Why should you book cheap flights to Hanoi? What are the top Hanoi attractions, the iconic sights, events and things to do in Hanoi that sets it apart from everywhere else?
Hanoi is a cultural capital, and thus has many museums as its main attraction. This sets the city apart in many ways, and even though it does not have a forest backdrop, it does make the city unique.
1. Thanh Chuong Viet Palace
To get to the Palace, it requires a one hour drive from Hanoi and just about 20 minutes from No Bai Airport.
The artist has designed this palace to take one through the Vietnamese culture and history through his collection of artifacts, treasures and arts in addition, with buildings built in traditional styles, linked by beautiful gardens. It is a beautiful mix of the modern and ancient art and culture of Vietnam.
The Palace is the perfect place for getting away from chaotic city of Hanoi.
2. Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
57B Dinh Tien Hoang, Hanoi, Vietnam
The water puppet show is nothing we westerners have experienced before.
You will witness puppets moving on water with local traditional music and light fireworks where stories of traditional legends and historical tales are told.
Neighborhoods: Ha Ba Trung, Dong Da, Ba Dinh
3. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Cheap flights to Hanoi (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum)
Enter at corner of Hung Vuong and Le Hong Phong Sts., Hanoi, Vietnam
The mausoleum is the historic place where Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 1945.
There are always two guards dressed in white uniform outside and the queue to get in is normally quite long. The dress code is also very strict. You must wear long trousers, shirts and no shorts.
You may not bring any cameras, hats or bags inside. But once you get inside, you will see a glass enclosure of where Ho Chi Minh lays, dressed in khaki and sandals.
The mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays, but is opened for the rest of the week. It is however, closed to visitors during October and November, allowing only pilgrims to pray their homage to Ho Chi Minh.
Neighborhoods: Ha Ba Trung, Ho An Kiem, Tay Ho
4. Cuc Phuong National Park
Nghi Tam | Tay Ho, Hanoi, Vietnam
On 22,000 h.a of rainforest, Cuc Phuong is one of the largest and first national park of Vietnam.
It is home to a wide range of biodiversity and you can witness the thousands of plants and animals, sweeping panoramas, amazing caves and trails.
The park can be visited for a day trip or if you have been immersed in the beauty of mother-nature than you can stay at the lodge.
Do you have a cycling, sightseeing or hikking persona?
Well, the park accommodates for all your interest and you can do them all during your stay!
How to get to the national park:
Catch a bus that goes to Nho Quan (closest town to the park) at the city southern bus terminal - Hanoi's Giap Bat Bus Terminal. Tickets will roughly cost 50,000 Dong, and several buses operate along that route normally in the morning and afternoon.
Once you arrive at Nho Quan, hop on a motorcycle taxi to the park's headquarters for 40,000 Dong.
OR
Book a trip with one of the travel agencies in Hanoi where they can arrange a trip for you - convenient, comfortable, but pricey.
5. Temple of Literature and National University
Cheap flights to Hanoi (Temple of Literature and National University)
Quoc Tu Giam St., Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone: +84 91542268
Website
The place is a complete oasis of quietness and peace away from the chaotic everyday life of Hanoians. This place is surrounded with history, beautiful gardens and lovely statues.
Inside the Temple of Literature and National University, there are many great examples of temples with snippets of information on the history.
6. Tran Quoc Pagoda
Located beside West Lake, the Tran Quoc Pagoda is the most historical religious piece in Hanoi. The pagoda is a complete representation of Buddhism, and its origin dates back 1,500 years. During that time, it experienced numerous appearance, and location changes.
7. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Nguyen v.Huyen Road 191/20/10 | Nghia Do, Can Ciay, Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone: 84 48 360 350
Website
The museum provides an insight into 54 ethnic groups with exhibits of the different type of clothing, ceremonies and houses. It covers the local habitats and culture and all types of ethnic people that live in Vietnam.
The museum can get very packed in the afternoon, so it might be worth to visit the place in the morning where it is less crowded.
Then you can view and take pictures of exhibits at your very own pace. The best of the museum is actually outside, where you can view replicas of houses of various tribal villages.
8. West Lake
West Lake is the largest lake in Hanoi, and it is the perfect place to watch the world go by. As you take a stroll along the embankment or enjoy the many restaurants, minutes and hours will fall down like a pack of dominos!
The "Lake" features the historical pagoda - Tran Quoc, shops, gardens, hotels, and it is a popular gathering spot of the locals.
Return to top: Top Hanoi Attractions
9. Hoa Lo Prison
1 Hoa Lo St, Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone: 04-824-6358
The prison presents a haunting atmosphere. It takes you through some of the difficult times that the Vietnamese faced during French Colonial rule through to the Vietnam War - American POW.
It is no longer a functioning prison, however, the insights are well worth the look.
10. Thang Long Ca Tru Theatre
Cheap flights to Hanoi (Thang Long Ca Tru Theatre)
87 Ma May | Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
84(0)1 223 266 897
http://www.catruthanglong.com/
The Thang Long Ca Tru Theatre performs Vietnamese traditional music that is close to extinction. The performance is performed by three people; one using clappers while she sings, the second one uses the lute and the third one uses drums.
You will find yourself in ancient Vietnam with the theatres imitiate setting and fascinating music - a semi atonal and blues.
The show goes for 45 minutes and you will not SEE this anywhere else!
Manage your tight budget by booking cheap flights to Hanoi today!
