What to do in Hanoi

2014/04/11

Hanoi

What to do in Hanoi

Vietnam is a beautiful country with a rough, sorrowful history and it’s capital city, Hanoi, represents the very best of it. With a unique blend of East and West, it certainly stands out.

The city is currently undergoing a strong degree of rebuilding, taking advantage of the boom in Asian development. It’s served by Noi Bai International Airport, a small, easy-to-navigate hub, populated by many global airliners.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – Hanoi

Attractions

In a country of great religious importance, it makes sense that there are an abundance of temples and shrines worth visiting. The Temple of Literature, established as the nation’s first university, is a historic site, one very much worth visiting.

Elsewhere, the Hani Temple represents a modern outlook of the country’s religious beliefs, having been founded in the last 30 years.

For a spot of relaxation, Hoan Kiem Lake is a free attraction and sits in the centre of the city. It’s a lovely leisure spot and is derived from a popular Vietnamese legend.

Those interested in the history of Vietnam may wish to observe some of the memorials dotted around the city as well as the associated sites. Hoa Lo Prison harks back to the time when the French were in power in the country and the site was also used to imprison American POWs during the War.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (and Museum) holds the body of the man himself, the revolutionary leader who inspired the Vietnam War. Security is tight here, as one may expect, and it is prohibited for guests to use cameras. The museum holds a post-modern charm and features an eclectic array of relics, documenting a unique look inside Ho Chi Minh’s brain as well as featuring a satirical look on post-war capitalism America.

Guests can also walk through the Presidential Palace area where Ho Chi Minh worked and lived. The museums, however, are not open on Mondays.

Holiday insurance is a must to protect from theft as these areas can get very crowded and busy.

Food & Drink

Asian cuisine is arguably the most popular in the world and Hanoi lives up to all expectations in that regard. The Vietnam Culinary School even offers classes for those wishing to perfect the art and gives students an instructor who helps them pick out the right ingredients for the perfect Vietnamese dish.

Alongside the popular Asian dishes, Hanoi houses a number of exotic foods, including cobras (usually kept in restaurants and killed on the spot) and dog meat. Many restaurants have their own unique menus and methods of serving these foods. They can be quite a special treat and experience, though, obviously, not for the faint of heart.

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