Hanoi Vietnam Travel Guide A Vagabond Life
Hanoi Vietnam Travel Guide
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, and it is said to be one of the oldest capitals in the world. On the banks of the Red river the old town is a remarkable collection of French colonial buildings, ancient pagodas and museums. The streets of Hanoi are arranged and called after trades, so in Tin street every shop is dedicated to Tin, although when we were there this was starting to change.
The French influence is strong in the food of Hanoi with the Vietnamese people combining French & Viet food with delicious results.
Table of Contents
Hanoi Vietnam Map
Hanoi Vietnam
Things To See & Do In Hanoi Vietnam
There is huge amount to see and do it Hanoi, my favourite thing is to sit by Hoan Kiem Lake and watch the world go by….however here are a few others.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is an important part of Vietnam’s history and, signifying its historical and cultural importance, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was the centre of ancient Hanoi and served as the political centre for eight centuries.
Location: Quan Thanh, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh has been imortalised in Vietnamese history Aand he is revered in Hanoi as the country’s greatest leader. His preserved body is now laid to rest in a glass case in the Ba Dinh area of Hanoi and is very important to the people of Hanoi. The sombre building was modeled after Lenin’s mausoleum in Moscow.
Address: 8 Hung Vuong, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son
Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Turtle Lake is a pretty lake in the centre of Hanoi and is popular with locals and visitors. Ngoc Son Temple sits on a small island in the centre of the lake and linked by a bridge, makes a beautiful background for photos. Around sunrise and sunset, this area becomes especially busy with people walking, exercising and generally enjoying the lake.
Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter – think amazing French colonial buildings with masses of scooters, motorbikes, bicycles and cars weaving in and out of tiny narrow streets and around traders selling food, souvenirs and just about everything else and you have Hanoi old town. Street vendors dish out delicious to customers perched on tiny seats and a Bia Hoi is a must after a busy day. A delight for the senses.
Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature is a temple complex in the centre of Hanoi that was originally built to be a centre of learning dedicated to the Chinese sage and scholar Confucius. Over the next 1000 years many more buildings have been added and filled with ornate pavilions, shrines, and a lovely garden.
Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam, Van Mieu, Dong Da, Hanoi Vietnam.
Hanoi Opera House
Hanoi Opera House is in the heart of the French Quarter and is very French and very elegant. Built in 1911 and modelled after the Paris Opera House the Hanoi Opera house oozes Parisian charm from its ivory-toned columns, ornate balustrades and Gothic domes.
Address: 1 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Vietnam
Vietnam Travel Guide
Vietnam Travel Stories
Vietnam
Vietnam – Our adventures in 2009 continued as we flew from Rome to Vietnam and travelled down the Vietnamese peninsula.