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Tea at Cathedral Square
Iced tea and lemon tea have long become essential elements of Hanoi's culture, but perhaps the tea at Cathedral Square is always more popular. With a spacious, airy sidewalk and a lively cityscape overlooking the iconic Hanoi Cathedral - one of the capital's top attractions, this place is always bustling with visitors.
Sip on cups of jasmine-scented tea, delicately enhanced with fresh lemon slices, creating a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and bitter flavors. No need for fancy chairs; just a few plastic seats serving as both seating and a makeshift table for your tea. With a small aluminum tray accommodating two glasses of lemon tea and a plate of sunflower seeds, you'll find tranquility, engaging in hours of delightful conversation. Tea at Cathedral Square is the epitome of an affordable Hangout Spot in Hanoi throughout the seasons, offering unique experiences at each visit.
Tea at Cathedral Square is a renowned beverage in Hanoi
Dong Xuan Night Market
Unlike many other tourist spots across the country with nightly markets operating every day, Dong Xuan Night Market (also known as the Old Quarter Night Market) only convenes during the weekend evenings, from Friday to Sunday each week. Adding to its uniqueness is the fact that Dong Xuan Night Market doesn't have a fixed address; it stretches approximately 3km along familiar streets such as Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Duong, and more, all the way to the alley of Dong Xuan Market. Undoubtedly, this is an affordable and incredibly high-quality Hangout Spot in Hanoi that you shouldn't miss. You'll get lost in the largest shopping and culinary paradise in the capital. To immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere, it's best to visit from 7:30 PM to 10 PM. However, be cautious with your personal belongings to avoid theft! Don't forget to book a Hanoi hotel in the Old Quarter area for convenient exploration and shopping, as well as to immerse yourself in the daily life of the locals.
Culinary paradise at Dong Xuan Night Market
Thu Le Park
More than just a greenery-filled park, Thu Le Park is also considered a national zoo, housing hundreds of wild animals living and preserved in a vast 29-hectare area including a lake, greenery, and a variety of entertaining games. When you visit the park, you'll have the opportunity to observe many rare species listed in Vietnam's Red Book such as leopards, Indochinese tigers, white-tailed pheasants, Asian golden cats, and thrushes in the zoo area while exploring their living habits. Additionally, there are play areas arranged indoors, outdoors, and even underwater with many special and appealing games for the little ones, such as electric trains, merry-go-rounds, statue coloring, sand painting, water balloons, or duck paddling. Located in the central area, you can easily get to this affordable entertainment spot in Hanoi by any means of transportation with cost-effectiveness.
Vincom VCCA Contemporary Art Center
Located in the grand and renowned Royal City urban area, Vincom Center for Contemporary Arts (VCCA) stands as a new tourist destination in Hanoi for art enthusiasts seeking to admire, learn, and create unique and whimsical virtual experiences that captivate the youth of Hanoi. VCCA appeals to young individuals because it is not just a dull, overly abstract exhibition; it focuses on a myriad of innovative ideas, changing regularly based on different themes, monthly rotations, or special events. Additionally, the Vincom Center for Contemporary Arts frequently hosts film screenings, art classes, traditional handicraft workshops, and incredibly enjoyable and completely FREE creative workshops.
Hanoi Creative City
True to its name, Hanoi Creative City is the leading arts and entertainment creative complex in Hanoi, housed in a 20-story building. Each floor is designed and built for different activities, offering unique and exemplary experiences in the creative industry. Catering to all age groups, you'll find a variety of games for children, from sculpting statues and making dough figurines to various exciting clubs for teenagers, such as skateboarding and artificial rock climbing. Additionally, you can explore art rooms, art exhibitions, and diverse culinary spaces. With spacious, diverse areas and numerous activities, including regular fairs, this is undoubtedly the most affordable and unique entertainment area in Hanoi that you must try.
Countless exceptional sports and art activities at Hanoi Creative City
Bia Tạ Hiện Street
If Saigon boasts the Westerners' Street Bui Vien, Hanoi is equally vibrant with Tạ Hiện Beer Street, a standout specialty that every visitor to the capital wants to experience. In reality, the beer here is quite similar to other areas, but its location in the bustling and crowded center of the Old Quarter, attracting a large number of foreigners and tour groups, is one of the reasons why it becomes famous and lively every night. Of course, enjoying beer is incomplete without delicious snacks. The culinary scene here is incredibly diverse, offering choices ranging from simple snacks to more sophisticated options. The most popular items include grilled quail, sour fermented pork rolls, spicy chicken feet, French fries, dried beef, salads, or hotpot and barbecue feasts.
Tạ Hiện Beer Street comes alive at night
Tạ Hiện is also known as the 'sleepless street' of Hanoi because as soon as the street lights up, it becomes a bustling area with closely packed shops, customers flowing in and out, and lively music in the background. Sitting amidst the antique space with glass architecture, thatched roofs, and unique brick streets, even if it's a bit snug, it brings a delightful sensation.
Vietnamese Ethnic Culture Village
It would be a miss if the list of affordable places to visit in Hanoi didn't include the Vietnamese Ethnic Culture Village in Dong Mo - Son Tay tourist area, 40km west of the city center. Despite being called a 'village,' this place is genuinely vast and divided into various zones, including ethnic villages, cultural and entertainment center, world cultural heritage zone, park area, greenery, and Dong Mo Lake. It faithfully recreates famous architectural structures and the traditional lifestyle of all 53 sibling ethnicities across Vietnam. If you visit this tourist area on weekends or during major festivals, you'll immerse yourself in traditional cultural festivals such as the Northwest market, the rain-invoking ceremony of the Cor ethnic group, the rice pounding festival of the Brau ethnic group, etc. - unique experiences in the heart of the capital.
Immerse yourself in the virtual world at the Vietnamese Ethnic Culture Village
West Lake Water Park
On hot sunny days, the first place that comes to mind when thinking of affordable places to visit in Hanoi is undoubtedly the gigantic and refreshing West Lake Water Park, right? With its superb location and an area of over 35,000m2, you can immerse yourself in the clear and cool water of the lazy river, enjoy leisurely swimming in the wave pool, and participate in exciting underwater activities such as float slides, mat slides, tube slides, high-speed slides, diving, cable swinging, and more.
But does West Lake Water Park only open in the summer? With Hanoi's characteristic chilly winter weather, you can still come here because there is the new Sun Park, a dry amusement park with high-altitude, adventurous games and challenges for the 'soft-hearted,' such as flying discs, standing swings, pirate boats, Thang Long steel dragon, electric trains, octopus swings, bringing unforgettable memories.
Bat Trang Pottery Village
Just about 10km from the center of Hanoi, following the winding Red River, you'll arrive at the famous traditional Bat Trang Pottery Village. Visiting Bat Trang, you get to slow down and appreciate the simple beauty of red-tiled roofs, old brick walls, or a courtyard full of exquisite ceramic products. The most interesting part is that you can directly observe the artisans creating beautiful products and even try your hand at molding your own ceramic items based on your preferences. Bat Trang pottery, though simple, is incredibly refined, meticulous in every decorative pattern, and durable over time. After exploring and experiencing, don't forget to visit the pottery market to find small, unique gifts with the distinctive Bat Trang style!
Explore Bat Trang Pottery Village
Bao Son Paradise
Bao Son Paradise is always the top destination for young people and families in Hanoi due to its incredibly affordable prices for a myriad of experiences. Located in the outskirts of Hanoi, this amusement park has modern infrastructure built on a large area with stunning landscapes, divided into 8 specialized zones: cultural paradise, ecological paradise, games, cuisine, technology, art, workshops, and underwater activities. According to Hanoi travel tips, it's recommended to spend an entire day exploring the vast space of Bao Son Paradise. However, if you're short on time, the ecological paradise, aquarium, and gaming area are always the number one choice for tourists. The Cung Dinh restaurant with a diverse menu of Asian-European dishes and the unique Vietnamese countryside market will be the perfect stop to recharge your energy after moments of enthusiastic fun.
Conquer the amusement park at Bao Son Paradise
In addition to famous landmarks, the thousand-year-old cultural capital also offers plenty of affordable recreational spots for you to relax with family and friends. Don't hesitate, book a flight to Hanoi today.
Hoai Linh
Image source: Internet & Instagram
