24 hours in Hanoi: Learning to love the city
Spending a full day in Hanoi to experience the pace of life can be an emotional and unforgettable experience for people who are just passing through, but for those who are devoted to the city, years of exploration are not enough.
5 a.m.
Start a new day in Hanoi by watching the sunrise over Long Bien Bridge. It was the first steel bridge in Hanoi and one of the first bridges built in Vietnam by the French colonists. It crosses the Red River and connects two districts of Hanoi, namely Hoan Kiem and Long Bien. Don't miss the opportunity to take beautiful pictures of this century-old bridge.
7 a.m.
Enjoy breakfast with pho (noodle soup). Although Hanoi's breakfast is rich with more than 30 dishes from xoi (sticky rice), bun (noodles), chao (porridge), banh gio (pyramid dumplings), banh cuon (steamed rolled pancakes) to banh mi (Vietnamese baguette), pho is still the top choice for tourists, both beef and chicken noodle soups for your choices.
| Pho (beef noodle soup) is a must-try dish in Hanoi. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times |
8 a.m.
Stop at a cafe in the Hoan Kiem area to recharge for a long day of activities. Egg coffee is a specialty not to be missed. Its creamy, thick texture and bitter-sweet taste make it a favorite of many from near and far.
9 a.m.
Now it's time for a tour around Hanoi. Some destinations to help you learn about Hanoi's culture and history: Temple of Literature, President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the National History Museum, and others.
| Museum of Military History at its new location on Thang Long Boulevard. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times |
Like breakfast, Hanoi offers many options for lunch: Bun dau mam tom (fermented shrimp paste with fried tofu and rice noodles) on Phat Loc Lane, bun cha (grilled pork and rice noodles) on Hang Manh Street and many places across the city, cha ca La Vong (grilled fish)... are all Hanoi specialties.
1 p.m.
Explore the Old Quarter's 36 craft streets and learn about the traditional occupations of Hanoi's people. The streets of Hang Ma and Hang Luoc will be lit up with vibrant Mid-Autumn lanterns if you visit the capital in the fall. This area is beautifully decorated with red lanterns, pine trees, and snowmen if you visit Hanoi during the holiday season. You can buy a variety of specialties to bring back as gifts on this trip, including lanterns, souvenirs, banh com (young sticky rice cakes), and o mai (sweet dried fruits).
| The Thang Long Imperial Citadel is a must-see for those who want to get a better understanding of Hanoi's history and culture. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times |
5 p.m.
The performance of the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is about to begin. Each performance lasts about an hour and is very interesting. You can also watch the sunset at West Lake and have ice cream.
6 p.m.
Visitors can choose to have dinner at a quiet restaurant with a strong Hanoi culinary flavor.
8 p.m.
Enjoy a draught beer at the corner of Ta Hien Street or stroll around Dong Xuan Night Market, Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian area. Visitors can also head to Ba Dinh Square to experience the solemn atmosphere of the flag-lowering ceremony at 9 p.m.
One of the things that draws visitors to Hanoi is night tourism. The capital's residents have become accustomed to the street events that take place on weekends, from Friday to Sunday, and they are a must-see for visitors.
Pedestrian areas include Hanoi Old Quarter Walking Space; Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Space; Trinh Cong Son Walking Street Cultural Space, Tay Ho District; Son Tay Ancient Citadel Walking Street, Son Tay Town; Dao Ngoc-Ngu Xa Food Street in Ba Dinh District; Tran Nhan Tong Walking Street in Hai Ba Trung District.
In order to establish a unique brand for the capital's tourism industry, a variety of night tourism offerings have also been launched. Visitors will have rewarding experiences and learn more about Hanoi's history, culture, and art.
| Fireworks at the Huc Bridge on Sword Lake. Photo: Lai Tan/The Hanoi Times |
10 p.m.
Have a late dinner or choose a tea shop to relax and watch the world go by at night.
11 p.m.
Enjoy the quiet streets of Hanoi at night, breathe in the characteristic scent of milkwood pine flowers of Hanoi's autumn, and admire the ancient and modern architecture intertwined.
2 a.m.
Arrive at Quang Ba night flower market in Tay Ho district, immerse yourself in the world of flowers from Tay Tuu, Me Linh, and Nghi Tam and be transported to the market along Au Co dike. Choose a bouquet of fresh flowers to welcome the new day.
| Nighttime tourism is one of the factors that attract tourists to Hanoi. Photo: Minh Anh/The Hanoi Times |
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