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Top 5 Popular Travel Spots in Hanoi: Your Ultimate Hanoi Travel Guide For Newbies
Embarking on a journey to Hanoi, the bustling and vibrant capital of Vietnam, promises an adventure filled with cultural immersion and captivating sights. For newcomers to this enchanting city, navigating its vast offerings can be overwhelming. To make your exploration easier, we present the ultimate Hanoi travel guide, highlighting the top 5 must-visit travel spots that every newbie should include in their itinerary.
What is the most beautiful season in Hanoi?
The optimal periods for visiting Hanoi are during the fall months of August to November and the spring months of March to April. It’s widely regarded that autumn is the most enchanting season in Hanoi. The sky takes on a crystal-clear blue hue, accompanied by a crisp breeze that might carry a hint of coldness. The leaves gracefully descend, while the delicate fragrance of milk flowers wafts through the air.
As for spring, the climate turns warm and inviting. The streets undergo a transformation, as trees begin to bud and flowers burst forth in vibrant bloom. It’s as if the entire city is donning new attire to welcome the season’s renewal.
Transport in Hanoi
Hanoi is often described as the beating heart of Vietnam, making it easily accessible to visitors from other provinces through various means such as planes, trains, buses, private cars, and even motorbikes.
To move around the city, you can take a car, motorbike or bicycle. However, the experience takes on a more poetic dimension when you find yourself seated in a cyclo, leisurely exploring the iconic 36 old streets or embarking on a trishaw tour or a vintage Vespa ride. An additional suggestion worth contemplating is the double-decker bus, with fares ranging from 130,000 to 599,000 VND.
Transport in Hanoi – Private vehicles
- Motor and Scooter
Motorcycles are the ideal means of travel for those who like to go backpacking or backpacking (with distances from a few dozen to a few hundred kilometers).
The outstanding advantage of this type is the freedom, comfort, flexibility and low cost, so it is often suitable for young people. However, the downside of it is the fatigue when having to focus on driving, especially for long journeys, not to mention problems with weather, geographical terrain or unexpected breakdowns. can affect both your travel schedule and even your mood. In addition, to be able to travel by this type, you also need to have good health and a suitable companion for a meaningful trip.
- Cab
The system of taxi companies in Hanoi is very diverse, so you can easily call a taxi wherever you are. Although traveling by taxi is quite expensive, if traveling in a large group (from 4 to 7 people), a taxi will be a reasonable choice for tourists. Since you’ll have your own chauffeur, there’s no need to drowsy to drive. Suitable for those who do not have a driver’s license. Average price per km is: 10,000 VND/km.
- Cyclo
Cyclo is also a fairly popular means of transportation in Hanoi, especially in the Old Street area near Hoan Kiem Lake. This is also one of the traditional and historical types. The average price for a cyclo ride in Hanoi’s Old Street is about 211,500 VND/hour.
Transport in Hanoi – Public transport
- Coach
Hanoi boasts numerous stations including My Dinh, Gia Lam, Giap Bat, Yen Nghia, and Nuoc Ngam terminals. Consequently, this serves as a favored transportation choice for many, given its affordability and versatility.
However, a notable drawback of coach travel revolves around its substantial reliance on fixed schedules, potentially leading to inconveniences. Additionally, some individuals might experience motion sickness, particularly when utilizing budget-friendly bus services.
- Train
Hanoi Station is located in the center, so it is very convenient if you want to travel by train. In addition, in Hanoi, there are Giap Bat and Long Bien stations, in which Giap Bat station specializes in transshipment of goods.
Train fares are usually quite affordable and available for quite a few hours divided frame by day. Depending on your needs, you can choose between: hard chair, soft chair or bed. Note that when choosing a hard seat, you may be tired when you have to sit for many hours on the train, and if you choose a soft seat or a bed (with air conditioning), the cost is definitely higher but it will also be much more comfortable.
- Bus
Considered as the most delicious – nutritious – cheapest means of transport for tourists, buses cover the whole city at a relatively low cost, only from about 7,000 – 9,000 VND/route, depending on the route and you can visit visit many famous attractions. Buses are not only suitable for travelers with a limited budget, who want to save money, but also bring interesting experiences that private vehicles cannot. However, on the bus, it is easy to pickpocket and crowded at work and off-hours.
- Double-decker
Double-decker bus in Hanoi is one of the new types that appeared recently. This is both a means of transportation and a way of travel that gives you completely new experiences, panoramic views of the capital from above right on the car and takes you to 30 scenic spots. Hanoi City Tour buses depart continuously, every 30 minutes. You can start your journey at any time between 9am and 5pm. Ticket price for 2 hours: 196,000 VND.
- Tram
This is the means often chosen by tourists to travel to Hanoi in the Old Quarter. The car runs at a maximum speed of 30km/h with a low, well-ventilated design mainly without a main door, so it is the first choice for sightseeing, filming or taking pictures of landscapes with the sea along the streets. The ancient route has its own color of the capital. The price of the car is about 15,000 VND/15 minutes.
Accommodation in Hanoi
Hanoi has many accommodation options for tourists such as budget motels, homestays, hotels, resorts… suitable for budgets and preferences. If you go for a walk in the old town, you can rent from “Western backpack” beds with dorm rooms for about 100,000 VND a night, to high-class hotels costing 3,000,000 – 5,000,000 VND a night.
Some special hotels must be mentioned such as Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi with French colonial architecture, just a few steps from the Opera House, Hilton Hanoi Opera, Apricot Hotel right on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake, famous hotels With a view of West Lake are Sheraton Hanoi and InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, Lotte Hotel Hanoi on the high floor of the 65-storey Lotte Center building…
Top 5 Popular Travel Spots in Hanoi
Top 5 Popular Travel Spots in Hanoi: Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (Hoang thanh Thang Long)
- Address: No. 19C Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: From 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, daily
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is located in the center of the capital with convenient traffic conditions making it easy for tourists to visit. Starting from Hoan Kiem Lake, visitors can go to the relic by motorbike, bicycle or car in the direction of Trang Thi, turn into Dien Bien Phu street and enter Hoang Dieu street to reach the main gate of Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi. number 19C. In addition, visitors can take bus route 22 to get to the relic.
The central area of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and the archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu is a typical heritage and cultural complex, reflecting the historical process of Vietnam during the 13 centuries (from the 11th century to the 11th century). 18).
Experiencing many ups and downs, the ancient Thang Long citadel no longer has massive citadels or vermilion towers, but the vestiges and traces left over have contained great historical and cultural value. All of these are proofs of the history of building and defending the country of an independent Vietnam over the years.
The Thang Long Imperial Citadel today includes many unique architectural works. Each project has its own ancient and majestic beauty with long historical stories:
- Hanoi flagpole: This is a monumental work and still retains the intact architecture at the Imperial Citadel relic, located on Dien Bien Phu street. The work was built in 1812 during the reign of King Gia Long with a column body and 3 floors of square pyramidal base with a brick ladder leading up.
- North Gate: North Gate or Main Gate of Bac Mon is the only remaining gate of the old Hanoi citadel. The work is located on Phan Dinh Phung street, built by the Nguyen Dynasty in 1805 according to the gazebo style. The upper part of the city gate was restored as a place to worship two heroes Nguyen Tri Phuong and Hoang Dieu.
- Kinh Thien Palace: Previously, Kinh Thien Palace was the place where the court was set up and the solemn ceremonies of the court took place. The relic currently only has the old foundation with stone steps, balustrades and intricately sculpted dragons.
- Doan Mon: The relic is the main gate leading to the Forbidden City with a U-shaped structure and 3 arched doors.
Ticket prices for Imperial Citadel of Thang Long Hanoi are currently applied as follows:
- Adults: 30,000 VND/ticket
- Pupils, students from 15 years old, elderly people from 60 years old and above: 15,000 VND/ticket
- Children under 15 years old, people with meritorious services to the revolution: Free to visit
Note: The ticket price to enter the Imperial Citadel of Hanoi is for reference only and may change depending on the actual time of visit.
Top 5 Popular Travel Spots in Hanoi: Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem is the natural freshwater lake of Hanoi city, connecting the streets of Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Cau Go, Luong Van Can, Lo Su… with the Western Quarter planned by the French more than a century ago. century are Bao Khanh, Church, Trang Thi, Hang Bai, Dinh Tien Hoang, Trang Tien… Walking around the lake, in addition to enjoying the fresh nature in the middle of the city, you can visit Ngoc Son temple, the old street…
Top 5 Popular Travel Spots in Hanoi: The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam)
- Address: No. 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Van Mieu Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 7:30 – 17:30 (summer); 8:00 – 17:00 (winter) daily
- Ticket price for Hanoi Temple of Literature reference: 30,000 VND/person
This is the first university in Vietnam. Today visitors can visit the stele, the dignified campus with lotus ponds and water lily ponds. Temple of Literature is a rare peaceful and quiet place in the middle of a vibrant city. Visitors will feel the harmony between the ancient and the needle when coming here through the thousand-year-old walls.
Temple of Literature was built in 1070 under King Ly Thanh Tong. In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong established the Quoc Tu Giam house.
This place also keeps many precious artifacts and documents, especially 82 doctoral steles recognized by UNESCO as “World Documentary Heritage”.
Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam belongs to the system of special National Monuments of Vietnam. With a rich history – culture, the relic area is an attractive destination with many sightseeing coordinates.
- Temple of Literature
Temple of Literature is the part of the Tam Quan gate outside the relic. Temple of Literature includes 3 doors, 2 floors. The upper floor has 3 words Van Mieu Mon according to ancient Chinese characters.
In front of the Tam Quan gate are two steles on both sides and the four pillars of the ritual gate in the middle.
- Ho Van and Giam garden
Ho Van is also known as Giam lake and Minh Duong lake. The lake is located right in front of the gate of the Temple of Literature.
Ho Van is quite large, in the middle of the lake is Kim Chau mound. On the mound is Phan Thuy Duong – the place where the literary commentaries of the old Confucians took place.
Located on the west wall of the Temple of Literature, Giam Garden is home to an octagonal house, a lake, ornamental plants and many other miniatures. The garden is a place to visit, relax and take place attractive cultural activities.
- Dai Trung Mon
Dai Trung Mon is the second gate of the Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam relic site. This work consists of 3 compartments, built on a high brick foundation with a roof tile designed in the style of an ancient communal house.
- Khue Van Cac
Khue Van Cac was built in 1805 by Governor Nguyen Van Thanh under the Nguyen Dynasty. This is a square floor with 8 roofs nearly 9 meters high with 4 upper and 4 lower roofs.
Khue Van Cac is located on a square ground, each side is about 6.8m long. This building impresses with its unique ancient architecture.
- Doctor’s garden and Thien Quang well
Doctor’s Garden is a sightseeing coordinate not to be missed at the Temple of Literature. The 82 steles here are extremely sophisticated sculptures with spiritual significance.
These steles are placed on the backs of stone turtles, on the stele with information of 82 valedictorians in many dynasties of Vietnam. On March 9, 2010, these 82 stone steles were recognized by UNESCO as a World Documentary Heritage.
Thien Quang well is located next to the area of the doctor’s stele and right behind Khue Van Cac. The well has a square shape, representing the ground. The well is also known as Ao Van. The ancients built this work with the intention of receiving all the essence of the universe, illuminating knowledge.
- Khai Thanh Temple
Located at the end of the relic is Khai Thanh Temple. This place worships Confucius’s parents – Thuc Luong Ngot & Nhan Thi. Previously, Khai Thanh Temple used to be a dormitory with 150 rooms for students.
In 1946, the French colonialists bombarded Khai Thanh temple, the work was completely destroyed. Later, the temple was newly built and preserved to this day.
- Dai Bai Duong – Dai Thanh Mon
Dai Thanh Mon is a building with 3 tiled compartments, 2 sturdy porch columns in front and back. Through Dai Thanh Mon is Dai Bai Duong (the shrine area).
In Dai Bai, there are many precious paintings, altar incense burners, two ancient cranes and a large bell cast from Canh Hung year 1768. Dai Bai Duong consists of 9 compartments, where the ceremonies in the period took place. spring-autumn festival in ancient times.
Top 5 Popular Travel Spots in Hanoi: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Address: 2 Hung Vuong, Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
- Opening hours:
| Day of Week | Hot season (from April 1 to October 31) |
Cold season(from November 1 to March 31) |
| Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday | 7:30am – 10:30am | 8am – 11am |
| Monday, Friday | Closed | Closed |
| Saturday, Sunday, holidays | 7:30am – 11am | 8am- 11:30am |
For Vietnamese, this is one of the most important attractions in the country. Visitors come to pay their respects to President Ho Chi Minh. Visitors should remain silent, wear appropriate clothing and do not take photos in prohibited areas.
Attending the flag raising ceremony in the morning is a special experience at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. If you miss it, you can safely take a walk around the city and come back here to participate in the flag-lowering ceremony at 9pm every day. A solemn atmosphere enveloped Ba Dinh square when the loudspeaker sounded to announce the upcoming flag-lowering ceremony. People lined up neatly, watching the military guard solemnly lower the national flag in the music of the song “Uncle still with us on the march”.
Entrance ticket price:
- Vietnamese citizens: free
- Foreigners: 25,000 VND/ticket
Visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, you will be informed about the sightseeing regulations and instructions on how to carry out procedures such as sending personal items, recording devices, taking pictures and turning off the phone, going through the security gate. security…
After completing the procedure, you will go to the queue at Ba Dinh Square, waiting for your turn to visit. Coming to Uncle Ho’s mausoleum, visitors can not only visit the place where Uncle lived and work but also visit One Pillar Pagoda, Presidential Palace, …
Best Things To Do At Night In Hanoi – 10 Activities To Do For Unforgettable Nights
Top 5 Popular Travel Spots in Hanoi: Old street
Let your feet lead the way, you will discover the most about the colorful nostalgic streets of the capital. No destination, no predefined route, only turn right, turn left or go straight. This street is full of toys, the other street is full of shoes, clothes, antiques or sometimes gravestones, motorbike parts.
If you come here at off-hours, the experience is even more interesting. You must always be ready to dodge the flow of people and cars on the road. Just like that, 1,000 years of Hanoi’s history flows through the streets like a stream of blood crept in each vein, blowing into life the breath of both the past and the present.
By including these five renowned travel destinations in your Hanoi itinerary, you guarantee an immersive encounter with the core of this enchanting city. Ranging from historic sites to cultural sanctuaries, Hanoi’s wide array of attractions eagerly awaits your exploration, ensuring that your initial adventure leaves an indelible mark on your memory.
