Hanoi Have To Do's

These are what you HAVE to do:


Eat, drink, and have coffee!

One of the reasons Vietnam is so popular is their cuisine.

The receptionist at the hostel I was staying at recommended this restaurant to me. Apart from good food, it was affordable too!

(I only noticed after I took the photo that a kid was doing the 'Gangnam' outside the restaurant!)

I tried the Hanoi-style curry and was very much impressed. The soup was creamy and it smelt really good. The taste wasn’t over-powering nor spicy but had a slight tangy flavor which I found delightful.

My dinner went well with the local brew Bia Ha Noi, which tasted a bit like Carlsberg to me.

Of course I had to have a go at the Pho Ga (Chicken noodle Soup) sold on the streets. The hot soup was a treat to sip in the cold winter night.

I was surprised to find out how big the coffee culture was in Vietnam and that their local blend was actually quite good. The texture is very thick like hot cocoa. It’s not as strong as espresso but equally flavorful.

 

I felt like Alice in Wonderland sitting on their tiny chairs!

 Visit Hoan Kiem Lake.

Probably the most scenic spot in this historical city. It’s about 10 minutes on foot from the hostel (Ma May Street). On the lake lies Jade Island on which the Temple of the Jade Mountain (Ngoc Son Temple) stands.

You need to buy a ticket to enter the temple.

Cost: 20,000 Dong ($1)

Review: Worth the price to go in and learn about the history of the temple and its heroes; see the revered mythological turtle and the shrines that the locals pray to. The lake, the temple, especially the red bridge are a photographer's dream!

Watch the Water Puppet Show at the Than Long Water Puppet Theater.

Cost: 60,000 Dong ($3), near the back of the auditorium. The auditorium is a good size. If you have bad eyesight, you may want to pay more to sit closer to the stage.

Show Duration: 1 hour

A very cute show using water puppets. An entertaining source of information about Vietnam's old ways, lifestyle, history and beliefs of the local people.

For schedules and tickets.

What's a trip to Hanoi without the Halong Bay Tour?

A 'must do', I think when in Hanoi. The bay is simply breath-taking.

I opted for the easy way and booked a 2D/1night tour with a travel agency outside my hostel instead of a DIY tour. I didn’t want to stand on the hi-way flagging down a public bus nor getting on the wrong boat tour on the bay. I’ve heard many horror stories and preferred to avoid one of my own.

The travel agent was nice enough to accommodate what I wanted to do on the tour. Basically, I wanted a relaxing trip with no crazy young travelers out to party and get drunk. And most importantly, I wanted to ‘kayak’ in the bay. He patiently gave me options and I chose the best package tour for my age and preferences.

Tour length and prices vary from ($35-$100+). Just remember, you get what you pay for.

My tour Cost:  $85

Inclusive of:

Roundtrip Bus fare

Boat fare

Don Thien Cung Cave fee

Halong Bay taxes and fees

Swimming (but it was too cold)

Kayaking

Food (Lunch-Dinner-Breakfast-Lunch)

and cooking lessons. 

To know what happens on the Halong Bay Tour click here.

Previously:  Where to stay in Hanoi and Vietnam and Scams