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Guide to Hanoi, Vietnam
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Hanoi Vietnams capital city, Hanoi, is a booming metropolis that is part tech-center, and part history and culture hub. Youll find frenetic road-warriors on cell phones driving vehicles from brand new to beat-down, and youll also find lush landscapes with lakes dotting the scenery, beautiful boulevards, and a great number of parks. Hanoi is also home to a number of historic temples, monuments, and places where ancient culture still dominates and is held to high esteem not only by elder citizens, but younger generations as well. Despite the erratic noises youre bound to come across whether its a teenager yelling into his/her cell phone while behind the wheel of a sports car, or the sounds emanating from a busy market, Hanoi can be easily thought of as a slow-paced pleasant Vietnamese city with oasis-like destinations all around town.
When to go:
There is no wrong season to travel to Hanoi. No matter when you go, youll catch nearly the same amount of busyness along the roadways, and roughly the same number of tourists standing among the landmarks and attractions that dot the citys map. All of Hanois most notable destinations are open year-round, and the climate stays consistently agreeable, if a bit hotter than usual on some days in high-summer. There are two heavy tourist season however (determined by business sales, etc.), which from June to August, and from October to the New Year (Tet). Though wed avoid the first one mentioned, simply because its a bit too warm for our tastes, wed advise you to find accommodations for the second tourist season of the year, especially near Tet, when Hanoi is busting with events and activities surrounding the New Year celebrations a very exciting time.
Getting there and around:
Noi Bai Airport is Hanois connection to the world, and vice versa. Many flights arrive from Europe, Australia, major Asian cities, and a few Chinese destinations. There are no direct flights to or from the Americas. When you arrive, youll be pleased to know that there are numerous taxis and minibuses waiting to take you to your hotel. Fares are reasonable, and drivers know the streets of Hanoi very well, so youll get to your destination speedily.
Traveling around Hanoi can be exciting or it can be a dreaded experience. We advise you to stay away from buses, simply because the schedule and routes can be quite confusing. However, pedicabs are always available and quite an interesting way to commute around town. You can also rent a bicycle, car, or motorbike. Each has its advantages. Bicycles are the cheapest. Vehicles are the most comfortable, and you do not have to wear a helmet. Motorbikes are just plain fun! Choose at your own discretion!
Attractions:
The Fine Arts Museum is a great first stop. Youll find lots of amazing stone sculpture dating farther back than the 9^th century. Also, turning things around, there is quite a bit of contemporary art here as well. The museum holds few statues of Buddha, and a highly visited Bodhisattua. The Bodhisattua has 1000 eyes and arms. There are also a few pieces of nationalist propaganda on display.
Ho Chi Minhs Mausoleum is an interesting place to visit. His body is embalmed and on displayed, guarded, and its just interesting to watch visitor reactions to his display. Ho Chi Minhs Stilt House is nearby too, as is the Ho Chi Minh Museum. The museum has two sections: past and present.
The Museum of Ethnology has a very comprehensive display of Vietnamese culture, with more than 15,000 showcased pieces. The Museum also houses a center for research and conservation.
The Old Quarter area of Hanoi is quite an extraordinary part of the city. Here youll find 36 streets with mixes of internet cafes and old-style markets and you may not even realize that youre walking through a district that has been beaming for more than 1000 years. The Bach Ma Temple (White Horse Temple) is a highlight in the area, and youll also get to see the Van Mieu (Temple of Literature). The Van Mieu is Vietnams first university started in 1070, and here you can visit the wonderfully landscaped courtyards (at a fee). The central path here is a staple in Confucian methodology.
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