Just arrived in this foreign country Hanoi Vietnam and as I stand there, the sights and sounds are overwhelming. Honking motorcycle horns, laughter, steam rising from the food pots cooking on the sidewalk, and a galore of shops. I look around. where am I, thinking to my self. Welcome to Hanoi Vietnam.
I’m excited to get started on my adventure. Arrived in Hanoi Vietnam days earlier before our cruise that begins with Viking River Cruises “Magnificent Mekong River Cruise” . I wanted to experience the tastes, smells and excitement of the city my way.
Brief History of Hanoi Vietnam
Hanoi is the capitol of Vietnam. Vietnam is a country that has been ravaged by 30 years of war, and much of the road network is still in poor conditions. There are 300 buildings of interests here and two of the most famous are the “One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. A visit to Old Town Hanoi is a must. Its location is between the citadel and Hoan Kiem Lake. Looking around you see the colonial architecture and ancient communal houses.
Among the colorful street scenes and unusual shopping there are hidden temples, pagodas, workshops, and Chinese shops. The Old Quarter in Hanoi is where commerce started hundreds of years ago. The area is famous for small artisans that sell silk, jewelry, clothing, household goods and galleries.
Each street depicts specialties in a particular commerce dotted with bars, clubs, and street side restaurants. The friendly people of Hanoi are beckoning me to buy something special.
It’s the beginning of the raining season here in Hanoi and I’m in this warm humid subtropical climate that receives plenty of rainfall a year. Walking around town with my umbrella, ready to use at a moment’s notice, experiencing this interesting place.
Beautiful Children of Hanoi
Listen to the hundreds of motorcycles on the streets that show some disregard to traffic rules.
Good Advice: An important rule of thumb when crossing the street in Hanoi is to never hesitate. Don’t Stop. Always look into the oncoming traffic while walking. The motorcycle drivers anticipate your move and drive around you.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Things to see in Hanoi:
- Old Quarter,
- Temple of Literature: Dedicated to the cult of Confucius and is a great historic interest. See the water puppet scene shows.
- One Pillar Pagoda: Legend says Ly Thai To longed for a male heir. When his wife gave birth to a male, for his gratitude built this Pillar Pagoda. Made of wood and survived undamaged for almost 1,000 years, only to be destroyed by the french in 1954. A concrete pillar replaces the original one and emerges from the middle of a lotus farm.
- Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex: the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh opened in 1975 where the Independent Republic of Vietnam was declared in 1945. The father of Vietnamese independence lies in a glass foccin. Wooden house on stilts next to the Mausoleum was built by Ho Chi Minh for himself. Short walk north is the Presidential Palace.
- Hoan Kiem Lake
- Ngoc Son Temple: “Temple of the Jade Mountain”, stands on an inlet near the north shore of a lake. To reach one must cross over the delicate little “Bridge of the Rising Sun”.
- Walking Tour pass the Opera House
- St. Joseph Catherdal
- Hao Lo Prison “Hanoi Hilton” (famous POW camp): French built prison intended to hold Vietnamese political prisoners. It was then used to incarcerate US Prisioners of War in terrible conditions. That’s where the name “Hanoi Hilton” was used Parts of the prison were demolished in 1990’s, the remaining part has been preserved as a museum including the interrogation room. One will not see any sign of the acts of tortue that was carried out there.
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: Located several blocks north of the city center and is one of my favorite sites. It was started in 1997 with the aid of the Muse’e de l’Homme in Paris. Retraces the customs and traditions and daily life of the 54 ethnic groups living in the country. The exhibits are divided into 9 sections and include photographs & objects. Outside you can see several traditional houses with each specific furniture and vegetation. Great experience to walk into these houses.
Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex
One Pillar Pagoda
Hotels
The Sofitel Metropole Hotel, Hanoi was wonderful and located within walking distance to the Old Quarter. The Sofitel Metropole Hotel is a 5 star hotel with all the wonderful amenities. Luxurious rooms, pool, spa, restaurant and lounge are wonderful.
The Aranya Hotel a boutique hotel is located in the Old quarter and was reasonable priced. Good Trip Advisor Reviews and has a great location. Small hotel among the shops.
Side Trips
A side trip to Halong Bay for a few nights and days on a boat is a great experience. Halong Bay is located a few hours drive by car from Hanoi. The boat takes you to the floating village, caves, and pearl factory. This 1Adventure Traveler had the best adventure on the boat.
Another side trip is to fly to the Island of Phu Quat and stay at the Chen Sea Resort and Spa and have a relaxing time after your Hanoi trip.
Ha Long Bay
Hanoi was a great experience. Keep a look out for information on Ho Chi Minh City and join this 1Adventure Traveler on my other exciting and educational trips. Life is short, go out and experience other cultures and meet some wonderful people.
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You captured some really beautiful images of daily life in Hanoi. The picture of the school children is precious. I didn’t know that Viking did river cruises in Asian. My father in law really wants to do one in Europe (or so he thinks), but I think that this area would be a great place to explore as well. I think it would give you more insight into the area that wouldn’t see if you stuck to the cities. #theWeeklyPostcard
Thanks Sara, Hanoi was great to explore with Viking River Cruises plus on our own before the cruise started. So much history there and a great place to immerse oneself into the culture. With Viking I like the smaller ship plus your in a group with the same group & guide for the whole duration and at every stop they also use local guides. This way the educational information is amazing. Plus I like the idea of it being on land and river. This tour does include Cambodia’s Angkor Temples. Hope you get a chance to explore there.
Thanks for sharing this great article. I super love the pictures very enchanting. Hoping to visit there soon!
Thanks Avon ( davestravelcorner ),
Happy you liked my photos and hope you get a chance to visit Hanoi one day 🙂
Happy Travels
Great post – I really would like to go back to Hanoi one day and give it another chance. I visited it in December 2013 and I wasn’t really a fan. It may have been to do with the visit being at the end of a long and hard 4 month trip through South East Asia or maybe due to the cold weather and rain (I hate the cold and I hate rain).
Some awesome tips in there to help me out next time 🙂
Thanks Travel Lexx, glad you found some of my tips for Hanoi for your next visit. I enjoyed my time in Hanoi and also a quick hop over to Ha-Long Bay for a few days. If you go back to Hanoi take a peak at my blog and for information. Wow your travels of four months through South East Asia must have been fun and exhausting. I will have to hop on over to read your blogs on your adventures. Stephanie… 1Adventure Traveler
I was there in Hanoi whilst reading your blog!! (well, in my head anyway!) – your description of the sights and smells transported me away from my comfy chair, loved it. We intend to visit Vietnam next year so will be taking some of your tips and reading your other blogs as well 🙂
Thank you Angie (FeetDoTravel) for the kind words of my Hanoi blog. Hopefully those tips will come in handy when you visit Vietnam. If you go to Vietnam a great trip over to Ha-Long Bay is fun for a few days and I have a blog on that. Also an awesome place for relaxation after your travels through Vietnam is to the Island of Phu Quat. That blog I hope will be coming out soon. You also have been to some amazing places and I enjoy reading your travel blogs. Thanks again…Stephanie 1AdventureTraveler
Thanks for this read Stephanie, Me and Phil are going to Vietnam and Cambodia in November this year, and we’ll be in Hanoi for 3 days, your article has given us lots of inspiration and ideas, so thank you!
Thanks Phil and Garth for the kind words on my Hanoi blog and I hope you will be able to grab some ideas for your trip to Vietnam & Cambodia. I also have some blogs on Angkor Wat in Cambodia if your heading that way. I will have to stop on by and read your travel blogs on wonderful places you have been. Thanks, Stephanie… 1AdventureTraveler
Great article. I love your pictures. We didn’t get to Hanoi. I really want to now! One thing I had trouble with when travelling in Vietnam was crossing the road. I forgot to look left first. In Australia, as a child I was taught to “look to the right, look to the left and look to the right again” …. hard habit to break!
Thanks Kelly for your kind words on my Hanoi Blog. Oh my, crossing the road was scary. Like you I had a hard time to remember which way to look first. Then in a travel book I had read that when crossing the road do not stop ever, you just look at all those thousands(maybe not the many) motorcycles heading at you and keep walking at an even pace. They anticipate your next move. I was so scared but survived. Funny how one can get an adrenaline rush just crossing the street. 🙂 Stephanie… 1Adventure Traveler
This is great! I love the picture of the motorcycles – I can only imagine how much noise and chaos that creates! I can’t wait to make it there one day!
Thanks Jenn for the kind words. Glad you liked my picture of the motorcycles. I’m trying to remember how I took the picture but I’m sure I never stopped in the street to take this. 🙂 It is crazy busy there in Hanoi but a great stopping places to other locations. Hopefully if you go you find my blog and its suggested itinerary helpful. You also have been on many travels and I look forward to ready your travel blogs. Stephanie… 1Adventure Traveler
Hi Stephanie….I have been curious about Vietnam. This is a great post and I would put it on my bucket list now. Keep up the great blog and happy travels!
Thanks Lisa, glad you liked my Hanoi Blog and hope you place this on your bucket list. Its also a great stopping point for other locations like Angkor Wat in Cambodia. That is definitely another must read blog for an amazing place. Thanks again…Stephanie 1Adventure Traveler
Hey 1Adventure Traveler, this is a great post. I love the pictures and your concise, yet rich, descriptions. It sounds like fun and want to read/see more…especially Angkor Wat. Super impressed and keep them coming world traveler!
Patrick, very glad you enjoyed my Blog on Hanoi. Hanoi was a wonderful experience. I was able to experience the culture and meet some very interesting people. Please take time to read my blog on Angkor Wat. What a breathtaking experience I had on my visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also, a great side trip from Hanoi is a 4 day trip to Halong Bay. As I say, life is to short, time to go out and have another adventure.
This looked like such a fun & exciting trip. What a wonderful experience it must have been to have seen all these places and tasted all the wonderful food. It makes me want to book a trip right now and go….
Thank you…glad you liked it. The cuisine was so tasty and I enjoyed trying a variety of food. A great tour group “Viking River Cruises” offer a trip down the Mekong Delta that includes stops in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Angkor Wat. Please visit some of my other blogs and leave some comments and suggestions. 🙂
Nice blog about Vietnam, short and to the points of interest………. Looks like another great adventure…..!
Thank you…It was a great adventure. A great combination adventure is Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City along with a trip to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat. Keep checking back for more adventures.
You make this sound so fun and exciting!
I really want to make this trip myself.
Wish i could travel with your group!
Thanks Ben…Vietnam was a great experience. Gather some great friends and go and enjoy this interesting country. This trip is also great if you combine Vietnam with Cambodia and visit Angkor Wat.
Happy Traveling.