Hanoi – The 1000 year-old capital city of Vietnam
Embracing the dreamy atmosphere of the North and immersing yourself in the poetry tenderness of the thousand-year-old civilization named Hanoi, perhaps few can forget about the unforgettable feeling once setting foot here. The ancient capital once known as Thang Long kept the ethereal energy that converged into the sacred place of countless vigorous victories by sages in Vietnamese history.
Side by side with the dynamic metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi not only is the enthralling hub to present the thriving Vietnam image globally, but also an enticing destination that you should not miss out on your next itinerary!
Aside from the historical Hong River, ancient quarters and ageless relics with unique infrastructures have highlighted the name Hanoi engraved in many travel enthusiasts’ minds worldwide. Each sentiment of an individual coming to the capital of the S-shaped country is what made this place so incredibly remarkable to anyone who visited.
TOP ATTRACTIONS IN HANOI
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Hanoi Cathedral – St.Joseph’s Cathedral
This is one of the symbolic buildings located at the heart of the city with its impressive Neo-Gothic style of the 19th century. The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Hanoi is a Catholic metropolitan archdiocese of Vietnam. It is one of the earliest in the history of the Catholic Church in Vietnam.
Saint Joseph Cathedral, a Catholic Cathedral in Hanoi.
On the outside, it looks obsolete and exudes a non-withstand sense over time, yet the interior inside is incredibly well-kept and modern. If you would like a detour, the Church is open to the public for free every day, except from 8 – 11 am and 1 – 5 pm on Sundays. The building is a great stop for visiting and having a sip of lemon tea, as it is a well-known place for young people to gather around at the end of the day.
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Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam Temple
If you mention any top attractions of the capital Hanoi in the past to present time, many would consider the Temple of Literature as one of the highlighted names.
The Khue Van Cac (Pavilion Of Constellation Of Literature) In Temple Of Literature. This Architectural Work Is The Symbol Of Hanoi City.
The site has long been a training facility for thousands of scholars during the period of feudal independence. It is considered to be the symbol of the longevity of cultural quintessence, education, and tradition of respect for lifetime teachers.
It is traditional for students to celebrate their graduation at the Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu), which is a temple dedicated to Confucius, and built in the 11th century as the Imperial Academy (Quốc Tử Giám), Vietnam’s first national university.
Not just a relic of cultural and historical significance, but the temple is also a work that boldly represents ancient Vietnamese architecture. Consequently, the site is certain to be kept and preserved forever as a rich complex that holds the essence of the past.
The 100,000 Vietnam Dong with the print Literature Temple in the background. Tourists usually come here and take pictures to reserve memory about their visit to one of the most iconic symbol of Vietnam.
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Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is located right in the center of the city with an ancient turtle tower located on a small peninsula in the middle of the lake. With a prime location in the heart of the city, Hoan Kiem Lake attracts the bustling crowds from daylight to midnight.
At Hoan Kiem Lake, you can easily see a scene of nostalgia. This one is when a senior Vietnamese man sings a song with a guitar while a teenage girl listens.
Surrounded by lush trees, citizens stop by this attraction to get a glimpse of fresh air from the greenery and the poetic lake view. Whenever the city is filled with colorful lights is when the atmosphere of the lake is the liveliest.
The lively lights surrounds the Turtle Tower at night on Hoan Kiem Lake in Vietnam.
Somewhere, around the lake is the spread of cigarette smoke from the elders, the smoke of a cup of hot tea or an egg coffee from the youngsters. All of that combines and creates a joyful space for you to feel a little warmth in the heart of Hanoi.
People on the Huc Bridge crossing the Hoan Kiem Lake to go to the Turtle Tower.
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One Pillar Pagoda
You may have long known about the One Pillar Pagoda through books, newspapers, and television, but have not witnessed its unique beauty with your own eyes. When you come to Hanoi, make sure to visit this lotus-shaped pagoda as it is one of the works with unique architecture and cited as the most historical, religious, fine arts and technical value in “Ha Thanh”. In addition, you will gain more knowledge about its uniqueness.
The One Pillar pagoda is a traditional Vietnamese architecture, a famous travel destination in Hanoi.
What’s peculiar about the site is that the entire infrastructure is placed on a stone pillar. A bold combination of romantic and poetic imagination of the brilliant architect is shown through the image of the lotus flower, which presented the spirit and quintessence of the country.
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Into the 36 Quarters of Hanoi – Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Reaching the capital, the Old Quarter is where you cannot neglect. The ancient beauty is reflected on 36 street corners. Yellow stone walls and epic architecture are the signature keys of Hanoi, each with its own unique character and specialization.
Streets of the Old Quarter of Hanoi during the day. The vibrance of the traffic and the autumn atmosphere brings a colorful state to the city.
Stretching along the lanes are ancient cultural features that are still lively over time. Only by coming here can you feel the beauty of the comfort and familiar people of Hanoi. In walking distance of the quarter, you can reach many landmarks, including the night markets and unique coffee shops, or crowded food stalls are just around the corners.
>> Want to wander the 1000-year-old capital city next time? Visit our Dazzling Northern Tour now!
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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
This is where the Great Leader of Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh is placed and kept after he had passed. Any visitor must follow strict protocols of formal clothing and maintain order throughout the visit. Participating in the flag-raising ceremony is a nice way to convey a memorial salute to Uncle Ho, but remember to carefully check the schedule and ask the staff for more detailed instructions.
Ho Chi Minh mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Not only can you see his body from inside the mausoleum, but you can also learn more about Uncle Ho’s life at the museum just a few steps away and see firsthand the simple scene of the house where the leader of Vietnam once lived and worked.
Uncle Ho’s simple stilt house in the past was behind the Mausoleum.
DYNAMIC CUISINE OF HANOI
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Bun Dau Mam Tom
This is truly a complex dish that you may find hard to eat or would want to devour the whole thing. It’s a combination of boiled pork, fried tofu, fried fish cakes, and intestine sausages.
Bun dau mam tom set, a popular street food made from vermicelli with boiled pork, fried tofu, shrimp paste and fresh vegetables.
Fresh raw vegetables and soft cubes of rice noodles are served to freshen your palette. The most special “take it or leave it” ingredient of the whole main dish is shrimp paste, which is what makes this dish so unique! While having that blasting flavor in your mouth, don’t skip out on a cup of iced kumquat tea to make your Hanoi experience complete!
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Cha ca La Vong
Fish cake is a dish that has been passed down for many generations in the Northern region. Especially in Hanoi, people prepare this dish quite meticulously and elaborately. The fish is fried on a small oil pan, which each dining table will have a small charcoal stove with a fish pan placed above.
This favorable dish of Northern Vietnam is served everywhere in the capital city, from households to fine-dining restaurants with different variations.
Typically, you will roll the grilled fish in rice paper, tangy vermicelli, along with roasted peanuts, coriander, basil, dill, chopped fresh onions and dipped in shrimp paste. Shrimp paste must be prepared by squeezing fresh lemon, adding chili, whisking it with a little fat and sugar to make the sauce suit your taste.
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Pho
This worldwide renowned dish that puts Vietnamese cuisine up on the map is what you cannot miss while coming to the capital city. Some say that Pho is a diverse meal that stimulates the senses, and they are not wrong about that! There is just something special about having that breezy feel in the atmosphere and a steaming hot bowl of pho waiting for you to slurp nonstop! You can find the national soupy dish anywhere possible, from households, street stalls, and restaurants as there are many variations to taste.
A surprisingly earthy aroma exudes, along with clear beef broth and a bite of that shimmering thinly sliced meat is a step to heaven. Putting some fresh herbs, mint or an egg yolk creates extra flavors to that perfection. The beloved comfort food evokes a sense of nostalgia, this one right here, originated in the heart of Northern Vietnam, without a doubt!
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Bun Cha
With this particular dish, small cubes of grilled pork cakes with a bit of burnt texture and a smoky flavor will enhance the fish sauce just fine.
The smoky flavor from the grilled pork bites truly enhance the flavor of the whole dish.
The ingredients to make a bowl of sour and sweet sauce to go with it are vinegar, minced garlic, red chili pepper, and sliced raw papaya for a crunchy bite. You cannot miss out the rice noodles and raw vegetables, especially perilla.
With its forming changes in a modern era, the antique beauty of Hanoi always attracted a large audience into loving the tranquil atmosphere here. Still, its tranquility will forever be inside the heart of those who love this lovely capital in their own way.
