Top things to do in Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, its second largest city and is often called “Paris of the East”. Hanoi is an impressive and fascinating mix of old traditions and active modern lifestyle, where East and West are bound; where people have big hearts and warm smiles; where food is delicious and the streets are old… This is a pulse of modern Vietnam and we are about to tell you how not to lose yourself in the variety of things that Hanoi is offering! North Vietnam tours

How to Get There?

By plane: Noi Bai International Airport is about 35 km north of the city and is the largest airport in the North of the country. It serves domestic flights operated by VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines, international flights from major Asian airports and international flights from Helsinki (seasonal), Frankfurt, London, Moscow and Paris. The airport is relatively small comparing to its importance and size of the city. The new terminal is being under construction now and is expected to be put into operation in 2015.

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From the airport you can reach the centre of Hanoi by taxi. Before November, 2014 there was a fixed price for a ride. However, now most of the drivers use meters, so your total cost depends on the distance and is usually between $15 – 25 (350,000 – 450,000 VND).

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Top things to do in Hanoi

Another option to get to the city is to use a public bus that departures from the airport. Bus #07 crosses the Thang Long bridge and goes to the Daewoo Hotel on the western part of Hanoi. Bus #17 crosses the Chuong Duong bridge and goes close to the old quarter, to Long Bien. It is actually not allowed to take your luggage with you to the bus, but you may take it as a challenge and try to negotiate with a driver!

By train:
Hanoi, is very well connected with the major big cities of Vietnam, so you can use the train to reach the it from other parts of the country. The price for the ticket will be different, depending on the type of the seat you choose. Pay attention that it is strongly recommend to avoid private travel agents. After all, you may end up in a hard-sleeper instead of the soft one, for which you have actually paid.
You can book a ticket on the website of Vietnam Railways System. Children under the age of 2 can travel for free. For children from 2 to 9 years old the price will be 50% of the adult price.

By car: Another option how you can reach the Vietnamese capital is to hire a car. When doing it, remember to hire a private driver also: in Vietnam visitors can’t rent a car and drive. It will cost nearly $50 – 60 per day.

What’s Next?
When you come to a big city, it is always hard to take the bearings and choose the right places to see and right things to do that are really worth your time and attention. That’s why we chose for you TOP activities in Hanoi for any taste and preferences in spending your free time. Everything you have to do is… to trust us!

Temple of Literature
Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) is an impressive example of Vietnamese architecture that was built almost 1000 years ago. In the beginning of the XI century it became the first country’s university. In its courtyard you can see the tables, each mounted on the back of a tortoise, with the names of all its graduates. The admission is $1 (20,000 VND).

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake for Hanoi is the same like the Central Park for New York. Located in the very centre of the city, this is a favourite leisure spot of local people. In the morning you can even watch here people practicing the old martial art of ta chi on its shore. The legend of the lake says that gods gave to King Le Loi a magical sword, that he used to drive the Chinese from Vietnam. Later, a giant turtle grabbed the sword and returned it back to the gods. Since then the lake has a name Hoan Kiem, which means “returned sword”.

Vietnamese Women's Museum

The museum had been recently renovated and is indeed a very exciting place to visit, if you are interested in understanding culture and history of Vietnam even deeper. The museum presents the stories of the most prominent women in the history of the country. Also it has great collections that represent local traditions, customs, everyday life and problems of a Vietnamese woman from centuries ago till nowadays. Moreover, it has a brilliant collection of hand-made ethnic costumes. Admission is $1,5 (30,000 VND).

Hao Lo Prison 

The prison was built in the beginning of XX century by the French. Here the Vietnamese revolutionaries were imprisoned and executed. Nowadays, this is a museum that exhibits the brutal French colonial regime and focusing on Vietnamese struggle for independence. The place represents the black page in the history of the country and makes take another look on history itself. Admission is $1.

Hanoi Street Food 

Vietnam is famous for its unique and absolutely delicious cuisine all over the world and this is a fact. In Hanoi there is a plenty of fine restaurants, where you can have a dinner and taste any kind of local food. However, its streets are also full of small kiosks in the sidewalk, and we believe that it may be even a better way to explore the local cuisine! Take a walk through the Old Quarter and discover the diversity of the unique Hanoi’s street food!

Top 10 Saigon foods you should not miss

These are simple yet delicious dishes. Look yummy?
1. Broken rice

Cơm tấm, or broken rice, used to be called "poor people's rice” since it was made from grains that broke during harvest or cleaning and were sold cheap.
Over the years it has become a popular dish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
It is usually served with grilled pork ribs, bì (thinly shredded pork mixed with cooked and thinly shredded pork skin) or chả (a mix of steamed eggs, crab meat, ground pork meat, Jew's ear mushroom, and vermicelli) or both. SONG XANH CRUISE
It can be found almost everywhere in Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces, from street stalls with plastic stools and tables to fancy air-conditioned restaurants.
2. Kuy teav

There are around 20 different versions of hủ tiếu (kuy teav) – a noodle soup consisting of rice noodles with pork stock and toppings – in HCMC.
The most famous ones are hủ tiếu Nam Vang (Phnom Penh rice noodle soup), hủ tiếu sa tế (Chinatown satay noodle soup) and hủ tiếu Mỹ Tho (My Tho rice noodle soup).
There is also a dry version (without soup and with sauce) of kuy teav. Alova Gold Cruise
3. Bánh mì

Bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich) is so famous that it has entered the Oxford English Dictionary. It defines bánh mì as "a Vietnamese snack consisting of a baguette (traditionally baked with both rice and wheat flour) filled with a variety of ingredients, typically including meat, pickled vegetables, and chili peppers."
The best bánh mì should be grilled over coals, with the crispy shell filled with meat, crunchy pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs, smeared with mayonnaise and pâté, and seasoned with a few drops of soy sauce and a spicy chili condiment. travel South Vietnam
Saigonese have many choices of filling for bánh mì -- like thịt nướng (grilled pork), xíu mại (Chinese meatballs known as shu mai in Chinese), and chả cá (deep-fried fish paste).
4. Fried rice flour cakes

Top 10 Saigon foods you should not miss

Bột chiên (fried rice flour cakes) is a dish that originated in China and has become a popular street snack in Saigon.
It is made from rice flour cakes chopped into chunky squares and fried in a large flat pan with whipped eggs and green onion.
It’s served crisp with a sweet rice vinegar and soy sauce concoction and some shredded pickled young papaya and carrot to cool down the dish.
5. Mixed rice paper

Bánh tráng trộn (mixed rice paper) is the favorite snack of teenagers in Saigon. It is like a salad made of shredded rice paper mixed with jerky, dried shrimps, roasted peanuts, boiled quail eggs, shredded mangoes, fried onions, and herbs.
It is seasoned with chili sauce, salt, cashew oil, and onion oil until it is sour, spicy, salty, and sweet at the same time.
The dish can be found anywhere in Saigon but the most famous street for bánh tráng trộn is Nguyen Thuong Hien in District 3.
6. Papaya salad

Gỏi đu đủ (papaya salad) is made of shredded papaya, rice crackers, sliced jerky, roasted peanuts, and herbs seasoned with chili sauce.
It is usually sold on carts pulled by street vendors. The most famous spot to buy this dish is in front of Le Van Tam Park on Hai Ba Trung Street.
7. Pork and shrimp rolls

Gỏi cuốn (pork and shrimp rolls) is one of the healthiest snacks in Saigon. It is made of tightly wrapped rice paper bundles filled with sliced pork, shrimp, vermicelli noodles, herbs, and vegetables. A Hoisin sauce topped with crushed peanuts and chili is often served on the side for dipping.
8. Phá lấu

Phá lấu is pig/cow intestines boiled down to a soft texture in a salty broth. It can be served with bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich) or noodles.
9. Sweet soup

Chè (sweet soup) is the perfect dessert in always-hot Saigon. There are a myriad of sweet soups differentiated by origin, taste or ingredients.
10. Snails

If one comes to Saigon for the first time, chances are they will be invited first to a coffee shop and then to an ốc (snail) eatery.
Saigon is famous for many kinds of snails and diverse styles of cooking.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Vietnam

Immerse yourself in the Vietnamese culture when you visit and you’ll be amply rewarded with a very warm welcome. Learn a little bit of the history and language and brush up on the local laws and etiquette tips, with our handy guide;

Tips on etiquette when visiting Vietnam

In Vietnam, hierarchy structures are very strict and always adhered to. The hierarchy is ranked on their age and status and can be seen in circumstances where a large group or family is welcomed in order of age and importance. The oldest one is always greeted first, having a door opened for them first and served their meal first. The oldest and head of the family is one that has to approve any marriage proposals and decisions that are to be made. Vietnam tours
Etiquette plays a very important role in society in Vietnam. If you are out in public areas, public displays of affection with a partner are best avoided, including kissing, holding and touching hands. And when you give something to another person, always use both hands. You should not point with your finger, nor put your hands on their hips or cross your chest with your arms.
Shorts and beachwear (including skimpy bikinis and swimsuits) are best kept for the beach, as this kind of dress is really frowned upon in the towns and cities. Just think ‘modest dress’ at all times and you’ll be on the right track. Paradise Cruise

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Vietnam

If you are invited to someone’s home for a meal, you should take gift such as fruit, flowers, or perfumed incense. Flowers that are bad luck and should not be given are chrysanthemums.
You are not allowed to give handkerchiefs as a gift in someone’s home.
Meals in Vietnam are family oriented. The eldest person is always the first to be seated at the table and the dishes are to be passed around using both hands at all times. It is expected that you finish eating all the food that was put on your plate and when the meal is complete, they put the chopsticks on the rice bowl in front of them.
For more tips, advice and details, we have produced a useful resource for all travel in Vietnam.
Vietnam culture and history tips AMALOTUS CRUISE

In Hanoi there is an intriguing museum called the Ho Chi Minh Museum which features many informative displays about the Vietnam War, the great leader himself and America’s involvement. This is a great place to learn about the conflict and there is even an exhibit of a cave that Ho Chi Minh himself hid in during the war.

One of the most gorgeous beaches in Vietnam is Da Nang beach with miles of stunning soft sand and crystal clear waters. During the Vietnam War, this was the rest and relaxation location for the Americans servicemen. Soldiers stayed at Danang beach to recuperate and sought the peace and solace that the area still offers today.

Explore the Vinh Moc tunnels in Quang Tri in northern Vietnam near Hue, the former imperial capital city, and listen to the stories told by the local guides, which are a real revelation. The sheer ingenuity of the Viet Cong during the war illustrate why the Americans lost the war. This tunnel is situated on the old north and south Vietnam border and is one of the most ingenious tunnels that was so well planned out and intricately dug out by hand. Around 60 Vietnamese families lived here duing the conflict to keep their community safe from the war going on all around them. Visiting the site is a sobering and insightful experience.

Take a trip to the small town of Quang Ngai on the south central coast, which features a museum that recreates the My Lai Massacre of March 1968. It was a massacre led by American soldiers and the museum showcases the period in intricate detail. All the homes are left as they were then, burned down, but one has been remodelled to show you what the home were like back when it happened.