Places to go in Hanoi Vietnam

Being the capital of Vietnam- a beautiful country in Southeast Asia, Hanoi is really outstanding as an economic, social and cultural center. Coming to Hanoi, tourist will be very surprised by a Hanoi with many places to go, from ancient places which have been here for more than one thousand years to busy streets which present the daily life of Hanoi people. But if you do not have enough time to go all of them, let’s try to go to 5 places in Hanoi recommended below. Tours Indochina

  1. Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake has been known as the symbol of Hanoi for a long time. Being located in the center of the city, this lake is related to a legend about a sword given from heaven to Le Loi King to help him fight against the rival. After beating the rival, a tortoise rised above the water to take the sword back. The King immediately throw the sword to the lake without hesitation. From then, the lake was called “Hoan Kiem” which means returning the sword.

The Tortoise Tower lying in the center of Hoan Kiem Lake
The Tortoise Tower lying in the center of Hoan Kiem Lake

Nowadays, Hoan Kiem Lake is the only lake that nurtures tortoise, a very scared animal. If you are lucky, you can see huge tortoises raising above the water. This lake is not only a place for tourism but also a place for Hanoi people to do exercises and play sports in the early morning and the late afternoon. You can also sit down on the stone benches to talk with friends and enjoy Trang Tien ice cream.

  1. Temple of Literature

Being 10 minutes away from Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature is also a tourist attraction place of Hanoi. It was built in 1070 under Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty. The temple offers entrance free for tourist.

This temple is divided into 5 courts and the 3 last court yards attract tourist the most with their history, meaning and unique architecture. The third court yard is a place in which there are lists of doctors showed on many tombstones above tortoise backs. All of these doctors ranked the first places in examination courses from 1442 to 1779. The forth court yard is a place to worship Confucius and his 72 students as well as Chu Van An- a teacher who devoted all of his life to teaching career. The last one is Quoc Tu Giam, known as the first university of Vietnam. This court displays students’ costumes and mandarins. Coming to the Temple of Literature, you will easily see that the studying has been concerned by all of Vietnamese people classes for a long time ago. That spirit is still kept until now. Vietnam tours packages

The main gate of Temple of Literature
The main gate of Temple of Literature
  1. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is the biggest and the most modern museum in Hanoi. The museum focus on promoting the ethnic diversity of Vietnam. It shows uniqueness and characters of 54 ethnic groups all over Vietnam. Besides displaying information about these groups, the museum offers outdoor activities related to tradition and customs of each ethnic minority. There are also models of traditional houses constructed in the yard of the museum. All of these things have been making the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology totally different from the other museums. If you are keen on discovering Vietnam’s multi culture and tradition, do not hesitate to come to this museum to experience.

The modeling house of Ede people is constructed in the Museum of Ethnology
The modeling house of Ede people is constructed in the Museum of Ethnology
  1. Thang Long Water Puppet Theater

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is located on Dinh Tien Hoang Street. It is one of a few theaters in Vietnam showing water puppet performances.

Tourists come to this theater to enjoy water puppet, a Vietnamese traditional art. In a water puppet show, everything is carried out in the water. The artists have to monitor the water puppets behind a bamboo curtain. With the combination of stage effects, lights and music, you will see an amazing water show which is about daily life of old-time Vietnamese people whose lives always stick with the images of the fields, buffalos, the cultivating and other agricultural activities.

A water puppet performance in the theater
A water puppet performance in the theater
  1. Dong Xuan Market

Being located in the Old Quarter, Dong Xuan Market is one of the oldest markets in Hanoi. You can easily go to this market by walking from Hoan Kiem Lake or just calling a cyclo with a reasonable price.

Dong Xuan Market provides every kind of stuff. You can find from souvenirs, clothes to essential things like electronic device and household equipments. This market is also a big distributor for many retailers in Hanoi. Therefore, the price is surely lower here. You can also enjoy Hanoi cuisine right in Dong Xuan with food corners. You will be served with famous dishes of Hanoi such as “bun cha” “bun rieu” “che”

The busy sight inside Dong Xuan Market
The busy sight inside Dong Xuan Market

Coming to Hanoi at any times in a year, you can still feel the real breath of this city. Try to come to 5 places recommended above to directly feel that peaceful and gender breath. You will surely be surprised.

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