Hanoi

Hanoi, formerly Thang Long, the “City of the Rising Dragon,” is one of the most picturesque, culturally rich, and has well-laid streets that it one of the world’s most attractive and interesting cities. It’s the country’s cultural heart where its thousand-year history is ever-present and takes center stage by its centuries-old but well-preserved colonial architecture. Hanoi is best known for its two main neighborhoods - the French Quarter and the Colonial Quarter which are rich in attractions. It is a capital of irresistible charm, at the meeting point of traditions and legends, dotted with lakes, tree-lined avenues, and lush parks.

Best time to visit Hanoi

From Jan to May and Sept to December. These periods of time are not too hot and dry seasons. It is little bit high humidity in Feb and March but cool weather.

Things to do in Hanoi

• Don’t miss the iconic sites such as Temperature of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Imperial Catadel of Thang Long, Joseph’s Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda “Hanoi Hilton Opera”, Museum of History and Dong Xuan wholesale market.
• Street food tour around Hanoi to taste highlight dishes: Spring rolls, banh mi (Vietnamese baguet), pho ga, pho bo (chicken/beef noodle), bun cha (grilled pork noodle), bia hoi (Hanoi draught beer), egg-coffee and a lot more.
• Take rickshaw (cyclo) ride around Old Streets
• Enjoy water puppet show
• Take nice photo with newly graduated students at Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam.
• Motorbike experience in smalls streets to see the backstreets of Hanoi and Long Bien Bridge
• Sip a drink at café to see local life along the old fashion train-track of Hanoi
• Follow local chef to a local wet market and be her guest for a meal or cooking demonstration
• Looking and shopping around old streets
• Take a day excursion to explore a traditional handicraft such as Bat Trang Pottery, Conical hat making or Rice papers making villages.

 How to get to Hanoi

• By air: Noi Bai International Airport – one of the largest airports serves both international and internal flights. Airlines that operate flights from/to Noi Bai include Vietnam Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Tiger Airways, Thai Airways and many others.
• By road: Trains: The Thong Nhat Express runs from Hanoi south to central Vietnam (Hue and Danang) then Ho Chi Minh City (over 30 hours). Moreover, there are northwest and northeast trains to China including overnight route from Hanoi to Lao Cai.
• Buses: With many bus stations, Hanoi is the starting point for open tour buses running from North to South Vietnam.