to come. The angle taken from the terrace overlooking the authentic bridge just stand in for a good photo! The shop is located in a villa with luxurious and cozy interior design, typical of France. You can sit indoors on the 2nd floor or choose the 3rd floor outdoors to enjoy the city atmosphere on autumn days.

HOVI de BALI

Located in the heart of Hanoi capital, HOVI de BALI is a coffee-hotel complex designed in a unified manner according to traditional Balinese architecture. Thanks to the eye-catching and luxuriously designed space, any corner can be a beautiful background to help you take virtual photos. The most prominent here is the "genuine" swimming pool with the dominant orange tone and the surrounding cactus trees creating the feeling of being in Bali.

Trill Rooftop Café

Known as "Hanoi's Windiest Cafe", Trill Rooftop Cafe is a must-visit place for the weekend. Located on the 26th floor of Hei Tower, with an area of up to 420 m, Trill Rooftop Cafe organizes many different sitting areas to help diners experience a panoramic view of the surrounding areas. 

The highlight of the restaurant is that it owns an open space romantically designed with meticulously decorated handmade items, arranged tables and chairs suitable for both single guests, couples or groups.

Sam Rooftop Coffee

The cafe has a view of Hanoi from the high terrace, ideal for virtual living teams. This is a pretty "hot" cafe in Hanoi with a yellow bus. Just stand next to the yellow bus and you have a super beautiful background to check-in. Because the model of the cafe is always crowded, especially around 3 - 4 pm, if you intend to come here to take photos, remember to book an appointment in advance. Get dressed and check-in right away with a beautiful set of photos.

Thank you for reading all of the above! Hopefully, your trip will be filled with the most interesting memories and things.