Sightseeing in Hanoi is one of the things to put on your bucket list. A beautiful city located in the north of Vietnam, Hanoi is easily one of the best cities in Asia with its rich culture, magnificent architecture, picturesque landscapes, and bustling city life. There are many places to visit in Hanoi, and it will take you more than one day to see them all. This is where this guide comes in handy.
Get familiar with the culture.
The first thing to do once you arrive in Hanoi is to familiarize yourself with the rich culture of the city. As the capital city, Hanoi is also the second most populous city in Vietnam. It has a long history (the first inhabitants are known to have settled around 3000 BC) and was the capital of French Indochina from 1902 to 1954. A quick way to immerse yourself in the culture is to visit any of the many museums from Hanoi, including the National Museum Vietnam History Museum, Vietnam Women’s Museum, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts, and Ho Chi Minh Museum, to name a few. If museums are not your thing, you can also visit the Hanoi Opera House, if not to see an opera, then to admire the architectural beauty of the structure.
Visit Parks and Gardens.
Apart from the many museums, Hanoi also has several natural parks and gardens that the whole family can enjoy. Cuc Phuong National Park, about 100 km south of the city, is the most important national park in the country. Endangered species, thousand-year-old trees and varied flora and fauna are found within the park, along with caves and hot springs. There are also biking and hiking trails for the adventurous. Another park, but with a different theme, is the Thanh Cuong Viet Palace. There is the Botanical Garden located in the city. Offering a welcome escape from the noise of the city, the Botanical Gardens boast ancient trees, sculptures and open spaces ideal for walking or picnicking.
Take a walk near the lakes.
Hanoi is a city built between two rivers, so it’s no surprise that the city also boasts a number of picturesque lakes. One of its famous lakes is Hoan Kiem Lake, or the Lake of the Returned Sword. It has a Turtle Tower in the center due to its association with the legend of a turtle that grabbed the emperor’s sword and then disappeared. Another famous lake is the West Lake, which is also the largest lake in Hanoi. Various gardens, restaurants and hotels, and other entertainment venues can be found around the West Lake.
Eat, eat, buy, buy!
Vietnamese cuisine has seen a rise in popularity as the years go by, and there is no better place to sample delicious local and fusion dishes than in Hanoi. From the smallest restaurants to the grandest restaurants, you are sure to find meals that will tickle your taste buds. A famous restaurant in Hanoi’s Old Quarter that should not be missed is Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant, which has been running for over a century. Of course, after eating, shopping is a given. You can buy just about anything from small trinkets to expensive and exotic decor at one of Hanoi’s many markets. Dong Xuan Market in the Old Town is a popular tourist shopping stop. You can visit the Van Phuc Silk Village, where the centuries-old art of weaving silk with silkworms is practiced.
Take a walk, then kick back and relax.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed activity, all you need to do is walk Hanoi’s less-crowded streets, visit a temple, or take in the bustling city from the confines of a quiet restaurant. After a long day enjoying these activities in Hanoi, you can simply relax in your cozy hotel in Hanoi like Serenade Hotel and maybe try that spa and get a well-deserved massage.
Try any, if not all, of the Hanoi tourist activities listed above, and we guarantee you’ll have a great time.