Hanoi: The vibrant and chaotic capital of Vietnam. It is a city that’s always on the move. From the hustle and bustle of the Old Quarter to the peaceful tranquility of West Lake, Hanoi is a city of contrasts and surprises. The city is famous for its food, vibrant streets/markets, and centuries-old architecture. It is the most popular and attractive city in Northern Vietnam. It is very well connected with the other parts of Vietnam. There is no better place to start your Vietnam journey from.
That is where we began our trip as well. We flew in from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Noi Bai International Airport. The check-in queue at IGI, Delhi for Viet Jet airlines was very long. It almost took us 1:30 hr just to check in the bags. After that immigration process also took about 25-30 mins, although the immigration officer didn’t ask us any questions. We reached the Noi Bai airport early in the morning and the immigration process was much faster there. It hardly took us 10 mins to complete the whole process. The airport was relatively quiet, especially in the morning, compared to the chaotic airports in India. Almost all the eateries and shops were closed except currency exchanges and sim card shops.
First, we got a minimum amount of currency exchanged at the airport. Do not convert the whole amount, convert the bare minimum to get you to the hotel. You will get much better exchange rates in the local market. Once you are all set, you can either book a cab using the “Grab” app or if you are lucky enough like us you can find a fellow local Indian to help you negotiate the prices with taxi drivers. The ride to our hotel was pleasing. It was drizzling which delayed us a little bit.
We booked Soleil Boutique Hotel through Agoda after comparing prices at multiple sites. The hotel is located in the central area of Hanoi. Multiple restaurants, convenience stores, etc surround it. Despite being located on a bustling street, the rooms were quiet, clean, and comfortable. We reached our hotel at around 9 AM in the morning and had a lot of time to kill as check-in time in hotels was 2 PM. We got freshened up in the hotel and kept our luggage there before heading out on the streets to explore.
We started exploring on foot to get to know the place. As the hotel was surrounded by a market, we could literally go in any direction. Most of the shops were opening at that time. Soon we stopped to grab our breakfast. We had BanhMi from a small local eatery. To know more about what not to miss eating while in Vietnam, read my other blogs which I will be posting soon. The nice gentleman at the BanhMi store told us about a very old and famous joint to get Pho. So we had our second breakfast of Pho. Then we wandered around, did some window shopping, and had coffee. At around 1:30 PM, our hotel room was ready, so we checked in.
We took some rest as we were tired from the overnight journey. As we were getting ready to head out in the evening I got sick😔. Yes guys, on the very first day of our trip I was sitting there in my hotel room crying with severe stomach ache. (Pro tip: Don’t eat heavy, the day you are flying if you have a weak stomach like me). Thankfully, medical supplies were easy to find. After taking I took my medicines, we just chilled on the rooftop of the hotel which has a nice pool and a view of the lively street, had Indian food, and called it a night.
I know, everyone will not fall sick like me. Spend your evening at Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Sword Lake. (P.S.: We went there the next evening) The lake is considered a symbol of the city and is said to have been named after a legend in which a golden turtle god emerged from the lake and reclaimed a magical sword from a Vietnamese emperor, which then returned to the depths of the lake. The lake is surrounded by several notable landmarks and tourist attractions. It’s also a nice place to see the daily life of Hanoi people, locals often practice many kinds of physical activities such as badminton, dancing, etc. Book a taxi using the Grab app to reach here. Once reached here, you can visit The Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple. Be sure to reach before 5 PM as it closes after that.
You can also go to Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Water Puppet Show Theatre. Water puppet shows are a traditional form of theater that originated in the Red River Delta region. The shows are performed in a waist-deep pool, with the puppets controlled by rods hidden beneath the water’s surface. Watch scenes of village life on an ever-changing stage, learn about festivals and traditions, and get to know quirky characters inspired by Vietnamese personalities. The show is for 50 minutes and a single person’s ticket costs about 400-500 Rs. You can book the tickets on klook.com and check the timings of the show there.
Once you are done with the show, take a stroll around the lake. Enjoy the music and dance shows going on. Visit the night market and buy souvenirs. Indulge yourself in local Vietnamese food and drinks. I personally loved the vibe here. The atmosphere was so jovial and full of energy. As you pass by houses and restaurants, you will notice that people sit on small benches/stools and eat their food outside. It’s a common practice here. Here houses are very narrow as the government takes tax on the width of the house. I would strongly recommend having that experience. Vietnamese people are very helping and kind by nature. They helped us number of times by guiding us towards good places.
The next morning after a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, head out towards Tran Quoc Pagoda. It is a Buddhist temple, one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam, and is considered an important cultural and historical site. The pagoda is known for its striking architecture and elegant design, which reflects the influence of both Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhism. The main hall of the pagoda houses a large statue of the Buddha, while the surrounding buildings and courtyards are adorned with intricate carvings and statues of other important figures in Buddhism. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and capture the beauty of Hanoi and the peacefulness of this ancient pagoda. Keep in mind the timings of the pagoda as it opens from 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM in the morning and then 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in the evening.
After enjoying the calmness of the pagoda head to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It is a large memorial building that is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the founder and first President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, who led the country during and after its struggle for independence from French colonial rule. The mausoleum was built in the late 1970s and is modeled after Lenin’s tomb in Moscow. It is a large, granite, and marble building with a central hall that houses a glass-encased sarcophagus containing Ho Chi Minh’s remains. Visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum but the opening schedule is limited and could be closed on certain days or seasons depending on the event schedule or maintenance work. It was closed for visitors when we went there. The mausoleum is surrounded by large gardens and a pond which makes it a beautiful place to chill, click pictures and hang out for some time. The Golden Hour pictures come pretty awesome here.
Lastly head to Old Quarter to discover ancient streets, shop cool collectibles, and eat your heart out. After dark, you can go to Bia Hoi Corner. It’s a great spot to experience Hanoi’s nightlife, it’s open late, and the ambiance is lively and casual. Note that it can be a bit crowded on weekends, and it’s best to go there early to secure a table.
Hope you find this helpful for planning your trip. Do let me know in the comments section, what others places have I missed.
See you soon!!
TheTorchedSpace 