Buzz
Hanoi – the thousand-year-old capital always captivates visitors with its ancient charm, serene and mysterious. A tour around Hanoi will leave travelers with unforgettable memories of the 36 ancient craft streets, the Temple of Literature – symbolizing a capital rich in scholarly tradition, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple – the heart of Trang An Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Tay Ho District – where beloved Uncle Ho rests peacefully for thousands of autumns...
Climate
Hanoi's climate represents typical characteristics of the North with a tropical monsoon climate, hot and rainy summers, and cold, dry winters. From May to September, it's hot and rainy. From November to March of the following year, it's the dry, cold winter season. In between these two seasons, there are transitional periods (April and October), giving Hanoi four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. The variation in seasons adds to the beauty of Hanoi's weather, with each season having its own charm.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Hanoi is from September to November or from March to April when the weather is mild and warm. From November to March, there is less rain but sometimes severe cold, especially at night. From May to September, the weather is scorching hot, occasionally with heavy rains.
Transportation
From Ho Chi Minh City, you can travel to Hanoi by train, car, or plane.
To book train tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi at Saigon Railway Station: 01 Nguyen Thong, Ward 9, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Tel: 08. 39 318 952. There are various types of tickets available (hard seat, soft seat, air-conditioned sleeper berth...), priced from around 782,000 VND/ticket/person. The train stops at Hanoi Railway Station on Le Duan Street.
If you choose to go by car, you can opt for companies like Hoang Long (Tel: 0988 259 568), Mai Linh (08 39292929), Tan Dat (08) 218.1056 – 090.66.88.567)... Departing from Mien Dong Bus Station, seat and berth prices range from 550,000 VND/ticket, including meals and drinks. The travel time by car is under 60 hours due to meal stops, making it longer than the train journey.
Airplane is the fastest but also the most expensive means of transportation to Hanoi. The flight duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes, with approximately 2 hours waiting time for procedures, totaling about 5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City to downtown Hanoi. Airfare from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi varies, ranging from 1.2 million VND/ticket/person and up.
Getting from the airport to downtown Hanoi
1. By airport taxi
– Airport shuttle buses cost 35,000 VND/person to reach 1 Quang Trung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi (operated by Noi Bai Airport or a company parked there – I can't remember the name).
– If you fly with Jetstar, they offer shuttle buses to 204 Tran Quang Khai Street for 30,000 – 35,000 VND/person.
From these two points, you can take a taxi or motorbike taxi to your desired destination. Make sure to inquire about the fare upfront.
2. By taxi
Once outside the airport, turn right, and you'll find many taxis waiting. Choose a company with a sign at the designated taxi area. Before getting in, ask for the fare and request a fixed price for the trip from the airport to your destination. The fare to downtown Hanoi is approximately 300,000 VND.
3. By bus
– You can catch bus number 7 on the main road to Cau Giay transfer station for around 4,000 VND. Then take bus 32 or 25 from there to Giap Bat bus station, also costing about 4,000 VND.
– Alternatively, you can take bus number 17 from Noi Bai Airport to Long Bien for approximately 4,000 – 6,000 VND.
Taking the bus is inexpensive but involves waiting, which can vary from quick to lengthy. Moreover, it's not very convenient if you have a lot of luggage.
Getting Around Hanoi
The attractions in Hanoi are not too far apart, so you can rent a motorbike and explore on your own. To rent a bike, you need to provide your ID card and a deposit of 4 – 10 million VND (depending on the bike). Rental rates range from 10,000 – 15,000 VND per hour and 60,000 – 100,000 VND per day. Some rental locations include: 5 Dinh Liet, 53 Tran Hung Dao, 23 E Hai Ba Trung, and more.
Of course, you can also opt for other means of transportation such as motorbike taxis or taxis. A useful tip is to inquire about the fare and negotiate before going anywhere.
Hotels
There are nearly 300 hotels in Hanoi on Mytour. Alongside luxurious 5-star hotels with room rates reaching millions of dong per night, there are also many budget 1 and 2-star hotels with rates as low as 92,000 VND per room per night. The Old Quarter area has a high density of hotels, making it very convenient for resting and planning visits to all the prominent landmarks in Hanoi.
Interesting Attractions in Hanoi
Some landmarks just a few kilometers from central Hanoi include: the Temple of Literature, Hanoi Opera House, Hoa Lo Prison historical site, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.
Further away, there are the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Duong Lam Ancient Village (in Duong Lam commune, Son Tay town, Hanoi, about 50 km from central Hanoi), Van Phuc Silk Village (in Van Phuc Ward, Ha Dong District, 10 km from central Hanoi), Bat Trang Ceramic Village (in Gia Lam district, 15 km from central Hanoi), Co Loa Citadel and An Duong Vuong Temple (about 17 km from central Hanoi, in Dong Anh district, Hanoi), Perfume Pagoda (a complex of many temples in Huong Son commune, My Duc district, Hanoi, about 70 km from the city center), Thay Pagoda (in Sai Son commune, Quoc Oai district, Hanoi, about 20 km from central Hanoi)...
Shopping Areas
1. Hang Bac Street
As one of the oldest streets in the capital city of Hanoi, Hang Bac Street has a tradition of silver craftsmanship dating back to the 13th century when silver pieces were brought here from rural villages by order of King Le Thanh Tong. Silver-made goods are still produced here using secret manufacturing techniques passed down through generations. This is an alluring street with a rich history and culture for travelers to explore about Vietnamese jewelry. Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Location: Hang Bac Street, Hoan Kiem District.
2. Hang Gai Street
Also known as Silk Street, it showcases many products woven by the skilled hands of artisans. When purchasing, it's advisable to start bargaining at about 50% of the seller's asking price and not pay more than 70% of the original price. This street is also great for buying paper-made products such as paintings, notebooks, lamps, etc. Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Location: Hang Gai Street, Hoan Kiem District.
3. Dong Xuan Market
It's the largest market in Hanoi and always ranks among the must-visit attractions for travelers stepping foot here. The market typically sells electronics, household items, fabrics, clothes... The Dong Xuan night market operates all week, with special activities like folk art performances such as cheo, xam, ca tru, and quan ho, especially vibrant on Saturdays. Along Hang Dao pedestrian street and Dong Xuan night market, visitors can explore a sparkling ancient Hanoi under the lights and purchase souvenirs. Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Location: No. 1 Dong Xuan Street, Hoan Kiem District, about 900m north of Hoan Kiem Lake. Hanoi night market operates from 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Location: Along Hang Dao Street and around Dong Xuan Market.
Hanoi Delicacies
Hanoi cuisine is characterized by its subtle, sweet, and gentle flavors, much like the demeanor of the ancient Trang An people. However, with overall development, Hanoi cuisine has also absorbed the essence of many regions across the country, evolving into its own style. Some of the most famous and popular dishes in Hanoi include Pho, Bun Cha, Cha Ca La Vong, dried beef salad, various duck dishes, Trang Tien ice cream, boiled snails, grilled chicken feet, snail vermicelli soup, and Bà Hồng's ear-shaped spring rolls...
Additionally, there are some less common but equally characteristic dishes representing the capital's cuisine such as Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls, Quan Ganh sticky rice cakes, West Lake shrimp cakes, ladder-shaped rice vermicelli soup, meatball noodle soup, Mơ tofu, Ước Lễ sausage, shrimp paste vermicelli...
See more: 10 must-try dishes in Hanoi
Hanoi Souvenirs for Friends and Family
Vong Village Green Rice Flake
'Vòng Village Green Rice Flake,' a long-standing specialty, is made from young glutinous rice. Vòng village green rice flake usually appears at the beginning of autumn. If possible, it's advisable to ask acquaintances in Hanoi to purchase it to ensure buying the right type of delicious green rice flake at a reasonable price.
Hàng Đường Salted Fruits
As a distinctive feature, when visiting Hanoi, everyone wants to bring back some Hàng Đường salted fruits as gifts for their loved ones. The main ingredients for making salted fruits are the typical fruits of the region, such as apricots, plums, tamarinds, star fruits, peaches, sour plums, jujubes, persimmons, mangoes, and jackfruits... On Hàng Đường street, there are many well-known and long-standing salted fruit shops like Tiến Thịnh (21 Hàng Đường), Gia Lợi (16 Hàng Đường), Gia Thịnh (13 Hàng Đường), Hồng Lam (11 Hàng Đường). Additionally, the Vạn Lợi salted fruit shop at 38A Hàng Da street (Hoàn Kiếm district) is also very famous. The prices of various salted fruits range from 7,000 to 12,000 VND per gram, and you can buy them by weight or in pre-packaged boxes.
Hàng Than Green Sticky Rice Cakes
To create a delicious and pure green sticky rice cake, the baker must select grains of rice made from mature glutinous rice, resulting in a type of green sticky rice that is uniform, smooth, fragrant, pure, mold-free, and not sour. The green sticky rice is placed in jars to prevent mold and moisture, making it possible to make cakes all year round. However, the best green sticky rice cakes are still made in autumn, the season of green rice flakes. The most famous green sticky rice cakes in Hanoi are sold on Hàng Than street, with Nguyên Ninh shop at 11 Hàng Than being the most renowned. Currently, the price of cakes ranges from 5,000 to 6,000 VND per piece.
Hàng Gai Silk, Vạn Phúc Silk Village
Some reputable silk shops on Hàng Gai street include: Khai Silk, Công Silk, Hà Đông Silk, Thao Silk, Lê Minh, Tân Mỹ. Each store lists prices, which are slightly higher here than in Vạn Phúc silk village.
In Vạn Phúc village, you can negotiate to reduce prices by 20%-30%. However, some large stores in the village have fixed prices, so it's difficult to get a discount. The most famous silk shop in Vạn Phúc village is Dung Từ. You can visit the workshop to buy genuine silk, wide width, priced at around 100 – 200,000 VND/meter.
In Hàng Gai as well as Vạn Phúc village, there are many shops selling cheap silk, but the quality is not guaranteed. A trick to check silk is to pull the fabric edge firmly; genuine silk will not fray or pull threads. If you burn genuine silk, it will produce a distinctive smell of burning hair, rather than leaving behind the original fabric fibers.
Check out some discounted Hanoi tours exclusively at Mytour
Hanoi 1N Tour: Hanoi – Bái Đính – Tràng An
Ha Long 1N Tour: Hanoi – Ha Long
Hanoi 1N Tour: Explore Perfume Pagoda
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Source: Mytour Travel Guide – Compiled from the Internet
Check out the list of Hanoi Hotels
MytourNovember 20, 2015
